Assistants and research
Popular tool
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft’s AI assistant, available as an app and inside Windows and Microsoft 365.
- Price from
- Free app
- Prices checked
- Oct 19, 2026
- Type
- Assistants and research
- Directory
- Popular tool
Our take
Copilot is most useful when your files and email already live in Microsoft’s apps. As a standalone chatbot it competes with free options from OpenAI and Google, so the decision is mostly about how much of your work happens inside Microsoft 365.
Best for people who work in Windows and Microsoft 365 and want an assistant built in.
What to use it for
In Microsoft apps
Works in Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams for people on the right Microsoft 365 plan.
Free app
The Copilot app and website are free to try.
Windows
Built into Windows and Edge, so it is always one click away.
What it costs
- Free Copilot app
- extra features come with paid Microsoft 365 plans. See Microsoft for current prices.
Checked on the vendor’s own pricing page on Oct 19, 2026. Confirm on the official site before you pay.
Check before you pay
Worth a look first
- Features depend on your Microsoft plan and, at work, on what your IT team has switched on.
- Company data rules may limit what you can paste. Ask before you use it on work files.
How to decide
Try your own tasks
Run Microsoft Copilot on three real tasks from your week, not a demo prompt.
Compare with one alternative
Give the same tasks to one other tool and keep the one you would actually reuse.
Check how data is handled
Read what the plan does with your files and chats before you paste anything private.
Estimate a real month
Work out the plan you would need for your usage, not the cheapest tier.
Want the longer version? Read the 5-question framework and the safe-use checklist.
Compare Microsoft Copilot
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