Ever since Microsoft included a complimentary AI-driven chatbot in Bing search, Edge browser, and Windows 11, it was only a question of time before we’ll see the pricing for incorporating this feature into the widely used Office suite. Finally, the details are available: $20 per month per user or $30 per month for business licenses.
Microsoft has introduced Copilot Pro, a subscription model with various advantages that seamlessly integrates with the company’s Office software. The Pro version of Copilot provides users with prioritized access to GPT-4 Turbo, even during peak hours, and enhances image generation using the Designer app (formerly Bing Image Creator). Additionally, subscribers will get the ability to create customized GPTs for specific purposes such as fitness, finance, etc.
One of Copilot Pro’s main features lies in integration with Office 365, unlocking various capabilities in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote. The possibilities are extensive, including email summarization, creating presentations from scratch, referencing existing files for new document creation, and composing emails based on prompts.
Microsoft has removed the previous limit on corporate accounts, making Copilot Pro available to small and midsize businesses without the earlier requirement of a minimum of 300 users. The pricing for corporate accounts is set at $30 per user monthly for 1 to 299 users. Additionally, businesses purchasing Copilot Pro for their users can grant access to internal documents, thus not being limited to only web-based content.
The $20 monthly fee might be too steep for average Windows users, as Microsoft acknowledges that Copilot Pro is targeted at power users, particularly those deeply engaged in AI image creation. These users require access to the advanced Turbo model, which is not available in the free version, especially during peak usage times.
This change marks Copilot’s monetization phase, representing a shift in the AI chatbot world that was just recently offered for free. Microsoft’s move to introduce a paid version raises questions about consumer willingness to pay for a previously free service. On the other hand, connecting Copilot Pro to Office Suite makes it very useful for enterprise customers.