![Comparison of CoPilot and ChatGPT Plus](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/c708a08bc46015ea49070a5b0da2e9126529ae96/2024/02/09/9cd9c41d-6c08-4840-8f36-95f2ecd115e9/copilotvschatgptplus-720.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
from Microsoft Co-pilot and OpenAI ChatGPT are both available in free and paid editions. For $20 per month you can subscribe to Pro Co-Driver Or ChatGPT Plus and enjoy a range of advanced AI-powered features not found in the free versions.
With either subscription you can access GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo, get real-time insights, generate images with DALL-E 3and analyze specific types of documents and files. But from there, Copilot Pro and ChatGPT Plus each offer unique benefits. Here's how to decide which option is best for you.
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Initially, Copilot Pro required a Microsoft 365 subscription if you wanted to use its AI skills in Word, Excel, OneNote, and other apps in the suite. However, you can now use Copilot Pro in the desktop and web versions of Microsoft 365 with nothing more than a Microsoft account required.
As for ChatGPT, OpenAI has added some benefits from the Plus version to the free version. The free edition now offers limited access to several features, including latest model GPT‑4oadvanced data analysis, file downloads, web browsing and custom GPT from the GPT store.
ChatGPT Plus includes the following benefits:
- General access to ChatGPT, even during peak hours
- Full access to GPT-4, GPT-4o and GPT-3
- Faster response times
- Early access to new features
- Ability to scan a variety of file types
- AI image creation with up to 200 images per day
- Access to the GPT Store, with over three million custom GPTs available
- Ability to create your own custom GPTs
Pro Co-Driver offers several key benefits:
- Faster performance and priority access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo during peak hours
- Copilot availability in major Microsoft 365 desktop and web apps (Microsoft account required)
- Faster AI image creation with 100 boosts (100 images) per day using Designate (formerly Bing Image Creator)
- The ability to create your own personalized and adapted GPT Copilot via a Copilot Builder tool
You should use ChatGPT Plus if…
1. You want to analyze and ask questions about any type of file
Copilot Pro limits its AI-based analysis to images and Microsoft Office files. With ChatGPT Plus, you can download and analyze a wider range of files, including Microsoft Office files, text files, PDFs, images, audio files, code files, and archived files.
2. You want to access custom GPTs from the GPT Store
OpenAI provides a GPT store where you can browse and search custom GPTs created by businesses and other subscribers. You can even invoke a specific GPT in an existing conversation, although this feature is now also available for free users.
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While not all GPTs are worth your time, you'll find many with interesting and useful skills. At this point, Microsoft has promised – but is not yet delivering – a custom Copilot GPT store.
3. You want to create your own custom GPTs
Another advantage of ChatGPT Plus is the ability to create your own custom GPTs. The process is relatively smooth and simple thanks to ChatGPT's AI-based assistance. After you create your GPT, you can use it privately, share it with others in a company or organization, or publish it in the GPT store for free and Plus users to try.
4. You need to generate more than 100 images per day
Copilot Pro will generate up to 100 images per day. This certainly looks like a lot of pictures. But if you need more, ChatGPT Plus lets you double your fun by creating up to 200 images every day.
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You should use Copilot Pro if…
1. You use Microsoft 365 and want AI-powered help
With a Copilot Pro subscription and nothing more than a Microsoft account, you can ask AI to help you write and edit text and summarize documents in Word, generate formulas, and analyze data in Excel, create presentations in PowerPoint, write text in OneNote, and write responses in Outlook. This feature extends to the paid desktop version and the free web version of Microsoft 365. Although ChatGPT Plus can scan Office files, the integration between MS Office and Copilot Pro is more powerful, efficient and user-friendly.
2. You want easy access from Windows
ChatGPT Plus and Copilot Pro are accessible as dedicated websites and mobile applications. But Copilot goes even further by integrating directly into Windows. Whether you're using the free or paid version of Copilot, simply click the taskbar icon in Windows 10 or 11, and Copilot will appear as a sidebar ready to respond to your requests.
3. You want more comprehensive and visually appealing information
Depending on your request, ChatGPT Plus will provide some text but not much more. Copilot Pro, however, is more likely to flesh out the information with a more visual look and layout.
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For example, I asked the two chatbots to name 20 top attractions in London. ChatGPT Plus responded with a numbered list and brief descriptions of each attraction, but no links. Copilot Pro produced a more engaging and helpful response with links, photos, maps and sources for each attraction.
4. You want better image-making skills
Although ChatGPT Pro allows you to generate more images in a typical day, Copilot Pro's image creation skills are far superior. By default, Copilot Pro's Designer tool will generate four different images to choose from, while ChatGPT Pro will only generate one image at a time. Copilot also suggests follow-up questions to help you refine the picture. With Copilot, you can select a specific style to apply if you want to regenerate an image. Additionally, you can now directly edit your images in Designer without leaving the tool.
5. You want more options for handling a response
With a response from ChatGPT Pro, you can usually copy it, regenerate it, or rate it. But with Copilot Pro, you can also easily share it, export it to Word or another program and ask for it to be read aloud.
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6. You want sources for generated content
Ask ChatGPT to generate some content and it will respond. But it will not necessarily display the source(s) of the information. Ask Copilot Pro to generate the same content, and it will clearly list its sources below the information.