The AI arms race is well and truly underway- and for UK businesses, the question isn’t whether to adopt AI, but which tools to adopt. Two names dominate the conversation: Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT by OpenAI.
Both are powerful, both promise to supercharge productivity, and both are evolving rapidly. But which one is right for your business? The answer depends on your goals, workflows, and how ready your teams are to embrace AI.
At Flyte, we help UK businesses harness cloud and AI technologies safely and effectively. In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between Copilot and ChatGPT- so you can make an informed decision.
What Is Microsoft Copilot?
Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant integrated into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more. It’s designed to work inside the tools your teams already use.
Key features:
- Generate content in Word or slides in PowerPoint.
- Analyse and visualise data in Excel.
- Draft emails and summaries in Outlook and Teams.
- Pull data from your internal files and documents using Microsoft Graph.
Ideal for:
Businesses deeply invested in Microsoft 365 looking to boost team productivity without changing platforms.
What Is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a conversational AI developed by OpenAI. It’s platform-agnostic, meaning it doesn’t require any specific software suite. Instead, it offers a powerful chat interface- and with ChatGPT Plus or Pro plans, access to the GPT-4.5 or GPT-4o model for even more advanced reasoning.
Key features:
- Natural language Q&A and idea generation.
- Code assistance and data analysis via the Code Interpreter.
- Custom GPTs that can be trained on your business knowledge base.
- Integration via API or browser extensions for bespoke workflows.
Ideal for:
Innovative teams or developers looking to build AI-enhanced workflows, create content, or automate complex tasks.
Copilot vs ChatGPT: Key Differences
| Feature | Microsoft Copilot | ChatGPT |
| Integration | Deeply integrated with Microsoft 365 | Platform-independent |
| Ease of Use | Familiar UI, low learning curve | Conversational, requires exploration |
| Customisation | Limited, based on Microsoft data ecosystem | High (Custom GPTs, API, plugins) |
| Data Access | Internal data via Microsoft Graph | External data via uploads or integrations |
| Security & Compliance | Enterprise-grade (in Microsoft environment) | High, but depends on implementation |
| Pricing | Added cost on top of Microsoft 365 | Free tier, Plus and Pro plans available |
Which Should Your Business Choose?
Choose Microsoft Copilot if:
- You’re already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem.
- Your goal is to enhance day-to-day productivity with minimal disruption.
- You need enterprise-ready compliance and security out of the box.
Choose ChatGPT if:
- You’re experimenting with AI-driven innovation, coding, or automation.
- You want to train custom assistants or integrate with non-Microsoft systems.
- You’re seeking flexibility and cutting-edge reasoning power.
Or- Why Not Both?
The truth is, these tools aren’t mutually exclusive. Many UK businesses are deploying Copilot for office productivity and ChatGPT for innovation, development, and AI workflows. The key is to manage access, governance, and training so teams know when and how to use each effectively.
At Flyte, we work with UK businesses to implement secure, scalable AI solutions—whether that means configuring Microsoft Copilot, training a custom GPT, or deploying hybrid workflows that bring out the best in both.
Ready to Embrace AI?
If you’re unsure how to get started or want help comparing the ROI of Copilot vs ChatGPT in your organisation– let’s talk.
Contact us at Flyte and we’ll help you find the AI tools that make the most sense for your business goals.