GitHub, the Microsoft-owned platform for developers, has announced a major milestone: surpassing 150 million users while introducing a free tier of its AI-powered coding assistant, GitHub Copilot.
This new offering, called GitHub Copilot Free, is integrated directly into Visual Studio Code (VS Code), providing developers worldwide with a powerful tool to enhance productivity.
What is GitHub Copilot Free?
GitHub Copilot Free offers developers access to advanced AI features without any cost.
Users can now enjoy up to 2,000 code completions and 50 chat messages per month by signing in with their personal GitHub accounts.
The free tier supports two AI models: OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet.
These models enable developers to perform tasks such as debugging, explaining code, editing across multiple files, and even asking coding questions.
The tool also includes Copilot Chat, which is accessible directly from the GitHub dashboard.
This feature allows developers to interact with the AI conversationally, making it easier to resolve coding challenges or optimize their workflows.
Additionally, users can leverage third-party extensions or create custom ones to further tailor their experience.
Boosting Accessibility and Productivity
This move underscores GitHub’s commitment to democratizing access to AI tools for developers of all levels.
By integrating Copilot Free into VS Code, GitHub aims to lower barriers for hobbyists, students, and professionals alike.
The free plan is particularly beneficial for light usage scenarios or budget-conscious developers who may not require the unlimited features of paid plans.
According to GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke, “Copilot Free empowers every developer to build and create code in natural language.”
He emphasized that this initiative aligns with GitHub’s tradition of offering free resources, such as private repositories and storage for GitHub Actions and Codespaces.
Developers using Copilot have reported up to a 25% increase in coding speed, making it a valuable addition to enhancing productivity.
Whether it’s generating commit messages, suggesting code snippets in real time, or assisting with multi-file edits, Copilot Free provides essential tools for modern software development.
A Milestone for the Developer Community
The launch of Copilot Free coincides with GitHub reaching 150 million developers—a significant leap from 100 million in early 2023.
This milestone highlights the platform’s growing influence in the global tech ecosystem.
By making AI-powered coding tools more accessible, GitHub aims to further expand its community and empower developers worldwide.
While the free version has limitations—such as capped completions and chat messages—it serves as an excellent entry point for those exploring AI-assisted development.
For advanced users needing unlimited access or additional features, paid plans like Copilot Pro remain available.
With this announcement, GitHub continues its mission of fostering innovation and collaboration across the developer community.
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