Microsoft Copilot Available on dedicated websites, mobile apps, and directly in Windows, it can quickly respond to your questions, generate content, create images, and more.
Recently, Microsoft launched a professional version of Copilot, which provides more features and a better access experience for $20 per month.
So, is the Copilot Pro worth buying? That depends on your needs. Here are the factors to consider.
Advantages of Copilot Pro:
- Faster performance, with priority access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo during peak hours.
- Copilot functionality is available in some Microsoft 365 applications (requires a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription).
- Create AI images faster, generate 100 images per day with Designer.
- AI-created images can be resized and regenerated between square and landscape formats without leaving the Designer tool.
- You can create your own custom Copilot GPT through the Copilot Builder tool.
In addition to using Copilot Pro on the Copilot website from any browser, you can also launch it directly in Windows 10 or 11. Just click the Copilot icon on the taskbar.
The Pro version is also accessible in the iPhone and Android Copilot apps.
Additionally, users who subscribe to Microsoft 365 Personal or Family can use Copilot Pro and Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows, macOS, and iPadOS.
How to use the free and paid versions of Copilot
Access the free version of the website
Go to the Copilot website: https://copilot.microsoft.com. Select the conversation mode and then enter your question in the "Ask me anything" field.
On the right, you can see specific Copilot GPTs, including Image Generation Designer, Vacation Planner, Cooking Assistant, and Fitness Coach, but these GPTs are still being rolled out and not yet fully available.
Additionally, you’ll get access to Copilot plugins like Instacart, Kayak, and Open Table. You’ll also see an option to turn on personalization.
With this option enabled, Copilot will provide personalized responses based on your chat history from the past 90 days.
Using the free version in Windows
An easier way is to click the Copilot icon on the toolbar in Windows 10 or 11. A similar interface will appear, where you can choose a conversation style and start asking questions.
Using the free version in mobile apps
To use Copilot on your mobile device, download the iOS or Android app. Select your preferred conversation method, then submit.
Using the paid version on your website
To sign up for the paid version of Copilot, visit Microsoft's Copilot Pro webpage: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/copilotpro.
Then click the Get Copilot Pro button. On the subscription page, select a payment method and click the Subscribe button.
Once payment is complete, click on the "Get Started" button. You will be directed to the Copilot webpage where you will see Pro as part of the Copilot logo. The Pro version provides access to Copilot GPT, plugins, and personalization options.
Using the paid version in Windows
After subscribing on the website, log back into Windows 10 or 11. Click on the Copilot taskbar icon and the Professional version will pop up.
Using the paid version in the mobile app
Open the iOS or Android Copilot app and you’ll see that Pro is now part of the logo, indicating that you’re on a Pro subscription.
Now that you know how to access both versions, let’s take a look at the differences between the Pro and Free versions.
If you have the following needs, please use Copilot Free Edition
1. You don’t use Microsoft 365
For most people, the main benefit of Copilot Pro is support for Microsoft 365.
You can use AI to create and edit text and perform other advanced tasks in Word, Excel, and other applications in the suite.
If you don't subscribe to Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, the other benefits alone may not be enough to justify the $20 per month price tag.
2. Use GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 during off-peak periods
GPT-4 has some clear advantages over GPT-3.5, including faster and more accurate responses, longer prompts, greater understanding of context and nuance, greater creativity, improved ability to solve complex problems, and fewer biased responses and hallucinations.
You can use both GPT modes with the free version, but during peak loads you might not be able to use GPT-4. In this case, Copilot will drop down to GPT-3.5.
Still, for many people, occasional access to GPT-4 should be enough.
3. Your image generation needs are small
Copilot can generate images based on your text descriptions using the designer tool built into DALL-E 3. The free version limits the number of images generated to 15 per day.
If you don't need more, the free version of Copilot will meet your needs.
4. You have subscribed to ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Plus takes some of the benefits of Copilot Pro and adds additional features like the GPT store and the ability to create custom chatbots.
If you already pay $20 per month for ChatGPT Plus, there is no need to subscribe to Copilot Pro.
You should use Copilot Pro if:
1. You use Microsoft 365 and want it to provide generative AI assistance
Copilot Pro can help you write and edit text, summarize documents in Word, generate formulas and analyze data in Excel, create presentations in PowerPoint, compose text in OneNote, and draft or reply to emails in Outlook.
If you have a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription, Copilot Pro is a steal if it helps you write, create, and work faster.
2. You rely heavily on GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo
With Copilot Pro, you can keep up with the latest GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo modes, even during peak hours.
If you use GPT-4 frequently in your work and need fast access at all times, Copilot Pro will be a better choice for you than the free version.
3. You need to generate a lot of images
The free version of Copilot limits the number of images you can generate to 15 per day, while the Pro version allows up to 100. In addition, images tend to be created faster.
If you need to batch create artwork, logos, and other images for your work, you won’t run into as many hurdles with the Pro version.
Both the free and paid versions of Copilot let you edit images online without leaving the designer tool, but Copilot Pro can resize and regenerate images between square and landscape formats.
4. You don’t subscribe to other paid AI services
Depending on your job and workload, paid AI services can help you become more productive.
If you don’t already have a subscription to ChatGPT Plus or a similar service, then Copilot Pro might be just what you need.
However, you can try it for a month before purchasing and then decide whether to continue using it or cancel it.
5. You need to build your own custom Copilot GPT
With Copilot Pro, you can create and configure your own Copilot GPT chatbot.
If you want to design a unique GPT specifically targeting a specific skill or resource, you will need to subscribe to Copilot Pro.
Using the Copilot GPT Generator, you can either create it by talking to Copilot, or you can manually configure your custom Copilot GPT.
Once created, you can preview your GPT to make sure it works properly, and then you can choose to use it yourself or share it with others.