ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
AI tool · Freemium
OpenAI's general-purpose AI assistant for writing, analysis, coding help, image generation and file analysis.
AI tool · Freemium
Microsoft's AI assistant for chat, web-grounded answers and, in Microsoft 365 plans, help inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Our verdict
ChatGPT is the broader all-rounder, with a large feature set covering writing, data analysis on uploaded files, image generation and custom GPTs, though its free and paid tiers differ a lot. Microsoft Copilot is aimed mainly at people who already work in Microsoft 365, where it helps inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and it is also handy for quick web-grounded answers with citations. Choose by where you work: general-purpose tasks point to ChatGPT, while Office-centred work points to Copilot.
Pick ChatGPT if you want one general-purpose assistant for writing, analysing uploaded files, or generating images.
Pick Microsoft Copilot if your daily work already happens in Microsoft 365 or you mainly want quick, sourced web answers.
| Key difference | ChatGPT | Microsoft Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Best at | Broad all-round tasks: writing, file analysis, image generation, custom GPTs | Quick web-grounded answers with citations and help inside Office apps |
| Office integration | Works with Google Workspace, Slack and Zapier; no Office app help listed | Help inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook on Microsoft 365 plans |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and API | Web, Windows, iOS and Android |
| Pricing | Freemium; features and limits differ a lot between tiers | Freemium; consumer and business versions differ significantly |
| Voice | Not listed among its strengths | Voice conversations listed as a strength |
Written with AI from both products' catalogue entries · updated 2026-10-29
Who each one is for
Choose ChatGPT if you need…
- General writing and brainstorming
- Data analysis on uploaded files
- Image generation and editing
Choose Microsoft Copilot if you need…
- Microsoft 365 users
- Web-grounded quick answers
Side-by-side
| ChatGPT | Microsoft Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | AI assistants · General assistants | AI assistants · General assistants |
| Price | Freemium | Freemium |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, API | Web, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Works with | Google Workspace, Slack, Zapier | Microsoft 365, Edge |
| Hands-on tested by us | Not yet | Not yet |
| Last checked | 2026-10-29 | 2026-10-29 |
What each one is
ChatGPT
OpenAI's general-purpose AI assistant for writing, analysis, coding help, image generation and file analysis. The broadest all-rounder with a large feature set. Features and limits differ a lot between free and paid tiers, and outputs still need fact-checking.
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft's AI assistant for chat, web-grounded answers and, in Microsoft 365 plans, help inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Convenient where your work already happens in Microsoft 365. The consumer and business versions differ significantly, which can be confusing.
Best for
ChatGPT
- General writing and brainstorming
- Data analysis on uploaded files
- Image generation and editing
Microsoft Copilot
- Microsoft 365 users
- Web-grounded quick answers
Strengths
ChatGPT
- Chat with file and image uploads
- Built-in image generation
- Web search with sources
- Custom GPTs and projects
Microsoft Copilot
- Web-grounded chat with citations
- Help inside Office apps on 365 plans
- Image generation
- Voice conversations
Frequently asked questions
Should I use ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot?
ChatGPT is the broader all-rounder, with a large feature set covering writing, data analysis on uploaded files, image generation and custom GPTs, though its free and paid tiers differ a lot. Microsoft Copilot is aimed mainly at people who already work in Microsoft 365, where it helps inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and it is also handy for quick web-grounded answers with citations. Choose by where you work: general-purpose tasks point to ChatGPT, while Office-centred work points to Copilot. Pick ChatGPT if you want one general-purpose assistant for writing, analysing uploaded files, or generating images. Pick Microsoft Copilot if your daily work already happens in Microsoft 365 or you mainly want quick, sourced web answers.
What is the difference between ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot?
ChatGPT: OpenAI's general-purpose AI assistant for writing, analysis, coding help, image generation and file analysis. Microsoft Copilot: Microsoft's AI assistant for chat, web-grounded answers and, in Microsoft 365 plans, help inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. ChatGPT suits general writing and brainstorming, while Microsoft Copilot suits microsoft 365 users.
Are ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot free?
ChatGPT: Freemium. Microsoft Copilot: Freemium.
What are other alternatives to ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot?
Other options people compare them with include Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok, Kimi.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.