GitHub, the Microsoft-owned platform for developers, has announced the release of a free version of its Copilot AI-powered code completion tool. Starting today, the free version will be shipped by default with Microsoft’s popular Visual Studio Code (VS Code) editor, making it more accessible to developers worldwide.
Until Now, Copilot Required a Monthly Subscription Fee
Until now, Copilot required a monthly subscription fee starting at $10, except for verified students, teachers, and open-source maintainers who had free access. This new offering represents GitHub’s commitment to broadening access to AI tools, especially for aspiring developers and those in regions where affordability has been a barrier.
What the Free Plan Offers
The free version of Copilot is designed for occasional users and includes:
2,000 Code Completions per Month
Each AI-generated suggestion, whether accepted or not, counts toward this limit. This means that developers can use Copilot’s code completion features up to 2,000 times per month without incurring any costs.
Limited Foundational Models
Access is restricted to Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet and OpenAI’s GPT-4o, while paid plans also include models like Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro and OpenAI’s o1-preview and -mini.
Copilot Chat: Limited to 50 Chat Messages per Month
The free plan includes limited access to Copilot Chat, which allows developers to interact with the AI-powered assistant in a conversational manner. However, this feature is restricted to 50 chat messages per month.
Full Extensions Access
All Copilot extensions and skills are available, ensuring that developers can leverage its full capabilities for smaller projects.
The Free Plan Works Across Multiple Editors
The free plan works across multiple editors, including VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains, and GitHub.com. This means that developers can use Copilot’s features regardless of their preferred editor or environment.
Copilot’s Growing Reach
Copilot launched in 2021 and quickly became a leading AI coding assistant. With this new offering, GitHub aims to expand its reach further, aligning with its goal of enabling a billion people worldwide to become developers.
GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke highlighted the significance of this move: "There should be no barrier to entry for experiencing the joy of creating software. Copilot Free … lays the groundwork for something far greater: AI represents our best path to enabling a GitHub with one billion developers."
Dohmke also acknowledged that the subscription fee has been a barrier for many potential users, particularly in regions like South America, South Asia, and Africa. By offering a free plan, GitHub hopes to empower developers in these areas to start their coding journeys or enhance their productivity.
Competitive Landscape
The decision to offer a free version of Copilot also aligns with industry trends. Competitors like Tabnine, Qodo (formerly Codium), and AWS already provide free tiers for their AI coding tools. Offering Copilot Free strengthens GitHub’s position in this increasingly crowded market and leverages the widespread use of VS Code to boost adoption.
What This Means
The introduction of Copilot Free is a bold step in making AI coding tools accessible to more users globally. By lowering financial barriers, GitHub is encouraging aspiring developers to explore software creation and experienced developers to enhance their productivity.
This initiative could also set a precedent for other AI coding platforms to reevaluate their accessibility strategies. As competition in the AI coding space heats up, GitHub’s freemium model may help solidify its position as a leader in democratizing AI for developers.
Editor’s Note
This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.
GitHub’s free version of Copilot is a significant move towards making AI coding tools more accessible to developers worldwide. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Copilot has quickly become a leading AI coding assistant. By offering a free plan, GitHub is aligning itself with industry trends and setting a precedent for other AI coding platforms.
As the demand for skilled software developers continues to grow, it’s essential that platforms like GitHub make their tools more accessible to users from diverse backgrounds and regions. By doing so, they can contribute to the democratization of AI and empower a new generation of developers to create innovative solutions.
GitHub’s commitment to broadening access to AI tools is evident in its decision to offer Copilot Free. This move not only strengthens GitHub’s position in the market but also encourages aspiring developers to explore software creation and experienced developers to enhance their productivity.
As we continue to witness rapid advancements in AI technology, it’s essential that platforms like GitHub prioritize accessibility and inclusivity. By making AI coding tools more accessible, they can contribute to a more equitable and diverse tech ecosystem.
GitHub’s free version of Copilot is an exciting development for the developer community. With its powerful features and user-friendly interface, Copilot has quickly become a leading AI coding assistant. As the demand for skilled software developers continues to grow, it’s essential that platforms like GitHub make their tools more accessible to users from diverse backgrounds and regions.
By offering a free plan, GitHub is setting a precedent for other AI coding platforms to reevaluate their accessibility strategies. This move not only strengthens GitHub’s position in the market but also encourages aspiring developers to explore software creation and experienced developers to enhance their productivity.
In conclusion, GitHub’s free version of Copilot is a significant move towards making AI coding tools more accessible to developers worldwide. With its powerful features and user-friendly interface, Copilot has quickly become a leading AI coding assistant. By offering a free plan, GitHub is aligning itself with industry trends and setting a precedent for other AI coding platforms.
As we continue to witness rapid advancements in AI technology, it’s essential that platforms like GitHub prioritize accessibility and inclusivity. By making AI coding tools more accessible, they can contribute to a more equitable and diverse tech ecosystem.
GitHub’s free version of Copilot is an exciting development for the developer community. With its powerful features and user-friendly interface, Copilot has quickly become a leading AI coding assistant. As the demand for skilled software developers continues to grow, it’s essential that platforms like GitHub make their tools more accessible to users from diverse backgrounds and regions.
By offering a free plan, GitHub is setting a precedent for other AI coding platforms to reevaluate their accessibility strategies. This move not only strengthens GitHub’s position in the market but also encourages aspiring developers to explore software creation and experienced developers to enhance their productivity.
