Copilot in Excel vs Better Analyst
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Copilot in Excel has the lower starting price: about $10 a month, against $20 for Better Analyst.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Natural-language formulas
- Agent mode
- COPILOT cell function
- Python in Excel
- Charts and PivotTables
- Chat-based analysis
- Dashboards and reports
- Formula generator
- Data connectors
- Scheduled reports
| Feature | Copilot in Excel | Better Analyst |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Microsoft's AI assistant and agent mode built into Excel | AI data analyst for reports and dashboards, formerly Formula Bot |
| Category | Data & analytics | Data & analytics |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | $9.99/mo | $20/mo |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Made by | Microsoft | Better Analyst |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Copilot in Excel has the lower starting price: about $10 a month, against $20 for Better Analyst.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Microsoft 365 Personal
$9.99/mo
- 1 person
- Copilot in Excel and Office apps
- 1TB cloud storage
Microsoft 365 Family
$12.99/mo
- Up to 6 people
- Copilot for the subscription owner
Business Standard + Copilot
$28.20/mo
- Per user, monthly subscription
- Desktop Office apps
- Copilot Chat and Work IQ
Business Premium + Copilot
$38.40/mo
- Per user, monthly subscription
- Advanced security
- Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps
3 plans
Starter
$20/mo
- 250 chat messages/month
- 2,500 AI actions
- 2 automated dashboards
Max
$40/mo
- Per user
- Unlimited chat messages
- 5,000 AI actions per user
- 10 automated dashboards
Business
$80/mo
- Per user
- 15,000 AI actions per user
- SSO and private projects
- White-label embeds
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
Copilot in Excel
- Built into the spreadsheet most people use
- Agent mode handles multi-step edits
- Enterprise data protections
- Needs a Microsoft 365 subscription
- Usage limits on consumer plans
- Works best with data in tables
Better Analyst
- Easy for beginners
- Covers formulas and analysis
- Shareable dashboards
- Less depth than full BI tools
- Brand change may confuse old users
Which one should you choose?
Choose Copilot in Excel if you want:
- Built into the spreadsheet most people use
- Agent mode handles multi-step edits
- Enterprise data protections
Watch out: needs a microsoft 365 subscription.
Choose Better Analyst if you want:
- Easy for beginners
- Covers formulas and analysis
- Shareable dashboards
Watch out: less depth than full bi tools.
Copilot in Excel vs Better Analyst FAQ
What is the difference between Copilot in Excel and Better Analyst?
Copilot in Excel: Microsoft's AI assistant and agent mode built into Excel. Better Analyst: AI data analyst for reports and dashboards, formerly Formula Bot. Both are data & analytics tools.
Is Copilot in Excel or Better Analyst cheaper?
Copilot in Excel has the lower starting price: about $10 a month, against $20 for Better Analyst.
Do Copilot in Excel and Better Analyst have free plans?
Copilot in Excel: No. Better Analyst: Yes.
Who makes Copilot in Excel?
Copilot in Excel is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Who makes Better Analyst?
Better Analyst is made by Better Analyst, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Copilot in Excel or Better Analyst?
Choose Copilot in Excel if you value built into the spreadsheet most people use and agent mode handles multi-step edits. Choose Better Analyst if you value easy for beginners and covers formulas and analysis.