Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT Enterprise both give employees an AI assistant with business controls. They start from different places, so the right choice depends on where your work lives.

Features and plans change often. Check the official pages for Microsoft 365 Copilot and ChatGPT Enterprise before deciding.

How each is built

Microsoft Copilot works inside Microsoft 365: Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and more. It can use the files, emails and meetings a user already has permission to see in your Microsoft environment.

ChatGPT Enterprise is a standalone assistant from OpenAI with admin and security controls. It can be connected to other tools and used for writing, analysis and research across any subject.

Side by side

| | Microsoft Copilot | ChatGPT Enterprise | |---|---|---| | Where it works | Inside Microsoft 365 apps | Its own app and connected tools | | Best at | Work on your Microsoft files, mail and meetings | General writing, analysis and research | | Uses your company content | Through your Microsoft permissions | Through connectors you set up | | Admin controls | Through Microsoft admin tools | Through its own admin console | | Fit | Companies already on Microsoft 365 | Mixed tool environments |

When Copilot is usually the better fit

  • Most of your work already lives in Microsoft 365
  • You want one admin and security setup
  • Your team spends time in Outlook, Excel and Teams

When ChatGPT Enterprise is usually the better fit

  • Your teams use a mix of tools and do not live in Microsoft 365
  • You want one assistant for research, writing and analysis across departments
  • You want to build custom assistants for specific tasks

Many companies use both

They are not mutually exclusive. Some teams use Copilot for office work and another assistant for research or specialist tasks. Count the licence cost before you do this.

Before you buy licences

  1. Clean up permissions first. An assistant can surface anything a user can already access. If your shared folders are too open, fix that before rollout.
  2. Pilot with one team for a month and measure time saved.
  3. Ask where data is stored and whether it is used to train models.
  4. Set a usage policy covering what staff may paste in.
  5. Train people. Licences without training are often left unused.

Questions for the vendor or partner

  • What data does the assistant see, and how do permissions apply?
  • Where is data processed and stored?
  • What does it cost per user at our size?
  • How do we monitor and audit usage?
  • What do we need to do before rollout?

Get help

A Microsoft partner can run the permissions clean-up and the pilot. Browse verified partners on SARVO or tell us what you need, and use the AI vendor evaluation checklist.

FAQ

Which is more secure? Both offer business-grade controls. The more important factor is your own permissions and policy, so review both vendors' documents.

Can staff just use the free chatbot instead? That risks company data leaving your control. Give staff an approved tool and a clear policy.

Do we need a partner? Not for a small pilot. For a larger rollout, a partner helps with permissions, training and measurement.