unitcostai

AI Coding Plan Comparison

Compare coding subscription costs for your team, with usage limits explicit.

How this tool works

Compare listed AI coding subscription costs for your team against an explicit API baseline. It compares fixed coding plans against your API-equivalent monthly developer cost, applies published seat prices and minimum-seat rules, and shows published usage limits as context. Extra usage, model quality, and feature eligibility are not included in the ranking.

Use this when

  • You are comparing Codex, Claude Code, Cursor, or GitHub Copilot at plan-choice time.
  • You want to start from a realistic team shape before going deeper on workflow-side cost.
  • You need an honest seat-spend comparison without fake token-cap conversions.

How It Works

  1. Start from a buyer-shaped preset or enter your own team size, monthly active developers, and API-equivalent monthly cost.
  2. Apply published fixed plan seat prices and minimum-seat rules from the dated tool-plan snapshot.
  3. Compare monthly team spend, cost per active developer, and delta versus the API baseline.

Formulas

api_monthly_spend = monthly_active_developers * api_equivalent_cost_per_active_developer_month

fixed_plan_monthly_spend = billed_seats * monthly_seat_price

fixed_plan_break_even_api_cost_per_active_developer = fixed_plan_monthly_spend / monthly_active_developers

fixed_plan_beats_api when fixed_plan_monthly_spend < api_monthly_spend

When seat spend is lower, the monthly extra-usage budget before tying the API baseline is api_monthly_spend - fixed_plan_monthly_spend. Confirm the plan covers your work; usage beyond that budget removes its modeled spend advantage.

Assumptions and Units

  • Currency: USD
  • Plan pricing source: daily tool-plan snapshot in repo with per-source refresh status, no runtime scraping
  • API-equivalent monthly cost is your own baseline estimate, not a vendor allowance conversion
  • Soft limits and included usage stay qualitative unless a vendor publishes deterministic overage pricing

Example Scenario

If eight active developers have a $75 monthly API-equivalent baseline and a fixed plan costs $320 for the team, the seat-cost threshold is $40 per active developer. Seat spend is $280 lower before extra usage.

FAQs

Does the lowest seat price identify the best plan? No. The ranking compares listed seat spend with your API baseline. Confirm that the plan covers your models, usage, and team requirements; extra charges can change the result.

Why not convert every plan into tokens? Because most coding-tool plan pages do not publish one stable deterministic quota. Seat spend against your own API-equivalent monthly baseline is the cleaner first-order comparison.

Need Codex vs Claude only? Use Codex vs Claude Cost for a focused head-to-head with plan-only, plan-plus-overflow, and usage-priced modes.

What if I need workflow-side cost after I pick a plan? Move next to AI Coding Agent Cost to model request volume, retrieval, reranking, cache, and infra behind the workflow itself.

Related resources: Codex vs Claude Cost, AI Coding Agent Cost, Coding Agent Cost per Task, PR Review Cost, Best AI Coding Plan for My Usage, Codex vs Claude Cost, PR Review Cost, Coding Agent Cost per Task, Fixed Plan vs API Pricing for Coding Tools, AI Coding Agent Cost per Developer, Model Selection: Quality vs Unit Cost, How Model Switching Changes Margin.

Plan pricing snapshot: 2026-10-15Plans compared: 18Billing: Monthly

Refresh note: Cursor pricing (2026-10-11) reused the last verified values when the latest official refresh failed.

Decision Signal

Lower seat cost

GitHub Copilot Pro has the lowest listed seat cost at $100 per month.

That is -$500 versus your API baseline of $600 per month.

Seat prices exclude extra usage. Check the plan's limits, model access, and team requirements before choosing.

Step 1 Team and Usage

iUse your own team shape and API-equivalent baseline instead of guessing from vendor marketing allowances.

A common manager-buying case: 10 seats, 8 active developers, and a moderate usage-priced baseline.

Scenario actions

Copy scenario URL

Paste into ChatGPT or Claude, or share with a teammate.

Save and track this scenario

Track pricing drift on this scenario and get an email if the latest result changes.

How tracking works

After you click Save and track, we carry this exact calculator state into the tracked-scenarios page so you can sign in and confirm the save.

We save your assumptions and the pricing snapshot used for this result.

When a newer pricing snapshot lands, we recompute the same scenario, show what changed, and email you if the latest result moved.

1 tracked scenario free, then $12/mo or $120/yr for up to 25 tracked scenarios.

Lowest modeled monthly spend

$100.00

API baseline spend

$600.00

Cheapest fixed plan / active developer

$12.50

Active share

80%

Fixed-plan break-even

iThe API-equivalent monthly cost per active developer where the cheapest fixed plan and your usage-priced baseline cost the same for this team shape.

GitHub Copilot Pro breaks even at $12.50 per active developer per month.

Your $75.00 baseline is $62.50 above that threshold. Seat spend is $500.00 lower per month, before extra usage.

This threshold covers published seat spend. Soft limits and unpriced overages remain qualitative.

At these inputs, $500.00 per month in extra charges would bring this plan up to your API baseline.

Check plan fit

GitHub Copilot Pro is an individual plan.

Included usage: Includes unlimited completions, Copilot cloud agent, and 1,500 GitHub AI Credits per month.

Extra usage: Additional usage is metered in GitHub AI Credits at 1 AI credit = $0.01 USD.

Confirm model access and account requirements before choosing on seat price.

Verify current plan limits

What changes the result

iSensitivity shows how the fixed-plan-versus-API gap changes if one input rises by 10%. Negative values favor fixed plans more; positive values favor the API baseline more.
Monthly active developers-$75.00
API baseline per active developer-$60.00
Team size+$10.00

Plan comparison

iPlans are ranked by monthly team spend.

Soft limits and included allowances stay qualitative. Use this table for seat-spend comparison against your API baseline.

GitHub Copilot ProiAI Credits allowances and model availability vary by plan.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$100.00
Cost / active developer
$12.50
Delta vs API
-$500.00
Source
GitHub Copilot plans
GitHub Copilot BusinessiBusiness pricing is seat-based and AI Credits usage can exceed the included pooled allowance.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$190.00
Cost / active developer
$23.75
Delta vs API
-$410.00
Source
GitHub Copilot plans
Anthropic Claude ProiAnthropic publishes qualitative usage tiers rather than deterministic included quotas.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$200.00
Cost / active developer
$25.00
Delta vs API
-$400.00
Source
Claude Code individual plans
Cursor ProiIncluded usage is plan-specific and overflow can add on-demand charges.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$200.00
Cost / active developer
$25.00
Delta vs API
-$400.00
Source
Cursor pricing
OpenAI ChatGPT PlusiPlus is for lighter use and usage limits still depend on task size and complexity.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$200.00
Cost / active developer
$25.00
Delta vs API
-$400.00
Source
ChatGPT Pro plans
Anthropic Claude Team Standard seatiTeam plans require at least 2 members and usage limits apply per member.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$250.00
Cost / active developer
$31.25
Delta vs API
-$350.00
Source
Claude Team plan
OpenAI ChatGPT Business Standard seatiStandard ChatGPT seats start at 2 users; included usage is limited and does not establish workload coverage.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$250.00
Cost / active developer
$31.25
Delta vs API
-$350.00
Source
ChatGPT Business
GitHub Copilot EnterpriseiEnterprise pricing is seat-based and AI Credits usage can exceed the included pooled allowance.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$390.00
Cost / active developer
$48.75
Delta vs API
-$210.00
Source
GitHub Copilot plans
GitHub Copilot Pro+iAI Credits allowances and model availability vary by plan.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$390.00
Cost / active developer
$48.75
Delta vs API
-$210.00
Source
GitHub Copilot plans
Cursor TeamsiOverflow usage is billed separately, so the headline seat price is not the full spend ceiling.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$400.00
Cost / active developer
$50.00
Delta vs API
-$200.00
Source
Cursor pricing
Cursor Pro+iIncluded usage is plan-specific and overflow can add on-demand charges.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$600.00
Cost / active developer
$75.00
Delta vs API
$0.00
Source
Cursor pricing
Anthropic Claude Max 5xiAnthropic publishes qualitative usage tiers rather than deterministic included quotas.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$1,000.00
Cost / active developer
$125.00
Delta vs API
+$400.00
Source
Claude Code individual plans
GitHub Copilot MaxiAI Credits allowances and model availability vary by plan.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$1,000.00
Cost / active developer
$125.00
Delta vs API
+$400.00
Source
GitHub Copilot plans
OpenAI ChatGPT Pro 5xiPro plans include guardrails and higher allowances, not a deterministic token quota.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$1,000.00
Cost / active developer
$125.00
Delta vs API
+$400.00
Source
ChatGPT Pro plans
Anthropic Claude Team Premium seatiTeam plans require at least 2 members and usage limits apply per member.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$1,250.00
Cost / active developer
$156.25
Delta vs API
+$650.00
Source
Claude Team plan
Anthropic Claude Max 20xiAnthropic publishes qualitative usage tiers rather than deterministic included quotas.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$2,000.00
Cost / active developer
$250.00
Delta vs API
+$1,400.00
Source
Claude Code individual plans
Cursor UltraiIncluded usage is plan-specific and overflow can add on-demand charges.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$2,000.00
Cost / active developer
$250.00
Delta vs API
+$1,400.00
Source
Cursor pricing
OpenAI ChatGPT Pro 20xiPro plans include guardrails and higher allowances, not a deterministic token quota.
Seats billed
10
Team spend
$2,000.00
Cost / active developer
$250.00
Delta vs API
+$1,400.00
Source
ChatGPT Pro plans
PlanSeats billedTeam spendCost / active developerDelta vs APISource
GitHub Copilot ProiAI Credits allowances and model availability vary by plan.10$100.00$12.50-$500.00GitHub Copilot plans
GitHub Copilot BusinessiBusiness pricing is seat-based and AI Credits usage can exceed the included pooled allowance.10$190.00$23.75-$410.00GitHub Copilot plans
Anthropic Claude ProiAnthropic publishes qualitative usage tiers rather than deterministic included quotas.10$200.00$25.00-$400.00Claude Code individual plans
Cursor ProiIncluded usage is plan-specific and overflow can add on-demand charges.10$200.00$25.00-$400.00Cursor pricing
OpenAI ChatGPT PlusiPlus is for lighter use and usage limits still depend on task size and complexity.10$200.00$25.00-$400.00ChatGPT Pro plans
Anthropic Claude Team Standard seatiTeam plans require at least 2 members and usage limits apply per member.10$250.00$31.25-$350.00Claude Team plan
OpenAI ChatGPT Business Standard seatiStandard ChatGPT seats start at 2 users; included usage is limited and does not establish workload coverage.10$250.00$31.25-$350.00ChatGPT Business
GitHub Copilot EnterpriseiEnterprise pricing is seat-based and AI Credits usage can exceed the included pooled allowance.10$390.00$48.75-$210.00GitHub Copilot plans
GitHub Copilot Pro+iAI Credits allowances and model availability vary by plan.10$390.00$48.75-$210.00GitHub Copilot plans
Cursor TeamsiOverflow usage is billed separately, so the headline seat price is not the full spend ceiling.10$400.00$50.00-$200.00Cursor pricing
Cursor Pro+iIncluded usage is plan-specific and overflow can add on-demand charges.10$600.00$75.00$0.00Cursor pricing
Anthropic Claude Max 5xiAnthropic publishes qualitative usage tiers rather than deterministic included quotas.10$1,000.00$125.00+$400.00Claude Code individual plans
GitHub Copilot MaxiAI Credits allowances and model availability vary by plan.10$1,000.00$125.00+$400.00GitHub Copilot plans
OpenAI ChatGPT Pro 5xiPro plans include guardrails and higher allowances, not a deterministic token quota.10$1,000.00$125.00+$400.00ChatGPT Pro plans
Anthropic Claude Team Premium seatiTeam plans require at least 2 members and usage limits apply per member.10$1,250.00$156.25+$650.00Claude Team plan
Anthropic Claude Max 20xiAnthropic publishes qualitative usage tiers rather than deterministic included quotas.10$2,000.00$250.00+$1,400.00Claude Code individual plans
Cursor UltraiIncluded usage is plan-specific and overflow can add on-demand charges.10$2,000.00$250.00+$1,400.00Cursor pricing
OpenAI ChatGPT Pro 20xiPro plans include guardrails and higher allowances, not a deterministic token quota.10$2,000.00$250.00+$1,400.00ChatGPT Pro plans
Sensitivity RankingiChange in the current winner-versus-API gap when one variable is increased by 10%.
VariableDelta winner gap
Monthly active developersiDevelopers expected to use the tool materially in the month.-$75.00
API baseline per active developeriYour own API-equivalent monthly cost for one active developer.-$60.00
Team sizeiLicensed seats compared against the plan's minimum-seat rule.+$10.00

Assumptions and Units

iKeep the baseline explicit so plan math stays honest.
  • CurrencyUSD
  • Tool plan snapshot2026-10-15
  • Team size10
  • Monthly active developers8
  • Billing cadenceMonthly
  • API baseline input$75.00 per active developer-month
  • Plan limitsSoft limits and included allowances stay qualitative unless fixed overage pricing is published

Sources and Snapshot

iSource links come from official vendor plan pages captured in the current dated tool-plan snapshot.
  • Snapshot date: 2026-10-15
  • Plans compared: 18
  • Billing view: Monthly
  • Refresh carry-forwards: 1

Official plan docs

Recommended Next Step

iPlan fit depends on the work and model access your subscription covers.

Check usage limits and extra charges, then compare the cost of completed work.

Check plan fit and usage

Codex vs Claude CostPR Review CostCoding Agent Cost per TaskBest AI Coding Plan for My UsageFixed Plan vs API Pricing for Coding ToolsAI Coding Agent CostCompare Model Costs

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