Microsoft Copilot Pro, the premium generative AI subscription option for individuals, was originally introduced in January 2024 alongside a range of other Copilot subscription options. Now, however, Microsoft has expanded the plan’s functionality and availability massively.

As of March 2024, Copilot Pro (available for $20 per month, per user), is available in 222 countries, and offers a one month free trial. Previously, this subscription offered users access to advanced AI models, like GPT-4 Turbo, and unique features like Copilot GPT Builder. However, it lacked integrations with Microsoft’s existing Office tools, unlike the Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription.

Now, the updated version of Copilot Pro works inside of Office web apps (so you don’t need a separate subscription to use it in web-based tools like Word and Outlook). Plus, it’s available on Microsoft’s mobile apps, making the subscription more valuable than ever.

But should you invest in Microsoft Copilot Pro? I examined its features and benefits (compared to other Copilot solutions) to find out.

What is Microsoft Copilot Pro?

Microsoft Copilot Pro is a subscription service that offers access to improved Copilot performance, faster image generation, and the ability to design unique Copilot GPTs. It also now features Copilot support in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote via the web and mobile apps.

Since Microsoft launched its Copilot technology, it has consistently built on its generative AI portfolio. There are now versions of Copilot for virtually everything, from Teams to Bing Search, Microsoft 365 apps, and even sales, service, and finance teams.

Microsoft introduced Copilot Pro specifically as a solution for individuals looking for a premium AI experience. It doesn’t include some of the features offered by Microsoft 365 Copilot, like access to Teams Copilot features or Copilot Studio. However, it does build on the experience users get when using Copilot for Search, content creation, and even GPT development.

According to Microsoft, Copilot Pro delivers the most advanced features of Copilot to people who want to tap into the latest capabilities of generative AI. It promises a streamlined experience, that delivers consistency across all devices (including mobile), and apps. It also has web grounding to access the latest information from the internet.

Although Copilot Pro is a subscription designed specifically for individuals, it still features commercial data protection for users signing in with a Microsoft Entra ID. This means companies can still use Copilot securely with the Pro package.

Microsoft Copilot Pro vs. Copilot’s Free Plan

While most of Microsoft’s specialist Copilot solutions incur a subscription fee, there are Copilot features you can use for free. For free, you can still use Copilot on the web and in Windows, iPadOS, and MacOS. You’ll also be able to use GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo during certain times and use text, images and voice for conversational search.

Plus, the free plan supports plug-ins and external GPTs and allows you to create and edit images with 15 daily boosts in Microsoft Designer.

Copilot Pro builds on this experience with a “supercharged” experience. You get:

  • Priority access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo, at any time. These are the fastest versions of the generative AI models designed by OpenAI.
  • Build your own Copilot GPTs using Microsoft’s GPT Builder. This tool, similar to Microsoft’s Copilot Studio, allows you to create bots tailored to your specific interests and needs.
  • Generate unique images and enhance your creations using 100 daily boosts with the Designer app.

Additionally, you can now use Copilot Pro in productivity apps, provided you have a Microsoft 365 Personal or family subscription, or via the web and mobile apps.

This means you can use Copilot on:

  • Word: Use Copilot to generate drafts, summarize your content, rewrite articles or documents in Word, or ask questions about your content.
  • PowerPoint: Create outlines, design slides, and organize content in PowerPoint to create more compelling presentations with Copilot.
  • Outlook: Leverage Copilot Pro in Outlookto summarize long threads, access suggested replies and draft emails with the right tone of voice.
  • OneNote: Upgrade your note-taking strategies with Copilot in OneNote. It can summarize, rewrite, organize, and search through your lists for you.
  • Excel: Generate formulas, analyze and summarize data, and include helpful visuals in spreadsheets with Copilot in Excel.

What’s new in Microsoft Copilot Pro?

Previously, to leverage Copilot Pro in your Office apps, you needed an additional Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription, starting at $7 per month. While you’ll still need a subscription to access Copilot Pro on desktop apps, you no longer need one for Microsoft’s web and mobile apps.

Additionally, Copilot Pro is now available in 222 markets worldwide. However, some “Designer” features (formerly Bing Image Creator) are only available in English. Microsoft does support various languages with Copilot Pro overall, however, such as French, Italian, German, and Spanish.

Copilot Pro vs Copilot for Microsoft 365

So, how does Copilot Pro compare to the business-focused solution for Copilot users, “Copilot for Microsoft 365”? First, it’s less expensive. Copilot Pro only costs $20 per month per user. However, if you’re going to be using Copilot Pro on desktop apps, you do need to account for the extra cost of your Microsoft 365 Individual or Family subscription.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 costs $30 per month per user. Plus, you must pay for a supporting Microsoft 365 subscription, starting at $12.50 per month per user for “Business Standard.”

The tech giant also extended the semantic index for Copilot to Office 365 users (with a Copilot license). This index works with the Copilot System and Microsoft Graph to map your business data, ensuring that Copilot for Microsoft 365 can deliver personalized and relevant responses.

With Microsoft Copilot 365, you can access additional AI features on different apps. For instance, you can use  Microsoft Copilot for Teams (chat and phone users) and access Microsoft Graph grounding. Copilot also includes Microsoft’s enterprise-grade data protection. This means it inherits your existing privacy, identity, and compliance policies in Microsoft.

As a bonus, users of Copilot for Microsoft 365 get full access to Copilot Studio. That means you can use Microsoft’s unique no-code builder to customize Copilot for your 365 apps and create custom copilots and plugins. Although there’s a GPT builder included with Copilot Pro, Copilot Studio is more advanced.

You can manage and secure your customizations and standalone copilots with the correct access, data, and user controls. Copilot Studio also includes extra analytical features to help you learn from the performance of your bots and make more granular changes.

How Much is Microsoft Copilot Pro? Pricing and Availability

Like many of Microsoft’s other Copilot solutions, Copilot Pro is offered on a subscription basis. It costs $20 per month, per user, and is designed specifically for individuals. You’ll also need Windows 10 or 11 (I tested the tool on Windows 11).

For full access to Copilot Pro in your desktop office apps, you’ll also need a Microsoft 365 Single or Family account, starting at $7 monthly. However, you won’t need one of these accounts if you’re just using Microsoft’s web or mobile apps.

Once you purchase your subscription, you can access Copilot immediately via Windows and Bing Search, provided you’re signed in with the right credentials. However, Copilot Pro won’t be automatically installed on your desktop apps. If you’re using the service with an Individual or Family subscription, you’ll need to update your licenses.

In any Office tool you want to use Copilot Pro with, go to File > Account > Update License. This should cause the Copilot icon to appear after you refresh the application.

Click on the icon to load Copilot, and you can start using prompts to access suggestions, generate content, and more. Notably, Microsoft Copilot Pro currently isn’t available for the mobile versions of your apps. However, this functionality will be rolling out going forward.

Is Copilot Pro Free? Using Copilot Pro for Free

While there’s no long-term way to access Copilot Pro for free, you can test the functionality for a month without paying anything. Notably, the free trial is only for a single user. You can start a free trial here and cancel your subscription after the first month if you want to avoid paying.

It’s worth noting many other GPT and generative AI tools offered by tech giants also have free trial options. For instance, Google offers a one-month free trial of its Google One AI Premium plan, which is also available for $20 monthly after the trial ends.

What’s Next for Copilot?

The updates to Microsoft Copilot Pro, alongside Microsoft’s evolving collection of dedicated generative AI tools, highlight the company’s commitment to making AI more accessible. In recent months, Microsoft has consistently expanded its AI footprint.

Not only is it offering companies and users more subscription options, but it’s making major updates to the features of its existing tools too. In April, Microsoft enabled a new Copilot experience in Teams, promising easier access and better prompting experiences.

Microsoft is also planning on updating the Copilot Studio experience throughout 2024, offering more granular admin controls, test controls for plugins, and secure integrations with SharePoint.

If you’re looking for an effective way to take advantage of the latest innovations in generative AI and don’t need all the features offered by Copilot for Microsoft 365, Copilot Pro could be a great investment.

FAQs

Does Copilot Pro Use GPT 4?

Microsoft Copilot Pro subscribers get access to the GPT-4 Turbo model by default, as well as priority access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo, even during peak times. In comparison, free users will sometimes be limited to GPT 3.5, based on demand.

What are Boosts in Copilot?

Designer, previously Bing Image Creator, is built into Copilot to allow users to create custom images based on prompts. Boosts are the number of turns you have to interact with a bot to create images faster and achieve the right results. With Copilot Pro, you get 100 boosts per day.

Where is Copilot Pro Available?

Currently, Copilot Pro is available in 222 markets. However, Designer features, such as inline editing capabilities, are only available in English. Copilot Pro also supports Chinese Simplified, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese languages for most features.

Where Can I access Microsoft Copilot Pro?

Copilot Pro subscribers can access the tool via Copilot on the web and Copilot apps for Windows, Android, and iOS. If you have a separate Microsoft 365 Individual or Family subscription, you’ll also be able to use Copilot Pro in the fully featured Microsoft Office desktop apps.

How Many People Can Use a Copilot Pro Subscription?

Each Copilot Pro subscription only supports a single user. Even if you have a Microsoft 365 Family subscription and share it with other people, each user will need to purchase their own subscription to Copilot Pro to use the features. Copilot Pro doesn’t unlock access to Copilot in 365 apps if you’re using a Microsoft 365 subscription, however.



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