Artificial intelligence tools have become central to how people work, search, write, code, and explore new ideas. While ChatGPT has been the most recognized AI assistant globally, Microsoft Copilot is steadily becoming a strong competitor—especially for users who depend on the Microsoft ecosystem.
If you’re comparing Copilot vs ChatGPT and trying to decide which AI tool fits your goals, this in-depth guide breaks down how each system works, where they differ, how they perform across common tasks, and how to choose the right one for your workflow.
This comparison also explains where Gigred fits in, because freelancers on Gigred use these tools daily to improve productivity, deliver faster, and produce better-quality work for clients.
What Is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is an AI suite designed to assist users across the entire Microsoft ecosystem. It appears inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Bing, Windows 11, and GitHub. Copilot originally ran on OpenAI’s GPT-4 architecture, but it now uses Microsoft’s Prometheus model, which is still based on GPT-4 but optimized for Microsoft services.
Key capabilities of Copilot include:
- Drafting and rewriting text directly inside Word
- Creating formulas and summarizing datasets in Excel
- Generating slides in PowerPoint
- Summarizing long email threads in Outlook
- Automating analysis using Python in Excel
- Offering a standalone chatbot similar to ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude
Copilot Chat is available for free, while paid options exist for advanced use cases.
The pricing, however, is confusing:
- Copilot Pro – $20/month
- Copilot 365 Personal – $9.99/month, includes Microsoft Office apps plus Copilot
Because the lower-cost plan includes both Office and Copilot, many users will find it a better value than paying $20 solely for the AI assistant.
What Is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT was the first AI tool to bring generative AI to mainstream audiences. It uses the transformer architecture developed by Google researchers, and it quickly became known for generating content, brainstorming ideas, assisting with coding, analyzing files, and now even generating high-quality images.
ChatGPT has evolved through multiple versions:
- Text-only models
- Multimodal models that interpret text, images, files, and voice
- API integration for developers
- CustomGPTs for tailored workflows
ChatGPT pricing is simpler than Copilot:
- ChatGPT Free
- ChatGPT Plus – $20/month
- ChatGPT Pro – $200/month
Most users find the Free or Plus tier sufficient. Pro is aimed at power users and developers needing massive capacity.
The current models include GPT-4o (stable) and GPT-4.5 (research preview), both offering strong reasoning, ideation, and multimodal capabilities.
Copilot vs. ChatGPT: A Detailed Comparison
Below are the most important factors people consider when choosing between the two tools.
| Aspect | Microsoft Copilot | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use-Case | Productivity inside Microsoft apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) | Broad generative tasks: writing, coding, image-generation, automation |
| Underlying Model | Microsoft Prometheus (based on OpenAI GPT-4) | OpenAI GPT-4, GPT-4.5, GPT-4o, etc. |
| Availability | Built directly into Microsoft 365 apps; standalone web chat | Web app, mobile app, API access, CustomGPTs, ChatGPT projects |
| Pricing | - Free version - Copilot Pro: $20/month - Microsoft 365 Personal + Copilot: $9.99/month |
- Free version - ChatGPT Plus: $20/month - ChatGPT Pro: $200/month |
| Integration & Customization | Deep integration with Microsoft apps Limited customization |
High customization: APIs, CustomGPTs, external data connections, SDKs |
| Data Analysis | Strong: Analyze Excel sheets, formulas, Python scripts directly | Possible but less seamless: data must be copied into chat |
| Coding Assistance | Good for code generation and contextual suggestions in Microsoft/GitHub | Powerful across languages; explain, debug, generate code flexibly |
| Content Creation | Drafting in Word, summarizing emails, rephrasing | Strong in long-form writing, brainstorming, creative tasks |
| Image Generation | Yes, but older models | Yes, advanced multimodal models |
| User Interface (UX) | Minimalist interface; strong in-app UX | Rich interface — models, projects, canvas, instructions |
| Voice Mode | Available in web version | Available in some versions |
| Privacy Concerns | Concerns around Windows Recall and model privacy | Data training, memory default-on, copyright concerns |
| Ethical Risks | Same LLM-related risks + privacy debates | High around content generation & data usage |
| Best For | Users invested in Microsoft 365 workflows | Freelancers, developers, creators, flexible AI work |
Real-World Test Results
To compare both tools, we tested them across writing, coding, and data analysis tasks.
Professional Writing
Both tools performed poorly without human editing, which is consistent with AI-generated writing. Copilot often produced only short snippets, while ChatGPT added more structure but still required heavy editing to sound natural.
This reflects what businesses on Gigred also experience. They use AI for drafts but rely on human writers for final editing to ensure clarity and relevance.
Coding
Results varied:
- In some cases, Copilot generated cleaner code.
- In others, ChatGPT provided more robust logic.
- Both tools occasionally introduced minor errors.
AI tools work best as coding assistants—not standalone developers. Many clients on Gigred use AI to speed up development, but still hire human developers to strengthen reliability and prevent vulnerabilities.
Data Analysis
Here, Copilot shines.
Because it integrates with Excel, users can:
- Summarize data
- Write formulas
- Generate Python scripts
- Produce step-by-step insights
ChatGPT can analyze spreadsheets, too, but requires manual copy-paste into the chat. That extra step reduces convenience for users who want fast, integrated workflows.
Which AI Should You Choose?
To decide between Copilot and ChatGPT, consider your daily workflow and long-term goals.
Choose Microsoft Copilot if:
- You use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Teams daily
- You prefer AI built directly into your apps
- You want Python-based data analysis inside Excel
- You want a lower-cost plan that includes both AI and Office apps
- You want a basic, standalone chatbot with minimal complexity
Choose ChatGPT if:
- You want deep customization
- You need strong multimodal abilities
- You generate images, content, or code often
- You want access to APIs
- You want CustomGPTs tailored to your workflow
- You use AI across multiple non-Microsoft tools
- You create advanced projects or automation systems
Many Gigred freelancers choose ChatGPT for creative work, while using Copilot for tasks inside the Microsoft suite.
How Gigred Users Benefit From These Tools
Gigred supports businesses and creators globally, and many freelancers use AI tools to improve efficiency. Copilot and ChatGPT help freelancers in areas such as:
- Content writing
- Email drafting
- Data visualization
- Presentation creation
- Front-end development
- Automation design
- Research
- Social media planning
- Graphic design workflows
Clients hiring through Gigred get faster delivery because freelancers combine their expertise with AI assistance for smoother workflows.
Conclusion
Copilot and ChatGPT offer strong capabilities, but each tool shines in different areas. Copilot provides the best experience for users deeply invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem, while ChatGPT offers greater flexibility, creativity, and customization.
The right choice depends on your work style, your preferred software environment, and whether you prioritize convenience or versatility.
No matter which AI tool you pick, pairing it with professional support from Gigred can help you get more value and ensure your tasks reach a higher level of quality and consistency.