Microsoft

Overview

Microsoft is one of the most valuable companies in the world, founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975. With a market capitalization exceeding $3 trillion and roughly 220,000 employees, Microsoft builds the software and cloud infrastructure that powers most of the world's businesses and personal computers. Microsoft invested over $13 billion in OpenAI and initially integrated GPT models into its products as "Bing Chat" in early 2023. That product evolved into Microsoft Copilot, a standalone AI assistant available for free at copilot.microsoft.com, in Windows, in the Edge browser sidebar, and across Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams). Copilot now runs on OpenAI's GPT-5 and GPT-5.2 models and includes unlimited access to Think Deeper (advanced reasoning powered by o1), Voice mode in 50+ languages, image generation via DALL-E 3, and collaborative Copilot Pages. In October 2025, Microsoft discontinued the standalone Copilot Pro subscription ($20/month), folding its features into the free tier and the Microsoft 365 Premium plan. Under CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft has positioned AI as central to every product: Windows Copilot, Copilot in Edge, Copilot in Microsoft 365, GitHub Copilot for developers, and Azure AI services for enterprises.

What makes them different

Compared to OpenAI (ChatGPT), Microsoft Copilot uses the same underlying GPT models but focuses on integration rather than standalone power. ChatGPT offers deeper customization (GPTs, memory, plugins) and a more polished standalone experience, while Copilot's strength is being embedded everywhere you already work: Windows, Edge, Office apps, and Teams. Copilot's free tier is also more generous, with unlimited Think Deeper and Voice access that ChatGPT reserves for paid plans. Compared to Google (Gemini), both companies compete on ecosystem integration. Google ties Gemini into Search, Gmail, Docs, and Android; Microsoft ties Copilot into Windows, Edge, Office, and Teams. The choice often comes down to which ecosystem you already use. Compared to Anthropic (Claude), Claude is generally considered stronger at nuanced writing, long form content, and careful instruction following. Copilot's advantage is its free access to advanced reasoning and its deep OS and productivity app integration, features Claude does not offer. Microsoft's unique strengths include being the only AI assistant embedded directly into the Windows operating system, offering unlimited Think Deeper reasoning for free (competitors charge for equivalent features), and providing seamless Copilot integration across the entire Microsoft 365 suite for paid subscribers.

Their tools

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Microsoft Copilot

microsoft

chatbot

Microsoft's free AI assistant with unlimited advanced reasoning, voice, and deep integration into Windows, Edge, and Microsoft 365.

FreeView details →

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Power Automate

microsoft

automation

Microsoft's enterprise workflow automation platform combining cloud flows, desktop automation (RPA), AI Builder, and process mining across 1,400+ connectors.

FreeView details →

Subscription plans

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