Claude vs Microsoft Copilot
Claude vs Copilot: which is better?
Choose Claude if you mainly write, edit or work through long documents, because its writing sounds more natural. Choose Microsoft Copilot if you use Windows, Word, Excel and Outlook every day, since Microsoft 365 Personal (US$9.99/month in the US) puts it inside those apps. Both have free plans; Claude Pro is US$20/month.
At a glance
| Claude | Microsoft Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Anthropic | Microsoft |
| Free plan | Yes – Free plan on web, desktop and mobile, with web search, memory and file creation; usage limits reset every five hours. | Yes – Copilot chat is free with a Microsoft account; Copilot inside Word, Excel and Outlook needs a Microsoft 365 plan. |
| Paid from | US$20/month (Pro), or US$17/month billed annually; Max from US$100/month. | US$9.99/month (Microsoft 365 Personal, includes Office apps, 1 TB storage and monthly AI credits); Microsoft 365 Premium US$19.99/month for higher limits. |
| Best for | careful writing, long documents, analysis, thoughtful explanations | Windows and Microsoft 365 users, everyday questions, Word, Excel and Outlook help |
| Works on | web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | web, Windows, iOS, Android, macOS |
Which wins for what?
| Task | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Writing and editing | Claude | Natural tone and careful edits, especially on longer drafts. |
| Long documents | Claude | Reads long files well and summarises them clearly; free plan includes file creation. |
| Word, Excel and Outlook | Microsoft Copilot | Works inside Microsoft 365 apps on paid plans, so there's no copying and pasting. |
| Windows PCs | Microsoft Copilot | Built into Windows and the Edge browser. |
| Images | Microsoft Copilot | Copilot can create images; Claude focuses on text and documents. |
| Price | Tie | Both free to start. Microsoft 365 Personal US$9.99/month includes Office apps and 1 TB storage; Claude Pro US$20/month (US$17/month annually). |
Choose Claude if…
- You mostly write, edit or read long documents
- You want help that sounds less like a robot
Choose Microsoft Copilot if…
- You live in Word, Excel and Outlook
- You'd use the Office apps and storage bundled with Microsoft 365
Both have free plans, so the easiest test is to paste the same prompt into each – try one from the guides below.
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Prompts to test them side by side
Write a tricky work email
Rough guide only: 20–40 minutes
💼 Work & careerSummarise a long document or meeting notes
Rough guide only: 20–40 minutes each time
💼 Work & careerRefresh your CV for a specific job
Rough guide only: 2–3 hours
💼 Work & careerWrite a formal letter
Rough guide only: 30–60 minutes
How we chose
These are editorial picks by Amara Lewis, based on what each tool's free and paid plans include, how easy it is for a beginner, and how well it suits this task. We have not run formal benchmark tests for this page, and no company paid to be listed. Read how we review.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude better than Copilot?
For writing and long documents, most people will prefer Claude. For help inside Word, Excel and Outlook, Copilot is more convenient.
Is this about GitHub Copilot?
This page compares Microsoft Copilot, the everyday assistant. GitHub Copilot is a separate coding tool, so if you want help writing software, compare coding tools instead.
Are Claude and Copilot free?
Yes. Claude has a free plan with usage limits that reset every five hours, and Copilot chat is free with a Microsoft account.
Which is better for Excel?
Copilot, if you have a Microsoft 365 plan that includes it, because it works inside your spreadsheet. Claude can still explain formulas you paste in.
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