Copilot Pro vs Gemini Advanced: What sets them apart?

The AI digital assistant market has become increasingly competitive in recent times. Following OpenAI, several major players in the digital landscape have developed their proprietary AI-based solutions. Among them, tech giants Microsoft and Google, responsible for Copilot and Gemini (previously known as Google Bard), stand out. A competition between the two was inevitable. In this article, we aim to shed light on the matter by examining the similarities, differences, and unique features of these two AI productivity tools to determine which one best fits your business needs.

Copilot Pro vs Gemini Advanced: an introduction

Finding an AI to write a formal yet tedious email or craft a piece of art for a birthday card is not a challenging task. However, when it comes to workplace scenarios, where the goal is to use an AI integrated into existing productivity tools without constantly switching between apps, only two key competitors come to mind: Google’s Gemini Advanced and Microsoft’s Copilot Pro.

Both AI platforms are embedded within their respective companies' productivity applications, ranging from email to writing programs. The comparison between Gemini Advanced and Copilot Pro begins with a list of similarities.

Both can assist in drafting an email or a business letter using programs you might already work with, like Word in Microsoft 365 or Docs in Google Workspace. Interestingly, both solutions are offered at the same price, approximately $20 per month.

However, the two AI platforms differ significantly in terms of capabilities. For businesses considering adopting one of these tools from the tech giants, a detailed evaluation of both services is crucial.

In the following sections, we will compare Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini in terms of features, pricing, performance, and integration with their respective ecosystems. Let’s find out which of the two deserves a spot in your company’s budget.

What are Copilot and Gemini

AI has exploded in recent years and has become a common topic of conversation everywhere. However, many may only be familiar with ChatGPT and have no idea about the complexity of today’s Gen AI landscape—let alone its competitors.

Before diving into the actual comparison between Copilot Pro and Gemini Advanced, let’s take a moment to get better acquainted with the two contenders in this technological showdown. This will give us a more complete picture of the situation while also catching up those who might have missed a step along the way.

Before delving into the specifics of each platform, let’s establish some common ground. AI chatbots are powered by a subfield of AI called Natural Language Processing (NLP). NLP enables machines to understand, interpret, and generate human language. Chatbots use NLP models trained on vast datasets of text and code to communicate and respond effectively to user commands.

Here’s an overview of the key features that support the effectiveness of a chatbot:

• Natural Language Understanding (NLU): The ability to process and comprehend the intent and meaning of a user’s request. This includes tasks such as entity recognition (identifying key elements like names, places, and dates), sentiment analysis (understanding the emotional tone of the request), and intent classification (determining the user’s goal).
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• Dialogue Management: Tracks the flow of conversation, remembers previous interactions, and personalizes responses accordingly. This ensures a consistent and relevant dialogue that builds on past interactions.
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• Natural Language Generation (NLG): Produces human-like, relevant, and informative textual responses. This involves tasks such as sentence planning, word choice, and maintaining fluency to ensure the generated text feels natural.

Gemini

Gemini for Google Workspace is an AI assistant designed for businesses, integrated into Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and more. This tool enhances productivity by assisting employees with tasks such as drafting emails for clients, creating project plans, and writing job postings.

The AI assistant in Google Workspace supports five main use cases:

• Help me write.
• Help me organize.
• Create an image.
• Help me connect.
• Help me create an app.

These features boost productivity across Google services such as Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Slides, Meet, and AppSheet. They assist employees in writing content, creating project trackers, generating AI images, improving video and audio quality during meetings, and building applications without coding.

Gemini can accelerate projects and reduce time spent on daily tasks. However, its capabilities are currently less advanced than Microsoft 365 Copilot, serving more as a tool to organize and optimize existing workflows in Google Workspace.

To use the tool within an organization, a Google Workspace plan is required. The assistant is now available for businesses of all sizes, with an option to try it at no additional cost.

Two plans for Gemini for Google Workspace are available: Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise. Gemini Advanced, the paid chatbot option from Google, is powered by the advanced language model Gemini Ultra 1.0 (LLM), the brand's most powerful model to date. Alongside this, Google promotes the paid tier Google One AI Premium for consumers, offering various benefits. Gemini Advanced is also available for individual users' personal accounts, but not for business accounts or in certain countries.

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft has been in a strategic partnership with ChatGPT’s parent company, OpenAI, from 2021 until the summer of 2024. This collaboration allowed Microsoft to deeply integrate GPT LLM models into many of its products, including the Edge browser, the Designer app, and Microsoft 365 productivity programs.

The first version of Microsoft's GPT-based chatbot was called Bing Chat, but it was later rebranded as Copilot, a name now used across Microsoft's AI product line.

The paid version for businesses and enterprises, Copilot for Microsoft 365, is available to organizations using Microsoft 365 and choosing to purchase the upgrade.

The AI assistant integrates with Microsoft 365 apps, including Teams, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Meet, and others, helping employees streamline work tasks like summarizing research or staying focused during meetings.

Copilot can also search and compile data from all Microsoft 365 documents, emails, calendars, presentations, contacts, and more. It analyzes user behavior within Microsoft apps, providing suggestions and shortcuts to enhance productivity.

Microsoft’s AI assistant offers organizations complete context across apps and services within their Microsoft 365 tenants. With recent updates and expansions, Copilot now includes agents specifically trained and developed for business sectors such as finance, marketing, and customer service, available as part of separate plans.

Eligibility:

• Business customers must have a Microsoft 365 E3, Microsoft 365 E5, Office 365 E3, or Office 365 E5 license.
• Small business customers need Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium or a version of these suites without Microsoft Teams.
• Educational customers require a Microsoft 365 A3 or A5 license for teaching staff.
• Consumers are currently not eligible to purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 offers two plans: one for small businesses and one for enterprises. It is also included in other Microsoft Copilot plans, such as Copilot for Sales and Copilot for Service.

Microsoft Copilot Pro leverages GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo LLM models, providing users with priority access and faster performance during peak traffic. In addition to exclusive GPT-4 connectivity, Copilot Pro users benefit from enhanced AI-powered productivity and creativity features across Microsoft applications.

Copilot Pro vs Gemini Advanced: pricing and availability

Gemini Advanced and Microsoft Copilot Pro are currently available at competitive prices. Both services can be subscribed to for $20 per month, granting access to a similar suite of productivity tools and services.

Google is currently offering a promotion with a two-month free trial for web and mobile users, though it is unclear how long this offer will last. Microsoft, on the other hand, provides a one-month free trial of Copilot Pro for those who install the Copilot mobile app on iOS or Android devices.

Additionally, Copilot Pro is available at a higher tier for $30 per month. This subscription includes administrator-level features not offered by Gemini Advanced.

Signing up for either service is straightforward. Just as a Google account and email are required to register for any Gemini service, whether free or paid, a Microsoft email is necessary to sign up for Copilot Pro. If you don’t have a Google or Microsoft email, creating one is free of charge.

Copilot Pro vs Gemini Advanced: a comparison

Gemini Advanced is designed to maximize the capabilities of Google’s infrastructure, combining advanced search and natural language processing (NLP) technologies to tackle complex queries and provide detailed insights.

Among the technical features that set Gemini Advanced apart is its use of highly trained large language models (LLMs) from Google, capable of extracting and synthesizing information from a wide range of sources. These models generate responses tailored to intricate and detailed questions.

Gemini’s ability to analyze and structure various types of content makes it ideal for advanced research, facilitating analytical work and saving significant time for professionals dealing with complex datasets or textual information. The system also leverages advanced indexing and semantic processing technologies, making it easier to search for related content and deliver accurate answers in complex scenarios like industry analysis and academic research.

Copilot Pro, on the other hand, is deeply integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem, offering direct access to tools like Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook. This integration enables Copilot Pro not only to answer complex questions but also to actively assist within workflows across Microsoft documents and applications.

From a technical standpoint, Copilot Pro utilizes the Microsoft Graph platform to access real-time organizational data. This feature enables the generation of detailed reports, analyses, summaries, and even contextual suggestions based on team priorities and current contexts. Its dynamic connection to business data allows it to adapt quickly to changes, continuously updating information without disrupting workflows.

Microsoft designed Copilot Pro with a “complete integration” philosophy: rather than merely responding to requests, it can handle complex processes such as automating writing tasks, analyzing data in Excel, creating dynamic presentations in PowerPoint, and drafting structured emails in Outlook. This deep level of access and connectivity positions Copilot Pro as a “work companion” rather than a traditional assistant, making it highly valuable for teams looking to optimize collaborative processes and multi-layered projects.

Moreover, while both tools emphasize security, Microsoft provides a suite of guarantees and compliance controls tailored for large-scale enterprise adoption. These include rigorous security standards and data management systems that safeguard corporate confidentiality and adherence to international regulations. Copilot Pro was specifically developed with a focus on privacy, offering advanced administrative controls and security configurations to meet organizational needs.

In summary, the scenarios where Copilot Pro excels over Gemini Advanced include:

Integrated business environments and daily productivity

‍With its deep integration into Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook), Copilot Pro is a powerful tool for those working within the Microsoft ecosystem. It is particularly beneficial for teams requiring seamless collaboration, communication management, and project organization. Real-time access to business data via Microsoft Graph enables users to generate dynamic reports, update documents, and create data-driven presentations, facilitating collaborative work.

Automation of administrative and operational tasks

‍Copilot Pro is designed to handle repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as drafting emails, scheduling meetings, and monitoring project activities. By automating these operations, it reduces the manual workload for users and enhances overall team and individual efficiency.

Proactive support in decision-making processes

‍Copilot Pro offers contextual and proactive suggestions during the use of Microsoft tools, helping users optimize decisions, actions, and daily priorities. This ability to provide insights during workflows makes it ideal for managers and leaders who need to make data-driven decisions quickly and benefit from an assistant capable of adapting to project contexts.

Security and compliance for large organizations

‍Data protection and compliance are priorities for large enterprises, and Copilot Pro offers advanced control levels for managing security and permissions, ensuring data confidentiality and adherence to regulations. This feature is critical for companies in regulated industries, such as finance and healthcare, where compliance with security standards is essential.

Conversely, the scenarios where Gemini Advanced excels over Copilot Pro include:

Advanced research and complex data analysis

‍Gemini Advanced is particularly suited for professionals in environments requiring the processing of large volumes of textual information, such as researchers and scholars. Its ability to analyze complex content and provide detailed responses makes it ideal for extracting correlations and delivering deep semantic insights.

Synthesis and generation of complex content

‍Gemini Advanced’s natural language processing capabilities are designed to deliver in-depth and detailed responses, making it invaluable in contexts like drafting complex documents, industry reports, and academic research. This makes Gemini a powerful tool for those needing assistance in writing intricate content or generating articulated texts.

Access and multi-source analysis

‍Gemini’s semantic processing technology enables it to combine and synthesize information from multiple sources, offering a comprehensive perspective on specific topics. This makes Gemini particularly useful for analyses and research requiring the consultation and comparison of various sources or creating an in-depth context on a particular theme.

Scientific and academic research sectors

‍For researchers and academics, Gemini Advanced proves to be a valuable tool for exploring high-complexity topics and answering intricate questions that require a deep understanding of context. Gemini’s ability to comprehend complex queries and provide informed responses makes it an ideal tool for scientific research, where accuracy and quality of answers are paramount.

Conclusions

So, we arrive at the age-old question: is Copilot better, or is Gemini?

As always, the answer is more complex than it may seem and can only be distilled into the oversimplified: “it depends.”

But what exactly does it depend on in this case? Simply on the context of use. In this particular scenario—namely, the business domain—Copilot continues to hold a significant edge over its current competitors, including Gemini Advanced.

While Gemini Advanced is an impressive technology, its strengths are not yet fully aligned with the needs of the business world. This makes it more suitable for non-business contexts where full integration with the wide array of tools that today’s professionals rely on is not required.

In contrast, the philosophy behind Copilot makes it infinitely more useful than Google’s AI in office work settings. Its integration with Microsoft’s widely adopted productivity software makes it an almost obvious choice for companies that have already invested in Microsoft products and use them in their daily operations. Microsoft’s commitment to expanding the capabilities of its AI-powered digital assistant will only further solidify its position in the business world.

Could there be significant shifts in the future? Nothing is certain, but for now, if you are looking for a solid, efficient AI solution for your organization—one that is operational, functional right out of the box, and easily integrates with your existing digital infrastructure—Copilot remains the safest choice.

FAQ on Copilot Pro vs Gemini Advanced

What are the differences between Copilot Pro and Gemini Advanced?

‍Both are AI assistants integrated into productivity suites: Copilot Pro in Microsoft 365 and Gemini Advanced in Google Workspace. They offer similar functionalities, such as assistance with emails and documents, but differ in specific capabilities and their integration within the Microsoft and Google ecosystems.

What is the cost of Copilot Pro and Gemini Advanced?

‍Both services are priced at approximately $20 per month.

Which applications do Copilot Pro and Gemini Advanced support?

‍Copilot Pro integrates with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook within Microsoft 365. Gemini Advanced integrates with Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and other Google Workspace applications.

Which assistant, between Copilot and Gemini, is better for my business?

‍The choice depends on your company's specific needs and the ecosystem already in use. If you primarily use Microsoft tools, Copilot Pro might be more suitable. If your company leans toward Google applications, Gemini Advanced could be the better option.

Can I use both Copilot Pro and Gemini Advanced simultaneously?

‍Yes, you can use both AI assistants, but their effectiveness will depend on how well they integrate with your company's tools.

What are the unique features of Copilot Pro?

‍Copilot Pro provides deep integration with Microsoft 365 applications, assisting in document creation, data analysis, and communication management to enhance productivity within the Microsoft ecosystem.

What are the unique features of Gemini Advanced?

‍Gemini Advanced is designed to work with Google Workspace applications, offering assistance with email drafting, document creation, and spreadsheet management, optimizing workflows within the Google ecosystem.

How do Copilot Pro and Gemini Advanced impact business productivity?

‍Both AI assistants aim to improve productivity by automating repetitive tasks, providing intelligent suggestions, and facilitating content creation, enabling employees to focus on more strategic work.

What privacy considerations should I have with Copilot Pro and Gemini Advanced?

‍Both Microsoft and Google implement security measures to protect user data. It's essential to review the privacy policies of each platform to ensure they meet your company's standards.

How can I start using Copilot Pro or Gemini Advanced in my company?

‍For Copilot Pro, you need a Microsoft 365 subscription and activation within supported applications. For Gemini Advanced, you need a Google Workspace subscription with access to integrated AI features.