Microsoft Copilot vs Google Gemini

Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini are both AI Chat & Assistants tools (Chatbots). Below: what each costs, what it does well, its biggest catches, and who should pick which, all from public sources rather than our own testing.

Side by side

Microsoft CopilotGoogle Gemini
CategoryAI Chat & Q&A · ChatbotsAI Chat & Q&A · Chatbots
PricingFree tier: yes. Microsoft 365 Premium $19.99/mo. Microsoft 365 Copilot Business $18/user/mo paid yearly (discounted from $21), $25.20 on monthly billing. (checked Oct 10, 2026)Free tier: yes. AI Plus $4.99/mo, AI Pro $19.99/mo, Ultra from $99.99/mo. (checked Oct 10, 2026)
Pros
  • Free Copilot chat on the web and in the app is genuinely usable
  • Microsoft 365 Premium bundles Office apps, storage and expanded Copilot
  • Works across Word, Excel and Outlook on paid plans
  • Deep integration with Gmail, Docs, Drive and Chrome
  • A cheap Plus tier at $4.99/mo, and Pro bundles big storage (reviews cite 5TB) plus Flow video credits
  • Long context for large documents
Catches
  • The free version lacks deep Office-app AI and agents
  • On Premium, AI benefits apply only to the subscription owner, not family members
  • For business, Microsoft 365 Copilot is an add-on: $18/user/mo yearly is a discounted price (regular $21), and it sits on top of a Microsoft 365 plan
  • Usage limits are compute-based and opaque, refreshing every 5 hours with a weekly cap
  • Developers report shrinking practical quotas in AI Studio
  • Less compelling outside Google's ecosystem (per reviews)
Best forMicrosoft 365 households and businesses.People who live in Google Workspace.
Skip it ifYou mainly need free chat. You don't have to pay.You're not a Google user, or you need published usage numbers.

Which should you pick?

Pick Microsoft Copilot if…

you fit this: microsoft 365 households and businesses.

But not if: you mainly need free chat. You don't have to pay.

Watch out for: The free version lacks deep Office-app AI and agents.

Pick Google Gemini if…

you fit this: people who live in Google Workspace.

But not if: you're not a Google user, or you need published usage numbers.

Watch out for: Usage limits are compute-based and opaque, refreshing every 5 hours with a weekly cap.

More options

Sources

Microsoft Copilot

Google Gemini

Pros, catches and prices are compiled from public sources (official pricing and docs pages, published reviews, user reports), not hands-on testing. Prices change often, so check the vendor page before you buy.