Comparison
Copilot in Excel vs GPTExcel
Copilot is Microsoft's AI built into Excel. It needs a Microsoft 365 plan that includes Copilot, and some features aren't available in every country. GPTExcel works in the browser with any Excel version, Google Sheets, LibreOffice or Airtable, has a free plan, and turns your data into native pivot tables, slicers, timelines and pivot charts, or a PowerPoint deck, from one message.
Blazing-fast data analysis, on our own engine
GPTExcel doesn't hand your file to a generic spreadsheet library. It runs on its own proprietary Excel engine, built in-house, that reads your workbook and writes native pivot tables, slicers, timelines and charts directly. That's why a full pivot report comes back from one message, ready to open in Excel.
- Proprietary Excel engine
- Native pivots, slicers, timelines, charts
- One message, one finished workbook
Copilot in Excel and GPTExcel
| Feature | GPTExcel | Copilot in Excel |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | A browser and a free account | A Microsoft 365 plan that includes Copilot |
| Excel versions | Any: upload the file, download the result. Formulas for Excel 2010 to 365 | Current Microsoft 365 Excel |
| Google Sheets, LibreOffice, Airtable | Yes, formulas and scripts for each | No, Excel only |
| Availability | Worldwide | Some features, such as Agent Mode, are not yet available in every region |
| Pivot tables, slicers, timelines, charts | All four as native Excel objects from one message, in a downloaded workbook | Inside the open workbook |
| Presentations from data | Editable PowerPoint or PDF, up to 40 slides | Through Copilot in PowerPoint |
| Free plan | Yes, no credit card | Included with some paid Microsoft 365 plans |
Checked November 2026 from each product's own pages. Plans and features change, so check the vendor's site before you decide.
When Copilot is the better choice
- Your company already licenses Microsoft 365 Copilot and you work in current Excel all day.
- You want changes made live in the open workbook rather than a downloaded copy.
- Your files live in OneDrive or SharePoint and you work in Word and PowerPoint too.
When GPTExcel is the better choice
- You don't have a Copilot plan, or it isn't available where you are.
- You use an older Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc or Airtable.
- You want VBA, Apps Script, SQL or regex as well as formulas.
- You want blazing-fast analysis: GPTExcel's own proprietary Excel engine builds the pivot table, slicers, timeline and pivot chart together from one message.
- You want a free plan to start, without a credit card.
Using both
The two work fine side by side. A common setup is Copilot for quick edits inside the workbook, and GPTExcel for formulas on other platforms, scripts, or turning a finished sheet into a slide deck.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Copilot in Excel free?
- Copilot in Excel comes with Microsoft 365 plans that include Copilot, not with free Excel. Check Microsoft's plan page for what your subscription includes. GPTExcel has a free plan that needs no credit card.
- Does GPTExcel work without Microsoft 365?
- Yes. GPTExcel runs in the browser. Upload an Excel or CSV file, ask in plain English, and download the result. Formulas can target Excel 2010 to Excel 365, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc or Airtable.
- Is GPTExcel free?
- Yes. GPTExcel has a free plan with every tool and lower limits, and you don't need a credit card to sign up. Paid plans raise the limits and file sizes.
- Are my files private?
- Files are encrypted in transit and at rest, stay private unless you share a chat, and are not used to train AI models.