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ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot

The short answer. Copilot is the convenient choice if you live in Word, Excel and Outlook, because it works inside them with a Microsoft 365 plan. As a standalone assistant, ChatGPT is more capable and more flexible.

Which one should you pick?

Choose ChatGPT if

  • You want the best assistant regardless of which office software you use
  • You want images, voice chat and custom assistants
  • You do not pay for Microsoft 365

Choose Microsoft Copilot if

  • Your work happens in Word, Excel, Outlook or Teams
  • You already pay for Microsoft 365
  • You want quick answers from the Windows taskbar or Edge
Side by side
ChatGPT
Microsoft Copilot
Free plan
Yes
Yes
Price
Free plan. Go (price varies by country), Plus $20/month, Pro from $100/month.
Free Copilot app. Copilot inside Office apps comes with Microsoft 365 Personal $9.99/month, Family $12.99/month or Premium $19.99/month.
Skill needed
No coding
No coding
Made by
OpenAI
Microsoft
The details

ChatGPT

by OpenAI

A chat assistant you type or talk to that writes, explains, answers questions and makes images.

People use it to

  • Draft emails, letters and posts
  • Explain a confusing topic in simple words
  • Summarize a long document you upload

What it costs

Free plan. Go (price varies by country), Plus $20/month, Pro from $100/month.

Good to know

It can state wrong facts confidently, so check anything important. Your chats can be used to train models unless you opt out in settings. The Go plan may show ads.

Open ChatGPTHow to start

Microsoft Copilot

by Microsoft

Microsoft's chat assistant, built into Windows, Edge and Word, Excel and Outlook with a Microsoft 365 plan.

People use it to

  • Ask quick questions from the Windows taskbar or Edge
  • Draft a Word document or summarize a long email thread
  • Get help with formulas and charts in Excel

What it costs

Free Copilot app. Copilot inside Office apps comes with Microsoft 365 Personal $9.99/month, Family $12.99/month or Premium $19.99/month.

Good to know

Copilot inside Word, Excel and Outlook needs a paid Microsoft 365 plan, and usage limits differ by plan. Answers can be wrong.

Open Microsoft CopilotHow to start

Prices as listed by each company when we last checked; they change often and can differ by country. Spotted something wrong?

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