ChatGPT vs Copilot in Excel

ChatGPT and Copilot in Excel overlap on work tasks and share 9 tasks. The verdict below is calculated for each role from the tasks, the role fit and the price.

Short answer

ChatGPT wins for 20 of 20 roles in our data. ChatGPT starts at $20/mo and Copilot in Excel at $20/mo on the cheapest paid plan.

Verdict by role

Side by side

ChatGPT: All-purpose chat assistant with web search, file and spreadsheet analysis, voice and custom GPTs.

Copilot in Excel: Formulas, pivot tables and pattern finding in an Excel table from a plain-language request.

Tasks both handle

• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request
• Analyze budget variances, actual versus plan
• Reconcile the trial balance with the bank and source documents
• Build a 12-week cash flow forecast
• Find discrepancies in a counterparty reconciliation statement
• Design a KPI dashboard for the business owner
• Build a pricing model
• Write the financial section of a business plan
• Build an annual vacation schedule

Only ChatGPT covers

• Categorize a bank statement by cash flow line
• Write a business letter
• Write a job ad and a job description
• Write a customer FAQ
• Write a sales proposal
• Prepare a reply to a tax authority request
• Compare two versions of a contract
• Run a risk review of a contract for your side

Only Copilot in Excel covers

• Keep a contract register and track deadlines
• Select an audit sample of transactions
• Calculate product cost
• Prepare a business case for a project
• Classify expenses by category
• Turn a table into a clear chart
• Check a time and attendance sheet

Pitfalls to watch at work

ChatGPT

• On the free and personal paid plans, chats may be used for training by default: in Settings, Data controls, turn off Improve the model for everyone before your first work task
• Employee names and tax IDs, account details, amounts and contract terms go into the chat only anonymized: replace them with [Employee 1], [Counterparty], [X]
• The model invents statute numbers, court decisions and links in a confident tone: check every such fact in the primary source

Copilot in Excel

• Copilot works only with a range formatted as a table (Ctrl+T) with headers in the first row: on a plain sheet with merged cells it refuses or gets things wrong
• The file must be in OneDrive or SharePoint with AutoSave on; Copilot cannot see a local file on your disk
• Check a formula on control rows: the model confuses absolute and relative references and the direction of a condition

FAQ

Is ChatGPT or Copilot in Excel better for work?

In our data ChatGPT is the better choice for 20 of 20 roles. The table above shows the reason for each role.

Which is cheaper, ChatGPT or Copilot in Excel?

ChatGPT starts at $20/mo and Copilot in Excel at $20/mo on the cheapest paid plan.

Do ChatGPT and Copilot in Excel have free plans?

ChatGPT: Yes. The default model with a limited number of messages every few hours, after which it switches to a lighter model; file uploads and image generation with small limits; no Projects with large files and no full Deep Research. Copilot in Excel: No.

Compare ChatGPT with

• ChatGPT vs Claude
• ChatGPT vs Copilot in Word
• ChatGPT vs Gemini in Google Sheets
• ChatGPT vs NotebookLM
• ChatGPT vs Gemini

Compare Copilot in Excel with

• Copilot in Excel vs Gemini in Google Sheets
• Copilot in Excel vs Julius AI
• Copilot in Excel vs Claude
• Copilot in Excel vs Airtable AI
• Copilot in Excel vs Numerous.ai

Alternatives to ChatGPT · Alternatives to Copilot in Excel · ChatGPT pricing · Copilot in Excel pricing