ChatGPT vs Copilot
With Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium, Copilot sits inside Word, Excel and Outlook, while ChatGPT is a separate app you open next to them. The bigger difference for your data is what each company may do with your prompts and files.
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ChatGPT
AI chatbot that trains on your chats by default unless you opt out.
Microsoft Copilot
Built into Microsoft 365, and does not train on your files.
Prices last checked on
| Feature | ChatGPT | Microsoft Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | n/a | n/a |
| Price | From €8/mo | From $8.33/mo |
| Same currency (ECB 2026-09-01) | $9.27/mo | $8.33/mo |
| Free plan | ||
| Best for | Anyone comparing mainstream AI assistants on privacy | Microsoft 365 users comparing AI privacy options |
| Category | Private AI and encrypted apps | Private AI and encrypted apps |
| Provider | OpenAI | Microsoft |
| Visit ChatGPT | Visit Microsoft Copilot |
Our verdict
Copilot in Microsoft 365 is the better choice for your data. Microsoft states that personal data from Microsoft 365 is not used to train large language models, including the ones behind Copilot, so there is no training to switch off. ChatGPT trains on your chats unless you opt out. Two limits apply.
The promise is written for Copilot inside the Microsoft 365 apps; the free Copilot app, which shows ads, is a separate product. And the Microsoft pages we read name no retention period or server location, just like OpenAI's training page.
Microsoft 365 Personal, which puts Copilot into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote, costs $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year and includes Microsoft Defender security monitoring. ChatGPT Go costs €8 a month.
Frequently asked questions
Does Microsoft Copilot train on my files?
No, not for Copilot in the Microsoft 365 apps. Microsoft says the prompts, responses and file content you use with Copilot in those apps are not used to train its foundation models, so there is no setting you need to change. That statement is written for the Microsoft 365 apps; the free Copilot app is a separate product.
Do I need Microsoft 365 to use Copilot?
Only for Copilot inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote. That takes a paid Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium subscription; Personal costs $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year. The standalone Copilot app at copilot.microsoft.com is free to use without a subscription, but it shows ads.
Is Copilot or ChatGPT better for work documents?
Copilot, if your documents already live in Microsoft 365. Microsoft does not train its language models on the files and prompts you use with Copilot in those apps. With ChatGPT you first have to opt out at privacy.openai.com, or use a Temporary Chat, before a pasted contract or client list stays out of training.