Skip to main content
Development 2 min read 547 views

GitHub Copilot Now Free for All Developers

GitHub launched a free Copilot tier offering 2,000 code completions and 50 chat messages monthly, with choice between Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4o models.

TD

TechDrop Editorial

Share:

GitHub has launched a free tier for GitHub Copilot, making AI-powered code completion accessible to all developers. The free plan includes 2,000 code completions and 50 chat messages per month, with a choice between Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4o models.

What's Included

The GitHub Copilot Free tier provides:

  • 2,000 code completions per month: Inline suggestions as you type
  • 50 chat messages per month: Conversational coding assistance
  • Model choice: Switch between Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet and OpenAI's GPT-4o
  • VS Code and JetBrains support: Works in popular IDEs

Model Selection

For the first time, Copilot users can choose their underlying AI model. Claude 3.5 Sonnet is praised for nuanced code understanding and natural explanations, while GPT-4o offers strong general-purpose capabilities. Users can switch between models based on their preferences.

Comparison to Paid Plans

GitHub Copilot Individual ($10/month) and Business ($19/user/month) plans continue to offer:

  • Unlimited code completions
  • Unlimited chat messages
  • Access to additional models including GPT-4 Turbo
  • Enterprise features like organization-wide policies

Impact on Developer Tools Market

The free tier represents GitHub's response to increasing competition from tools like Cursor, Codeium, and Amazon CodeWhisperer. By removing the financial barrier, GitHub aims to establish Copilot as the default AI coding assistant for the next generation of developers.

Getting Started

Developers can enable Copilot Free directly from their GitHub account settings. The free tier requires a GitHub account but no payment information.

Related Articles