Gemini vs Microsoft Copilot in 2026

Google launched Gemini 4 Argon in the app for AI Pro and Ultra (October 13, 2026) and added a $4.99 AI Plus plan; Microsoft folded consumer Copilot into Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Premium and a new $99.99 Pro plan.

Updated Oct 26, 2026 · 5 sources checked

The short answer

Pick the one that matches your office apps.

Pick Gemini for people who live in Google's apps (Gmail, Docs, Android, Search)

Pick Microsoft Copilot for people who work in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

At a glance

	Gemini	Microsoft Copilot
Made by	Google	Microsoft
Starts at	$4.99/moFree plan	$9.99/moFree plan
All plans	Free + Google AI Plus $4.99/mo + AI Pro $19.99/mo + AI Ultra from $99.99/mo	Free (limited) + Microsoft 365 Personal $9.99/mo, Family $12.99/mo, Premium $19.99/mo, Pro $99.99/mo; Microsoft 365 Copilot Business add-on $21/user/mo billed yearly
Best for	People who live in Google's apps (Gmail, Docs, Android, Search)	People who work in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

How they score

GeminiMicrosoft Copilot

Coding

7.5

Writing

8.5

Reasoning

9.5

Speed

Context Window

9.5

Privacy

7.5

Scores out of 10: our judgment from hands-on use and each vendor's published limits.

Gemini

by Google

Google's AI assistant, built into Search, Android, Gmail and Docs. Gemini 4 Argon, Google's top model, reached the Gemini app for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers on October 13, 2026.

Good

AI Pro ($19.99/mo) bundles Gemini 4 Argon, 5 TB storage and YouTube Premium Lite
1M-token context window on AI Pro
Free plan includes image generation, Deep Research and Gemini Live
Built into Gmail, Docs, Android and AI Mode in Google Search
AI Plus at $4.99/mo is the cheapest paid tier among the big assistants

Watch out

Free plan runs Flash-Lite, Google's smallest model
Gemini 4 Argon needs AI Pro or Ultra
Gemini in Docs needs AI Pro
Most useful if you already use Google's apps

Visit Gemini ↗

Microsoft Copilot

by Microsoft

Microsoft's AI assistant in Windows, Edge and the Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). For individuals, paid Copilot now comes inside Microsoft 365 plans; Microsoft says it uses AI models it selects.

Good

Copilot is included in Microsoft 365 Personal at $9.99/mo, with 1 TB storage and the Office apps
Works inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams
Premium adds agentic features such as advanced research
Business plans list the latest OpenAI models and model choice

Watch out

The free tier is limited and depends on available capacity
Microsoft does not name the model the consumer app uses
In Family and Premium plans, only the subscription owner gets the AI features
Less useful outside the Microsoft ecosystem

Visit Microsoft Copilot ↗

Our verdict

Pick the one that matches your office apps. Choose Gemini if you use Gmail, Docs and Android; AI Pro at $19.99/mo includes Gemini 4 Argon and 5 TB of storage. Choose Microsoft Copilot if you use Word, Excel and Outlook; Microsoft 365 Personal at $9.99/mo is the cheapest way to get Copilot inside the Office apps.

Questions people ask

Which is better for office work?

Copilot if your files live in Word, Excel and Outlook; Gemini if they live in Gmail and Google Docs. Each works best inside its own suite.

Which is cheaper?

Gemini AI Plus is $4.99/mo; Microsoft 365 Personal with Copilot is $9.99/mo and includes the Office apps and 1 TB storage. At about $20, Google AI Pro is $19.99/mo and Microsoft 365 Premium is $19.99/mo.

Is Microsoft Copilot the same as GitHub Copilot?

No. Microsoft Copilot is the general assistant in Windows and Microsoft 365. GitHub Copilot is a separate coding tool with its own plans.

Which has a better free tier?

Gemini's free plan includes image generation, Deep Research and Gemini Live. Microsoft says its free Copilot is limited and depends on available capacity.

Sources (5), checked Oct 26, 2026