Copilot vs ChatGPT: Which One Should You Use in 2025?

The moment ChatGPT launched, everything changed. Suddenly, the internet was buzzing. Writers, students, CEOs — everyone was experimenting with it.

Tasks that once took hours – like writing emails, drafting reports, and brainstorming ideas – were now done in minutes.

And the impact? Huge.

76% of professionals reported using AI to boost productivity and streamline efficiency.

Source: ADSK News

And that’s just the beginning.

ChatGPT hit 100 million users in just two months. Today, it’s pulling in a jaw-dropping 1.6 billion visits/month.

Source: SEO.AI

To put that in perspective, it took Instagram over 3 years to reach the same milestone.

So, is this just growth or a cultural shift? I’d say the latter.

Take Microsoft Copilot, for example. Unlike ChatGPT, it’s built right into Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Instead of switching tabs, users can generate reports, summarize emails, and analyze data — all within their workflow.

As someone who’s spent years writing, testing tools, and pushing productivity to its limits, I’ve put both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to the test.

And let me tell you, the difference isn’t just in what they do; but in how they fit into your workflow.

I used to think ChatGPT was the undisputed king of AI tools. Then I tried Copilot. And wow — did my perspective shift!

After extensively testing both Copilot vs ChatGPT side by side, I’ve broken it all down — what works, what doesn’t, and which one’s actually worth your time (and money).

Let’s dive in!

Why Do Copilot & ChatGPT Matter?

Ever thought generative AI was straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster?

Well, it’s no longer just fiction!

It’s already here, changing the way we work and live in 2025 and beyond by making everything easier, faster, and smarter.

Whether you’re drafting an email, coding a website, or brainstorming your next big idea, these AI tools are ready to step in and help.

When it comes to the best AI assistants out there, two big names keep coming up: Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT.

Why These Two?

Now, why are we putting these two head-to-head?

Copilot (formerly known as Bing Chat), from Microsoft, is deeply integrated into your favorite Microsoft Office 365 applications.

It aims to supercharge your workflow within apps you already use.

Meanwhile, ChatGPT comes from OpenAI.

It stands as a conversational powerhouse that excels at generating creative text and handling dynamic, standalone tasks.

So, let’s begin with ChatGPT.

ChatGPT, even in its free version, is pretty darn powerful.

Source: ChatGPT

It’s a great starting point for anyone looking to explore large language models (LLMs) and see what AI can really do.

It can generate human-like text, answer questions, and create content — all for free, although it comes with optional upgrades for more advanced features.

No wonder it became a favorite so quickly. Its ability to handle diverse queries makes it a go-to for millions.

Copilot, on the other hand, is Microsoft’s answer to ChatGPT.

Source: Copilot

Instead of being a standalone chatbot, it’s built directly into Microsoft 365, letting users:

• Draft emails in Outlook.
• Create presentations in PowerPoint.
• Analyze data in Excel.

And do a lot of other fun stuff…

Imagine generating a full report with just a few prompts or spotting trends in complex data without the headache of formulas.

Now that you’ve got the gist of ChatGPT vs Copilot, let’s dive into the features available in the free version and why you might want to consider upgrading.

What Do You Get For Free?

The free versions of Copilot vs ChatGPT come with certain specific limitations. Here’s what you can typically get for free in each.

Microsoft Copilot (Free Plan)

Access to GPT-4

You get off-peak access to GPT-4. This means you can use it but there might be restrictions during peak hours.

Voice commands

Using Copilot’s voice input has been a fantastic experience for me.

The responses are crisp and conversational, making it feel like chatting with a friend. It consistently provides insightful and helpful answers.

Integration with Bing & Edge

Copilot is integrated into the Bing search engine and the Edge browser, providing AI assistance while you search and browse.

Image creation

Copilot offers features like image generation and enhanced information retrieval from the web.

You can download the generated image right away or try some more options to get the best one!

Think deeper

Copilot just rolled out a new feature that works a lot like ChatGPT’s reasoning.

You type your prompt, hit enter, and get a response. But if you click ‘Think Deeper,’ it takes 30 seconds to refine and improve the answer.

Integration with Microsoft 365

Copilot integrates with Microsoft Edge, Windows, and other Microsoft services, offering a holistic experience for users in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Limited content creation

Microsoft Copilot’s free version helps with content but has its limits. It’s great for quick drafts, but bigger tasks hit a cap.

It also provides basic editing suggestions, such as grammar and spell checks, to help you refine your writing.

For full access, you’ll need the paid version.

ChatGPT (Free Plan)

Access to GPT-3.5

You get unlimited access to GPT-3.5 in the free version, which is solid for everyday chats, brainstorming, and quick research.

It’s fast, reliable, and still impressively smart. But, if you’re after deep, nuanced answers, you might feel the gap compared to GPT-4.

Web browsing

One of the best upgrades I’ve observed!

If ChatGPT doesn’t know something, it can just fetch real-time (web-based) info.

Perfect for fact-checking, looking up current events, or staying on top of industry trends. (No more outdated AI guesses!)

Access to custom GPTs

Even on the free plan, you can explore community-made GPTs tailored for specific tasks.

Whether you need an AI videomaker, a fitness planner, or a research sidekick, there’s something built for your workflow.

Standard voice mode

Want to chat instead of type?

The voice mode feels surprisingly natural.

Responses come through quickly, and it’s great when you just want a hands-free, casual convo with AI.

Memory feature

ChatGPT is getting smarter about remembering past interactions.

That means it can adapt to your style, recall preferences, and make conversations feel more personalized over time.

Reasoning capability

It’s not just about answering questions; now it thinks!

The logical reasoning is strong, helping with problem-solving, debate prep, or even tricky ‘what should I do next?’ scenarios.

Data analysis

Got data to analyze?

The free version lets you do basic tasks like working with spreadsheets, spotting trends, or understanding complex stats.

It’s perfect for getting quick insights without needing a calculator.

Unlimited text generation

No hard limits here!

Whether you’re drafting emails, blog posts, or brainstorming ideas, you can generate as much text as you need without annoying cutoffs.

Not only this, it also provides advanced editing suggestions, such as rephrasing sentences or improving tone and style.

Something a little extra

Now, even though ChatGPT is a bit more advanced than Copilot in AI content marketing, you might need an even more advanced AI for content creation.

Content Gorilla AI is what I’d bet on, as it comes from experienced marketers for marketers!

Here’s a quick review of what CGAI offers you!

Once you start using it for your content workflow, there’s a good chance you’ll forget you were ever comparing Copilot vs ChatGPT! CGAI can:

• Generate spot-on AI content for SEO.
• Turn your YT story or video to blog AI (that’s where it wins, and it’s also my personal favorite feature).
• Quickly craft bulk content.
• Serve as your social media calendar.
• Be the best AI social media manager.
• Help you plan content for an entire 365 days!

…And much more!

Wanna know the pricing? Check out how you can start for as low as $1!

Is It Worth Upgrading?

Source: Freepik

While the free versions of Copilot vs ChatGPT are great for getting started, upgrading gives you faster responses and advanced features that can make your work much easier.

Here’s what you get by upgrading to the premium plans of Copilot Pro vs ChatGPT Plus.

ChatGPT Plus (GPT-4 Turbo)

• Access to GPT-4 Turbo – More advanced, accurate, and faster than GPT-4o.
• Priority access & faster responses – No more waiting during peak hours.
• Advanced data analysis – Process spreadsheets, extract insights, and generate visualizations.
• Expanded memory & personalization – ChatGPT remembers preferences for a more tailored experience.
• Longer context window – It can handle and recall much larger conversations.
• Advanced creative & coding capabilities – Ideal for tech professionals and marketers.

You’ve probably heard people say ChatGPT limits your thinking. But honestly, I don’t see it that way.

As a marketer, it saves me time on research, grabs stats when I need them, and does a whole lot more.

Plus, its ideas are pretty great; they get me thinking beyond the usual. So yeah, I’d say it sharpens my thinking, not the opposite.

Copilot Pro (Microsoft 365 Integration)

• Full Microsoft 365 integration – Seamlessly works inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Better AI-powered insights – Improved data analysis, financial forecasting, and business intelligence.
• Enhanced image generation – More and higher-quality visuals with DALL·E 3.
• Uncapped access to GPT-4 – Unlike the free version, you won’t get restricted during peak times.
• Deeper customization – More control over how AI assists with tasks.
• Enterprise-grade security & compliance – Ideal for business users handling sensitive data.

So, if you want AI to work smarter and faster for you, upgrading is well worth it.

Which Is Better: Microsoft Copilot Or OpenAI ChatGPT?

Here are a few more use cases I tested for a deeper comparison of Copilot vs ChatGPT.

Use Case #1: AI Content Marketing

Prompt: Generate a high-converting LinkedIn post promoting the benefits of AI-powered content creation for busy marketers. Keep it engaging, persuasive, and structured for maximum impact.

And the winner is…ChatGPT!

Copilot gave a quick response with good wording and emojis, but ChatGPT’s response aligned better with my needs and was ready to post.

Extra emojis and an overly conversational tone can feel too salesy, making readers scroll past. 

ChatGPT’s version was subtle, effective, and more relatable.

Use Case #2: Customer Support

Prompt: Write a customer support response to a client who is having trouble accessing their account. Apologize for the inconvenience, provide clear troubleshooting steps, and offer further assistance if needed.

And the winner is…ChatGPT!

It provided a to-the-point, no-nonsense response, which is what customers typically prefer. 

Copilot’s response was a bit lengthier in comparison. ChatGPT’s concise approach is more effective for customer support.

Bonus Use Case: Are you better than your counterpart?

After that, I tested both tools for recent updates and they did well. Then I decided to prompt them with an interesting question: ‘Are you better than [the counterpart]?’

Here’s what I got in response from each:

Copilot took it a bit personally (lol), while ChatGPT responded more strategically.

Well, which one handled it better? You decide!

Check out this TL;DR comparison table of Copilot vs ChatGPT to guide your choice.

Feature	Copilot	ChatGPT
Access to GPTs	✔️ Available	✔️ Available
Voice commands	✔️ Available	✔️ Available
Microsoft integrations	✔️ Integrated with Bing,  Edge, and other apps	❌ Not available
Web browsing	✔️Available (but not as advanced as ChatGPT)	✔️ Available (real-time web info)
Image generation	✔️ Available	✔️ Available
Custom GPTs	❌ Not available	✔️ Available
Reasoning capability	✔️ Available	✔️ Available
Memory feature	❌ Not available	✔️ Available
Data analysis	✔️ Better data insights, forecasting, BI	✔️ Advanced data analysis (visualizations)
Coding capabilities	✔️ Enhanced for business tasks	✔️ Advanced coding capabilities
Content creation	✔️ Limited content of good-quality	✔️ Unlimited, next-level marketing content generation
Security & compliance	✔️ Enterprise-grade security	✔️ Strong security features
Best for	✔️Marketers and tech professionals	✔️Business users and data analysts

FAQs

Q. Is Copilot better than ChatGPT?

It depends on your needs! Copilot shines in Microsoft integrations, while ChatGPT excels in conversational AI and content creation.

Q. Copilot vs ChatGPT, which is better?

ChatGPT offers more flexibility and advanced features, but Copilot integrates seamlessly with Microsoft tools for productivity.

Q. Can Copilot and ChatGPT be used together?

Yep, you can use both! Copilot is great for productivity, while ChatGPT handles the creative content side. Best of both worlds!

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the choice of Copilot vs ChatGPT boils down to your specific needs.

If you’re deep into the Microsoft ecosystem, Copilot will integrate flawlessly into your workflow, helping you with data, emails, and presentations, boosting productivity along the way.

But, if content creation, brainstorming, and solving complex problems are more your vibe, ChatGPT’s creativity and flexibility are unbeatable.

We’re living in a time when AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a real-world tool that can make things happen.

It doesn’t just save our time. But it redefines how we work, giving us more space to relax and enjoy life.

So, whether you’re streamlining your tasks or fueling your creative fire, the right AI assistant lets you focus on what truly matters.

At the end of the day, it’s all about choosing the AI that aligns best with your goals and workflow.