AI is changing quickly, and two names have become well-known: OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. While OpenAI’s GPT models power both and offer robust conversational abilities, the experience they deliver—especially through their respective Windows apps—differs significantly. For users on Windows 11, choosing the right AI companion depends on a variety of factors, from integration and productivity tools to file handling and interface customization.

This post will take a deep dive into how ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot compare as standalone Windows applications. Which one delivers better functionality, usability, and features for the modern Windows user? Let's explore.

1. Integration with Windows 11

Being Microsoft’s product, Copilot is embedded into Windows 11, offering users direct access through a system shortcut (ALT + A). It's designed to be part of Microsoft’s vision of turning Windows into an AI-powered operating system. However, despite this native positioning, the integration remains surprisingly limited.

Earlier versions of Copilot hinted at system-level capabilities—adjusting settings, controlling basic OS features, and more. However, recent updates have positioned Copilot as a standalone app with minimal interaction with the rest of the operating system. It's essentially a lightweight chatbot sitting in its window with no real ties to File Explorer, Control Panel, or system preferences.

In contrast, ChatGPT’s Windows app, although not native to Windows, brings more depth. It allows users to take screenshots, access the webcam, and even customize hotkeys—something Copilot doesn’t allow. These features, while small, offer greater flexibility in how the app can be used during everyday work.

Winner: ChatGPT for offering more functional integration—even without being a system-native tool.

2. User Experience and Interface

Both apps offer clean, modern user interfaces focused on simplicity. Copilot presents a minimalist layout with suggestions for what users can ask, followed by a basic chat window. One highlight is its “Think Deeper” feature, which spends additional time analyzing a user’s query from multiple perspectives before delivering a comprehensive response. This feature is particularly helpful for complex tasks like planning or coding.

However, ChatGPT’s app builds on its core functionality, offering a more dynamic experience. Users can view a history of their conversations, organize chats, and pick up right where they left off. It also provides quick access to custom GPTs, which are specialized assistants with tailored behavior and instructions—something Copilot currently lacks.

The ability to personalize ChatGPT through its interface makes it feel more responsive and helpful for ongoing projects compared to Copilot’s more transactional interaction style.

Winner: ChatGPT for offering a richer and more user-focused interface.

3. Document and File Handling

A major difference between the two apps is how they handle documents and file uploads.

ChatGPT allows users to upload documents directly, including files from OneDrive. Whether users want a document summarized, specific information extracted, or to build something new based on a file, ChatGPT can do it all within the app.

Surprisingly, Copilot's standalone app lacks this functionality. Users cannot upload documents for analysis or reference, which limits its usefulness in scenarios like reviewing reports or working on research. Instead, Microsoft reserves this functionality for Copilot for Microsoft 365, where the AI is integrated within Office applications like Word and Excel. This integration, however, requires a separate subscription. It’s ironic that while ChatGPT supports OneDrive access, Microsoft's own Copilot app doesn't.

Winner: ChatGPT for comprehensive and accessible file handling.

4. Built-In Tools and AI Features

While both apps offer conversational AI at their core, ChatGPT includes a variety of tools that expand its usefulness well beyond text generation:

• Picture Tool: Generate AI images from prompts
• Search Tool: Search the web in real-time
• Canvas Tool: Collaborate visually on text, code, or diagrams
• Custom GPTs: Create assistants fine-tuned for specific needs

Copilot, by comparison, doesn’t include built-in modular tools in its standalone app. Image generation is available, but additional AI tools (like summarizing documents, generating slides, or writing formulas) are reserved for Microsoft 365 users via Copilot for Office. While Copilot can serve as a helpful companion for general queries, it lacks the dynamic toolset that makes ChatGPT more of an everyday productivity platform.

Winner: ChatGPT for the range of integrated AI tools.

5. Voice Interaction and Accessibility

Both apps support voice mode, allowing users to interact with the chatbot using natural speech. It is particularly useful for multitasking or accessibility. Microsoft Copilot provides a calm, animated UI during voice interactions and offers four preset voice options (Wave, Grove, Meadow, Canyon). However, customization is limited.

ChatGPT, on the other hand, offers twice the number of voice profiles, each labeled with descriptors such as “cheerful and candid” or “thoughtful and calm.” The variety of tones and personalization options enhance the interaction experience, especially for users who prefer voice-based input. Once the voice interaction ends, both apps display a transcript of the conversation, but ChatGPT's execution feels more polished.

Winner: ChatGPT for better voice interaction and customization.

6. Microsoft 365 Integration (Bonus Consideration)

If users are subscribed to Microsoft 365 Copilot, then Copilot becomes significantly more powerful—but only inside apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Within these programs, users can ask Copilot to summarize documents, auto-generate slides, draft emails, and perform smart data analysis.

ChatGPT, while not directly embedded into these programs, can still assist by generating content that users manually paste into documents. However, without direct integration, it lacks the seamlessness of Microsoft’s productivity suite. For enterprise users or those deeply embedded in Microsoft 365 workflows, Copilot’s potential is unlocked—but at an added cost.

Winner: Copilot, for Microsoft 365 subscribers only.

Conclusion

While both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot offer powerful AI capabilities on Windows, ChatGPT currently delivers a more feature-rich and flexible experience as a standalone app. It excels in file handling, voice interaction, customization, and built-in tools, making it more useful for a wider range of users. Copilot, though integrated into Windows, feels limited unless paired with a Microsoft 365 subscription. For users seeking an all-in-one AI assistant without needing to rely on additional software ecosystems, ChatGPT is the clear winner.