Microsoft Copilot review: our take
Copilot is the assistant you already have if you use Windows 11: it chats by text or voice, makes images and can look at your screen, at no cost. The paid route is a Microsoft 365 plan. Personal at $9.99 a month, or $99.99 a year, raises Copilot limits and adds 1 TB of storage and the Office apps, which is where Copilot does its most useful work. Personal, Family and Premium each list a one-month free trial.
The free version runs subject to available capacity, and Microsoft publishes no usage number. On the Family plan, Copilot in Word and Outlook works only for the subscription owner. If you want a standalone assistant with a stated free allowance, look at ChatGPT. If your files live in Google Drive, Gemini fits better.
By the Prompt Hackers team · facts checked 4 Oct 2026
What Microsoft Copilot does
Copilot chats by text or voice, creates images and can look at your screen or camera for visual help. It is built on OpenAI and Microsoft models. Microsoft 365 plans raise Copilot usage and put it inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and Premium and Pro add agentic features such as advanced research.
Who Microsoft Copilot is for
Best for
- Windows users who want a free assistant built in
- people who already pay for Microsoft 365
- Office users who want AI inside Word, Excel and Outlook
Not for
- families who all want Copilot in Office: AI features belong to the subscription owner only
- anyone who needs a stated free limit: Microsoft publishes no number
Microsoft Copilot features
- F1Text and voice chat
- F2Image creation
- F3Visual help from screen or camera
- F4AI-generated audio (English)
- F5Researcher and Analyst agents
- F6Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- F7Sign-in with a Microsoft, Apple or Google account
Microsoft Copilot pricing and plans
| Plan | Monthly | Billed yearly, per month | What it includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | — | Limited free version subject to available capacity; signing in adds chat history, longer conversations and more image creation |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99 | $8.33 | Higher Copilot chat, image, audio and visual-assist usage than free; Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook; 1 TB storage; $99.99 a year; 1-month free trial |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99 | $10.83 | Up to 6 people with 1 TB each; Copilot features for the subscription owner only; $129.99 a year; 1-month free trial |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | $19.99 | $16.67 | Extensive Copilot usage; agentic AI features including advanced research; $199.99 a year; 1-month free trial |
| Microsoft 365 Pro | $99.99 | — | Highest Copilot chat and agentic AI usage; monthly billing only |
Free plan: yes. Prices as listed by the vendor in USD, before tax; they change, so check the pricing page before you buy.
Microsoft Copilot FAQ
- How much does Microsoft Copilot cost?
- Paid plans start at $9.99/mo, with a discount for yearly billing. Prices checked on 4 Oct 2026.
- Does Microsoft Copilot have a free plan?
- Yes, Microsoft Copilot has a free plan.
- What are the alternatives to Microsoft Copilot?
- Tools that cover the same jobs include ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, Perplexity.
Sources
- microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot/pricing/individuals
- microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/buy/compare-all-microsoft-365-products
- microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/for-individuals
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/getting-started-with-microsoft-copilot-8fde147f-726e-4790-9503-70790ddcac73
- apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-copilot/id6738511300
- trustpilot.com/review/copilot.microsoft.com