ChatGPT Enterprise vs. Microsoft 365 Copilot
How much each one costs and which platform is right for your business
The short answer
For many executive and IT leadership teams, choosing between ChatGPT Enterprise and Copilot is the first major licensing decision in the AI sector. According to Bitkom, 57 percent of companies in Germany now use AI, up from 36 percent in 2025. Since July 2026, Copilot has also been using models operated by OpenAI itself. As a result, model quality is no longer a significant differentiating factor. This article compares prices in euros, data pathways, user input, and implementation effort, and shows which platform is best suited for which company.
5 Key Takeaways
- The model issue has largely been resolved: Since July 2026, Copilot has also been using models operated by OpenAI. The difference lies in the location and data path.
- Copilot costs an additional 26 euros (net); a qualifying Microsoft 365 license is also required. OpenAI does not publish a price for ChatGPT Enterprise.
- EU data residency is only available with OpenAI’s Enterprise plan: ChatGPT Business does not offer a selectable data region.
- Two Copilot settings are worth noting: Flex Routing and Anthropic models can trigger processing outside the EU data boundary.
- The works council has a say: If the employer can view usage data, Section 87(1)(6) of the Works Constitution Act (BetrVG) applies to both tools.
What is the difference between ChatGPT Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Copilot?
Microsoft 365 Copilot works directly within the Office apps using your company data. ChatGPT Enterprise is a standalone workspace for text, research, and analysis. Copilot accesses emails, appointments, Teams chats, and SharePoint files via Microsoft Graph, while respecting existing permissions. ChatGPT Enterprise retrieves company data via connectors, such as those for SharePoint or Google Drive.
In terms of models, the two products have converged. Since July 9, 2026 , Copilot has been able to use models operated by OpenAI itself in addition to the GPT models operated by Microsoft . Models from Anthropic are also available in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The choice therefore depends primarily on where your work takes place.
| Criterion | Microsoft 365 Copilot | ChatGPT Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Work Location | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams | Dedicated app in the browser, on the desktop, and on mobile devices |
| Access to Company Data | Microsoft Graph with Existing Permissions | Connectors to SharePoint, Google Drive, and other services |
| Models | GPT Models via Microsoft and OpenAI, Anthropic in Office Apps | Latest OpenAI models, including reasoning capabilities |
| Custom Agents | Agents with Copilot Studio | Custom GPTs and projects |
| Prerequisite | Eligible Microsoft 365 license | None |
| List Price | 26.00 euros (net) per user per month | No publicly listed price |
| Training with Customer Data | No | No |
| Data Location | EU Data Boundary with documented exceptions | Data residency in Europe for eligible customers |
| Administration | Microsoft 365 Admin Center and Purview | Admin console with SCIM, role-based permissions, and self-managed key management |
| Free Trial | Copilot Chat for Microsoft 365 users | No free business plan |
How much do ChatGPT Enterprise and Copilot cost?
Microsoft 365 Copilot costs 26.00 euros per user per month as an add-on when paid annually. VAT and a qualifying Microsoft 365 license are additional. OpenAI does not list a price for ChatGPT Enterprise and refers customers to its sales team. Market reports cite approximate figures of around $60 per user per month with a minimum purchase of about 150 licenses. OpenAI does not confirm these figures.
Lizenzkosten-Rechner Stand: November 2026
Microsoft 365 Copilot
15.600 € pro Jahr
26,00 € netto pro Nutzer:in und Monat, zuzüglich Microsoft-365-Lizenz
Microsoft 365 Copilot Business
10.920 € pro Jahr
18,20 € netto pro Nutzer:in und Monat, mit Aktionspreis 9.360 € pro Jahr
ChatGPT Business
12.600 € pro Jahr
21 € pro Nutzer:in und Monat (Standard-Lizenz)
ChatGPT Enterprise
nicht verfügbar
Nur ein Richtwert: ChatGPT Enterprise gibt es erst ab rund 150 Lizenzen. OpenAI nennt keinen offiziellen Listenpreis.
A sample calculation for 50 users: Copilot costs approximately 15,600 euros net per year in addition to the base license. ChatGPT Business costs 12,600 euros with standard licenses. If the guidelines for ChatGPT Enterprise apply, the budget starts at about 108,000 U.S. dollars per year, even if fewer people use the tool. Smaller companies therefore usually compare ChatGPT Business with Copilot Business. Copilot Business is aimed at companies with Microsoft 365 Business plans. Organizations with E3 or E5 licenses purchase the Enterprise add-on. Both providers bill for additional model and agent usage on a pay-as-you-go basis in some cases.
Is Copilot more secure than ChatGPT Enterprise?
Both platforms meet common enterprise security standards; the difference lies in the data path. Neither Microsoft nor OpenAI trains its models using prompts or business data from enterprise plans. Both offer a data processing agreement.
Copilot generally processes data from EU customers within the EU Data Boundary. Administrators should check three settings:
- Flex Routing allows processing in the U.S., Canada, or Australia during periods of high load.
- The Anthropic models in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint run outside the EU data boundary.
- For the models operated by OpenAI, there are no commitments regarding processing within the user’s own country.
Flex Routing and Anthropic models are enabled by default for tenants created after March 25, 2026. ChatGPT Enterprise offers data residency in Europe, while ChatGPT Business does not. If you connect ChatGPT to SharePoint via a connector, this data is processed outside the Microsoft 365 environment. With Copilot, there’s an in-house risk: it can access everything employees have access to, including folders that have been shared too broadly. Also, review data retention policies. ChatGPT Enterprise allows you to set your own retention periods, while with Copilot, you manage this through policies in Microsoft Purview. Read our article on AI tools and compliance to learn what you should review before implementation.
How do you prepare your team for Copilot or ChatGPT?
What decisions must the works council and the AI Act help make?
Both tools are subject to employee participation procedures as soon as the employer can access usage data. This applies to Copilot within the company’s own tenant and to ChatGPT Enterprise with its admin console and usage analytics. Section 87(1)(6) of the Works Constitution Act (BetrVG) applies. There is no requirement for an intent to monitor. However, if employees use ChatGPT with personal accounts to which the employer has no access, this right to co-determination does not apply.
There are two additional rights to consider. Under Section 90 of the BetrVG, the employer must inform the works council as early as the planning stage. Under Section 80(3) of the BetrVG, consulting an expert on AI-related matters is required. Be sure to factor this time into your rollout schedule.
The AI Omnibus has been in effect since July 27, 2026. It relaxes the requirement for AI literacy under Article 4: Companies must take measures to support their employees’ AI literacy. Role-based training is the obvious way to demonstrate this. For general office tasks, Copilot and ChatGPT are not subject to the high-risk rules. This changes if you use the tools, for example, to select job applicants. The obligations for such systems apply under the Omnibus Act starting December 2, 2027.
When is Copilot the right choice, when is ChatGPT Enterprise, and when should you use both?
Copilot is a good fit if your work takes place in Microsoft 365. ChatGPT Enterprise is a good fit if your teams work with many systems or if your work primarily involves complex text and analysis tasks. The decision-making checklist shows which platform is best suited to your specific situation.
Entscheidungscheck
Empfehlung
Kombination aus Copilot und ChatGPT Business
Alle Beschäftigten nutzen Copilot Chat, Vollsitze für Copilot gehen an Rollen mit viel Dokumentenarbeit. Für eine kleine Gruppe von Power Usern reicht ChatGPT Business.
With this combination, all employees receive Copilot Chat at no additional cost. Full Copilot licenses are allocated to roles that involve a lot of document and email work. ChatGPT licenses are specifically assigned to individuals who do a lot of research and write a lot of text. Determine in advance which data should go into which tool to avoid creating duplicate structures. If no initial scenario fits clearly, the pilot described in the previous section can help you make a decision.
What kind of preparation does each tool require?
Copilot primarily requires proper permissions, while ChatGPT Enterprise needs clear rules for data and connectors. Because Copilot includes everything a person has access to, you should review shared SharePoint sites, Teams, and OneDrive links before getting started. You can protect confidential content using confidentiality labels in Microsoft Purview.
Training also differs. Copilot users learn how to use the tool on a per-application basis—for example, summarizing emails in Outlook or creating analyses in Excel. ChatGPT requires more proficiency with prompts because it lacks context from the Office apps. However, creating custom GPTs for recurring tasks is well worth the effort. The following applies to both tools: An AI policy defines which data is permitted and who reviews the results.
Also, designate points of contact within each department. These AI Champions will collect use cases and answer questions that come up during the workday. This helps maintain usage after the initial training phase. It also helps new colleagues get up to speed more quickly.
Our article “Understanding and Implementing MS Copilot” shows you how a step-by-step rollout works. To learn what makes for a good ChatGPT training program, read the article “ChatGPT Training in the Workplace.”
How do companies make decisions in five steps?
Make your decision based on a short pilot project involving real-world tasks. Here’s how to proceed in five steps:
- Assess your current situation: Review your Microsoft 365 licenses and determine where documents and communications are stored. Also determine whether employees are already using personal AI accounts.
- Address data protection: Have your data protection officers review data processing agreements, data locations, and the Copilot settings for Flex Routing and Anthropic models.
- Involve the works council early on: Inform them during the planning phase and negotiate a framework agreement for AI tools.
- Launch a pilot: Have 20 to 30 people from various roles work on the same tasks for four weeks. Measure usage and time savings. Subject matter experts evaluate the quality of the results.
- Determine the license mix and provide training: Allocate licenses by role and train the teams before the full rollout begins.
Use the pilot data to determine how many full licenses you need for each tool. You should not purchase licenses for the entire department if they were hardly used during the pilot. Review the license mix again after six months, as both providers change features and prices frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions About ChatGPT Enterprise vs. Copilot
FAQ on ChatGPT Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Copilot
Copilot and ChatGPT use some of the same OpenAI models, but remain separate products. Microsoft runs GPT models via Azure OpenAI and, as of July 9, 2026, can also use models operated by OpenAI. The products do not share your chat histories or data. Without a connector, ChatGPT has no access to your Microsoft 365 tenant.
OpenAI does not publish a price. Market reports cite estimates of around $60 per user per month for approximately 150 licenses with annual prepayment. This results in a minimum annual cost of about $108,000. Request a quote to help with your planning.
Enterprise is a good choice if you need data residency in Europe, automated user management via SCIM, custom retention periods, or contractual service levels. For smaller teams without these requirements, ChatGPT Business is available starting at 21 euros per user per month. However, the Business plan does not include extended support or onboarding.
Yes. Many companies provide Copilot Chat to all employees and assign Copilot and ChatGPT licenses based on roles. To do this, you need a common AI policy for both platforms. It specifies which data can be used in which tool and who approves new licenses.
The law does not prescribe a specific form. However, because Copilot collects usage data, its implementation requires the consent of the works council pursuant to Section 87(1)(6) of the Works Constitution Act (BetrVG). In practice, this is usually governed by a framework works agreement for AI tools. It specifies which analyses are permitted and how long usage data is stored.
Questions about ChatGPT Enterprise and Copilot?
Oliver Breucker answers your questions about ChatGPT Enterprise and Copilot in your company.
Sources
- Bitkom: Artificial Intelligence in the German Economy in 2026 (September 14, 2026)
- Microsoft: Microsoft 365 Copilot for Business, Pricing
- Microsoft: Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, Pricing
- OpenAI: ChatGPT Business and Enterprise, Pricing and Features
- Microsoft Learn: OpenAI as a Subprocessor for Microsoft 365 Copilot
- Microsoft Learn: Flex Routing for EU and EFTA Customers
- CMS: Introducing AI in the Workplace and Involving the Works Council
- Haufe: Legislative Radar on the AI Omnibus Act
Researched with AI support, editorially reviewed by Oliver Breucker.
As of November 4, 2026.
This article provides an overview and is not a substitute for legal advice.
About the Author
Oliver Breucker
Managing Director ROOVER
Oliver Breucker ist Experte für KI-Transformation bei Roover und ehemaliger Strategieberater von Roland Berger. Mit Expertise vom MIT unterstützt er Unternehmen bei KI-Strategien und digitalem Erfolg.
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