Understanding usage limits
Session credits on fixed 4-hour UTC windows, Free message caps, upload fair use, and how plan tiers map to capacity.
ISMS Copilot measures chat capacity with session credits on fixed 4-hour UTC windows, plus a monthly upload allowance. The usage meter in the app is the live source of remaining capacity.
How session limits work
Every plan has a credit budget per 4-hour UTC bin. Credits are a display unit over an internal token budget; longer threads and large files use capacity faster because more context is sent with each turn.
When you exhaust the window, the product shows a clear limit message with a countdown to the next 4-hour boundary (not a timer that started when you first messaged).
You do not need to track usage manually. The app notifies you when you approach or hit the limit.
What consumes capacity
Conversation length
Long threads cost more per message than short ones: each send re-includes history. Starting a new conversation for a new task is usually cheaper than extending a 30+ message thread.
File uploads
Uploading documents uses capacity beyond a plain text question. Prefer uploading the relevant slice of a large PDF, and start a fresh conversation when beginning a heavy document analysis.
Modes
Think and Beyond use more capacity than Fast for the same user text. Free has no Think/Beyond. Essential (grandfathered) has Think but not Beyond / web research by default. Plus and above include Think, Beyond, and web research.
Plan credit ladder (product truth mid-2026)
| Plan | Credits / 4h session | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 10 | Also 10 successful messages per 4h window; no Think / Beyond / web research |
| Essential | 25 | Grandfathered only; Think yes; Beyond / web research not default |
| Plus | 50 | Sold at $20/mo or $200/yr |
| Standard | 100 | Sold at $40/mo or $400/yr |
| Pro | 250 | $100/mo or $1,000/yr |
| Business | 500 | $200/mo or $2,000/yr |
Uploads are not a per-tier ladder anymore:
| Plan | Uploads / calendar month (UTC) |
|---|---|
| Free | 10 |
| Every paid plan | 500 fair use |
See Subscription plans and pricing and Uploading documents.
Checking usage
- Open Settings (gear).
- Open Usage.
- Read the session progress and remaining capacity.
When you hit the limit
Wait for the next 4-hour UTC reset, or upgrade for a higher credit ladder. Eligible free accounts can start a 7-day Plus trial. Step-by-step: What to do when you hit your usage limit.