ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot

ChatGPT★★★★★★★★★★ 4.7From $8 /mo vs

Microsoft Copilot★★★★★★★★★★ 4.3From $9.99 /mo

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Quick verdict

ChatGPT is the more capable standalone assistant. Microsoft Copilot wins if you live in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams, because it works inside them with your files and email.

Side by side

	ChatGPT	Microsoft Copilot
Our rating	4.7/5	4.3/5
Value	4.5/5	4.3/5
Features	4.9/5	4.2/5
Ease of use	4.7/5	4.4/5
Output quality	4.6/5	4.1/5
Category	AI assistant	AI assistant
Free plan	Yes: limited messages, image generation and deep research	Yes: Copilot app and web
Cheapest paid plan (monthly)	$8/mo	$9.99/mo
Same plan billed yearly	-	-
Top plan	Pro (max): $200/mo	Copilot Business: $25.20/mo
Seats	Individual plans; Business per user	Personal/Family; Business per user
Trial / refund	No trial; cancel any time	Microsoft 365 trials often available
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows	Web, Windows, iOS, Android, inside Office apps
Best for	Most people: the best all-round AI assistant	Microsoft 365 users who want AI inside Word, Excel and Outlook

ChatGPT: pros & cons

Widest range of features in one app
Strong free plan and an $8 Go tier
Image generation, voice and agent mode built in
Business plan doesn’t train on your data
The best models and limits sit behind $100-$200 Pro plans
Feature overload for some users
Go tier may show ads

Read the full ChatGPT review

Microsoft Copilot: pros & cons

Works inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Bundled with Microsoft 365 plans
Business plan inherits Microsoft 365 security
Plan line-up is confusing
Less capable as a standalone chatbot than the leaders

Read the full Microsoft Copilot review

Where each wins

Task	Better pick
General questions, writing, research	ChatGPT
Drafting inside Word and Outlook	Copilot
Excel analysis on your files	Copilot
Custom GPTs, agents, deep research	ChatGPT
Images and voice	Tie

Pricing

ChatGPT: Free, Go $8, Plus $20. Copilot: free app; Copilot features come with Microsoft 365 Personal ($9.99) and Premium ($19.99); Copilot Business is $18/user billed yearly.

Our take

Already pay for Microsoft 365? Try Copilot first. Otherwise ChatGPT is the stronger all-rounder. See Copilot review.

Frequently asked questions

Is Copilot just ChatGPT?

Copilot uses OpenAI models among others, but its features, limits and integrations are Microsoft’s own.

Is Copilot free?

Yes, the Copilot app is free with limits; Office-app features need a Microsoft 365 plan.

Questions from readers

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