Comparing M365 Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude
AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore. AI is transforming how work gets done. For small businesses and nonprofits, there’s no shortage of options. The real question is, which AI platform delivers measurable results without disrupting daily work?
While we evaluate many AI platforms with our partners, three consistently come up in our conversations with clients:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot — AI built into Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and capable of extending across the Microsoft ecosystem and external sources, including workflows, custom apps, dashboards, and intelligent bots.
- ChatGPT Enterprise (with Apps) — A chat-based workspace that connects multiple tools in one interface.
- Claude Enterprise (Anthropic) — Optimized for reasoning over long documents, handling complex analysis, and supporting structured or creative writing tasks.
Recent updates allow Copilot users to select Claude* or GPT models, enabling advanced workflows, deep reasoning, and long-form document creation — all without leaving Microsoft 365.
* Claude models are currently available in Microsoft 365 Copilot via Copilot Studio and the Researcher agent. Availability varies by region, licensing, and service configuration.
Side-by-side Comparison of Gen-AI Platforms
| Platform | What The Platform Does Best |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot | Works inside familiar apps and beyond. Summarizes meetings, drafts emails and documents, analyzes spreadsheets, automates workflows, generates insights, and can trigger simple apps or intelligent bots across the Microsoft ecosystem. Supports GPT and Claude* models for flexible, high-quality output. |
| ChatGPT Enterprise (with Apps) | Connects multiple systems in a single chat interface, helping teams coordinate across CRMs, project management, and ticketing tools. |
| Claude Enterprise (Anthropic) | Excels at creative writing, long-form documents, and structured reasoning tasks. Ideal for policies, proposals, reports, and other complex content. Available via enterprise licensing for teams. |
Which platform is the most cost effective
When evaluating generative AI platforms, cost-effectiveness is a top concern for organizations seeking measurable ROI without unnecessary complexity. The following comparison breaks down the pricing, usability, and adoption factors for Microsoft 365 Copilot, ChatGPT Enterprise, and Claude Enterprise, helping you quickly identify which solution delivers the best value for your team.
| Aspect | Microsoft 365 Copilot | ChatGPT Enterprise | Claude Enterprise |
| Cost | Annual commitment (~$30/user/month add-on) | Enterprise plan (~$60/user/month) | Enterprise plan (~$60/user/month) |
| Models | Latest Open AI models including GPT-5. Limited access to Claude* models including Opus and Sonnet. | Latest Open AI models including GPT-5. | Latest Claude models including Opus and Sonnet. |
| Ease of Use | Easy: extends your existing M365 apps | Moderate: introduces a new workspace | Moderate: introduces a new workspace |
| Security | Uses existing controls within Microsoft 365. Includes Enterprise Data Protection. | Secure, isolated environment | Secure, isolated environment |
| Best For | Teams working primarily in Microsoft 365 apps and connected workflows | Teams working across multiple SaaS tools | Teams creating or reviewing long-form or regulatory content |
Our Key Takeaways
Microsoft 365 Copilot is the fastest path to measurable ROI — and it’s not limited to just Microsoft 365 apps.
- Copilot now supports GPT and Claude* models, making it flexible enough for quick summaries, deep reasoning, or long-form document creation.
- Your team can continue working within familiar applications while leveraging AI integration across the Microsoft ecosystem, which includes custom apps, dashboards, and intelligent bots.
- Copilot enables teams to streamline task automation, optimize workflows, and extract valuable insights.
Our strategic consultants can help your team map where time is spent, assess readiness, test use cases, and evaluate ROI potential. We ensure your team invests in the platform that truly drives results. Contact us today to learn how.
