Many businesses are moving to AI tools to streamline everything from productivity to data analytics, you might wonder which tool is right for you.
AI has progressed far past simple AI chatbots. There is a vast array of functions offered by popular AI models such as Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT. To simplify these tools and the benefits and drawbacks of each, here's your complete comparison of ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot.
What Are the Similarities Between ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot?
These tools have several similar functions, such as the ability to create summaries out of long-winded documents, notes, slide decks, etc. Along with text generation, they are both great tools for brainstorming and helping you digest complex information.
Both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot offer:
- Language translation assistance
- Resources to help you research complex topics
- Content generation & outline creation for various business project types
Pricing & Benefits of Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT
A few factors often come to mind for business owners when making decisions about their technology stacks. Cost and benefits are crucial to consider with any tool, and in such a saturated market for AI, your options are seemingly endless.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT is one of the most popular AI tools, since it is quick and easy to sign up for as well as free for anyone to use. It does have a paid version called ChatGPT Plus, offering access to the platform's most advanced AI models and chatbots even during a blackout.
ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month. You could also upgrade to ChatGPT Pro, with further access to the latest tools from the platform as well as the ability to test out new features.
Learn more about how to incorporate AI tools into your workflow in our blog: A Business Leader's Guide to Enterprise AI Adoption in 2025
Microsoft Copilot
Since AI tools like ChatGPT offer free platform access for anyone to sign up for and use, you may wonder why anyone would spend money on Microsoft Copilot. Although the base version of Copilot is free, experts recommend investing in the more customizable and advanced Copilot Pro, priced around $20/month.
Copilot Pro offers native, customized experiences designed to:
- Streamline workflows
- Manage projects
- Analyze, summarize, and organize documents such as Excel sheets or Word Docs
- Organize, read, and summarize emails
- Find, read, summarize, and analyze SMS chats
In this way, Copilot acts as an assistant, data analyst, intern, and more to be a constant resource as you move from app to app.
This is a major benefit in not only the customized way it learns your unique work patterns, and the additional security of a personalized platform. Learn more about this powerful tool in our blog: 4 Ways to Use AI Tools like Microsoft Copilot to Transform Productivity
For Cybersecurity, is Microsoft Copilot Better than ChatGPT?
When comparing ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot, security concerns can arise for data privacy.
After all, many AI platforms learn from additional data plugged into them, and oftentimes this information becomes a part of their publicly available datasets.
Security of ChatGPT
ChatGPT has come under fire for data privacy and cybersecurity issues because of this. Some users can unintentionally divulge sensitive information as they enter prompts.
For example, a human resources representative could plug in a payroll spreadsheet and ask ChatGPT to analyze and provide a summary of certain data.
From there, the platform would be able to use that data to answer other prompts from unauthorized individuals. This means a disgruntled employee might be able to look up a full list of salaries from your company using the tool.
This is a strong argument for creating a generative AI use policy to go in your employee handbook. Learn how to do so in our blog: Can a Generative AI Use Policy for the Workplace Help Protect Sensitive Data?
You can also learn more about the dangers of AI in data privacy in our blog: How AI Poses a Unique Threat To Cybersecurity
Security of Microsoft Copilot
When comparing Chat GPT vs Microsoft CoPilot, the latter can be a great alternative that offers better data security. This is because the information, prompts, or responses you provide are only for your use and are not made available to the public.
CoPilot uses Azure Open AI services for processing, which doesn't cache or make data available to any outsider who uses the services.
To learn other ways you can leverage AI while protecting data, check out our blog: Ask the Expert: Responsibly Integrating AI Business Solutions
How to Access Microsoft Copilot if You're Already a Microsoft 365 Customer
If you're already a Microsoft 365 customer, contact your IT team to get set up with Copilot. It's a simple add-on process, and your IT provider will be able to offer you several resources to learn how to best adopt this technology.
Learn more about different ways Copilot is transforming business efficiency in our blog: 4 Ways to Use AI Tools like Microsoft Copilot to Transform Productivity
If you're looking to explore AI capabilities for your business and learn how to mitigate data security risks as you generate responses with this technology, click the button below to speak to an IT expert.
