{
  "schema_version": "1.0",
  "surface_type": "guide_answer",
  "guide_id": "best-ai-coding-plan-for-my-usage",
  "question": "How do I choose the best AI coding plan for my usage?",
  "canonical_url": "https://www.unitcostai.com/guides/best-ai-coding-plan-for-my-usage",
  "related_tool_url": "https://www.unitcostai.com/tools/ai-coding-tool-plan-comparison",
  "formula": "active_share = monthly_active_developers / team_size; api_monthly_spend = monthly_active_developers * api_equivalent_cost_per_active_developer_month; best_plan = lane with the lowest honest monthly_team_spend after seat rules and explicit overage are applied",
  "assumptions": [
    "Best means lowest honest team spend for the same team shape and usage pattern, not whichever vendor marketing page sounds most generous",
    "Minimum-seat rules, annual-equivalent pricing, and explicit overage terms can change the winner materially",
    "Weekly caps and model multipliers matter because the right plan for hard debugging can be the wrong default for routine scans or review",
    "Soft limits and included allowances stay qualitative unless the vendor publishes deterministic overage pricing"
  ],
  "example": "If 8 active developers would cost 75 each on a usage-priced baseline, API spend is 600 per month. A 320 team plan is cheaper by 280 per month, but can still lose if model multipliers burn the weekly cap before normal review and refactor work is done."
}