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Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT: which AI is more effective for your productivity?

By Anastasia De Santis

Published: August 19, 2025

In 2025, artificial intelligence is no longer an option in the enterprise, it's an extension of your teams. Whether you're in HR, marketing, finance or development, you're looking for a reliable co-pilot to boost productivity, automate tedious tasks and generate ideas that click.

But between Microsoft Copilot, the all-in-one ally of the Microsoft 365 suite, and ChatGPT, OpenAI's gifted conversational model, the choice isn't so simple. One integrates seamlessly into your daily tools, the other shines for its versatility, creativity... and ever more powerful plugins.

So, which one should you choose for your business in 2025? The duel is on.

What is Microsoft Copilot?

Copilot overview

Microsoft Copilot is as if Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams had all been trained by OpenAI and put to work for your productivity.

Launched by Microsoft and boosted by the GPT-4 and GPT-4o models, Copilot is integrated into the heart of Microsoft 365. It acts as an intelligent assistant, capable of generating texts, summarizing documents, creating presentations, analyzing data or even writing emails... without leaving your favorite tools.

But Copilot isn't just a cool interface. It's a strategic AI brick for companies already committed to the Microsoft ecosystem. It draws on your documents, e-mails and Teams meetings to contextualize its responses and automate the most time-consuming tasks. The result: a real time-saver on a daily basis, without changing your habits (too much).

  • Target: companies equipped with Microsoft 365, from SMEs to large corporations.
  • Use cases: office productivity, automation, reporting, document management.
  • Positioning: AI assistant integrated into the Microsoft suite.
  • Typical customers: multi-team companies, cross-functional functions (HR, finance, management, marketing), non-technical profiles.

Key features of Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot isn't just a search bar that answers your questions. It's a true contextual copilot, acting directly on your work tools. Here are the key features that make it indispensable (or almost):

  • Automatic content generation in Word: summaries, outlines, rephrasing, writing from simple instructions. Copilot knows how to write, but above all how to write for you, according to your tone and your data.
  • Data analysis in Excel: identify trends, propose visualizations, build pivot tables. Without complex formulas. No headaches.
  • Synthesis and slide creation in PowerPoint: give hima Word report or a few bullet points, and he'll prepare a structured, visual presentation ready to pitch.
  • Intelligent email writing in Outlook: it helps you reply, rephrase or summarize endless email chains (yes, even those with 12 attachments and 3 useless CCs).
  • Meeting minutes in Teams: recordings, transcripts, action items: Copilot sorts through them and delivers a clear summary with key points and decisions.
  • Research and suggestions in Microsoft Loop and OneNote: it connects ideas, facilitates brainstorming and boosts collaboration in async mode.
  • Security and compliance by design: AI respects access rights and internal security policies. You stay in control of your data.

Advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Copilot

Copilot plays in the big league. But like any copilot, it has its strengths... and its turbulence.

✅ Advantages of Microsoft Copilot

  • Native integration into Microsoft 365: no need for a new app, Copilot slips straight into your everyday tools.
  • Contextual personalization: it understands your documents, e-mails and meetings, and adapts its suggestions to your pro environment.
  • Fluid user experience: no learning curve, just click, write and move on.
  • Immediate time savings: drafting, summarizing, analyzing... Copilot automates what used to take hours.
  • Enterprise security: your data remains in your Microsoft tenant, with the same confidentiality rules as your files.

❌ Microsoft Copilot disadvantages

  • Reserved for paying Microsoft 365 customers: impossible to use without a Business Standard or E5 license.
  • High cost: $30/user/month on top of the Microsoft 365 subscription, this is not a low-cost gadget.
  • Less flexible than ChatGPT: Copilot remains confined to the Microsoft environment, with no third-party plugins or "creative" usage.
  • Dependence on the Microsoft ecosystem: not ideal if your teams use Google, Notion or Trello tools.

What is ChatGPT?

Overview of ChatGPT

ChatGPT is OpenAI's star generative AI. And spoiler: in 2025, it's faster, more intuitive and more versatile than ever, thanks to GPT-4o, its new multimodal engine capable of understanding text, images, audio and code.

Unlike Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT is not integrated into a suite of office tools. It is an independent AI interface (web, mobile or desktop) designed to interact, write, structure and create... on the fly. The user asks a question or gives an instruction, and ChatGPT responds with near-human fluidity.

But where the model really impresses is in its ability to adapt to all business contexts: marketing copywriting, HR FAQs, code creation, legal assistance, meeting summaries, technical documentation, Excel spreadsheets, video scripts...

  • Target: professionals, freelancers, marketing, product, support, tech teams... and anyone with repetitive or creative tasks.
  • Use cases: writing, brainstorming, task automation, content creation, customer support, no-code, low-code.
  • Positioning: generalist, customizable AI conversational agent.
  • Typical customers: freelancers, SMEs, innovation or customer success teams, creative and tech profiles.

Why GPT-4o and not GPT-5 in this comparison?

It's true that GPT-5 is the talk of the town. But in 2025, the version used by the majority of pros (via ChatGPT Plus or Enterprise) remains GPT-4o. It's this engine that powers the official ChatGPT interface, with its multimodal features, enhanced speed and ability to process text, images and code in a single exchange.

GPT-5 is still reserved for limited uses (tests, premium APIs, specific use cases), not yet generalized or accessible in the classic interface.

👉 Bottom line: to compare what's really usable in business today, we're sticking with GPT-4o.

ChatGPT's key features

ChatGPT doesn't just answer your questions. It's an idea, text and automation machine, accessible in just a few clicks from your browser, mobile app or via its API. Here's what it offers in concrete terms:

  • Content generation: ChatGPT can write complex articles, emails, scripts, LinkedIn publications, FAQs, guides or prompts, in any tone or style, on demand.
  • Document analysis and synthesis: import a PDF or copy a text, and the AI delivers a summary, insights, or reformulates key points.
  • Image interpretation: ChatGPT can now analyze a graph, comment on an interface, identify a product or correct a screenshot with astonishing relevance (thanks GPT-4o).
  • Code and no-code help: it writes scripts, fixes bugs, comments code or generates Excel formulas, JSON, HTML or Zapier automations.
  • Plugins and advanced tools: the GPT Store lets you install specialized wizards (e.g. for finance, recruitment, design, etc.). You can also create your own customized GPT.
  • Memory and personalization: ChatGPT can now remember your preferences, projects or instructions, to adapt its responses to your working style.
  • Multimodal and voice interface: in 2025, ChatGPT understands voice, images and interacts like a voice assistant, on both desktop and mobile devices.

Advantages and disadvantages of ChatGPT

ChatGPT has quickly won over professionals from all walks of life, and that's no accident. Its flexibility of use, rich functionality and conversational approach make it an ultra-versatile tool. But this freedom also has its limits.

✅ What we love about ChatGPT

ChatGPT shines through its ability to adapt to a variety of business contexts, without technical constraints or specific environments. It's a real work companion, whether you're in content creation, customer service or coding.

  • Accessible from any browser or mobile application, with no dependence on a particular software suite.
  • Simple, intuitive interface designed for non-technical users.
  • Excellent generation quality, thanks to GPT-4o, particularly in writing, reformulation and synthesis.
  • Advanced multimodal capabilities: text, image and voice processing in a single interaction.
  • Advanced personalization with memory and custom GPTs (e.g., a customized HR, legal or accounting assistant).
  • A rich ecosystem with the GPT Store and hundreds of specialized agents.

❌ What may hold some users back

Despite its power, ChatGPT is not always cut out for "deep" enterprise integration. It requires a little organization to fit into existing workflows.

  • No native integration with office suites such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace (except via API or plug-in).
  • Sensitive data retention: although OpenAI enhances security, some companies are still cautious about confidentiality issues.
  • Clear framework required: without precise instructions, answers may lack rigor or business consistency.
  • Advanced functionalities reserved for paying packages (ChatGPT Plus or Enterprise), with costs rising according to integration needs.
  • No automatic contextualization: unlike Copilot, ChatGPT does not spontaneously search your documents or e-mails (except via manual upload).

Copilot vs ChatGPT: compare features

These two AI assistants weren't designed for the same purpose, but they're increasingly coming into contact with each other in everyday business life. Here's a summary table to help you get a clearer picture, before zooming in on concrete cases.

Functionality Microsoft Copilot ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
Assisted drafting Yes, in Word and Outlook Yes, in all contexts and formats
Data analysis Yes, in Excel Yes, with instructions or documents
Visual/slide generation Yes, in PowerPoint Not native, but possible via prompts
Multimodal interaction No (text only) Yes (text, image, audio, code)
Integration with work tools Native with Microsoft 365 Via plugins, API, or manual upload
Customization Contextual to your files Custom memory + GPTs
Automations / extensions Limited to Microsoft Loop Yes, via GPT Store and plugins
Getting started Immediate if already a Microsoft customer Intuitive, but requires initial scoping

Focus 1: Writing and content generation

Writing an email, a report or a presentation is a daily task for millions of professionals. And both tools excel in this field, albeit with different approaches.

  • Copilot works within your existing tools (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint), offering contextual suggestions based on your existing content. Ideal for reformulating, synthesizing or writing from a structured brief.
  • ChatGPT, on the other hand, is more creative. It can generate a blog post, video script or product sheet from scratch. It also excels at fine-tuning tone, variants and structural ideas.

👉 To remember

Copilot is perfect for enhancing your existing documents. ChatGPT is your AI pen when you're starting from scratch.

Focus 2: Data analysis and processing

Excel vs. AI: a classic duo. But here, the approach is quite different.

  • Copilot is integrated with Excel and can suggest charts, analyses or formulas based on your current data.
  • ChatGPT can also analyze a table (via copy-paste or file), but does not directly manipulate your Excel files. Instead, it excels at explaining formulas, correcting errors or structuring data sets.

👉 To remember

Copilot automates analysis in Excel. ChatGPT supports you to understand, correct or generate on demand.

Focus 3: Multimodal use (text, image, audio)

This is GPT-4o's strong point, and a grey area for Copilot.

  • ChatGPT lets you import an image, talk to it or listen to its responses. Ideal for brainstorming, analyzing mock-ups or interacting on the move.
  • Microsoft Copilot remains limited to text, in a classic office environment.

👉 To remember

For multimodal use (images, voice, documents), ChatGPT has a clear advantage.

Focus 4: Integration into the working environment

This is where Copilot comes into its own.

  • If you're already working in Microsoft 365, Copilot is a natural extension. No tools to install, no new interface to learn.
  • ChatGPT is used separately. You'll need to copy and paste your content, or connect the API via Zapier, Make, or a third-party plugin.

👉 To remember

When it comes to integration, Copilot is the winner. It lives right in your workspace.

Focus 5: Customization and adaptability

Both tools have made progress in this area, but with different philosophies.

  • Copilot relies on your files, e-mails and internal documents to adapt its responses to the business context.
  • ChatGPT can memorize your preferences (with the "memory" function) and, above all, enable you to create personalized GPTs, with precise business instructions and integrated tools.

👉 To remember

Copilot customizes from your internal data, while ChatGPT lets you create your own business AI.

Copilot vs ChatGPT: compare prices

On paper, both tools look affordable. In reality, their pricing models are very different. Copilot is aimed primarily at businesses that are already Microsoft 365 customers, while ChatGPT works on an individual subscription basis or via a customized enterprise offer.

Offer Microsoft Copilot ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
Free version ❌ None ✅ ChatGPT Free (limited to GPT-3.5)
Individual pay version ✅ $30/month/user (Copilot for Microsoft 365) ✅ $20/month for ChatGPT Plus (GPT-4o)
Enterprise version ✅ Microsoft 365 E3/E5 + $30/month/user ✅ ChatGPT Enterprise (rates on request)
Free trial ❌ None ❌ None on Plus or Enterprise version
Access to plugins / GPTs ❌ Not available ✅ Included on Plus version
Native integration with the suite ✅ Microsoft 365 only ❌ To be integrated manually

👉 To remember

  • Copilot plays in the Microsoft enterprise league, with a high entry ticket but premium integration.
  • ChatGPT is more accessible, modular and flexible... provided you invest in the Plus package or upgrade to Enterprise.

Simply put: Copilot costs more, but does the job frictionlessly if you're already with Microsoft. ChatGPT requires a little set-up, but offers far more open creative and functional power.

    Copilot vs ChatGPT: which interface is more intuitive?

    Because a brilliant AI that's a pain to use often ends up in a forgotten tab. Here, ergonomics and user experience make all the difference, especially when teams have to get up to speed quickly.

    Copilot and ChatGPT each have their own philosophy:

    • One integrates into existing systems, without disrupting habits.
    • The other offers a dedicated interface, designed for exploration, testing and iteration.

    UX criteria Microsoft Copilot ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
    Getting started Immediate if already a Microsoft 365 user Very simple and intuitive, even solo
    Interface Integrated into Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. Dedicated web application/app with tabs
    Accessibility Depends on Microsoft license + IT activation Accessible from browser or mobile app
    Environment customization Limited to Microsoft tools Custom GPTs, memory, fine-tuning
    Collaboration Native via Teams, SharePoint, Loop Possible via feed sharing or export
    Mobility Works best on desktop Mobile-optimized, including voice and images

    👉 To remember

    Copilot is all about discretion and continuity. It blends in with your tools, and that's what we like: no new app to master, no process to reinvent.

    ChatGPT, on the other hand, offers an interface dedicated to creation, reflection and experimentation. Fluid, fast, visual. The UX makes you want to test, iterate, go further.

    💡 Result: if you're looking for fluidity in Word or Excel, Copilot is unbeatable. But if you want autonomous, ultra-customizable, exploration-oriented AI, ChatGPT wins hands down.

    Copilot vs ChatGPT: compare integrations

    AI is good. AI connected to your business tools is better. And in this area, Copilot and ChatGPT take very different approaches: the former plays the Microsoft monopoly card, the latter relies on openness and the ecosystem.

    Here's a comparison based on three key criteria, rated out of 5 stars.

    Criteria Microsoft Copilot ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
    Number of available integrations ★★☆☆☆ (Microsoft 365 only) ★★★★☆ (via plugins and API)
    Easy to implement ★★★★★ (already integrated into apps) ★★★☆☆ (requires configuration)
    Workflow automation ★★☆☆☆ (limited to MS tools) ★★★★☆ (Zapier, Make, API, etc.)

    👉 To remember

    Copilot is formidable... if you live in the Microsoft ecosystem. Its integration is fluid, but closed to other tools. For cross-application use (CRM, no-code tools, databases, etc.), you'll have to use your imagination, or go through Power Automate.

    ChatGPT, on the other hand, relies on openness: API, Zapier integration, specialized plugins... it can interface with the majority of SaaS tools on the market, but this requires a bit of technical set-up.

    💡 In summary: Copilot is more plug & play, but limited. ChatGPT is more flexible, but requires a bit of wiring.

    When should you choose Copilot or ChatGPT?

    Both tools are powerful, but they don't respond to the same business logic, nor to the same adoption contexts. Here's a look at when each is the natural choice.

    If you're already part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem...

    Copilot is an obvious strategic choice.

    • You work daily in Word, Excel, Outlook or Teams.
    • Your employees are uncomfortable with non-Microsoft tools.
    • You're looking to automate without multiplying platforms.
    • Your sensitive data must remain within the Microsoft environment.
    • You want to get up to speed immediately, with no new interface to train.

    In this case, Copilot optimizes your existing tools and integrates as a natural extension of your processes. All with a high level of security and compliance.

    If you're looking for creative, autonomous and versatile AI...

    ChatGPT is your everyday ally.

    • You need an AI assistant to create, write, synthesize or code.
    • You often change context (marketing, support, dev, HR...).
    • You want to explore personalized or creative use cases.
    • You're looking for an open solution, connectable to your business tools.
    • You like plug-ins, voice, image and experimentation.

    ChatGPT is ideal for agile, cross-functional or fast-growing teams who want to integrate AI into their workflows in a flexible and scalable way.

    What to learn from the Copilot vs ChatGPT battle

    Two AIs, two philosophies. One fits in where you're already working. The other opens up a whole new playground. Between integrated efficiency and enhanced creativity, the choice depends above all on your ecosystem... and your ambitions.

    Here's a summary table to help you decide:

    Your need Our recommendation
    Optimize Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams ✅ Microsoft Copilot
    Write, brainstorm or automate outside Microsoft 365 ✅ ChatGPT
    Have AI directly integrated without a new tool ✅ Microsoft Copilot
    Create personalized AI assistants (HR, support, product...) ✅ ChatGPT
    Work on sensitive internal documents ✅ Microsoft Copilot
    Analyze images, listen or speak with AI ✅ ChatGPT (with GPT-4o)
    Interface AI with your no-code tools or CRM ✅ ChatGPT (via plugins or API)
    Support non-technical users ✅ Microsoft Copilot
    Work on the move with a fluid interface ✅ ChatGPT (web, app, mobile, voice)

    👉 To remember

    Copilot is made for those who want to accelerate in Microsoft 365, without changing the framework. It does what it promises, but doesn't go beyond its boundaries.

    ChatGPT, on the other hand, is a freer, more adaptable, more scalable AI assistant. It requires a little more effort at first, but quickly becomes a must-have tool for anyone who wants to go beyond simple office documents.

    💡 Moral? If you're Microsoft, stay with Microsoft. If you want more freedom, open a ChatGPT tab.

    FAQ about Copilot vs ChatGPT

    1. Is Copilot automatically included with Microsoft 365?

    No. Copilot is a paid option in addition to your Microsoft 365 subscription (E3, E5, Business Standard, etc.). It costs $30/month/user. Activation often goes through your company's IT team.

    2. Can ChatGPT really replace Copilot?

    Not completely. ChatGPT is more versatile and customizable, but it's not integrated into your tools like Word or Excel. It's more complementary than a direct competitor... unless you're outside the Microsoft ecosystem.

    3. Can I use ChatGPT for free in my company?

    Yes, but with important limitations. The free version is based on GPT-3.5 (less powerful), with no plug-ins, no memory and no multimodal mode. For serious business use, it's best to opt for ChatGPT Plus or Enterprise.

    4. Which tool is the most secure for a company?

    Copilot, without hesitation, if your documents are already in Microsoft 365. It respects access rights, internal policies and doesn't share your data with OpenAI. ChatGPT Enterprise also offers strong guarantees, but the free or Plus version remains less framed.

    5. Can ChatGPT read Excel or PDF files?

    Yes. With GPT-4o, you can drag-and-drop a file (PDF, spreadsheet, image, etc.) and ask your questions on it. It doesn't modify it directly like Copilot in Excel, but the analysis is often very relevant.

    6. Can I customize one of the two tools for a specific business use?

    Yes for both, but not in the same way.
    Copilot adapts to the context of your documents, but remains limited to your tools.
    ChatGPT lets you create a customized GPT (e.g. HR, legal, customer support), with business instructions, a knowledge base, and even integrated tools.

    7. Which is best suited to non-technical teams?

    Copilot, because it integrates directly into the known environment (Word, Outlook, Excel) and works without the need to write complex prompts. ChatGPT is more powerful, but requires a bit of learning to be used to its full potential.

    8. Can I use both in parallel?

    Yes, in fact it's a winning strategy.
    Copilot helps you with your documents, ChatGPT helps you think outside the box, generate ideas, automate tasks or explore new uses.

    Article translated from French