Short answer: For solo work, try Copilot (free) with nonconfidential tasks first, then consider Microsoft 365 Premium ($19.99 per month) if you want advanced Copilot chat. For a firm buying up to 300 user licenses, compare Microsoft 365 Copilot Business (add-on) with the bundled plans below, but review the data terms before using client information: we have not verified those terms or tested Copilot yet.
What is Microsoft Copilot, and which models does it use?
Microsoft Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant, offered through a limited free version, Microsoft 365 subscriptions and business add-ons. In Copilot Cowork, Auto is the default router: it picks from models your organization enables.
The verified lineup includes:
- Flagship: GPT 6 Astra, released 2026-09-04, and Claude Fable 5.1, released 2026-09-01. Claude Fable 5.1 requires the tenant to enable Anthropic as a subprocessor.
- High: Claude Opus 5, released 2026-07-24, and GPT 5.6 Sol, released 2026-07-09.
- Balanced: GPT 5.6 Terra and GPT 5.5 (Frontier). The latter is hosted in Azure AI Foundry.
- Everyday: Claude Sonnet 5.
Claude Opus 5.5 and GPT-6 Sol were announced on the roadmap on 2026-09-22. Their rollout status is not confirmed in our verified facts, so do not base a purchase on access to them.
This is not a guarantee that every listed model comes with every plan. Our verified facts do not establish a plan-by-plan model entitlement list. Check the model access you need before subscribing; for alternatives, see our model overviews.
Which Copilot plan fits your work?
For an individual, start by comparing the free option with the personal subscriptions. For a firm, compare per-user costs, billing commitments and whether you need an add-on or a bundled plan.
Prices checked 2026-10-19 on the official pricing page.
| Plan | Price (USD, as recorded) | What you get (from facts) |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot (free) | $0 per month | Limited free version, subject to available capacity and limits |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99 per month; $99.99 per year | Individual subscription; detailed entitlements not verified here |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99 per month; $129.99 per year | AI features for the subscription owner only |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | $19.99 per month; $199.99 per year | Marketed “Best for AI & productivity”; advanced Copilot chat |
| Microsoft 365 Pro | $99.99 per month | Monthly billing only; highest Copilot usage |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot Business (add-on) | $25.20 per user per month (monthly billing); $18 per user per month billed annually (first-year promotion); list price $21 per user per month billed annually | Add-on for up to 300 users; promotional annual option requires an annual commitment |
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot | $28.20 per user per month (monthly billing); $23.50 per user per month billed annually | Business Standard with Copilot |
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Copilot | $38.40 per user per month (monthly billing); $32 per user per month billed annually | Business Premium with Copilot |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot (enterprise add-on) | $31.50 per user per month (monthly payment on an annual commitment); $30 per user per month billed annually | Requires a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan |
Prices are USD amounts shown to US visitors, excluding tax; the business promotion is marked separately. For readers in the UK, Australia or India, local prices, currency and tax differ, so check Microsoft’s pricing page for your country.
For an independent practitioner, Microsoft 365 Premium is worth considering specifically for advanced Copilot chat. Microsoft 365 Pro offers the highest Copilot usage, but we have no verified numerical allowance here. Before paying more, establish whether usage is actually the obstacle in your work.
Microsoft 365 Family is not a way to give every household member the subscription’s AI features. Those belong to the subscription owner only.
For a practice or project team, compare the full subscription cost, not just an add-on’s headline price. Confirm eligibility before buying. Also distinguish monthly billing from a monthly payment: the enterprise add-on’s $31.50 per user per month option still carries an annual commitment.
How did Microsoft Copilot do in our tests?
Microsoft Copilot is not in our test round yet. We have run no prompt or Claude Skill on it, so we have no score, ranking or measured performance verdict to report.
Read our methodology for how we assess systems. Nothing on this page should be read as a result for either Copilot’s app or an API-based test.
For now, evaluate it on nonconfidential examples you can check yourself. An accountant might review a draft explanation; an event planner might inspect a proposed checklist for omissions. These are suggested evaluation tasks, not claims about Copilot’s performance. Our prompt library can help you frame a trial.
Is it safe to paste client or patient data into Copilot?
We have not verified Microsoft’s data terms for this page. We cannot assure you about data retention, training on your data or business and enterprise protections.
The verified details are narrow: Claude Fable 5.1 requires tenant approval of Anthropic as a subprocessor, and GPT 5.5 (Frontier) is hosted in Azure AI Foundry. Neither detail establishes that a particular use meets your confidentiality obligations.
Before pasting client, patient or employee data, read the specific plan’s own data and privacy terms and your professional confidentiality rules. Check client contracts too, and involve your firm’s IT or compliance lead where appropriate. A paid subscription should not substitute for that review.
Confidentiality duties also depend on your profession: our pages for lawyers, healthcare professionals and accountants list the rules that apply in your country.
When should you not use Copilot?
Do not rely on it for work you cannot check, or submit confidential material before reviewing the applicable terms. We have not tested it, so this page cannot establish its suitability for your professional tasks.
Keep these boundaries in mind:
- Final professional judgment: Tax, legal, health and property work must be checked by a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.
- Time-critical free access: Copilot (free) is subject to available capacity and limits; do not make it your only route to meeting a deadline.
- Unconfirmed model access: Do not plan a workflow around the announced Claude Opus 5.5 or GPT-6 Sol until availability is confirmed.
- License requirements: Microsoft 365 Copilot Business (add-on) covers up to 300 users. Do not assume it covers a larger deployment.
FAQ
Is there a free version of Microsoft Copilot?
Yes. Copilot (free) costs $0 per month and is subject to available capacity and limits.
Does Microsoft 365 Family give everyone AI features?
No. Microsoft 365 Family provides AI features to the subscription owner only.
What are the billing options for Microsoft 365 Copilot Business (add-on)?
Monthly billing is $25.20 per user per month. The annual promotion is $18 per user per month billed annually for the first year only, with an annual commitment. The list price is $21 per user per month billed annually.
How does Copilot Cowork select a model?
Auto is the default router and picks from models your organization enables. Claude Fable 5.1 requires the tenant to enable Anthropic as a subprocessor.
Sources
Links checked
- Microsoft Learn: Copilot Cowork models, checked 2026-10-19
- Microsoft 365 roadmap, checked 2026-10-19
- Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing for individuals, checked 2026-10-19
- Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing, checked 2026-10-19
- Microsoft 365 Copilot for enterprise, checked 2026-10-19
- Our testing methodology