ChatGPT vs Microsoft 365 Copilot

ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot sit in the same category and share 5 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 Microsoft 365 Copilot at $20/mo on the cheapest paid plan.

Verdict by role

Role	Better choice	Why
Accountant	ChatGPT	covers 20 tasks relevant to this role against 4; part of the role's core toolkit
Lawyer	ChatGPT	covers 21 tasks relevant to this role against 3; part of the role's core toolkit
HR manager	ChatGPT	covers 24 tasks relevant to this role against 4; part of the role's core toolkit
Finance manager	ChatGPT	covers 22 tasks relevant to this role against 5; part of the role's core toolkit
Manager	ChatGPT	covers 40 tasks relevant to this role against 6
Marketer	ChatGPT	covers 40 tasks relevant to this role against 6; part of the role's core toolkit
Sales manager	ChatGPT	covers 40 tasks relevant to this role against 6; part of the role's core toolkit
Data analyst	ChatGPT	covers 24 tasks relevant to this role against 5; part of the role's core toolkit
Teacher	ChatGPT	covers 40 tasks relevant to this role against 6; part of the role's core toolkit
Executive assistant	ChatGPT	covers 41 tasks relevant to this role against 6
Logistics manager	ChatGPT	covers 41 tasks relevant to this role against 6; part of the role's core toolkit
Procurement manager	ChatGPT	covers 24 tasks relevant to this role against 5; part of the role's core toolkit
Secretary	ChatGPT	covers 40 tasks relevant to this role against 6; part of the role's core toolkit
Recruiter	ChatGPT	covers 25 tasks relevant to this role against 4; part of the role's core toolkit
HR administrator	ChatGPT	covers 24 tasks relevant to this role against 4; part of the role's core toolkit
Tax consultant	ChatGPT	covers 21 tasks relevant to this role against 4; part of the role's core toolkit
Auditor	ChatGPT	covers 20 tasks relevant to this role against 4
Economist	ChatGPT	covers 22 tasks relevant to this role against 5; part of the role's core toolkit
Project manager	ChatGPT	covers 40 tasks relevant to this role against 6; part of the role's core toolkit
Social media manager	ChatGPT	covers 40 tasks relevant to this role against 6; part of the role's core toolkit

Side by side

	ChatGPT	Microsoft 365 Copilot
Vendor	OpenAI	Microsoft
Category	Chat assistants	Chat assistants
Free plan	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	Yes: Free Copilot in the browser and the Microsoft Copilot app, with no access to company files, no work inside Word and Excel, and limited strong models at peak hours
Cheapest paid plan	Plus, $20/mo	Copilot Pro, $20/mo
Top plan	Pro, $200/mo	Microsoft 365 Copilot, $30/mo
Tasks covered	64	6

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

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Assistant inside Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and PowerPoint with access to company data.

Tasks both handle

Only ChatGPT covers

Only Microsoft 365 Copilot covers

Find a document in your drive by its content

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

Microsoft 365 Copilot

Copilot sees everything your account can access, including folders colleagues shared by mistake: review SharePoint and OneDrive permissions before rollout
A Teams meeting summary is built from the transcript and may credit a decision to the wrong person: check it against the recording before sending
Free Copilot in the browser and business Copilot in Word are different products with different data protection: work documents go only into the business version

FAQ

Is ChatGPT or Microsoft 365 Copilot 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 Microsoft 365 Copilot?

ChatGPT starts at $20/mo and Microsoft 365 Copilot at $20/mo on the cheapest paid plan.

Do ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot 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. Microsoft 365 Copilot: Yes. Free Copilot in the browser and the Microsoft Copilot app, with no access to company files, no work inside Word and Excel, and limited strong models at peak hours.

Compare ChatGPT with

Compare Microsoft 365 Copilot with

Alternatives to ChatGPT · Alternatives to Microsoft 365 Copilot · ChatGPT pricing · Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing