Microsoft Copilot quietly started running Claude, the AI model built by OpenAI’s own rival, right inside Word and Excel. That single fact changes how you should think about the ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot decision. Both tools promise to save you time, but they live in different places and cost different amounts depending on how you already work. This guide walks through pricing, features, and everyday use, so you can pick the tool that actually fits your day.
What ChatGPT Actually Does
ChatGPT is OpenAI’s standalone AI platform. You reach it through a web browser, a desktop app, a mobile app, or a developer API, and it does not need any other software installed to work.
Inside one product, ChatGPT handles writing, coding help, research, image creation, and video generation. The GPT-5 model family powers most of this, and OpenAI has kept refreshing it throughout 2026 with faster and more capable versions.
A few features stand out on the ChatGPT side:
- Custom GPTs and the GPT Store, where you can build a specialized assistant trained on your own instructions and files.
- Deep Research, which browses the web on its own and returns a cited report instead of a single quick answer.
- Sora video generation, which turns a text prompt into a short AI video without leaving the chat window.
- Codex, a coding agent built for developers who want an AI partner to write and test code.
What Microsoft Copilot Actually Does
Microsoft Copilot is not one single app. It is a set of AI features spread across Windows, Edge, Bing, and the Microsoft 365 apps you may already use every day.
The free version lives inside Windows, the Edge sidebar, and Bing search. It answers general questions and helps you browse the web, much like a free chatbot would.
The paid version is where Copilot changes shape. Once you pay for Microsoft 365 Premium or a business Copilot plan, it can read your actual Word documents, Excel sheets, Outlook inbox, and Teams chats to draft, summarize, and analyze on your behalf.
Here is the detail most guides miss. As of early 2026, many business users can pick between OpenAI’s GPT models and Anthropic’s Claude models inside Copilot’s Researcher tool and Copilot Studio. Microsoft is no longer betting on one AI lab alone.
ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot: Pricing Compared
Pricing is where these two tools split the most. ChatGPT Plus is a complete product on its own. A comparable Copilot plan often sits on top of a Microsoft 365 subscription you already pay for, so the real cost can run higher than the sticker price suggests.
ChatGPT plans in 2026
| Plan | Price | Best For |
| Free | $0/month | Occasional questions |
| Go | About $8/month | Frequent short chats |
| Plus | $20/month | Most individual users |
| Pro | $100 to $200/month | Heavy daily power users |
| Business | About $20 to $25/user/month | Small and mid-size teams |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Large organizations |
Microsoft Copilot plans in 2026
| Plan | Price | Best For |
| Free | $0/month | Basic use in Windows, Edge, and Bing |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | About $10/month | One person who wants Copilot in Office apps |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | About $20/month | Individuals who want the most Copilot access |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot Business | $18 to $21/user/month, plus a base Microsoft 365 license | Small and mid-size teams |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot Enterprise | $30/user/month, plus a base Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 license | Large organizations |
Worth noting: Microsoft retired its old standalone Copilot Pro plan for new customers in late 2025 and folded those features into Microsoft 365 Premium instead. If you see “Copilot Pro” listed at $20 a month somewhere, that price is out of date.
Features That Set Them Apart
Both tools draw on similar underlying AI models, so the real differences show up in what surrounds the model, not the raw intelligence itself.
Where ChatGPT Pulls Ahead
- One general-purpose workbench for writing, coding, images, video, and research, all in a single app.
- Custom GPTs let you save and reuse a specialized assistant without any coding.
- Sora gives you native video generation that Copilot does not currently match.
- A wider range of experimental features tends to reach ChatGPT first, since it is OpenAI’s own flagship product.
Where Copilot Pulls Ahead
- Copilot can read your actual work files, email, and meetings once you grant access, so answers reflect your real data instead of general knowledge.
- Copilot Studio lets teams build custom agents that plug directly into company systems.
- A free tier already sits inside Windows and Edge, with no extra sign-up needed.
- Business users get a genuine choice of AI model, including OpenAI and Anthropic options, instead of being locked into one vendor.
Which One Should You Actually Pick
Honestly, the free tier of each tool is generous enough to get a real feel before you spend a cent. Try both for a week before committing to either paid plan.
Choose ChatGPT if:
- You want one flexible AI tool for writing, images, video, and code together.
- Microsoft 365 is not central to how you work.
- You want new AI features and models as soon as they launch.
Choose Microsoft Copilot if:
- You already pay for Microsoft 365 and want AI built into Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- You need an assistant that can read your own company files and emails.
- A free option inside Windows, without another subscription, matters to you.
Key Takeaways
- Same engine, different body: ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot both draw on OpenAI’s GPT models, and Copilot now adds Anthropic’s Claude models for many business users too.
- Pricing structure differs: ChatGPT Plus is a complete $20 product, while Copilot’s stronger paid tiers often require an existing Microsoft 365 subscription on top.
- Best for general use: ChatGPT, thanks to Custom GPTs, Deep Research, and Sora video generation.
- Best for office work: Microsoft Copilot, because it can read your own documents, email, and meetings directly.
- Free option: Both tools offer a usable free tier, so testing before paying costs nothing.
FAQs
Is Microsoft Copilot the same as ChatGPT?
No, Microsoft Copilot is a separate product built by Microsoft that uses OpenAI’s models along with Anthropic’s Claude models for some business features.
Which is cheaper, ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot?
ChatGPT Plus at $20 a month is a complete product, while a comparable Copilot plan often needs an existing Microsoft 365 subscription on top of the Copilot price.
Can I use ChatGPT inside Word and Excel?
Not directly, since ChatGPT is a standalone app, but Microsoft Copilot is built specifically to work inside Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Does Microsoft Copilot use Claude or GPT models?
Microsoft Copilot for business now lets many users choose between OpenAI’s GPT models and Anthropic’s Claude models for certain tasks.
Is there a free version of ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot?
Yes, both tools offer a free tier, though each comes with daily limits and fewer features than the paid plans.
Conclusion
The real answer to ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot depends on where you already work. Pick ChatGPT if you want one flexible AI workbench for writing, images, video, and code. Pick Microsoft Copilot if your day already revolves around Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, since it can read your own files and now taps both GPT and Claude models to do it well. Either way, the free tier of both tools is a low-risk place to start before you commit to a paid plan.