With the surge of artificial intelligence companions on the market, selecting the right one can be daunting. Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT stand out as two of the most user-friendly options. Microsoft Copilot integrates seamlessly into Windows devices, while ChatGPT has gained traction as a highly capable chatbot.
Whether you’re seeking a chatbot for casual advice or a robust tool to handle tasks like reading emails, here’s everything you need to know about these leading AI assistants.
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is an AI companion designed to streamline tasks from automating tedious processes to assisting with coding projects. Unlike standard chatbots, Copilot isn’t limited to conversational capabilities. You can utilize it on its own or alongside Microsoft 365 apps like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. It helps create documents, presentations, and spreadsheets while offering valuable editing suggestions.
Currently powered by GPT-5, OpenAI’s cutting-edge generative AI model, Microsoft Copilot stands out with enhanced reasoning, enabling quicker responses to complex questions. Additionally, it features sophisticated creation capabilities, such as image generation and draft writing.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a versatile AI chatbot that allows you to initiate conversations and request information or tasks. You can ask ChatGPT for advice, engage in discussions, or even generate images based on your requests.
A notable distinction between Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT is that the latter functions solely as a chatbot, lacking integration with other software. While ChatGPT cannot create slides directly in PowerPoint, it can help you design them, which you can replicate manually.
Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT: Capabilities
While both tools run on the same GPT-5 generative AI model, the differences in capabilities are evident through their respective interfaces. ChatGPT operates predominantly in a conversational setting, allowing you to ask questions or request tasks like essay writing. However, it does not integrate with external software. If you wish to create videos from text prompts, you must use additional OpenAI products.
In contrast, Microsoft Copilot can be woven into your Outlook inbox to summarize emails, analyze Excel data, or help manage your schedule in Teams. Another key advantage of Microsoft Copilot is that all users, including those on the free tier, have unlimited access to its voice assistant and advanced reasoning model. However, free-tier users are limited to a fixed number of daily image generations.
Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT: Pricing
Microsoft Copilot Pro, the paid version, costs $20 per month (approximately €18.50). Users must also subscribe to a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan, starting at $9.99 per month (around €9). This subscription unlocks additional features and unlimited usage across devices.
Similarly, ChatGPT offers a paid tier at $20 per month (approximately €18.50), granting access to OpenAI’s most advanced models and features, such as the o1 reasoning model and unlimited usage capabilities.
Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT: Supported Devices
Microsoft Copilot is versatile, available on a range of devices. It’s built into many Windows PCs and laptops, and you can also access it on iOS and Android via dedicated apps or through Microsoft Edge. Mac users can download the software as well.
ChatGPT, on the other hand, is accessible through web browsers and mobile apps, available for both iOS and Android. Its functionality remains consistent across platforms, including a dedicated Mac application available for free.
Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT: Privacy
Microsoft Copilot places a premium on security with built-in data protection, ensuring that users’ information remains within secure environments and is not used for AI training. In comparison, ChatGPT gathers user data by default, posing potential risks unless you actively disable this feature. Although human oversight of individual inputs is minimal, data contributes to the overall AI training process.
Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT: Verdict
Choosing between Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT ultimately comes down to your individual needs. Microsoft Copilot offers additional features with paid plans while giving free users unlimited access to the chatbot, which creates a favorable advantage over ChatGPT’s limited free user experience.
However, if you prefer a standalone AI chatbot without software integration, ChatGPT may suit you better.
Use Microsoft Copilot if…
- You want to automate tasks within Microsoft Suite, like Teams or Outlook. Copilot can summarize emails and provide meeting overviews.
- You work with Microsoft 365 and seek integrated AI support. Copilot interacts with apps like Word and Excel to help create documents and spreadsheets.
- You prioritize data security. Microsoft Copilot doesn’t train the AI on your data and has built-in security protocols.
Use ChatGPT if…
- You prefer a general-purpose chatbot that isn’t integrated with other software.
- You need a specialized chatbot; while Copilot includes a chatbot feature, ChatGPT excels in this area.
Your ultimate decision on which AI companion to choose should reflect your specific requirements and desired functionalities. Both options offer valuable features and cater to distinct audiences.
For more insights on technology and AI, continue exploring related content at Moyens I/O.