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ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot: Four key differences

by Amit Verma6 min readJanuary 10, 2025

As organizations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of enterprise AI solutions, three major players have emerged with distinct approaches: ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Qatalog. Let's break down how these solutions compare and what makes each unique.

What is the main difference between ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot?

The main difference between ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot lies in their focus and integration capabilities. While ChatGPT is better suited for diverse content generation and general AI assistance, Microsoft Copilot shines in optimizing productivity within Microsoft’s ecosystem and workflows.

ChatGPT is a versatile, general-purpose AI assistant with a broad knowledge base, making it ideal for creative tasks, general writing, and open-ended problem-solving. On the other hand, Microsoft Copilot integrates with Microsoft 365 applications and automates Microsoft workflows.

Is there a better solution than ChatGPT and Copilot for businesses?

If ChatGPT or Copilot don't meet your business needs, Qatalog could be a better solution. It focuses on what matters most to businesses: easy and secure access to data and knowledge. Qatalog is an enterprise AI platform that connects directly to your company's existing data sources, from BigQuery and SharePoint to Salesforce and beyond, to deliver precise, real-time answers grounded in your organization's actual information.

Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Qatalog's specialized RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) technology ensures responses are always based on your verified company data, eliminating hallucinations and maintaining data security. This makes it invaluable for teams who need to quickly surface accurate insights from vast amounts of internal documentation, databases, and knowledge repositories. Whether you're looking for the latest sales numbers, trying to understand product specifications, or accessing internal policies, Qatalog provides reliable, context-aware answers that reflect your organization's current reality.

Let's analyze how MS Copilot stacks up against ChatGPT in more detail.

1. Use cases and applications

ChatGPT Enterprise:

  • Create and translate general content
  • Write code, solve equations in math 
  • Assist in research, learning and development
  • Generate images

Microsoft Copilot:

  • Create office documents in Word and OneNote
  • Draft emails replies in Outlook
  • Generate PowerPoint slides for presentations
  • Summarise Teams meetings, email threads, documents, etc.
  • Create formdulas in Excel

Qatalog:

  • Retrieval enterprise knowledge 
  • Cross-system data access
  • Function-specific AI assistance
  • Internal information search

2. Data access and integration

ChatGPT Enterprise:

  • Limited access to company data
  • Requires manual data upload
  • No real-time data integration
  • Universal knowledge but not company-specific

Microsoft Copilot:

  • Access to Microsoft 365 ecosystem
  • Requires data in the Microsoft environment
  • Limited third-party integrations
  • May surface irrelevant or outdated content

Related: Microsoft's Copilot Expansion: Free Chat vs Pay-Per-Message Agents

Qatalog:

  • Direct connection to enterprise data sources
  • Real-time access without data replication
  • Wide range of integrations (Salesforce, BigQuery, Snowflake, etc.)
  • Precise, permission-aware data access

3. Security and compliance

ChatGPT Enterprise:

  • SOC 2 and GDPR compliance
  • Data privacy guarantees
  • Limited control over data access
  • No granular permissions

Related: Why ChatGPT is getting worse.

Microsoft Copilot:

  • Microsoft's enterprise security stack
  • Integrated with Microsoft permissions
  • Limited to Microsoft security framework
  • Data remains in the Microsoft ecosystem

Qatalog:

  • Enterprise-grade security
  • Maintains existing permissions
  • No data copying or indexing
  • Custom security controls

4. Pricing and plans

ChatGPT:

  • Free plan with GPT-4o mini and basic features
  • Plus subscription at $20/month with full feature access
  • Enterprise plan with custom pricing
  • Additional Pro tier at $200/month for advanced computing

Microsoft Copilot:

  • Free tier with off-peak model access
  • Pro subscription at $20/month
  • Requires Microsoft 365 subscription ($6.99+/month) for desktop apps
  • Enterprise pricing at $360/user/year plus Microsoft 365 Business Standard ($150/user/year)

Qatalog:

Copilot vs ChatGPT comparison table

Feature

ChatGPT Enterprise

Microsoft Copilot

Qatalog

Real-time data access

Partial (Microsoft only)

Custom integrations

Limited

Microsoft ecosystem

Extensive

Data privacy

Copy required

Microsoft storage

No copying needed

Natural language interface

Content generation

Limited

Information retrieval

Limited

Limited

Enterprise search

Basic

Advanced

Custom deployment

Limited

Is ChatGPT better than Copilot?

ChatGPT is better than Copilot when you’re looking for a general-purpose AI assistant capable of handling a wide range of tasks. It’s ideal if content generation is a primary need, as it offers versatile support for creative and general writing. With access to a broad knowledge base, ChatGPT is well-suited for open-ended problem-solving across diverse topics. This solution works best if you don’t require integration with specific business data sources or custom workflows. Check out alternatives to Microsoft Copilot.

Related: The secure alternatives to ChatGPT for your data.

Which is better, Copilot or ChatGPT?

Microsoft Copilot is better if you’re deeply invested in the Microsoft 365 suite, use Bing or Edge. It excels in Office document creation and offers powerful automation features within Microsoft’s ecosystem, making it a strong fit for users who prioritize seamless integration with Microsoft tools. Copilot is also well-suited for scenarios where basic information retrieval and productivity enhancements directly within Microsoft applications are sufficient.

What is the optimal enterprise strategy?

The optimal enterprise strategy often involves a combined approach that leverages the unique strengths of ChatGPT, Copilot, and other AI assistants to meet diverse business needs. Here’s how each platform can best contribute to an efficient and comprehensive AI enterprise search tool:

1. Qatalog for enterprise information retrieval

Qatalog excels in internal knowledge search and AI-powered data analysis, offering precise and secure access to company data across multiple systems. With Qatalog, employees can find answers quickly and accurately, making it ideal for retrieving essential, real-time information from various internal sources. This capability makes Qatalog invaluable for businesses that rely on accessing and leveraging extensive internal data to drive decision-making and productivity.

2. Copilot for Microsoft 365 content creation and automation

Microsoft Copilot integrates seamlessly within Microsoft 365, making it a strong choice for content creation, workflow automation, and collaboration within the Office ecosystem. By automating tasks in apps like Word, Excel, and Teams, Copilot enhances productivity and facilitates collaboration across departments. It’s particularly effective for businesses already using Microsoft 365 and looking to streamline daily operations and improve communication within familiar applications.

3. ChatGPT Enterprise for general research and creative content

ChatGPT Enterprise is an excellent tool for general research, creative content generation, and learning and development initiatives. Its capabilities make it suitable for brainstorming, drafting content, and supporting employee training. This flexibility makes ChatGPT an ideal choice for teams that need quick access to creative insights and educational resources.

Copilot vs ChatGPT: Conclusion

While ChatGPT Enterprise and Microsoft Copilot excel in general AI assistance and Microsoft ecosystem integration respectively, Qatalog stands out for its focused approach to enterprise information retrieval and data access. Organizations looking to maximize their AI capabilities often benefit from a strategic combination of these tools, using each for its core strengths.

Ready to see how Qatalog can enhance your enterprise information retrieval? Start your free trial today and experience the difference in precision and control.

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