Is GitHub Copilot free? Yes — GitHub now offers a free tier of its AI coding assistant, but it comes with usage limits. Developers on the free plan get 2,000 code completions and 50 chat requests per month, enough to experiment and test the tool before committing to a subscription.
This move is significant for the developer community. For years, GitHub Copilot was only available through paid plans, leaving many students, hobbyists, and indie developers on the sidelines. The new GitHub Copilot free option opens the door to millions of developers who want to see whether AI-driven coding can improve their workflow.
However, the answer to “is GitHub Copilot free” comes with nuance. It’s free to try, but not unlimited. In this article, we’ll explore what you really get with the free plan, how it compares to paid options, the hidden trade-offs, and whether it’s worth adopting in 2025.
What is GitHub Copilot?
Before diving deeper into is GitHub Copilot free, it’s worth understanding what Copilot actually is.
GitHub Copilot is an AI pair programmer developed by GitHub in partnership with OpenAI. It’s built to make software development faster by suggesting lines of code, generating entire functions, or even helping with documentation.
Here’s what makes GitHub Copilot popular:
- It’s powered by advanced AI models such as OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Anthropic’s Claude 3.5, which are trained on billions of lines of code.
- It integrates seamlessly with popular IDEs like Visual Studio Code, JetBrains, and Neovim, meaning developers don’t need to leave their coding environment.
- It’s not just about writing code — GitHub Copilot can explain snippets, suggest tests, and help debug issues, making it a versatile assistant.
For startups, GitHub Copilot can accelerate MVP development. For students, it becomes a teacher-like guide. And for enterprises, it reduces repetitive coding tasks that usually eat up developer hours.
But with all these benefits, the question that keeps trending remains: is GitHub Copilot free, or will you need to pay for real productivity?
Is GitHub Copilot Free?
The most direct answer: Yes, GitHub Copilot is free — with limits.
The GitHub Copilot free plan was introduced in 2025 and is designed for light users. Here’s what the free plan includes:
- 2,000 code completions per month
- 50 chat requests per month
- Basic integration across IDEs
That’s enough for students, small project developers, and those who want to experiment. But if you hit those limits early in the month, you’ll either have to wait until your quota resets or upgrade to a paid plan.
So while the answer to is GitHub Copilot free is technically yes, the experience isn’t unlimited. For daily developers, the free tier may feel more like a trial version than a long-term solution.
GitHub Copilot Free vs Paid Plans
To really understand is GitHub Copilot free worth it, you need to compare it against the paid versions. GitHub currently offers Individual, Business, and Enterprise subscriptions.
Here’s a comparison of features between the free and paid tiers:
- Code Completions
- Free plan: 2,000 per month
- Paid plans: Unlimited
- Free plan: 2,000 per month
- Chat Requests
- Free plan: 50 per month
- Paid plans: Unlimited
- Free plan: 50 per month
- Security Features
- Free plan: Not included
- Paid plans: Security scanning, vulnerability alerts, and advanced AI guardrails
- Free plan: Not included
- Team Management Tools
- Free plan: Not available
- Business & Enterprise: Yes, includes admin controls and collaboration tools
- Free plan: Not available
- Support
- Free plan: Community support only
- Paid plans: Priority or enterprise-grade support
- Free plan: Community support only
This comparison makes it clear: GitHub Copilot free is best for individuals testing the waters, while businesses and professional developers will almost certainly require the unlimited features in paid plans.
The Hidden Cost: Is It Truly Free?
When discussing is GitHub Copilot free, it’s also important to think beyond price. Free tools often come with hidden costs that go unnoticed until you’ve relied on them for a while.
Some of the trade-offs include:
- Data Collection: GitHub collects anonymized usage data from Copilot users to improve the product. While they don’t share private code, telemetry may concern privacy-conscious developers.
- Disrupted Workflow: Once you hit your monthly quota, you lose access until the reset. This can interrupt your coding flow.
- Psychological Cost: Free plans often act as a “gateway.” After experiencing the convenience, many users feel compelled to upgrade when they hit the limits.
So while GitHub Copilot free is technically free, the hidden cost is dependency. Once you get used to AI-assisted development, coding without it feels slow and inefficient.
Should You Use GitHub Copilot Free?
Whether GitHub Copilot free is right for you depends on who you are and how you code.
Advantages of GitHub Copilot Free:
- No upfront financial commitment
- Perfect for beginners and students learning to code
- A low-risk way to test Copilot’s effectiveness
- Great for small projects or one-off prototypes
Disadvantages of GitHub Copilot Free:
- Limited to 2,000 completions per month
- Only 50 chat requests, which run out quickly in active projects
- No advanced security or compliance features for teams
- Not practical for full-time professional developers
Best for:
- Students learning coding fundamentals
- Indie developers testing ideas
- Startup founders experimenting with MVPs
- Hobbyists building small personal projects
If you’re asking is GitHub Copilot free enough for professional use, the answer is no. For daily development, the limits are too restrictive. But for those testing or learning, it’s a great starting point.
Final Verdict: Is GitHub Copilot Free Worth It?
So, is GitHub Copilot free? Yes — but only for those with light usage. The free plan offers an excellent way to explore AI-assisted development, especially for students, hobbyists, and startup founders.
But if you’re a professional developer, daily user, or part of a scaling startup, the free plan won’t be enough. The limits on completions and chat requests can quickly disrupt your workflow. Paid plans provide the real value, with unlimited access, team features, and enterprise security.
Start with the free plan to evaluate GitHub Copilot. If it fits your workflow and boosts your productivity, upgrading to a paid plan will be a natural next step.
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FAQs
Q1. Is GitHub Copilot free for students?
Yes, students can access GitHub Copilot free through the GitHub Student Developer Pack. This ensures learners can explore AI coding assistance without cost while studying.
Q2. Is GitHub Copilot free for teachers or educators?
Yes, verified teachers and educators also receive GitHub Copilot free, supporting classroom coding and learning environments.
Q3. Is GitHub Copilot free for hobbyists?
Yes, hobbyists can use the free plan, but usage limits mean it’s only suitable for small projects, not daily coding.
Q4. Is GitHub Copilot free forever?
The free tier has no set expiration date, but GitHub may change availability in the future. It is currently free as of 2025.
Q5. Is GitHub Copilot free on Visual Studio Code?
Yes, GitHub Copilot free works inside VS Code once you connect your GitHub account. The limits still apply, but the integration is smooth.
Q6. Is GitHub Copilot free compared to ChatGPT?
GitHub Copilot is free with limits, but ChatGPT requires a separate subscription for premium features. Copilot is also better integrated into coding environments.
Q7. Is GitHub Copilot free useful for startups?
Yes, for early-stage startups, GitHub Copilot free can help test ideas quickly. But for scaling, paid plans with team features are necessary.
Q8. Is GitHub Copilot free worth it in 2025?
Yes, it’s worth trying. It gives developers a feel for AI-assisted coding. However, serious developers and businesses will likely need to upgrade for unlimited usage.
