Claude vs Microsoft Copilot
Claude
Microsoft CopilotWe may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our picks. How we make money.
Quick verdict
Claude edges it overall, winning 4 of 4 rating categories. Microsoft Copilot is cheaper to start ($9.99 vs $20).
You’re writers, analysts and developers working with long documents or code. A strong all-round assistant known for careful writing, long documents and coding (including the Claude Code agent). No built-in image generation.
Visit ClaudeYou’re microsoft 365 users who want AI inside Word, Excel and Outlook. Microsoft’s assistant, built into Windows, Edge and Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel and Outlook. Best value if you already pay for Microsoft 365.
Visit Microsoft CopilotSide by side
| Claude | Microsoft Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Value | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Features | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Ease of use | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Output quality | 4.7/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Category | AI assistant | AI assistant |
| Free plan | Yes: daily usage limits | Yes: Copilot app and web |
| Cheapest paid plan (monthly) | $20/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Same plan billed yearly | $17/mo | - |
| Top plan | Team Premium: $125/mo | Copilot Business: $25.20/mo |
| Seats | Individual plans; Team per seat | 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 | Writers, analysts and developers working with long documents or code | Microsoft 365 users who want AI inside Word, Excel and Outlook |
Claude: pros & cons
- Natural, careful writing style
- Handles long documents and large codebases well
- Projects and file analysis
- Pro is cheaper billed yearly ($17/mo)
- No native image generation
- Usage limits can bite on heavy days
- Fewer bundled extras than ChatGPT
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
Questions from readers
Still deciding between these two? Ask a question and we will answer it here.