What Is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant from Microsoft. People can use it on the web, in apps for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, and inside Microsoft 365 apps. It can answer questions, create content, summarize emails and documents, analyze data and help with research. Copilot has a limited free version, and paid Microsoft 365 plans add higher usage and work tools.
Who Should Use Microsoft Copilot?
Copilot is useful for people who already use Microsoft 365 and want AI help in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. Businesses can choose Copilot plans for their teams, and home users can start with the free version. Check which plan covers the apps you need, since business and personal plans are different.
How Does Microsoft Copilot Work?
- Open Copilot on the web, in the Copilot app, or inside a Microsoft 365 app such as Word or Outlook.
- Type your request, such as a draft, a summary or a question about your data.
- Add notes, files or data if the task needs them.
- Review and refine the answer in the chat, then use it in your document, slides or email.
Microsoft Copilot Pricing and Plans
The screenshot shows Microsoft's business plans with yearly billing, not the personal plans. Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Copilot costs $32.00 per user per month, and Business Standard with Copilot costs $23.50. The Microsoft 365 Copilot Business add-on shows $18.00, with $21.00 crossed out. All three renew automatically and use usage-based billing for select advanced AI features. The screenshot does not show Enterprise or personal plan prices.
| Plan | Price | Billing | Main Features and Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Copilot | $32.00 per user per month | Per user per month (paid yearly) | Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams; identity and access management for up to 300 users; email and threat protection |
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot | $23.50 per user per month | Per user per month (paid yearly) | Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams; identity and access management for up to 300 users; custom business email |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot Business (add-on) | $18.00 per user per month (promotional; $21.00 crossed out) | Per user per month (paid yearly) | Copilot in apps; AI chat grounded in work data; pre-built agents; analytics for adoption and usage |
Is Microsoft Copilot Free?
Yes. Microsoft offers a limited free version of Copilot, and it depends on available capacity and usage limits. When you reach a limit, you can upgrade or come back later. Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook comes with eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and Microsoft lists a one-month trial for some personal plans.
Microsoft Copilot Key Features
Copilot Chat
Copilot Chat answers questions, drafts text and helps with research. On the business plans shown, chat is grounded in your work data, which means it can use your company files and messages. Users can also choose a large language model (LLM), the AI model that powers the chat.
Copilot in Microsoft 365 Apps
Copilot works inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. Microsoft says it can help users write a first draft, turn data into insights, build a presentation from a prompt and summarize an inbox. Teams can also use Copilot to catch up on chats and calls.
Pre-Built Agents
Pre-built agents are AI helpers made for set tasks. The business plans shown list agents for research and data analysis. Microsoft names Researcher, Analyst and Facilitator on the Copilot Business add-on. Business Premium and Standard also list access to Cowork, Autopilot and advanced AI experiences in apps like SharePoint.
Security, Controls and Analytics
Business plans list identity and access management for up to 300 users, plus Enterprise Data Protection (EDP), management, compliance and controls. The Copilot Business add-on also lists analytics that measure adoption, usage and business impact. Business Premium adds email and threat protection and sensitive data discovery.
Personal Plan Options
Personal Microsoft 365 plans add Copilot to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Premium and Pro give higher usage and exclusive Copilot features, such as Researcher and Analyst. On Family plans, Copilot features in the apps work only for the subscription owner and cannot be shared with other family members.
Should You Use Microsoft Copilot?
Copilot fits people who already work in Microsoft 365 and want AI inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. It also has a free version for casual use. Business buyers should check the yearly billing, the usage-based billing for advanced AI features and the Microsoft 365 plan needed for the add-on. This overview is based on publicly available product information and is not a hands-on review.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Has a free version with usage limits.
- Works inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams on eligible plans.
- Business plans list identity, access, data protection and compliance controls.
- Existing Microsoft 365 business customers can add Copilot with the Copilot Business add-on.
Cons
- The business plans shown are paid yearly, renew automatically and use usage-based billing for select advanced AI features.
- The Copilot Business add-on needs a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan.
- The free version depends on available capacity and has usage limits.
- On Microsoft 365 Family, Copilot features in the apps work only for the subscription owner.
Popular Microsoft Copilot use cases
Draft Documents in Word
Users can describe a task, add notes and ask Copilot in Word to write a first draft.
Analyze Data in Excel
Users can attach data and ask Copilot in Excel to find insights, then change the result through chat.
Build Presentations in PowerPoint
Users can outline a talk, describe the visuals and ask Copilot to generate a presentation.
Summarize Email and Meetings
Copilot can summarize an inbox in Outlook, and Teams users can catch up on chats and calls with Copilot.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Copilot free?
Yes. Microsoft offers a limited free version of Copilot, subject to available capacity and limits. Paid Microsoft 365 plans add higher usage and deeper features in apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
What are the limits of the Microsoft Copilot Free plan?
Microsoft does not list fixed free limits on its pricing pages. It says the free version depends on available capacity and usage limits. When you hit a limit, you can upgrade or come back later.
What is the difference between Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot?
Copilot Chat is a web-based AI assistant that comes at no extra cost with eligible Microsoft 365 plans. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license adds Work IQ, Copilot in Teams and apps, and pre-built agents such as Researcher, Analyst and Facilitator.
Do I need a Microsoft 365 plan to buy the Copilot Business add-on?
Yes. Microsoft says a separate license for a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan is required, for up to 300 users. The add-on is made for existing Microsoft 365 business customers.
Can my family share Copilot in Microsoft 365 Family?
No. Microsoft says Copilot features in apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook work only for the subscription owner. Other family members need their own eligible Microsoft 365 subscription.
