ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot
Which AI tool is better for you?
Overview
ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are both AI Chatbots tools, but they take different approaches. ChatGPT: General-purpose AI assistant for writing, coding, and more. Microsoft Copilot: Microsoft's AI assistant built into Windows, Edge, and Office apps.
Not every plan here is sold as a flat monthly price — check each official pricing page for current plans. Both offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Platform support also differs. ChatGPT: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, API · Microsoft Copilot: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, API.
Which one fits depends on your workflow and budget. The table below lines up the verified facts, and the interactive comparison lets you put ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and any other tool side by side.
Side-by-side comparison
| ChatGPT | Microsoft Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $20/month | See pricing |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Pricing Type | Freemium | Freemium |
| Supported platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, API | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, API |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Categories | AI Chatbots | AI Chatbots |
At a glance
ChatGPT: strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Huge plugin/GPT ecosystem
- Strong all-around performance across tasks
- Voice mode and multimodal input
- Available on web, desktop, and mobile
Cons
- Usage limits on the free tier
- Most advanced features gated behind Plus/Pro
Microsoft Copilot: strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Built directly into Windows and Edge
- Ties into Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise users
- Free tier available without a Microsoft 365 subscription
Cons
- Deepest features require a separate Microsoft 365 Copilot add-on
- Experience varies across Windows/Edge/app surfaces
Choose ChatGPT if…
- you need it on macOS
- your use case matches: General writing & brainstorming, Everyday research and Q&A, Coding help
Choose Microsoft Copilot if…
- your use case matches: Users already inside Windows/Office/Edge, A quick assistant built into the OS and browser, Microsoft 365 workflows via Copilot for M365
Alternatives worth considering
Other tools in the same category.
AI assistant built for careful reasoning and long documents.
Best for Long-document analysis and summarization
Google's multimodal AI assistant across search and docs.
Best for Google Workspace integration (Docs, Gmail, Sheets)
xAI's conversational assistant integrated with X (Twitter).
Meta's free AI assistant built into Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot?
At least one of them doesn't sell a flat monthly plan, so there's no single number to compare — check both official pricing pages.
Do ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot have free plans?
Yes — both offer a free plan you can start with.
Do ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot offer free trials?
Neither lists a free trial.
Which is better, ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot?
There's no single answer — it depends on your use case and budget. Compare the verified facts above, then open the interactive comparison to line ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot up with any other tools you're considering.
Can I use ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot together?
Yes — nothing stops you from using both, and many people combine tools for different tasks. Add ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to the AI stack builder to see what the combination costs per month.
What platforms do ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot run on?
ChatGPT: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, API. Microsoft Copilot: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, API.
What are alternatives to ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot?
Popular alternatives include Claude, Gemini, Grok, Meta AI, Poe — each has its own detail page on ToolScanner with verified pricing.
Where can I verify current pricing for ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot?
On each official website — providers change prices and plans at any time. ToolScanner shows the monthly-billing price as of our last verification, with the date on each tool's page.