Microsoft Launches Copilot Pro for $20 a Month -- Redmondmag.com

Microsoft Launches Copilot Pro for $20 a Month

By Chris Paoli
01/16/2024

Microsoft on Monday announced the availability of a new paid version of its AI companion: Copilot Pro.

The new service will cost $20 per month, per user, and is aimed at "power users, creators and anyone looking to take their Copilot experience to the next level," said Microsoft.

"Today we're announcing the availability of Copilot Pro, a new subscription that delivers the most advanced features and capabilities of Microsoft Copilot to individuals looking to supercharge their Copilot experience," said Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft Chief Marketing Officer, in a blog post. "Whether you need advanced help with writing, coding, designing, researching or learning, Copilot Pro brings greater performance, productivity and creativity."

The new subscription service will bring a unified AI experience across all devices and deliver an experience based on the device being used. For example, using the Copilot search feature on mobile will first bring up the associated apps that are downloaded on the device.

Copilot Pro subscribers will also have access to Chat-GPT 4 Turbo, even during peak hours, and will have the option to choose which language model they would like to use in a future update. Additionally, subscribers will have access to a more enhanced version of Microsoft's newly rebranded AI image creation tool Image Creator from Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator).

Furthermore, those subscribing to the new service will have access to the company's upcoming Copilot GPT Builder, which will allow users build and customize their own Copilots. This new feature coincides with the announcement of Copliot GPT on Monday.

Copilot GPTs will allow users to tailor the Microsoft Copilot experience based on their specific interests. Available now for all Copilot users (not just Copilot Pro), is a selection of specialized Copilot GPTs will be available, focusing on areas like fitness, travel and cooking.

While Copilot GPTs are available now for all users, Copilot GPT Builder for Pro subscribers will be available at a later date.

Finally, Copilot Pro is also bringing the AI platform to Microsoft 365. Those with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family accounts will be able to access Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote (on PC only). While this feature has been available for organizational users through Copilot for Microsoft 365 since November, Copilot Pro will allow individuals to now access the previously enterprise-only benefits.

On that same note, Monday's announcement also included new features and changes coming to Copilot for Microsoft 365. Per Microsoft:

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now generally available for small businesses with Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Business Standard Customers can purchase between one and 299 seats for $30 per person per month.

We’re removing the 300-seat purchase minimum for commercial plans and making Copilot available for Office 365 E3 and E5 customers (A Microsoft 365 license was previously required).

Commercial customers can now purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365 through our amazing network of Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider partners.

Last month, we also announced eligibility of Copilot for Microsoft 365 for education faculty and staff.

About the Author

Chris Paoli (@ChrisPaoli5) is the associate editor for Converge360.

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