Is Copilot the Same as ChatGPT? How They Differ and Which to Use

No, Copilot is not the same as ChatGPT. Microsoft Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant, and ChatGPT is OpenAI’s. Copilot does run mainly on OpenAI’s GPT-5 family of models, so the two often give similar answers, but they are separate products with different apps, features, accounts, privacy terms and integrations.

A simple way to think about it: same engine family, different car. Here is what actually separates them.

Does Copilot Use ChatGPT?

Copilot uses OpenAI’s models, not the ChatGPT product itself. Microsoft is OpenAI’s largest backer and has built OpenAI’s GPT models into Copilot since Bing Chat launched in 2023. In July 2026, OpenAI said GPT-5.6 would be the preferred model for Microsoft 365 Copilot. Microsoft also routes some tasks to its own MAI models and offers Anthropic’s Claude models to some business customers, so Copilot is no longer OpenAI-only.

Your ChatGPT account, chat history, memory and custom GPTs do not carry over to Copilot, and the reverse is also true.

Copilot vs ChatGPT: Key Differences

	Microsoft Copilot	ChatGPT
Made by	Microsoft	OpenAI
Main models	OpenAI GPT-5 family, plus Microsoft MAI models	OpenAI GPT-5 family
Model choice	Mostly automatic	You can pick models on paid plans
Built into	Windows, Edge, Bing, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams	Its own web, desktop and mobile apps
Work data access	Your Microsoft 365 emails, files and meetings (business plans)	Connected apps you choose to link
Custom assistants	Copilot agents and Copilot Studio	Custom GPTs and the GPT Store
Sign-in	Microsoft account or work account	OpenAI account

Where Copilot Is Better

• Inside Microsoft 365. Copilot can draft in Word, analyse data in Excel, build PowerPoint slides and summarise Teams meetings. ChatGPT cannot work inside those apps the same way.
• Work context. With Microsoft 365 Copilot for business, it can answer questions using your company’s emails, files and calendar, with enterprise permissions.
• Windows and Edge. It is built into the taskbar and browser sidebar, so it is always one click away.

Our guide to what Microsoft 365 Copilot is covers the business version in detail.

Where ChatGPT Is Better

• Model choice and newest features. New OpenAI features usually reach ChatGPT first.
• Custom GPTs, Projects and memory for long-running personal work.
• Creative work and images, with a mature image generator and video on paid plans.
• A focused, ecosystem-neutral app that works the same whether you use Google, Apple or Microsoft tools.

Is Copilot Included in Office 365?

Partly. Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions include Copilot features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, with monthly usage limits. Businesses get basic Copilot Chat free with a work account, while the full Microsoft 365 Copilot that reads your work data is a paid add-on per user. Check Microsoft’s Copilot page for current pricing in your country.

Do They Give the Same Answers?

Often similar, rarely identical. Microsoft adds its own system instructions, safety filters and Bing search results, and it may choose a faster or deeper model automatically. ChatGPT applies its own settings, memory and model choice. Ask both the same question and you will notice differences in tone, length and sources.

Which One Should You Use?

• Use Copilot if you live in Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams, or your company already pays for Microsoft 365 Copilot.
• Use ChatGPT for general questions, writing, learning, images and personal projects.
• Consider Claude for long-form writing and coding. See our Claude vs ChatGPT comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Copilot just ChatGPT with a different name?

No. It shares OpenAI’s model family but is a separate Microsoft product with its own features, data handling and integrations.

Is Copilot free?

Yes, the consumer Copilot app and Copilot in Windows and Edge are free with limits. Deeper Microsoft 365 features come with paid plans.

Can I use my ChatGPT Plus subscription in Copilot?

No. The subscriptions are separate and do not transfer.

What if Copilot stops responding?

Check whether the service is down first. Our guide to checking if Copilot is down shows where to look.