Microsoft Copilot
Cappy’s Quick Take
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | Microsoft’s AI chatbot, free on its own and built into Microsoft 365 apps on paid plans |
| Pricing | Freemium · Microsoft 365 Personal $9.99/month · Family $12.99/month · Premium $19.99/month |
| Free plan | Yes, free chat with web answers, image creation and voice |
| Works with | Edge, Windows and the Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) on paid plans |
| Best for | Microsoft 365 users who want AI inside the apps they already use |
| Cappy Score | 4.0/5 |
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is Microsoft’s AI chatbot. The free version works on the web and in the mobile and desktop apps, answering questions with web results and source links, creating images and talking by voice.
The stronger Copilot features are sold through Microsoft 365 plans rather than as a standalone chatbot subscription. Personal, Family and Premium plans add Copilot inside Word, Excel and PowerPoint, with more usage on the higher tiers.
Microsoft stopped selling the standalone Copilot Pro plan to new customers in October 2025, and Microsoft 365 Premium took its place at $19.99 a month.
Key features
- Chat with web answers: get answers with clickable source links.
- Image creation and voice: generate images and talk to Copilot out loud.
- Copilot in Word, Excel and PowerPoint: draft, analyze and design inside the Microsoft 365 apps on paid plans.
- Edge and Windows integration: use Copilot from the browser and desktop.
- Higher usage tiers: Premium offers extensive Copilot usage; Microsoft 365 Pro offers the highest limits.
- Bundled Microsoft 365: paid plans also include Office apps and OneDrive storage.
Pricing plans
| Plan | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot (free) | $0 | Everyday chat, images and voice, with limits at busy times |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99/month, or $99.99/year (about $8.33 a month) | One person who wants Copilot in the Office apps plus 1 TB of storage |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99/month, or $129.99/year | Up to six people sharing Microsoft 365 and Copilot features |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | $19.99/month, or $199.99/year | Heavy Copilot users who want extensive usage across the Office apps |
| Microsoft 365 Pro | $99.99/month (monthly only) | The highest Copilot usage limits for up to six people |
Which plan should you pick? Start with the free Copilot. If you already pay for Microsoft 365, check whether your plan covers Copilot before buying anything. Premium is the pick for daily heavy users, and Microsoft 365 Pro is for exceptional use.
Microsoft Copilot free plan: what you get
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Chat with web answers | Included |
| Image creation | Included |
| Voice | Included |
| Your emails, files and meetings | Not accessible |
| Usage | Limited during busy periods |
The catch: Free Copilot can’t see your personal emails, files or meetings, and the AI built into Word, Excel and PowerPoint needs a paid Microsoft 365 plan.
Who is Microsoft Copilot for?
- Microsoft 365 users: add AI to Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Windows and Edge users: get a built-in assistant in the browser and desktop.
- Students: research and draft with a free tool.
- Families: share one plan across several people.
Consider something else if you don’t use Microsoft apps, or you want a standalone chatbot subscription priced only for the AI.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free chat with source links
- Copilot built into Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Paid plans bundle Office apps and storage
- Works across Windows, Edge, web and mobile
Cons
- The strongest features need a Microsoft 365 plan
- Paid plans are a suite, so you pay for more than the AI
- Standalone Copilot Pro is no longer sold to new customers
- Plan names and usage limits can be confusing
Microsoft Copilot alternatives
| Tool | Why consider it |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT | A broader chatbot with a large toolset and custom GPTs |
| Google Gemini | A strong free plan with Google app integration |
| Perplexity | Answers with source links, built around search |
| Poe | One subscription for many different AI models |
How to get started with Microsoft Copilot
- Open Copilot at copilot.microsoft.com or in the app, with or without signing in.
- Ask a question and check the source links.
- Sign in with a Microsoft account to keep your conversation history.
- Check your Microsoft 365 plan before you pay for anything extra.
Tip: Prices here are US list prices. Microsoft’s pages note that some plans differ or aren’t offered in other countries, so check the price shown for your region.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Copilot free?
Yes. The free Copilot offers chat with web answers, image creation and voice, with limits during busy periods. It can’t access your personal emails, files or meetings.
How much does Copilot cost?
Copilot is included in Microsoft 365 plans: Personal costs $9.99 a month, Family $12.99, Premium $19.99 and Pro $99.99 a month.
What happened to Copilot Pro?
Microsoft stopped selling the standalone Copilot Pro plan to new customers on October 1, 2025. Microsoft 365 Premium replaced it at $19.99 a month.
Does Copilot work in Word and Excel?
Yes, on paid Microsoft 365 plans. Copilot can draft in Word, analyze data in Excel and build slides in PowerPoint.