GitHub Copilot to Impose Rate Limits on Premium Requests
New System Imposes Rate Limits on More Advanced AI Models
GitHub, a Microsoft-owned platform, has announced the introduction of “premium requests” for its AI coding assistant, GitHub Copilot. This new system will impose rate limits on users who switch to more advanced AI models for tasks such as “agentic” coding and multi-file edits. While subscribers to GitHub Copilot can still take unlimited actions with the base model (OpenAI’s GPT-4o), tasks and actions with newer models, like Anthropic’s 3.7 Sonnet, will now be capped.
Rate Limits and Pricing
Customers on the Copilot Pro ($20 per month) tier will receive 300 monthly premium requests beginning on May 5. Copilot Business and Copilot Enterprise users will receive 300 and 1,000 monthly premium requests, respectively, starting between May 12 and May 19. Customers on any of these plans can purchase additional premium requests at $0.04 per request or upgrade to GitHub’s new Copilot Pro+ plan. Starting at $39 per month, Copilot Pro+ offers 1,500 premium requests and “access to the best models,” including OpenAI’s GPT-4.5.
Reasoning Behind the Rate Limits
The effective price hike for Copilot’s more capable models comes a day after AI coding platform Devin increased rates for some users. Reasoning models like 3.7 Sonnet take more time to fact-check their answers, making them more reliable — but also increasing the computing needed to run them. This could be a reflection of the higher computing costs these models incur.
Financial Performance of GitHub Copilot
Despite the rate limits, GitHub Copilot is not an unprofitable business. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said last August that Copilot accounted for over 40% of GitHub’s revenue growth in 2024 and is already a larger business than all of GitHub when the tech giant acquired it roughly seven years ago.
Conclusion
GitHub Copilot’s introduction of premium requests and rate limits on more advanced AI models may cause some users to reassess their subscription plans. However, the platform’s financial performance suggests that the move is a necessary step to ensure the sustainability of the business.
FAQs
Q: What is the base model for GitHub Copilot?
A: The base model for GitHub Copilot is OpenAI’s GPT-4o.
Q: How many premium requests will I receive on the Copilot Pro tier?
A: Customers on the Copilot Pro tier will receive 300 monthly premium requests.
Q: Can I purchase additional premium requests?
A: Yes, customers on any of the affected plans can purchase additional premium requests at $0.04 per request.
Q: What is the Copilot Pro+ plan?
A: The Copilot Pro+ plan offers 1,500 premium requests and “access to the best models,” including OpenAI’s GPT-4.5, starting at $39 per month.
