ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. ChatGPT has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $10 for Microsoft Copilot.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Voice conversations
- File and image analysis
- Web search with sources
- Deep research
- Custom GPTs
- Projects and memory
- Copilot in Windows and Edge
- Voice conversations
- Copilot Vision
- Image creation
- Office app integration
| Feature | ChatGPT | Microsoft Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | OpenAI's general assistant for writing, research, coding and images | Microsoft's assistant for Windows, Edge and Microsoft 365 users |
| Category | Chat assistants | Chat assistants |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $8/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | OpenAI | Microsoft |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Both offer: Voice conversations.
Pricing compared
ChatGPT has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $10 for Microsoft Copilot.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
6 plans
Free
Free
- Access to GPT models with limits
- Limited file uploads and image generation
Go
$8/mo
- Higher message and upload limits
- More image generation
- Longer memory
Plus
$20/mo
- Advanced reasoning models
- Deep research and agent mode
- Codex access
Pro
$100/mo
- Starting price; $200 and $500 tiers
- Highest usage limits
- Pro reasoning model
Business
$25/mo
- Per user, 2-seat minimum
- Shared workspace and admin controls
- No training on your data
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Enterprise security and SSO
- Expanded context and limits
- Dedicated support
4 plans
Free
Free
- Copilot chat on web and apps
- Standard usage limits
Microsoft 365 Personal
$9.99/mo
- 1 person
- Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- 1TB cloud storage
Microsoft 365 Family
$12.99/mo
- Up to 6 people
- Copilot for the subscription owner
Microsoft 365 Premium
$19.99/mo
- Highest Copilot usage limits
- Advanced AI features
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
ChatGPT
- Handles a very wide range of tasks
- Strong voice mode on mobile
- Large ecosystem of custom GPTs
- Best models and limits sit on paid plans
- Free and Go tiers show ads
- Can state wrong facts confidently
Microsoft Copilot
- Built into Windows and Edge
- Free web access to strong models
- Works inside Office documents
- Office features need a 365 plan
- Consumer and work versions confuse buyers
- Fewer power-user settings
Which one should you choose?
Choose ChatGPT if you want:
- Handles a very wide range of tasks
- Strong voice mode on mobile
- Large ecosystem of custom GPTs
Watch out: best models and limits sit on paid plans.
Choose Microsoft Copilot if you want:
- Built into Windows and Edge
- Free web access to strong models
- Works inside Office documents
Watch out: office features need a 365 plan.
ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot FAQ
What is the difference between ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot?
ChatGPT: OpenAI's general assistant for writing, research, coding and images. Microsoft Copilot: Microsoft's assistant for Windows, Edge and Microsoft 365 users. Both are chat assistants tools.
Is ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot cheaper?
ChatGPT has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $10 for Microsoft Copilot.
Do ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot have free plans?
ChatGPT: Yes. Microsoft Copilot: Yes.
Who makes ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Which should I choose, ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot?
Choose ChatGPT if you value handles a very wide range of tasks and strong voice mode on mobile. Choose Microsoft Copilot if you value built into windows and edge and free web access to strong models.