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Is Microsoft Copilot free?
Short answer
Yes. Microsoft offers a free version of Copilot for chat, writing help, web answers and image creation, with usage limits. Copilot inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook needs a paid Microsoft 365 plan. Microsoft's UK pricing page listed Microsoft 365 Personal at £8.49 and Family at £10.49 when we checked; business plans cost more.
The three versions
| Version | Cost (UK) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Copilot (free) | £0 | AI chat, writing help, web answers, images, Copilot in Edge. Usage limits; sign in for history and more features |
| Copilot in Microsoft 365 Personal or Family | Personal £8.49, Family £10.49 (as listed on Microsoft's UK page) | Copilot in the Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook desktop apps for the subscription owner, higher usage than free, 1 TB storage (Personal) |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot for business | From £13.80 per user a month paid yearly, excl. VAT, shown as an offer (normally from £16.10); checked 17 October 2026 | Copilot with your work files, enterprise data protection and admin controls |
Microsoft's page shows the headline price without always stating the billing period next to it, so check whether it's monthly or yearly at checkout. Microsoft offers a one-month trial of Personal, Family and Premium, depending on the offer.
Which one for a small business?
- Trying AI for the first time: the free Copilot app or website is enough.
- Sole trader who lives in Word and Outlook: Personal gives you Copilot in the desktop apps. On Family, Copilot features are for the subscription owner only.
- Staff handling customer data: a business plan gives enterprise data protection; consumer plans don't. See our Microsoft 365 Copilot page.
Copilot or ChatGPT?
If your business already runs on Microsoft 365, Copilot works where your files are. ChatGPT is often stronger as a general writing assistant. Compare them in ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot.
Related questions
Is Copilot free on Windows 11?
The free Copilot app is available on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android. Features vary by region and device.
Can my family share my Copilot?
Microsoft 365 Family apps and storage can be shared with up to five people, but Copilot features in the apps are for the subscription owner only.
Sources
- Microsoft: Copilot plans for individuals (UK)
- Microsoft Support: Copilot (free) vs Copilot in Microsoft 365
- Microsoft 365 Copilot business pricing (UK)
Checked 17 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the source before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
More on ai costs and free plans
- Are AI tools free?
- Can ChatGPT Plus make videos?
- Can I claim ChatGPT as a business expense in the UK?
- Can more than one person use ChatGPT Plus?
- Does ChatGPT Plus have usage limits?
- Does Claude have a free trial or a family plan?
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