Free ChatGPT vs Copilot: What are some of the key differences?

The new Copilot Pro has just arrived today.

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Key notes

  • Free ChatGPT vs Copilot has been the talk of the town for quite some time.
  • The two AI tools have their own perks.
  • We’re looking into some of the key differences that make them different.

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of AI tools in the market already, and it’s only fair to compare them. But some of the most outstanding, most-talked-about ones are the free ChatGPT vs Copilot comparison.

The free ChatGPT is modeled using GPT-3.5, OpenAI’s model that isn’t the latest but still holds up the job pretty well. You can use it for free as long as you’ve signed up to ChatGPT’s site. It also has a paid version called ChatGPT Plus, using the latest GPT-4, at $20 a month.

On the other hand, Microsoft’s Copilot also has free and paid versions. The free Copilot acts more like a chatbot on the right side of your Windows 10 & Windows 11 screens, and it doesn’t have integration with popular Office apps like Word, Excel, etc.

But, enough with the tech jargon. What exactly are the key differences between free ChatGPT vs Copilot? 

Let’s talk about the models. As mentioned above, the free ChatGPT is powered by GPT-3.5. Launched back in 2022, this model is pretty decent, with over 175 billion parameters and outscoring almost every other model of its time.

Copilot came from Microsoft, the same company that backed OpenAI financially and has been involved in the development of its AI models. And yet, it’s not burying the latest GPT-4 under a $20/month paywall. Whether you’re a free or a Pro subscriber, GPT-4 Turbo will soon power Copilot on your Windows 10 & 11 desktops. 

ChatGPT requires you to use its website or mobile app to interact with it, while Microsoft Copilot is integrated into Microsoft 365 apps. The free version of Copilot is directly accessible from your desktop, and future Windows 11-supported keyboards will feature a dedicated Copilot hotkey to quickly invoke the AI companion.

Do they have paid versions? Yes. Both ChatGPT Plus and Copilot Pro cost $20 a month, but which one of these two will bang your bucks? It depends on your use, honestly. 

If you’re someone who uses Office 365 apps a lot, then Copilot Pro is your go. You get high-resolution DALL-E 3, data protection, custom GPTs, Turbo, and free plug-ins. 

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