Side-by-side comparison
Microsoft Copilot vs Gemini
Plans, free tiers and API access for Microsoft Copilot and Gemini, from each vendor's own pages. Last checked Oct 4, 2026.
The short answer
- Gemini has the lower entry price at $4.99/mo, against $9.99/mo for Microsoft Copilot.
- Both Microsoft Copilot and Gemini have an ongoing free plan.
- Gemini lists API access; we could not confirm it for Microsoft Copilot.
Pricing and features
- Microsoft 365 Personal$9.99/mo
- Microsoft 365 Family$12.99/mo
- Microsoft 365 Premium$19.99/mo
- Microsoft 365 Pro$99.99/mo
- Google AI Plus$4.99/mo
- Google AI Pro$19.99/mo
- Google AI Ultra$99.99/mo
How to choose
Microsoft Copilot is reached mostly through Microsoft 365 subscriptions: Personal at $9.99 per month, Family at $12.99, Premium at $19.99 and Pro at $99.99, with auto-renewal unless canceled. Researcher and Analyst features are tied to Premium and Pro. Chat at copilot.microsoft.com shows no listed paywall, and an API for Copilot was not confirmed. Gemini sells standalone tiers instead: Google AI Plus at $4.99, Pro at $19.99 and Ultra at $99.99, billed monthly, plus a free tier for Google Account holders. Gemini also has a pay-as-you-go API through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. Copilot suits people wanting the assistant inside Microsoft 365 apps.
- Microsoft Copilot: You want the assistant built into Microsoft 365 apps and are willing to buy a Microsoft 365 plan, starting at $9.99 per month, to get it.
- Gemini: You want a standalone AI subscription, from $4.99 per month, tied to a Google Account, or you need a documented pay-as-you-go API.
- Either: You only need basic chat and want to start without paying anything.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Copilot or Gemini?
Gemini has the lower starting price ($4.99/mo versus $9.99/mo). Compare plans before choosing, since limits differ.
Is Microsoft Copilot free?
Free plan. Not confirmed
Is Gemini free?
Free plan. Free with a Google Account: Gemini app, Deep Research and image generation with usage limits