Microsoft Copilot: review, test, pricing and alternatives (2026)
The AI assistant woven into Microsoft 365 and the web.
Microsoft Copilot — The AI assistant woven into Microsoft 365 and the web. Those who live in Microsoft 365 and want AI right inside their office tools. Editorial rating: 4/5 (Recommended).
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is Microsoft's bet to spread AI everywhere across its empire: on the web (free), in Windows, in Edge, and above all at the heart of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. It's the exact same ubiquity strategy as Gemini at Google, applied to the office suite that equips most of the planet's companies.
Its real value shows there, in your work context: drafting a document in Word, making a table of numbers talk in Excel, building a PowerPoint from notes, summarizing a long Outlook thread or a Teams meeting. No need to copy-paste to an external assistant — the AI is inside the tool you already have open.
Worth knowing: on the web it's free, but the full potential (deep integration into the Office apps) requires a Copilot Pro or Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription; quality varies by task; and the appeal is strongest if you already live in the Microsoft ecosystem. For others, a ChatGPT or Claude will stay more versatile. Check plans on the official site.
Microsoft Copilot review: our hands-on test
Microsoft Copilot
Official visual coming soon
A must if you work in Microsoft 365: AI right where you already are, no tool-switching.
Microsoft Copilot pricing
Pricing verified in June 2026, subject to change — check the official site.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Integrated in Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook/Teams
- Free web version
- Great for office work
Weaknesses
- Full potential via an M365 subscription
- Quality varies by task
- Most relevant inside the Microsoft ecosystem
Who is it for?
Those who live in Microsoft 365 and want AI right inside their office tools.
Use cases
Microsoft Copilot vs Claude
Microsoft Copilot in video
Frequently asked questions
- Is Microsoft Copilot free?
- Microsoft Copilot offers a free version, then paid plans (Free · Copilot Pro $20/mo · M365 Copilot $18-30/user).
- Who is Microsoft Copilot for?
- Those who live in Microsoft 365 and want AI right inside their office tools.
- What are the alternatives to Microsoft Copilot?
- Alternatives to Microsoft Copilot include: Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity. Compare them to choose based on your needs and budget.
Best alternatives to Microsoft Copilot
Claude
The assistant that shines at long-form writing and reasoning.
ChatGPT
The all-round AI assistant that started the wave.
Perplexity
The answer engine that always cites its sources.