10/13/2026
Microsoft is changing the default billing setup for new Microsoft 365 Copilot Business subscriptions purchased through its Cloud Solution Provider program.
Beginning December 1, 2026, usage-based billing will be enabled by default for eligible experiences such as Copilot Cowork, Work IQ APIs and GitHub Copilot Harness. Microsoft says the default spending limit will be 4,000 Copilot Credits per user per month, and administrators will be able to adjust those limits.
There is an important distinction here.
This does not mean the entire Microsoft 365 Copilot Business subscription is becoming pay-per-use. It means certain additional experiences can generate usage-based charges alongside the subscription licensing model. Microsoft provides cost-management tools in the Microsoft 365 admin centre so organizations can monitor consumption and manage spending policies.
For businesses adopting Copilot, this adds another item to the planning conversation.
Before enabling new capabilities, it is worth understanding which experiences are included in the licence, which can consume Copilot Credits, what spending limits are appropriate, and who will be responsible for monitoring usage.
We already encourage clients to look at permissions, security and information governance before introducing AI into their Microsoft 365 environment. Cost management belongs in that conversation too.
The technology is moving quickly. A little planning before features are enabled can make adoption much easier to manage.