The Best Microsoft Copilot Alternatives + How To Choose One

Microsoft Copilot is a popular AI tool, especially for those using Microsoft 365 applications like Word and Excel. It automates tasks, offers suggestions, and aims to simplify your work life. But that promise isn't always fulfilled.

Seemingly, it doesn't always remember past interactions, struggles a bit with coding, and sometimes the language it uses can feel a bit stiff and mechanical. Solving for these limitations is one reason someone may start looking for alternatives.

A good alternative should connect easily with a wide range of applications, not just those from Microsoft (another downside of Copilot).

Finding the right AI tool can make a huge difference in your productivity. Let's talk about what you should focus on when finding a good alternative to Microsoft Copilot.

What to Look for in Microsoft Copilot Alternatives

While Microsoft Copilot is a solid choice, certain limitations might impact your workflow. For instance, it struggles with remembering previous interactions and isn’t particularly adept at generating code. Furthermore, its outputs can often come across as overly mechanical, lacking warmth and personality. Microsoft Copilot's coding abilities are also inconsistent, as the quality of its output often depends on how accurately the user can prompt it.

When considering alternatives, it’s beneficial to seek AI tools that offer:

• Integration Versatility: Look for tools that can seamlessly link with a wider array of applications beyond just Microsoft 365.
• Coding Proficiency: Opt for solutions that support or enhance your ability to generate and work with code.
• Natural Language Output: Choose AI tools that produce responses with conversational tone and style, providing text outputs that resonate more personally with users.

By prioritizing these features, you can find an AI alternative that not only matches but exceeds the capabilities of Microsoft Copilot, enhancing your productivity and collaboration effectively.

Understanding Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant designed to enhance productivity within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It seamlessly integrates with popular applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, as well as Bing and Windows OS. This AI copilot assists users by providing suggestions, automating repetitive tasks, and offering quick solutions to queries.

One of the standout features of Microsoft Copilot is its ability to gather information from the internet, delivering fast and accurate results when asked specific questions. Additionally, the Notebook function bridges the gap between AI and everyday tasks, making it a versatile tool for various needs. Whether you’re drafting an email, analyzing data in Excel, or preparing a presentation, Microsoft Copilot aims to streamline your workflow and boost efficiency.

What to Consider in a Microsoft Copilot Alternative

When exploring alternatives to Microsoft Copilot, it’s essential to identify AI tools that address and surpass its limitations and understand how each AI tool stands out in the realm of IT workflow automation:

1. Long-Term Conversational Memory: A superior AI should remember context from past interactions, offering relevant insights based on previous chats to streamline your workflow.
2. Humanized Responses: Traditional AI tools often produce monotone, repetitive responses. Look for alternatives capable of generating content that feels more organic and engaging, reducing the need for post-editing to “humanize” text.
3. Personalization: Although it might sound unusual, an ideal AI assistant should grasp your personal writing style and vocabulary. It should deliver content that resonates with your voice to avoid coming off as stilted or generic.
4. Data Privacy: While Microsoft offers data protection for business users via Microsoft Entra ID, this does not extend to all individual users. Choose AI tools that prioritize and guarantee comprehensive privacy and data protection for everyone.
5. Coding Competency: Microsoft Copilot’s coding suggestions can be inconsistent. An ideal alternative should provide more reliable coding support, minimizing bugs and enhancing the coding experience through accurate prompts and solutions.

Explore These Microsoft Copilot Alternatives

Considering these factors will guide you towards selecting AI tools that can better suit your needs, offering enhanced memory, personalization, and data protection. A niche AI tool like Wipro Holmes excels in automating IT business processes, predicting and preventing issues, making it an effective solution tailored for businesses focused on IT automation. Here’s a list of 10 compelling alternatives to Microsoft Copilot that can transform your AI experience.

By evaluating these options, you’ll be in a better position to harness an AI assistant that substantially improves upon the limitations you’ve faced and significantly boosts your productivity.

AI Tools Comparison

When evaluating AI tools, it’s crucial to consider their capabilities, limitations, and unique features. Microsoft Copilot, for instance, operates behind a paywall, which can be a significant drawback for some users. In contrast, alternatives like ChatGPT and Gemini offer more user-friendly interfaces and the ability to crawl the internet for up-to-date information.

However, these alternatives come with their own set of limitations. For example, while ChatGPT excels in generating human-like responses, it may fall short in coding abilities and data analysis. Similarly, Gemini might offer excellent conversational capabilities but lack the depth needed for complex tasks. Therefore, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each AI tool to determine which one aligns best with your specific needs.

Our Top 5 Microsoft Copilot Alternatives

1. ClickUp (Best for AI Content Creation and Project Management)

Overview:

ClickUp is an all-in-one platform that excels in content creation and project management, integrating several functionalities into a single intuitive hub. It is particularly effective for SEO blog post writing, offering tools designed to create content optimized for search engines. With the added power of ClickUp Brain, this tool provides smart, customized support for teams of any size—even individual users. Its capabilities range from automating repetitive tasks to delivering intelligent, human-like responses, making it an excellent choice for managing and creating content seamlessly. Additionally, ClickUp supports SEO-focused AI writing, which emphasizes the effectiveness of tools like Writesonic in crafting SEO-optimized content.

Key Features:

• Content and Task Management: ClickUp Brain assists in generating content, providing idea prompts, and organizing tasks efficiently. It’s great for creating article outlines and writing sessions.
• Collaboration Tools: Engage with your team through ClickUp Chat for real-time communication, updates, and file sharing.
• Customizable Templates: Use the ClickUp Brainstorming Template to foster creativity and enhance collaborative brainstorming efforts. It supports List, Timeline, Department, By Stages, and Priorities Views.
• Project Visualization: With ClickUp Views, track project timelines, dependencies, and priorities visually.
• Task Breakdown: Utilize AI-generated subtasks for dividing complex tasks into actionable steps.
• Data Management: Customize fields for specific project data, perform meticulous calculations, and maintain documentation integrity using ClickUp Proofing and Time Estimates.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Edit and collaborate on documents in real-time with ClickUp Docs.
• Pre-Built Templates: Streamline processes with templates for different project types, from construction to client management.
• Mobile Access and Integrations: Manage projects on-the-go via the mobile app and connect seamlessly with other tools to enhance workflows.

Limitations:

• Full access to ClickUp Brain features requires a paid plan.

Pricing:

• Free Plan
• Unlimited: $7/month per user
• Business: $12/month per user
• Enterprise: Pricing upon request
• ClickUp Brain: Available on all paid plans for an additional $7 per member per month

Ratings and Reviews:

• G2: 4.7/5 (6,700+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (3,600+ reviews)

By leveraging ClickUp, you gain a comprehensive toolkit that not only meets your content creation and project needs but also enhances overall productivity and collaboration.

2. IBM Watson Studio (Best Multi-Language AI Tool for Developers)

Overview:

IBM Watson Studio is an outstanding choice for developers seeking a versatile AI tool to manage AI models. It brings together open-source tools such as PyTorch and TensorFlow with IBM’s proprietary visual data science tools like Jupyter notebooks, R, and Scala. This amalgamation makes it an ideal platform for building, deploying, and managing AI models.

Key Features:

• Collaboration: Manage the entire AI lifecycle, from building to deployment and monitoring—all in one platform.
• Integration Flexibility: Work with your favorite frameworks, including PyTorch, TensorFlow, and scikit-learn, using languages like Python, R, or Scala.
• Automation: Automate model building, which saves time and simplifies the learning curve for beginners in AI.
• Data Management: Watson’s visual editor allows for easy data cleaning and shaping.
• Visual Development: Utilize IBM SPSS Modeler for creating models visually, making AI approachable for everyone.
• Performance Tracking: Monitor and enhance model performance and fairness after deployment.

Limitations:

• Costs fluctuate based on usage, given its cloud-based nature.
• Beginners may still face challenges despite the platform’s automation features.
• Integration with open-source frameworks might lock you into the IBM Cloud ecosystem.

Pricing:

• Free
• Professional: Approximately $1.02 USD/Capacity Unit-Hour

Ratings and Reviews:

• G2: 4.2/5 (162 reviews)
• Capterra: Not enough reviews

3. ChatGPT (Best for Human-Like Responses)

Even though ChatGPT doesn't seem to think it's the best alternative—we think it's worth a look

Overview:

ChatGPT, particularly versions GPT-4 and 4o, has become a popular AI tool for creating natural, human-like interactions. This AI can perform various tasks in one interface—such as writing, analyzing data, and even coding—making it a versatile companion for many creative and technical needs.

Key Features:

• Versatility: Capable of handling diverse tasks, from answering queries to generating creative text formats.
• Conversational Memory: Unlike Microsoft Copilot, it can remember past interactions and generate outputs based on this context.
• Plugin Access: Hundreds of user-submitted plugins in the GPT store enhance its functionality, removing the need for extensive prompt crafting.

Limitations:

• Accuracy Issues: Can sometimes produce incorrect or misleading information due to limitations in real-world understanding.
• Bias: The model may reflect biases present in its training data, which can lead to unfair outputs.
• Common Sense Challenges: The free version struggles with tasks that require practical, real-world logic compared to GPT Plus.

Pricing:

• Free
• Plus: $20/month
• Team: $25/month

Ratings and Reviews:

• G2: 4.7/5 (554 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.6/5 (50 reviews)

4. Claude (Best for Content Teams)

Overview:

Claude AI offers a well-rounded alternative for content creation needs. As an artificial intelligence writing assistant, it excels in writing, summarizing, and coding tasks, delivering robust capabilities similar to ChatGPT, but with its distinct advantages, such as long conversational memory.

Key Features:

• Free Access: Claude-2, its advanced model, is available for free, enabling complex prompt handling.
• Token Capacity: Offers 100,000 tokens, ideal for working with more complex and lengthy prompts.
• Efficient Summarization: Converts lengthy text into concise summaries with ease.

Limitations:

• Internet Access: Currently lacks real-time web access, restricting its ability to provide the latest information.
• Feature Set: Missing features like image creation, data analysis, and web browsing.
• Accuracy Needs: Similar to other large language models, the text may need fact-checking for precision.

Pricing:

• Free
• Pro: $20/month
• Team: $25/month

Ratings and Reviews:

• G2: 4.7/5 (22 reviews)
• Capterra: Not enough reviews

5. Tabnine (Best AI Assistant for Developers)

Overview:

Tabnine is an AI-powered coding assistant that streamlines the coding process by suggesting subsequent lines of code, effectively acting as a coding companion. It supports virtually any programming language or code editor, making it an invaluable tool for developers.

Key Features:

• Efficient Code Generation: Automates the writing of repetitive code, improving coding speed.
• AI-Powered Chat: Provides continuous support throughout your development journey.
• Tailored Suggestions: Code suggestions are customized to match your style and project context.
• IP Protection: Ensures your intellectual property remains secure with carefully curated training data.

Limitations:

• Suggestion quality may vary depending on code complexity and data availability.
• Over-reliance on AI tools can potentially impede problem-solving skills.

Pricing:

• Free
• Pro: $12/user/month (Free for 90 days)
• Enterprise: $39/user/month

Ratings and Reviews:

• G2: 4.2/5 (40 reviews)
• Capterra: Not enough reviews

These tools provide robust alternatives to Microsoft Copilot, each offering unique benefits and tailored functions for developers seeking more flexibility and integration in AI assistance.

Other Alternatives we Like

Simplified (Best for Content Templates)

Overview:

Simplified is an excellent alternative for marketing teams seeking a versatile AI assistant. It offers a vast array of templates tailored for writing, imaging, designing, editing, and video creation, providing a comprehensive solution for diverse creative needs.

Key Features:

• All-in-One Creative Platform: Handle various tasks, from AI writing to video editing, within one intuitive interface.
• Team Collaboration: Save time with real-time feedback and editing, facilitating teamwork.
• Consistent Branding: Utilize a rich collection of design, video, and copywriting templates to maintain brand uniformity.

Limitations:

• Output Quality: The AI writing assistant might require human intervention for refinement.
• Tool Depth: The broad toolset might lack the depth that specialized AI solutions offer.

Pricing:

• Pro: $9/month
• Simplified: $24/month

Ratings and Reviews:

• G2: 4.6/5 (4.5K reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (256 reviews)

Writesonic (Best for SEO Writing)

Overview:

Writesonic is highly regarded for its SEO-centric writing capabilities, making it a top choice for crafting SEO blog posts and other content formats. It's appreciated for its human-like writing style, providing a more natural reading experience.

Key Features:

• Content Templates: Access a wide range of templates tailored for different content types, enabling customized output with minimal effort.
• Brand Voice Alignment: Enhance content cohesion by aligning it with your brand voice through sample uploads.
• Originality Assurance: Built-in plagiarism checker ensures content originality (although it's advisable to perform additional checks).
• Workflow Integration: Integrates with platforms like Zapier and WordPress to streamline processes.
• Chatsonic: Engage with an advanced Chatbot for generating creative responses and exploring trending topics.

Limitations:

• Feature Navigation: The extensive features can initially be overwhelming to navigate.
• Performance Variation: As a cloud-hosted tool, performance can occasionally fluctuate (though not a frequent issue).

Pricing:

• Free
• Chatsonic: $12
• Individual: $16
• Standard: $79

Ratings and Reviews:

• G2: 4.7/5 (1.9K reviews)
• Capterra: 4.8/5 (2K+ reviews)

These tools cater to specific needs with unique capabilities, providing excellent alternatives to Microsoft Copilot. Whether you're focused on content creation or SEO optimization, Simplified and Writesonic offer advanced features to enhance your output and streamline your workflow.

GitHub Copilot (Best for Software Teams)

Overview:

For developers, GitHub Copilot is a game-changer, enhancing productivity by suggesting code snippets in real-time as you write. It acts as an intelligent coding partner, assisting with repetitive tasks, offering improvements, and introducing new coding patterns.

Key Features:

• Time-Saving Snippets: Accelerate coding with relevant suggestions customized to your current context.
• Versatile Language Support: Works across multiple programming languages and frameworks.
• Innovative Patterns: Discover new solutions and coding patterns through smart suggestions.

Limitations:

• Output Quality: The relevance and quality of suggestions can vary.
• Learning Curve: It may take time to effectively incorporate AI suggestions into coding workflows.

Pricing:

• Free
• Team: $4/month
• Enterprise: $21/month

Ratings and Reviews:

• G2: 4.5/5 (138 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (21 reviews)

Evaluating Microsoft Copilot Alternatives

When evaluating Microsoft Copilot alternatives, consider the following factors:

1. Coding Abilities: Look for AI tools that can suggest lines of code or even entire functions as you type, based on the context of your code and the programming language you’re using.
2. Data Analysis: Consider AI tools that can perform data analysis, provide insights, and visualize data effectively.
3. Personalization: Choose AI tools that understand your unique style and preferences, offering humanized responses and tailored experiences.
4. Data Privacy: Ensure that the AI tool you choose has a robust data protection policy, end-to-end encryption, and stores chat history locally on your computer.
5. Customization: Opt for AI tools that allow you to create custom commands, change the assistant’s name, and support multiple languages.
6. Integration: Consider AI tools that can work seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps, third-party software, and websites.
7. Pricing: Evaluate the pricing plans of each AI tool, considering the features and limitations offered.

By considering these factors, you can find the best Microsoft Copilot alternative that meets your specific needs and enhances your productivity.

Don’t Just Use AI, Master It

However, with the plethora of AI tools available, it's crucial to first identify your needs clearly. For example, I discovered that Microsoft Copilot wasn't the best fit for all my tasks due to its limitations outside the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

I needed an AI assistant that could assist me in content creation, facilitate team collaboration, and efficiently manage my daily tasks. After experimenting with several AI tools, including Microsoft Copilot, I landed on ClickUp as my ideal solution.

With ClickUp Brain, I'm just a few prompts away from generating ideas and collaborating with my team. You can try ClickUp for free and see if it’s the right tool for you!