Microsoft Copilot Review (2026)
Microsoft's AI companion across Windows, Edge, Bing and Microsoft 365 apps. Best for: Windows users and teams working in Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams.
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is the brand Microsoft uses for its AI assistants. The free consumer Copilot app answers questions, searches the web and creates images, while Microsoft 365 Copilot brings AI into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams for work.
Its biggest advantage is placement: Copilot is built into Windows, the Edge browser and the Office apps hundreds of millions of people already use. Instead of copying text into a separate chatbot, you can ask for help right where the document, spreadsheet or meeting lives.
What problems does Microsoft Copilot solve?
Here are the concrete pain points Microsoft Copilot addresses — and how it addresses them.
Meeting overload
Copilot in Teams can summarise meetings, list action items and tell you what you missed.
Inbox fatigue
In Outlook it summarises long threads and drafts replies in your chosen tone.
Spreadsheet complexity
Copilot in Excel suggests formulas, highlights trends and explains data in plain language.
Slide deck busywork
PowerPoint Copilot can turn a Word document or prompt into a first draft presentation.
Key features and solutions
- Free Copilot app. Chat, web-grounded answers with citations, image creation and voice on web, Windows and mobile.
- Microsoft 365 integration. AI help inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and Teams on supported plans.
- Work data grounding. Business versions can answer using your organisation's emails, files and chats, respecting existing permissions.
- Copilot in Edge. Summarise the page you are reading or compare information across tabs.
- Agents and Copilot Studio. Organisations can build custom agents connected to internal systems.
Best use cases for Microsoft Copilot
- Recapping Teams meetings you missed
- Drafting Outlook replies
- Analysing sales data in Excel
- Creating PowerPoint drafts from documents
- Quick web research in Edge
Who it's for: Windows users, Microsoft 365 subscribers and companies standardised on Microsoft tools.
Microsoft Copilot pricing
The consumer Copilot app is free. Some Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions include Copilot features in Office apps, and Microsoft 365 Copilot for business is sold as an add-on per user. Check the pricing screenshot and Microsoft's site for current plans.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Works inside apps you already use
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance options
- Free consumer version available
- Strong for meeting and email summaries
Cons
- Business add-on can be expensive for small teams
- Branding and plan structure are confusing
- Best value only if you are already on Microsoft 365
Microsoft Copilot vs alternatives
How Microsoft Copilot compares with ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Notion AI:
| Microsoft Copilot | ChatGPT | Google Gemini | Notion AI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | AI Chatbots & Assistants | AI Chatbots & Assistants | AI Chatbots & Assistants | AI Productivity & Meetings |
| Best for | Windows users and teams working in Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams | Everyday writing, brainstorming, analysis and multimodal tasks | People who live in Google Workspace and Android | Teams whose docs, wikis and projects live in Notion |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Paid add-on / plan |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Trial |
| Developer | Microsoft | OpenAI | Notion Labs | |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, Edge, iOS, Android, Microsoft 365 | Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows | Web, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
Verdict
For organisations already on Microsoft 365, Copilot is the most natural way to add AI to daily work, especially for Teams and Outlook. Individuals outside that ecosystem will usually get more flexibility from ChatGPT or Claude.
Try Microsoft Copilot ↗Microsoft Copilot FAQ
Is Microsoft Copilot free?
The consumer Copilot app is free. Copilot inside Microsoft 365 business apps requires a paid licence.
Does Copilot use ChatGPT?
Copilot has been built largely on OpenAI models combined with Microsoft's own technology, and Microsoft also uses other models in some features.
Can Copilot access company files?
Microsoft 365 Copilot can use files, emails and chats you already have permission to see within your organisation.