At Storyals, we’re often engaged in discussions with business leaders around Microsoft Copilot vs. OpenAI’s ChatGPT. As AI-powered technologies become a cornerstone of digital workplace strategy, the real question isn’t simply “Copilot or ChatGPT?”- nor is it about which solution is more advanced. Instead, it’s about identifying the platform that truly aligns with your organization’s unique needs, culture, and aspirations. In this blog post, we’ll cut through the hype and politics to offer practical guidance for making the right choice for your business.
When OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November 2022, and it became a worldwide phenomenon, tech-lovers around the world reacted like kids on Christmas Eve. Here was this exciting new technology, full of new possibilities that could do things that were not possible before. Soon after, Microsoft introduced Copilot, embedding AI directly into the Microsoft 365 platform. Since then, organizations of all sizes and industries have started to embrace these innovations. With that said, many are still on the side fence, waiting to take action. Before we dive into practical guidance and recommendations, let’s take a step back and look at what sets these two technologies apart.
For organizations running on Microsoft 365, Copilot acts as a digital colleague who can help you with daily work tasks. Copilot is built into your productivity platform, respecting your security boundaries and ensuring that your business information stays within your Microsoft cloud.
There are three main versions:
On the other side, we have ChatGPT - the tool that ignited the generative AI movement. ChatGPT is platform-agnostic: it doesn’t matter if your organization uses Microsoft, Google, or Apple – or any other platform or productivity tools.
There are several versions:
ChatGPT excels when you need to think creatively - whether it’s marketing copy, coding, or scenario planning. With plugins and connectors, it can be extended to fit almost any workflow (provided your IT team is involved in the setup).
So, which one should you choose for your organization? Here’s what we see in practice:
This should be a top priority for all organizations. Copilot (business versions) keeps your data within your Microsoft tenant and never uses it to train the AI. ChatGPT Enterprise/Business offers similar guarantees, but the free and Plus versions do not. For compliance, always stick to the business/enterprise options.
If your teams work in Microsoft 365, Copilot is the natural choice. It’s already embedded in your daily tools. ChatGPT, while flexible, requires additional effort to connect with your business data and systems. If your teams use Slack and Google Drive (or other non-Microsoft productivity apps), then ChatGPT is the natural choice.
Even though you will see some pulling up Copilot and ChatGPT side by side, entering the same prompt, and then comparing the output as a beauty contest, this is not going to get you anywhere. There will be scenarios where Microsoft 365 Copilot will outperform. Similarly, you will have other scenarios where ChatGPT will give you much deeper analysis and better results. The capabilities varies and even though OpenAI are known to release the latest innovations quicker to ChatGPT, Microsoft do have the advantage of incorporating these innovations and enhancements into a productivity platform where it gives direct impact.
Since we are talking about organizations, you should only be considering the business/enterprise options. Microsoft Copilot Chat is included in Microsoft 365 at no additional cost. Microsoft 365 Copilot (the “Premium” version) costs 30 USD/user/month. Microsoft announced at Ignite in November 2025, that a new subscription at 21 USD/user/month will be available for smaller organizations of up to 300 employees, starting December 1st, 2025. The ChatGPT Business license is 25 USD/user/month if billed annually (30 USD/user/month if billed monthly). The Enterprise licensing of ChatGPT does not follow a fixed price per user, you need to contact sales to get a quote.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects when it comes to implementing AI-powered tools like Copilot or ChatGPT is user adoption. The true value of these platforms is only realized when people across your organization not only have access to the tools, but are genuinely motivated to use them, understand how to leverage their capabilities, and feel empowered to transform their daily work. This requires more than just rolling out licenses - it requires ongoing training, clear communication, and a culture that encourages experimentation and learning.
At Storyals, we recommend starting with what you already have.
Choosing between Copilot and ChatGPT isn’t about picking a winner. It’s about aligning technology with your organization’s goals, culture, risk appetite and bandwidth. The best decision is the one that empowers your people, protects your data, and delivers real business value. Generative AI is here to stay. Organizations that thrive will be those that embrace these tools intentionally - supported by training, clear policies, and a willingness to adapt as technology evolves.