1. New User Registration Suspended: Pro, Pro+, and Student No Longer Accepting New Accounts
Key Changes:
- Suspension Applies To: Copilot Pro, Pro+, and Student plans for new user registrations.
- Still Available: Copilot Free remains open for new sign-ups.
- Existing Users: Current users can upgrade between Pro and Pro+ without any impact.
GitHub has stated this move is to “prioritize the service quality for existing paid users.” In short, user growth is too rapid; the free version continues to bring in new users, but advanced features need to control load. If you haven’t joined Pro yet, you’ll need to stick with the Free version or wait for registration to reopen in the future.
2. Stricter Usage Limits: Pro+ Limit Increased by Over 5 Times
Key Changes:
- Pro+ has a usage quota that’s over 5 times higher than Pro.
- Pro users who exceed their quota can upgrade to Pro+.
- Warning notifications will appear in VS Code and Copilot CLI when you’re near your limit, and a usage tracking feature is coming soon.
Previously, most users weren’t too aware of “usage”. Going forward, usage will be much more transparent. Power users (like those who use Copilot heavily for code generation, debugging suggestions, and unit testing every day) will probably need Pro+. Regular Pro users should watch out for warnings to avoid being throttled during key development moments.
3. Opus Model Removed from Pro Plan
Key Changes:
- The Opus model (the more advanced code reasoning model) is no longer available to Copilot Pro.
- Pro+ users can still use Opus 4.7.
- Opus 4.5 and 4.6 will also be removed from Pro+.
This is the biggest “downgrade” signal. Pro users will lose access to Opus, meaning experience with complex code generation and reasoning suggestions will decline. If you rely on Opus for tough logic tasks or cross-file understanding, Pro+ is basically your only choice.
4. Unsatisfied? You Can Cancel and Get a Refund
Official Commitment:
- If you hit unexpected quota limits, or these changes are unacceptable to you, you can cancel your Pro/Pro+ subscription.
- April will be free of charge, and you can contact GitHub support for a refund between April 20 and May 20.
This is a relatively user-friendly exit mechanism. If you recently subscribed and are dissatisfied with the quotas or model changes, it’s recommended to proactively apply for a refund within this window. Don’t keep paying for a deteriorated experience.
Recommendations
| User Type | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Not Subscribed to Pro | Use Copilot Free for now, wait for registrations to reopen or consider if Pro+ is needed |
| Current Pro User | Assess if you rely on the Opus model + high usage. Yes → Consider upgrading to Pro+; No → Stay on Pro but accept the limits |
| Current Pro+ User | Largely unaffected, note Opus 4.5/4.6 are ending, switch to 4.7 |
| Unsatisfied Subscribers | Request a refund before May 20 to avoid auto-renewal |
Final thought: The era of free AI is closing in. Hope you find the AI that fits you best.
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