Copilot in Excel vs Formulas HQ
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Copilot in Excel starts at $9.99/mo and Formulas HQ starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
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
- Excel formula generation
- VBA and Python scripts
- Regex builder
- Salesforce formulas
- Formula explanations
- Data analysis
| Feature | Copilot in Excel | Formulas HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Microsoft's AI assistant and agent mode built into Excel | Plain-English generator for Excel formulas, VBA and regex |
| Category | Data & analytics | Data & analytics |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | $9.99/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Made by | Microsoft | Formulas HQ |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Copilot in Excel starts at $9.99/mo and Formulas HQ starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
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
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
Formulas HQ
- Explains each formula it writes
- Covers Excel, VBA, regex and Salesforce
- Free plan with no card
- Plan limits not shown in the capture
- You still need to verify results
- Web tool, not built into Excel
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 Formulas HQ if you want:
- Explains each formula it writes
- Covers Excel, VBA, regex and Salesforce
- Free plan with no card
Watch out: plan limits not shown in the capture.
Copilot in Excel vs Formulas HQ FAQ
What is the difference between Copilot in Excel and Formulas HQ?
Copilot in Excel: Microsoft's AI assistant and agent mode built into Excel. Formulas HQ: Plain-English generator for Excel formulas, VBA and regex. Both are data & analytics tools.
Is Copilot in Excel or Formulas HQ cheaper?
Copilot in Excel starts at $9.99/mo and Formulas HQ starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Copilot in Excel and Formulas HQ have free plans?
Copilot in Excel: No. Formulas HQ: Yes.
Who makes Copilot in Excel?
Copilot in Excel is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Who makes Formulas HQ?
Formulas HQ is made by Formulas HQ.
Which should I choose, Copilot in Excel or Formulas HQ?
Choose Copilot in Excel if you value built into the spreadsheet most people use and agent mode handles multi-step edits. Choose Formulas HQ if you value explains each formula it writes and covers excel, vba, regex and salesforce.