Comparison
Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT, honestly compared
Both are strong AI assistants, but built for different work. We are independent and lay out the differences side by side — without the marketing spin.
The comparison
Six differences that really matter
ChatGPT (from OpenAI) is a standalone assistant; Microsoft 365 Copilot sits inside your work environment and knows your work data. Here is the difference, point by point.
| Aspect | ChatGPT | Microsoft 365 Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Work-data integration | Via uploads and connectors you set up per source | Built in through Microsoft Graph: your mail, documents and meetings |
| Where you use it | Its own app, website and API | Embedded in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams |
| Data protection & training | Business plans do not train on your data; free version configurable | Never trains on your data, within the Microsoft 365 service boundary |
| Management & governance | Its own admin console and SSO (business plans) | Through your existing Microsoft 365 admin: Entra, Purview, permissions |
| Language support | Full | Full, including documents and meetings in your own language |
| Pricing model | Free version plus per-user subscriptions | Copilot Chat included with Microsoft 365; per-user licence for your work data, plus usage in Copilot Credits for agentic work |
Pricing changes regularly and depends on your situation — we discuss that in a personal conversation via contact.
The essence
ChatGPT knows the internet. Copilot knows your work.
Decision guide
When to choose which?
No religious debate needed: the right choice follows from where your data lives and who has to manage it. Many organisations use both side by side.
Choose Microsoft 365 Copilot when…
- Your organisation works in Microsoft 365
- Answers must come from your own mail, documents and meetings
- You want management and permissions centralised via Entra and Purview
- You want AI inside Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams
Beyond chat? Copilot also has agents that carry out tasks on their own.
Choose ChatGPT when…
- You work outside a Microsoft environment
- Mainly creative and general work, without internal work data
- You build on the OpenAI API or your own GPTs
- You want to experiment quickly and freely with AI
Want to grasp what Copilot actually is and does first? Read our explainer on Microsoft Copilot.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The questions we get most often about Copilot versus ChatGPT.
Is Copilot just ChatGPT in a different coat?
No. Copilot uses models from providers including OpenAI and, after opt-in by your admin, Anthropic — but adds Microsoft Graph grounding: answers drawn from your own mail, documents and meetings, within your tenant and your existing permission structure.
Do OpenAI or Microsoft train on our company data?
Microsoft 365 Copilot never trains on your work data. The business ChatGPT plans do not either; the free consumer version can, unless you switch it off. So always check which variant your team actually uses.
Can we use Copilot and ChatGPT side by side?
Yes, we see this often: Copilot for work involving organisation data, ChatGPT for standalone tasks. The key is one clear AI policy, so everyone knows which data may go into which tool.
Which is safer for business use?
That depends on the setup. Copilot inherits your Microsoft 365 security and permissions; ChatGPT Enterprise has its own safeguards. The biggest risk is usually uncontrolled use of free accounts — policy helps there.
Do both assistants work well across languages?
Yes. Both write, summarise and reason well in many languages. Copilot also does so with documents and Teams meetings in your own language from your own environment.
Does our data stay in Europe?
With Microsoft 365 Copilot your data stays within the EU Data Boundary, with exceptions such as web searches and Anthropic models. With ChatGPT it depends on your plan and the data residency you choose. Check both before you use sensitive data — we help you document it.
Unsure which one fits you?
In an advisory call we look independently at your Microsoft environment, your use cases and your governance — and you get concrete advice.