Stay free if you only need unlimited gpt-4 chat with real-time bing web access and dall-e 3 image generation (~15 boosts/day). Upgrade if you need priority access to gpt-4 and gpt-4 turbo during peak times and 100 dall-e 3 image boosts per day. Most solo builders can start free.
Why it matters: Hard cap of 30 turns per conversation before requiring a reset
Available from: Copilot Pro
Why it matters: Content filters are noticeably stricter than ChatGPT, blocking benign creative prompts
Available from: Copilot Pro
Why it matters: New OpenAI model upgrades typically arrive on ChatGPT weeks before Copilot
Available from: Copilot Pro
Why it matters: Best features (Pro plugins, 365 integration) are gated behind $20/month tier
Available from: Copilot Pro
Why it matters: No offline mode — every query requires an internet connection and Microsoft account
Available from: Copilot Pro
Microsoft Copilot's core chat experience is genuinely free with no trial expiration — you get GPT-4 access, real-time Bing web search, and DALL-E 3 image generation at no cost with just a Microsoft account. The paid Copilot Pro tier at $20/month adds priority access during peak demand, faster image generation (100 boosts/day vs. 15 for free users), and integration inside Microsoft 365 desktop apps like Word and Excel. There are no ads inside the chat interface, though Bing search results shown alongside answers include standard sponsored links. For most casual users, the free tier is fully functional and competitive with ChatGPT Plus.
Both tools run on GPT-4, but Copilot's free tier offers live web access and image generation that ChatGPT reserves for its $20/month Plus subscription. ChatGPT generally receives new OpenAI features first (like custom GPTs, advanced voice mode, and memory) and has more permissive content policies for creative writing. Copilot wins on Windows and Microsoft 365 integration — it can read your Edge tabs, reference OneDrive files (with Pro), and operate directly from the taskbar. For students, Windows users, and anyone who wants GPT-4 without paying, Copilot is the stronger choice; for power users, developers, and those needing the newest features, ChatGPT Plus remains ahead.
Microsoft caps each Copilot conversation at approximately 30 back-and-forth turns before prompting you to start a new chat. The limit was introduced in early 2023 after widely-reported incidents where long conversations caused the AI to behave erratically or break from its intended persona. While this safeguard keeps responses more reliable, it can interrupt extended research sessions or iterative creative work. You can restart a fresh conversation at any time without losing access to prior chat history, which is saved in your account. Power users who frequently hit the limit often prefer ChatGPT or Claude, which offer significantly longer context windows.
Yes, Copilot includes DALL-E 3 image generation at no cost, accessible by simply describing the image you want in chat. Free users receive approximately 15 'boosts' per day for faster generation, with slower queued generation available beyond that. Copilot Pro subscribers get 100 boosts daily and priority access to the image model during peak times. Generated images are watermarked with Content Credentials (C2PA) metadata for transparency, and Microsoft's content policies block violent, sexual, or copyrighted-character prompts. For creators who need higher volume or commercial licensing certainty, dedicated tools like Midjourney remain more flexible.
Copilot is available on virtually every major platform: a web app at copilot.microsoft.com, native iOS and Android apps, a Mac version through the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, and deep integration on Windows 11 via the taskbar. Linux users can access Copilot through any modern browser, though without the native OS integrations Windows users enjoy. The Edge browser on any platform exposes the Copilot sidebar, which can summarize and answer questions about the current webpage. Feature parity is strongest on Windows 11 and in Microsoft 365 apps, while the mobile apps focus on chat, voice conversations, and image generation.
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Last verified March 2026