ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot
PCMag names ChatGPT the best AI chatbot overall and Copilot the best for Windows users. Copilot’s draw is that it’s built into Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and Microsoft 365 plans bundle it with Office apps and 1 TB of storage.
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Quick answer
Choose ChatGPT Plus (from $8/mo) if you want the most capable general chatbot or you don’t rely heavily on Microsoft 365. Choose Microsoft Copilot (from $9.99/mo) if you work in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, you want Office apps and 1 TB of storage in the same subscription or you use Windows and want AI built in.
Last updated Pricing checked Oct 2026
Check ChatGPT Plus pricing (opens in a new tab)Check Microsoft Copilot pricing (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| ChatGPT Plus | Microsoft Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest paid plan | Go, $8/mo | Microsoft 365 Personal, $9.99/mo |
| PCMag pick | Best Overall | Best for Windows Users |
| Free version | Yes | Yes |
| Mid-tier | Plus, $20/mo | Microsoft 365 Premium, $19.99/mo |
| Top tier | Pro, from $100/mo | Microsoft 365 Pro, $99.99/mo |
Pick ChatGPT for the strongest general-purpose assistant: PCMag[4] calls it the best overall, praising its comprehensive responses, customization and memory. Plans run from free to $8 (Go), $20 (Plus) and $100+ (Pro). Pick Copilot if you live in Windows and Microsoft 365: PCMag says its biggest appeal is deep integration across Microsoft’s ecosystem, and Microsoft 365 Personal ($9.99 a month) adds Copilot to the Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook desktop apps.
ChatGPT Plus vs Microsoft Copilot: side-by-side
| ChatGPT | Microsoft Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| PCMag pick | Best Overall | Best for Windows Users |
| Free version | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | Go, $8/mo | Microsoft 365 Personal, $9.99/mo |
| Mid-tier | Plus, $20/mo | Microsoft 365 Premium, $19.99/mo |
| Top tier | Pro, from $100/mo | Microsoft 365 Pro, $99.99/mo |
| Office apps included | No | Yes, with Microsoft 365 |
| Cloud storage | — | 1 TB with Microsoft 365 Personal |
| Models | OpenAI GPT-6 | OpenAI models (PCMag) |
| Video generation | No (PCMag) | No (PCMag) |
How much do they cost?
ChatGPT Plus plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited text chats with GPT-6, subject to abuse guardrails |
| Go | $8/mo | More messages, uploads and image creation; may include ads |
| Plus | $20/mo | Advanced reasoning models, expanded deep research |
| Pro | From $100/mo | Choice of 3 usage tiers |
Microsoft Copilot plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot (free) | $0 | Usage limits apply |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99/mo or $99.99/yr | Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook desktop apps; 1 TB |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99/mo or $129.99/yr | — |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | $19.99/mo or $199.99/yr | Advanced Copilot features, more AI usage |
| Microsoft 365 Pro | $99.99/mo, monthly only | Highest usage limits |
What are the pros and cons?
ChatGPT Plus: pros
- PCMag’s best AI chatbot overall
- Robust customization and memory (PCMag)
- $8 Go plan for lighter users
- Unlimited free text chats, subject to guardrails
ChatGPT Plus: cons
- No Office apps or cloud storage bundled
- Go plan may include ads
- Doesn’t generate video (PCMag)
Microsoft Copilot: pros
- Built into Windows and Microsoft 365 apps
- Microsoft 365 bundles Office apps and 1 TB storage
- Wide feature set, from 3D modeling to text-to-speech (PCMag)
Microsoft Copilot: cons
- PCMag says it performs “competently, though not exceptionally”
- Microsoft isn’t always clear about which models it uses (PCMag)
- Advanced features require Premium or Pro
Which should you choose: ChatGPT Plus or Microsoft Copilot?
ChatGPT is the better standalone assistant. PCMag[4] rates it best overall and says independent users who don’t rely on Microsoft or Google software get more value from it. Copilot makes sense if you already pay for, or want, Microsoft 365. It runs on OpenAI models, works inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and the plans include Office apps and cloud storage. PCMag found Copilot capable but not exceptional, so its value is the integration rather than the chatbot itself.
Choose ChatGPT Plus if…
- You want the most capable general chatbot
- You don’t rely heavily on Microsoft 365
- You want a cheap $8 tier or a $100+ power-user tier
Choose Microsoft Copilot if…
- You work in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- You want Office apps and 1 TB of storage in the same subscription
- You use Windows and want AI built in
Pricing compared
OpenAI lists ChatGPT Free at $0, Go at $8 a month, Plus at $20 and Pro from $100. Microsoft sells consumer Copilot inside Microsoft 365: Personal is $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, Family $12.99 or $129.99, Premium $19.99 or $199.99, and Pro $99.99 a month on monthly billing only. For businesses, Microsoft lists Copilot plans from $23.50 per user a month, paid yearly.
Integration vs standalone
Microsoft 365 Personal includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook desktop apps with Microsoft Copilot, advanced Copilot chat with higher usage than free, and 1 TB of cloud storage. Microsoft says Premium and Pro unlock advanced features such as Cowork and Researcher, with Pro getting the highest usage limits. PCMag[4] says Copilot appears in almost every Microsoft product, including Windows.
Answers, models and media
PCMag[4] says ChatGPT “produces incredibly comprehensive responses” and stands out for customization and memory. Copilot runs on OpenAI models across its Search, Smart, Study and learn, and Think deeper modes. PCMag says it performs competently, though not exceptionally, and notes that Microsoft isn’t always clear about which models it uses. Neither generates video, according to PCMag, and it rates ChatGPT’s and Gemini’s top image models above Copilot’s.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Copilot the same as ChatGPT?
Is Copilot free?
Which is cheaper, ChatGPT Plus or Microsoft 365 Premium?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- OpenAI: ChatGPT plans and pricing (checked October 2026) (chatgpt.com)
- Microsoft: Copilot plans for individuals (checked October 2026) (microsoft.com)
- Microsoft: Microsoft 365 Copilot plans for business (checked October 2026) (microsoft.com)
- PCMag: The best AI chatbots we’ve tested for 2026 (pcmag.com)
Related
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