Comparison · 11 shared capabilities
ChatGPT vs Microsoft 365 Copilot
They overlap on 11 things. ChatGPT is stronger at 2 of them, Microsoft 365 Copilot at 4, and they're roughly equal on 5. If you pay for both, check whether you use the parts that don't overlap.
ChatGPT
OpenAI's general-purpose AI assistant for chat, writing, research, images, data analysis and coding.
From $8/mo Verified
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Microsoft's AI assistant inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams, grounded in your organisation's Microsoft 365 data.
From $9.99/mo Verified
Capability by capability
| Capability | ChatGPT | Microsoft 365 Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Analyse data and spreadsheets | StrongUpload limits are tighter on Free and Go | StrongWorks best on clean, well-structured tables |
| Ask questions across company documents | PartialCoverage depends on which connectors you enable | Core featureWeaker for content stored outside Microsoft 365 unless connectors are set up |
| Create presentation decks | WorkaroundNo native slide editor or brand templates in this review | StrongLayouts often need manual polish |
| Extract data from documents and PDFs | PartialNo validation rules or review queue | PartialNo batch pipeline or validation queue |
| General-purpose AI assistant | Core featureUsage caps apply on every plan, including the 'unlimited' ones | StrongFree Copilot Chat does not reason over your Microsoft Graph data the way the paid add-on does |
| Generate images from text | StrongFree and Go have tighter image limits | PartialNot a focus of the business product |
| Proofread and improve writing | PartialRequires copy-paste rather than inline suggestions | PartialOnly inside Microsoft apps |
| Research a topic on the web with citations | StrongCitations still need spot-checking | StrongCitation checking still needed |
| Run AI agents that complete multi-step tasks | PartialAgent runs can stall or need supervision | StrongAdvanced agents and heavy usage may incur extra Copilot Studio costs not covered here |
| Transcribe and summarise meetings | PartialNot confirmed on individual plans in this review | StrongTeams use requires a Teams license |
| Write marketing and business copy | StrongNo built-in brand-voice governance across a team | StrongCreative marketing copy is less distinctive than top standalone assistants |
| Create YouTube thumbnails | PartialExact text placement and font control are unreliable | — |
| Design social media graphics | PartialNo brand kit or locked templates | — |
| Research prospects and accounts | PartialNo verified emails or phone numbers | — |
| Generate and edit software code | StrongFree Codex access is limited | — |
| Write documents and notes | — | StrongThe document tools themselves come from the base Microsoft 365 plan |
Choose ChatGPT if…
- • you need strong general-purpose ai assistant
- • you need strong generate images from text
- • you rely on create youtube thumbnails (the other doesn't do it)
- • you rely on design social media graphics (the other doesn't do it)
- • you rely on research prospects and accounts (the other doesn't do it)
- • you rely on generate and edit software code (the other doesn't do it)
- • One subscription covers chat, images, research, data analysis and coding reasonably well
- • Large ecosystem of custom GPTs and apps that teams may already depend on
Choose Microsoft 365 Copilot if…
- • you need strong run ai agents that complete multi-step tasks
- • you need strong transcribe and summarise meetings
- • you need strong ask questions across company documents
- • you need strong create presentation decks
- • you rely on write documents and notes (the other doesn't do it)
- • Access to company data in Microsoft Graph with existing permissions
- • Works where staff already write, meet and email, so adoption needs little training
Switch between them
- Consolidate overlapping AI assistant subscriptions (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Grok, Copilot)If you pay for two to four AI assistants, run a one-week, side-by-side test on your real tasks with a provided prompt set and scoring sheet, check which assistant your Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 plan already includes, and cancel the rest at their renewal dates. Some heavy users will rightly keep two; the test tells you which.easy1 hour to set up$0 extrauses
- Drop Grammarly when you already pay for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or CopilotIf you already pay for an AI assistant, prompts handle rewrites, tone and careful proofreading, and built-in checkers (Google Docs, Microsoft Editor, Apple Writing Tools) cover everyday spelling and grammar. What you genuinely lose is Grammarly's real-time underlines everywhere you type, plus plagiarism checks, AI detection and team style guides on paid plans.easy30–45 minutes$0 extrauses
- Stop paying for Otter: use the transcription and AI notes already in Meet, Teams or ZoomMany business plans already include meeting transcripts and AI notes: Google Meet transcripts and 'Take notes for me' on eligible Workspace editions, Teams transcription (with AI notes via Teams Premium or Microsoft 365 Copilot), and Zoom's built-in meeting summaries on eligible paid plans. Check what you have, fill gaps with a transcript-to-action-items prompt, and handle recording consent properly.easy30–60 minutes$0 extrauses
Fit levels are editorial judgements based on each product's documented features. See each tool page for sources and verification dates.