Microsoft Copilot vs Perplexity (2026): Which AI Tool Is Better?

Both are popular AI chat assistants. Here is how Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity stack up on price, strengths and weaknesses, and which one we would pick.

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft's assistant in Windows, Edge and Word, Excel and PowerPoint

7.2 /10

Pricing: Free plan, paid from $9.99/mo

Pros

Free Copilot app runs GPT-5 on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android
Paid Microsoft 365 plans put Copilot inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Bundles Office apps and 1 TB+ storage with the AI features
Microsoft 365 Family covers up to 6 people (AI for the owner only)

Cons

Consumer terms say you can only use Copilot for your own personal use
Usage levels are described vaguely ("higher", "extensive") rather than as numbers
Agentic features are limited below the $99.99 Pro tier
No transparent model choice in the consumer app

Visit Microsoft Copilot ↗

Perplexity

Answer engine that cites sources, with a choice of GPT, Claude, Gemini and Grok

8.1 /10

Pricing: Freemium

Pros

Every answer links to its sources, which speeds up fact-checking
Pro lets you switch between GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok and Perplexity's Sonar
Short Veo video clips on Pro and Max
Separate Sonar API for building research into your own tools

Cons

Research-first: long-form drafting is weaker than in dedicated writing apps
Video credits are small (5 per month on Pro, 15 on Max)
Top models (GPT-5.6 Sol, Claude Opus 5) need the $200 Max plan
Vendor pricing pages could not be read for this check

Visit Perplexity ↗

Microsoft Copilot vs Perplexity at a glance

	Microsoft Copilot	Perplexity
Editor score	7.2 / 10	8.1 / 10
Pricing model	Freemium	Freemium
Starting price	$9.99/mo	Free
Reader upvotes	0	0
Best for	chatbot, microsoft, office	research, search, citations
Model choice	No	Yes
Commercial use	No	No
No watermark (free)	No	No
API	No	Yes
Official MCP server	No	No
MCP client	No	No
Agent Skills	No	No
Brand kit	No	No
Teams	No	Yes
Content Credentials	Yes	No
Mobile app	Yes	Yes
20+ languages	No	No
Makes	Emails & newsletters, Blog posts & articles, Presentations & docs, Images & illustrations	Blog posts & articles, SEO content, Images & illustrations, Short-form video
AI models inside	1	6

Our pick

Perplexity edges it with a score of 8.1 versus 7.2. Perplexity is the better fit if you value: every answer links to its sources, which speeds up fact-checking, pro lets you switch between gpt, claude, gemini, grok and perplexity's sonar. Choose Microsoft Copilot instead if you need: free copilot app runs gpt-5 on windows, mac, ios and android, paid microsoft 365 plans put copilot inside word, excel, powerpoint and outlook.