GitHub Copilot Plans Comparison 2026: Which Is Best for You?
4.5/ 5
Free Plan: Features and Limitations
The Free plan gives you a taste of Copilot. You get code completions with a monthly cap and limited chat interactions. No access to the latest models or customization. Great for students or casual side projects, but the restrictions will frustrate daily drivers.
Individual Plan: Who Needs It?
Individual is for solo developers who rely on Copilot every day. At $10/month or $100/year, you unlock unlimited completions, up-to-date models, chat, and pull request summaries. The sweet spot for freelancers and open-source maintainers. Cons: no team management or IP protection.
Business Plan: Key Features for Teams
Business at $19/user/month adds org-wide management: enforce policies, block suggestions that match public code, manage billing. Ideal for small to midsize teams that need control without enterprise complexity. You also get priority support. Tip: If you're weighing alternatives, see our Cursor vs Claude Code comparison.
Enterprise Plan: Security and Customization
Enterprise at $39/user/month brings the heavy artillery: IP indemnity, SAML/SSO, custom model fine-tuning, audit logs, and dedicated support. Built for large organizations with compliance needs. The per-user cost is high, but the features justify it for regulated industries.
Side-by-Side Plan Comparison Table
| Feature | Free | Individual | Business | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code completions | Limited/month | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Chat requests | Limited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Model choice | Base only | Latest models | Latest models | Custom model fine-tuning |
| Org management | — | — | Policy controls | Full admin + audit |
| IP indemnity | — | — | — | Yes |
| SSO / SAML | — | — | — | Yes |
| Support | Standard | Standard | Priority | Dedicated |
How to Switch or Upgrade Plans
From your GitHub dashboard, go to Settings > Billing and plans > Copilot. Choose a plan and confirm. Upgrades are immediate; downgrades take effect at the next billing cycle. Teams can be moved in bulk by admins.
Frequently Asked Questions About Copilot Plans
Can I try Copilot for free?
Yes, the Free plan gives you a limited number of completions each month. No credit card required.
What's the difference between Individual and Business?
Individual is for personal use. Business adds org-wide policy controls and management features for teams.
Does Enterprise include custom model training?
Yes, Enterprise allows fine-tuning Copilot on your private codebase for more relevant suggestions.
What works
- Four plans cover every use case from student to enterprise
- Free tier lets you evaluate before committing
- Seamless integration with GitHub ecosystem
- Business tier offers good team controls at reasonable price
What doesn't
- Free cap is low for active developers
- Enterprise per-user cost adds up for large orgs
The verdict
GitHub Copilot's tiered plans make it accessible for everyone. The Free plan is a fine intro, but Individual and Business deliver real value for daily coding. Enterprise justifies its cost with security and customization.
FAQ
- Can I try Copilot for free?
- Yes, the Free plan gives you a limited number of completions each month. No credit card required.
- What's the difference between Individual and Business?
- Individual is for personal use. Business adds org-wide policy controls and management features for teams.
- Does Enterprise include custom model training?
- Yes, Enterprise allows fine-tuning Copilot on your private codebase for more relevant suggestions.