Gemini vs Microsoft Copilot
Gemini vs Copilot: which should I use?
Pick the one that matches the apps you already use. Gemini suits Gmail, Google Docs and Android users, and its free plan includes Deep Research and Gemini Live. Microsoft Copilot suits Windows, Word, Excel and Outlook users. Both chats are free; paid plans start at US$4.99/month (Google AI Plus) and US$9.99/month (Microsoft 365 Personal) in the US.
At a glance
| Gemini | Microsoft Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Microsoft | |
| Free plan | Yes – Free with a Google account, including Deep Research, Gemini Live and image generation, with lower usage limits. | Yes – Copilot chat is free with a Microsoft account; Copilot inside Word, Excel and Outlook needs a Microsoft 365 plan. |
| Paid from | US$4.99/month (Google AI Plus, in 160+ countries); Google AI Pro US$19.99/month; Ultra from US$99.99/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 | Google users (Gmail, Docs), research, image and video creation, everyday help | Windows and Microsoft 365 users, everyday questions, Word, Excel and Outlook help |
| Works on | web, iOS, Android | web, Windows, iOS, Android, macOS |
Which wins for what?
| Task | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday questions | Tie | Both are capable free assistants for quick questions and explanations. |
| Gmail, Docs and Android | Gemini | Paid Google AI plans add Gemini in Gmail; Google AI Pro adds Docs too. |
| Word, Excel and Outlook | Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft 365 Personal puts Copilot inside the Office apps. |
| Research reports | Gemini | Deep Research is included on Gemini's free plan, with limits. |
| Images | Tie | Both can create images on their free plans, with limits. |
| Cheapest paid tier | Gemini | Google AI Plus is US$4.99/month; Microsoft 365 Personal is US$9.99/month but includes Office apps and 1 TB storage. |
Choose Gemini if…
- You use Gmail, Google Docs or an Android phone
- You want free research reports (Deep Research)
Choose Microsoft Copilot if…
- You use a Windows PC and Microsoft Office
- You'd make use of Word, Excel, Outlook and 1 TB of storage
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
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 Gemini better than Copilot?
Neither is better for everyone. Gemini is the natural choice for Google users and Copilot for Microsoft users; try the same prompt in both.
Are Gemini and Copilot free?
Yes. Gemini is free with a Google account and Copilot chat is free with a Microsoft account. Help inside Gmail, Docs, Word or Excel needs a paid plan.
Which is better for Excel or Google Sheets?
Copilot for Excel and Gemini for Google Sheets, on paid plans that include them. Either can explain a formula you paste into the chat.
Is Copilot the same as 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.
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