Copilot vs ChatGPT: Which AI chatbot should you use?

ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are two of the most popular AI tools today. ChatGPT is a chatbot that started the modern AI boom, while Microsoft Copilot is built into Windows (the world's most popular operating system) and is closely integrated with Microsoft Office (a leading office software suite).

Initially, both were standalone conversational chatbots, but now they are deeply integrated with numerous applications, the open web, and even the real world via mobile phones.

Over the past few years, both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot have been significantly improved. As the list of features grows longer, a quick and easy comparison between the two tools has become more difficult.

In this article, let's explore the key differences between Copilot and ChatGPT to help people make an informed choice about which AI chatbot to use.

Copilot vs ChatGPT: A Quick Comparison

	Microsoft Copilot	ChatGPT
Power & Features	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Although not as versatile as ChatGPT, its ability to integrate with Microsoft 365 is a huge advantage.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ With the latest AI models and cutting-edge features, ChatGPT remains the leading standard.
Usability	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Available in web and mobile app versions, with deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Available on web, desktop, and mobile.
Free package	⭐️⭐️⭐️ Works well but lacks the integrated features that make Copilot so powerful.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Quite comprehensive, but still lacks many of ChatGPT's most advanced features.
Reliability	⭐️⭐️⭐️ You might encounter a bug where it "deceives" you into thinking it's ChatGPT.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ChatGPT can still make mistakes, but it's one of the most reliable AI chatbots currently available.

A detailed comparison of AI chatbots ChatGPT and Copilot.

ChatGPT and Copilot are actually very similar.

Before delving into the differences, let's look at the similarities between these two chatbots. Both are AI chatbots designed to improve productivity, so they share many commonalities.

1. They can all understand and create content including text, images, code, documents, and many other types of data. They are all multimodal chatbots, so most of the features people think of when talking about AI are already present.
2. Both utilize OpenAI's latest AI models. Both offer various models depending on the usage mode. Microsoft also states that they use additional proprietary models, but given OpenAI's significant investment and the similarities in functionality, it's clear that OpenAI's advanced models remain core to the platform.
3. Both are available on the web and as a mobile app.
4. Both can search for information on the Internet. The era when AI chatbots were limited by knowledge cutoff dates is almost over. Both ChatGPT and Copilot can access new information from the web.
5. Both allow screen viewing, integration with applications, and providing operation instructions. ChatGPT works better with content creation and programming applications, while Copilot excels on Windows, but both support working through screenshots.
6. Both can handle the files you upload. You can upload PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets. and both chatbots can analyze or interpret the content.
7. Both offer collaborative workspaces similar to Google Docs. ChatGPT calls this feature Canvas, while Copilot calls it Pages.
8. Both require payment to use all the most powerful features. The free version is still very useful, but to unlock its full potential, you'll need to pay from around $20/month or more.

ChatGPT has many more advanced features.

OpenAI is the pioneer of the current AI wave, so it's no surprise that ChatGPT boasts many advanced features. Below are some of the key areas where ChatGPT surpasses Microsoft Copilot:

1. Improved web and news search capabilities, including integration of sports scores, locations, and various other data sources.
2. Allows the creation of custom chatbots (Custom GPTs) and connection with various other applications.
3. Third-party applications can now integrate directly with ChatGPT, allowing you to control Photoshop, Spotify, Canva, and more within the chat interface.
4. There is a separate Images section that makes creating and editing images more convenient.
5. Codex - an AI agent that assists in programming, integrates with GitHub, the desktop terminal, and many other software development tools.
6. Agents – AI agents – have their own browser and working environment, and can perform many tasks independently on behalf of the user.

It's also worth noting that ChatGPT doesn't yet have full functionality across all platforms. The web version is usually updated first, while the desktop and mobile apps have an advantage due to deeper integration with the devices.

Interestingly, many of the aforementioned features are gradually appearing on Copilot. It seems Microsoft is just rolling them out a little slower.

Copilot integrates deeply with the Microsoft ecosystem.

Microsoft Copilot's biggest advantage is its ability to integrate with the entire Microsoft ecosystem.

The Copilot application is pre-installed on Windows and prominently displays on the Taskbar. In fact, Microsoft is gradually making Copilot the default assistant in many applications such as:

1. adjusting
2. Microsoft Edge
3. Microsoft Store
4. Photos
5. Notepad
6. Paint

The idea is simple: users share their screen with Copilot, use their voice to describe what they want to do, and Copilot will guide them step-by-step right within the app.

If you use Bing, the Copilot button always appears right on the homepage. If you use Edge, Copilot is also always available in the sidebar to answer questions.

By simply subscribing to Copilot Pro (for individuals) or Microsoft 365 Copilot (for businesses), you can use Copilot in most Microsoft 365 applications.

For example, Copilot can:

1. Summarize documents, answer questions, and create text or images in Word and OneNote.
2. Create formulas, format data, and support analysis in Excel.
3. Create presentation slides and summaries in PowerPoint.
4. Summarize long email threads and compose replies in Outlook.

If your daily work is tied to the Microsoft ecosystem, this is truly Copilot's most valuable advantage. While ChatGPT is gradually catching up, its integration capabilities are still not as deep and seamless as Copilot on Windows.

At the enterprise level, this difference is even more pronounced. While outside the scope of this comparison, for multinational corporations already using the Microsoft ecosystem, Copilot can seamlessly connect across their entire technology infrastructure. Furthermore, businesses can use Copilot Studio to build AI agents that integrate with existing internal tools.

Both AI chatbots are very powerful, but neither is a perfect tool for every situation.

Both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are capable of handling thousands of small tasks every day. They can create drafts, translate text, extract content from images, write code, solve math problems, create recipes, and countless other tasks in just seconds.

If there are tasks that AI can help save time on, chances are both ChatGPT and Copilot will do a very good job.

Furthermore, both utilize cutting-edge AI models (Copilot is typically only a few weeks behind ChatGPT), so it's impossible to say which chatbot is "superiorly intelligent" to the other.

ChatGPT vs. Copilot: Which tool should you choose?

Both the consumer versions of ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are extremely powerful AI chatbots with many similar features. The number of tasks one tool can do that the other cannot is actually not significant. The main differences lie in advanced features such as AI-assisted programming or integration with Microsoft Office.

Ultimately, the choice between these two tools boils down to one crucial question: How often do you use Microsoft 365?

If you work with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook every day, Copilot's deep integration capabilities will provide immense value.

Conversely, if not heavily reliant on the Microsoft ecosystem, ChatGPT remains a stronger option due to its more features, greater stability, and faster update speed. Although both sides use nearly equivalent AI models, OpenAI still deploys new features faster than Microsoft.

For the free versions, the two tools are fairly balanced. However, Copilot has a slight edge because it allows access to more features, such as image creation.

However, if you're only going to try one AI chatbot, you should start with ChatGPT – the tool that pioneered and shaped the entire modern AI chatbot market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ChatGPT better than Copilot?

1. No. ChatGPT excels in content creation, analytics, and programming support, while Copilot leverages its strengths when working with Microsoft 365, Windows, and Office documents.

Does Copilot use GPT?

1. Yes. Microsoft Copilot uses OpenAI's AI models in combination with Microsoft's technology, but the experience and features depend on the specific version of Copilot.

Is ChatGPT free?

1. Yes. Users can use ChatGPT for free with basic features or upgrade to paid plans to unlock newer AI models and more advanced features.

Is Copilot suitable for programming?

1. Yes. Copilot is quite good at supporting code writing, explaining code, and providing programming suggestions, especially when combined with Visual Studio Code and GitHub. However, ChatGPT is generally more flexible in analyzing errors and explaining algorithms.

Should you choose ChatGPT or Copilot?

1. Choose ChatGPT if you need versatile AI for content writing, learning, research, and programming.
2. Choose Microsoft Copilot if you work primarily with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Windows and want AI integrated directly into your workflow.