C
CGeneral-purpose AI chat assistant for writing, research, coding and everyday tasks
Free, from $8/mo
Claude vs Microsoft Copilot
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
C
Choose Claude if…
- you want the lower entry price ($17/mo vs $18/mo)
- you need an API to build on
- you work on Chrome
- you're in its core audience: knowledge workers, software developers
M
Choose Microsoft Copilot if…
- you're in its core audience: individuals, students
Side by side
Feature Claude Microsoft Copilot
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starting price$17/mo$18/mo
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Web search—
Image generation—
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Chrome, APIWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
CategoryAI ChatbotsAI Chatbots
CompanyAnthropic PBCMicrosoft
Based inUnited States—
Founded——
Part of——
Key features
C Claude
- Chat with web search and memory
- File creation and code execution
- Artifacts, Slides, Docs and Design tools
- Claude Code for software development
- Projects for organizing work
- Scheduled and handed-off tasks
- Chrome, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace integrations
- Per-token API with batch discount
M Microsoft Copilot
- Chat for brainstorming, summarizing and planning
- Web-grounded answers for research
- Content drafting and image generation
- Researcher for in-depth research
- Guided Learning study mode
- Notebook for organizing projects
- Copilot inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams on business plans
- Pre-built agents for research and data analysis
Plans and prices
From each vendor's site. Prices change — confirm before buying.
Claude
Free$0
Pro$20/mo or $17/mo billed yearly ($200)
MaxFrom $100/mo
Team Standard$25/seat/mo or $20/seat billed yearly
Team Premium$125/seat/mo or $100/seat billed yearly
Enterprise$20/seat billed yearly + usage at API rates
Microsoft Copilot
FreeFree
Microsoft 365 Copilot Business (add-on)$18/user/mo billed yearly (first-year promotional price); $25.20/user/mo monthly
Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot$23.50/user/mo billed yearly; $28.20/user/mo monthly
Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Copilot$32/user/mo billed yearly; $38.40/user/mo monthly
Strengths and limitations
Claude
- Free plan includes web search, code execution and memory
- Apps for web, desktop, iOS and Android
- Max plans include $100-$200/month in API credits
- Enterprise plan offers a HIPAA-ready option and a Compliance API
- Claude Code is not included in the free plan
- Max plans are billed monthly only
- Enterprise requires a 20-seat minimum
- API is billed separately from chat plans
Microsoft Copilot
- Free tier available with a Microsoft account
- Apps for web, Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, plus Microsoft Edge
- Works inside Microsoft 365 apps on business plans
- Free tier has usage limits on some capabilities
- Advanced business features such as Cowork and Autopilot are billed by usage on top of the license
- The $18 add-on price is a first-year promotion and requires an eligible Microsoft 365 Business plan
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CC
Free, from $8/mo
Built from each vendor's public website; we haven't tested them hands-on. Editorial policy