ChatGPT vs. Copilot: Which AI Should You Use?

In this ultramodern age of online communication, independent professionals need efficient ways to connect with clients and automate mundane tasks. Several generative AI tools, powered by machine learning (ML) technology, have come onto the market promising to increase work quality and productivity, while saving users time. 

That implementing artificial intelligence (AI) into your workflow can increase output and help improve efficiencies is a settled question. What still needs to be answered, however, is which are the best AI platforms to choose in a market that’s still seeing explosive growth.

In this article, we’ll examine two of the most popular generative AI platforms, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot (not to be confused with GitHub Copilot), to help you make an informed decision.

What is ChatGPT?

Launched in November 2022, ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot specifically built for natural language applications. Unlike rules-based chatbots that generate rigid and scripted responses, ChatGPT can, on the fly, generate unique responses that are relevant to a series of user queries. Developed by OpenAI, the system is built from a large language model trained on a vast dataset, allowing for sophisticated interactions.

ChatGPT could be useful to many independent professionals, as well as companies of every size, who are looking for ways to increase productivity and streamline workflows. Its ability to have conversational interactions through natural language inputs means it’s easy to learn to use. And the quantity of data it was trained on means it's useful in many industries.

Freelancers and businesses alike can use ChatGPT to automate repetitive or mundane tasks, such as creating email templates or generating basic code. ChatGPT can also be used to kickstart brainstorming sessions, create rough outlines for new articles, and much more.

The technology continues to improve, and OpenAI has developed language-learning models (LLMs) that can be used to create advanced chatbots and language interaction systems. The company has also introduced different versions of ChatGPT. Its subscription plan, ChatGPT Plus, provides access to the latest GPT-4 and ChatGPT-4o models, which can offer significant advantages over the free version of ChatGPT.

However, with the recent rollout of GPT-4o, many of the advantages previously only available to paid ChatGPT Plus subscribers are now available to free users, including access to custom GPT bots and advanced data analysis tools.

Depending on your needs, a subscription may still be worth the cost. ChatGPT Plus users benefit from a higher usage limit, early access to new features, and the ability to create images (using OpenAI’s DALL-E image generator), interactive charts, and tables.

What is Microsoft Copilot?

Launched in November 2023, Microsoft Copilot provides users with interactive and conversational experiences while integrating seamlessly with Microsoft’s suite of services. Copilot isn’t a standalone large language model, but was built on the foundation of OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4, fine-tuned by Microsoft for specific functionalities, and named Prometheus.

The platform enables Microsoft’s Bot Framework, a suite of libraries and AI tools for building, testing, and deploying software. This framework also ensures developers can integrate Copilot with many of Microsoft’s services, including Microsoft Teams, Azure, and Power Virtual Agents.

Copilot harnesses Microsoft’s vast knowledge base and search engine capabilities to offer users comprehensive, relatively accurate information. It uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) to analyze and process user queries before providing relevant responses.

Like ChatGPT, Copilot is available in free and paid versions. While both versions offer access to a powerful AI assistant, their individual features cater to different user needs.

The three AI tools under the Copilot umbrella are:

• Copilot (formerly Bing Chat). This standalone AI chatbot is similar to ChatGPT, offering text generation and web information retrieval with Bing integration.
• Copilot Pro. This paid subscription offers a standalone version with enhanced capabilities compared to the free tier, including increased access to GPT-4 (Open AI’s large language model) and additional features like custom instructions and advanced data analysis.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot. This paid subscription service integrates directly with the Microsoft 365 suite of applications (Word, Excel, OneNote, etc.). By leveraging user data from Microsoft Graph (emails, documents, etc.), Copilot 365 personalizes the experience and offers features like context-aware suggestions, automated tasks, and data analysis. It even generates images and handles voice searches, making it a versatile business tool within the Microsoft ecosystem.

The free version (Copilot) is a good option for casual users who don’t need Microsoft 365 integration and have modest image generation needs (this functionality can vary with the free version.) The paid versions are ideal for those who heavily rely on Microsoft 365, need to generate a lot of images, or want to create custom chatbots.

What can you do with ChatGPT and Copilot?

As AI chatbots, ChatGPT and Copilot support a wide range of functionalities. They can assist users with tasks like answering research questions, providing recommendations, offering customer support, and facilitating transactions.

Their chatbot functions maintain a user-friendly and personalized experience by processing context, user preferences, and historical interactions. They’re also great for summarizing and simplifying complex topics, which can streamline how you learn.

Both tools also make great coding assistants. Programmers can use ChatGPT’s and Copilot’s APIs to perform a number of coding tasks using a variety of programming languages, such as Python, and integrate advanced AI capabilities into their applications.

These users can get automated code suggestions and real-time problem-solving assistance for things like code generation and software development.

Below are some of the ways users are successfully implementing ChatGPT and Copilot into their workflows.

Customer support

Integrating ChatGPT or Copilot into your customer support systems can help you provide support information, troubleshoot common problems, and offer guidance in a conversational manner. Based on how you set up your systems, they can escalate complex issues to human agents when necessary.

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Information retrieval

ChatGPT excels at generating conversational responses, and its more recent updates allow it to access the web. This means it can provide detailed explanations, help answer factual questions, and provide insights on a wide range of topics. Similarly, Copilot can be helpful when researching topics to find essential resources from various web pages, which often requires less time than traditional search.

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Marketing and sales

Both ChatGPT and Copilot are useful for creating rough drafts of emails, sales pitches, marketing copy, and conversational scripts. These tools can also generate images, which means marketing teams can use them to get inspiration for their product and marketing designs.

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Language translation

As chatbots, Copilot and ChatGPT were both trained using data that included a number of languages, allowing them to help with language translation. Users can input text in one language and receive a translated version in real time.

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Key differences between ChatGPT and Copilot

The section below provides an in-depth overview of the key differences between ChatGPT and its alternative, Copilot.

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Development and background

OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research laboratory based in San Francisco that launched ChatGPT in November 2022. The history of ChatGPT dates back to 2018, when OpenAI introduced its first generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) model. The model could generate conversational responses to questions in natural language.

The team upgraded the flagship model (GPT-3) in March 2022, and the GPT-3.5 upgrade came out in November 2022. Open AI trained the GPT-3.5 iteration using data from 2021 and earlier, and it’s the model used for the free ChatGPT web interface available today.

In March 2023, OpenAI launched GPT-4, a significant upgrade featuring enhanced multimodal capabilities, enabling it to process both text and image inputs. GPT-4 is available to all versions of ChatGPT, but free users have limited access. The paid ChatGPT Plus and Pro plans, as well as OpenAI’s API, offer increased access to the most up-to-date models.

The latest iteration, GPT-4o was released in 2024 and further improves the chatbot’s capabilities by offering faster processing, improved capacity with images, and the ability to support real-time voice and video interactions.

On the other hand, the Copilot platform integrates with the Microsoft Azure cloud platform and the Bing search engine, giving it access to up-to-date information and streamlining its use in the Microsoft ecosystem. Copilot also operates using the GPT-4 model, which helps it analyze and address users’ intent and increases its accuracy.

Features and capabilities

Both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are advanced AI tools designed to enhance productivity and creativity. OpenAI’s ChatGPT excels at generating text for tasks like rough drafts of emails, short sections of articles, or code. It functions as a standalone tool with API integrations and shines in its ability to mimic conversational tones and work within a context supplied by the user.

While both ChatGPT and Copilot use AI and large language models, their focus and integration differ. ChatGPT prioritizes creative text generation and conversational experiences, while Microsoft Copilot (in its various forms) emphasizes user needs and workflow. The free version acts as a standalone chatbot, Copilot Pro offers an enhanced standalone experience, and Copilot for Microsoft 365 provides deeper integration and personalization within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem of products.

Language understanding and context handling

ChatGPT can analyze and process natural language, and excels at generating coherent, though not always factual or accurate, responses. The model (named “GPT” for “generative pre-trained transformer”) uses various natural language processing techniques to track word sequence in a sentence and predict an output the user will accept. This allows interactions with the chatbot to encompass long threads of inputs and outputs. 

While ChatGPT’s answers may sound plausible and even convincing, they can be outdated and even misleading. At the same time, ChatGPT can rephrase the same ideas repeatedly, use vague language and inappropriate metaphors, and fall victim to other unwanted side effects of its training. Such challenges arise in part because these systems are trained with datasets that include mediocre writing that the models learn to emulate.

Users should also be aware of AI hallucinations—instances in which AI models, including ChatGPT and Copilot, generate fabricated information that appears factual and authoritative. This phenomenon raises concerns about the potential for AI systems to disseminate misinformation or deceive users by presenting fabricated information as if it were true.

Both Copilot and ChatGPT can attempt to understand ambiguous user queries. However, due to its focus on accurate information and task assistance, Copilot might be more likely to ask clarifying questions to ensure it provides the most relevant response.

Availability and scalability

OpenAI provides access to ChatGPT through a web interface that’s compatible with a number of browsers. To make ChatGPT more accessible, OpenAI also offers an app version for iOS and Android devices.

Copilot is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices through the Copilot app, Microsoft Edge browser, and Bing platform.

ChatGPT’s advanced algorithms and rigorous training may make it more attractive to a general audience looking to streamline their workflows but not looking for a specific system integration. 

On the other hand, Copilot’s tight integration with Microsoft Azure may make it more beneficial for users already in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Cost

ChatGPT offers three pricing tiers: a free version and two subscription models, ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro. Each tier offers advanced capabilities and improved access to the latest models. ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per user per month, and ChatGPT Pro is $200 per month.

Microsoft Copilot is available in both free and paid versions. The free version offers a powerful AI assistant capable of handling basic tasks, suitable for casual users who don’t need deep integration with Microsoft 365 or extensive image generation capabilities.

Others may prefer the paid version, Copilot Pro, which costs $20 per user per month for more advanced features, or Copilot for Microsoft 365, which integrates with Microsoft’s suite of applications for $30 per user per month.

Should you use ChatGPT or Copilot?

ChatGPT and Copilot are two popular options on the market, but your preferred platform should depend on the specific features you want (especially when building your online customer service operations).

Let’s take a look into the performance, user experience, security features, and task specificity of each type of chatbot to help you decide which would best fit your organization.

Performance and accuracy

If you value the most advanced features, free (limited) access to a powerful model (GPT-4o), and widespread popularity, then ChatGPT might be the better option. However, its free version has limitations.

Copilot offers a completely free way to access GPT-4 but with limitations on responses and prompts. It shines in visual features and information retrieval from the web. However, its user interface is less sleek, and it might stall or miss prompts compared to ChatGPT.

Overall, for the most advanced capabilities and a user-friendly interface, especially if you’re willing to pay for a Plus subscription, ChatGPT seems to have the edge in overall performance. However, if you prioritize completely free access to GPT-4 and don’t mind limitations or a less polished interface, Copilot could be a viable choice.

Regarding information accuracy, both platforms can access the web and can often give sources for statements and claims made in their outputHowever, the accuracy of the information ultimately depends on the quality of the search results retrieved, as well as the quality of the prompt used to generate the output.

Users should always keep in mind that these models are trained to give the output that their algorithms predict is most likely to be accepted by the user. If accuracy and factuality are needed, users should be sure to read the sources provided and adjust the chatbot’s output as needed.

User experience and conversational abilities

Both Microsoft’s Copilot and OpenAI’s ChatGPT provide excellent user experience, as they are both easy to use. Because of its integration with other, highly popular Microsoft applicationsCopilot may provide a better user experience than ChatGPT for some users—but you may need the paid version for these results.

Compliance and security

Both ChatGPT and Copilot offer features designed to protect user data, but no system is entirely foolproof. Data breaches and unauthorized access are potential risks associated with storing any information electronically, including within AI platforms. Users should exercise caution when sharing personal or proprietary information with any AI tool or chatbot.

Task needs

Choosing between ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot depends largely on the specific tasks you need to accomplish.

ChatGPT

• Customer engagement. ChatGPT is ideal if your focus is to build long-term relationships with customers through excellent customer support service. It’s designed for ongoing conversations and deep customer engagement.
• Creative content. ChatGPT’s versatility in content creation and language generation makes it a strong choice if your tasks involve generating creative content, such as marketing materials, social media posts, or detailed responses.
• Customization. For developers needing a highly customizable AI assistant that can be fine-tuned for specific applications, ChatGPT’s API and open-source platform provide significant flexibility.

Microsoft Copilot

• Productivity and task automation. Copilot excels in automating repetitive tasks within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem (if you opt to pay for Copilot for Microsoft 365). This integration is designed for shorter, task-oriented interactions, such as scheduling meetings, drafting emails, and creating reports.
• Seamless integration. For users deeply embedded in the Microsoft 365 environment, Copilot for Microsoft 365 offers seamless integration with applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, enhancing productivity by providing context-aware assistance and personalized recommendations.

To summarize, ChatGPT is the better choice for tasks requiring conversational experiences, creativity, and customization. Microsoft Copilot is ideal for task-specific needs within the Microsoft ecosystem, focusing on productivity and efficient information handling. However, these features that set Copilot apart from ChatGPT may require one of their paid subscription tiers, whereas ChatGPT offers many features for free.

Take advantage of AI with Upwork

AI is here to stay. Considering its ability to produce quality output, reduce operational time, and automate rote tasks, businesses have increasingly adopted AI solutions in their product and content production cycle.

ChatGPT and Copilot are revolutionizing how we interact with computers and are creating exciting new opportunities for businesses to automate tasks within the customer service department, reduce customer service costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

If you need to integrate an AI tool to improve efficiencies and customer satisfaction, visit Upwork to hire an AI engineer. Additionally, AI professionals seeking job opportunities can visit Upwork to connect with businesses offering freelance AI positions.

Upwork does not control, operate, or sponsor the tools or services discussed in this article, which are only provided as potential options. Each reader and company should take the time to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

Prices are current at the time of writing and may change over time based on each service’s offerings.