§ Comparison · Updated May 2026

Glean vs Microsoft Copilot.

Glean and Microsoft Copilot are frequently shortlisted together. Both compete in the productivity space, so the right pick comes down to pricing model, ecosystem, and the specific features you'll lean on. This page lays out the spec sheet, an editor verdict, and answers to the questions people search before choosing.

§ Verdict

Highest rated

Glean

Editor score 4.5/5 — leads on overall quality across our evaluation.

Best value

Microsoft Copilot

freemium with paid tiers pricing — the lowest-friction option of the group.

Broadest feature set

Glean

5 headline features — the most all-in-one option.

§ Spec sheet

Glean

Enterprise AI search, assistant, and agent platform over company knowledge.

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft's AI assistant across Windows, Edge, Microsoft 365, and enterprise workflows.

Rating
4.5
4.4
PricingEnterpriseFreemium
CategoryProductivityProductivity
Features
  • Enterprise search
  • Permission-aware knowledge graph
  • AI assistant
  • Agents over company data
  • SaaS connectors
  • Deep integration with Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Meeting summaries in Teams
  • Email drafting and triage in Outlook
  • Data analysis in Excel with natural language
  • Image generation with DALL-E
Pros
  • + Strong fit for large company knowledge retrieval
  • + Designed around enterprise permissions
  • + Seamless Microsoft 365 integration
  • + No context switching needed
  • + Enterprise-grade security and compliance
Cons
  • Overkill for small teams
  • Requires connector setup and internal data hygiene
  • Requires Microsoft 365 subscription for full value
  • Enterprise tier is expensive
  • Can be slow with large documents
Use Cases
Enterprise searchInternal knowledge assistantEmployee onboardingSupport enablement
Document drafting and editingSpreadsheet analysisPresentation creationEmail management
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§ Best for

§ Common questions

Glean vs Microsoft Copilot — which is better?

It depends on what you're optimizing for. Glean edges Microsoft Copilot on our editor rating (4.5 vs 4.4), but ratings are a coarse signal. The verdict above breaks down which one wins for budget, feature breadth, and self-hosting.

Which of these is free?

Microsoft Copilot is the no-cost option in this comparison (freemium with paid tiers). The rest charge per seat, per token, or by usage.

When should I pick Glean over Microsoft Copilot?

Pick Glean when enterprise search matters more than Microsoft Copilot's strengths in document drafting and editing. The "best for" callouts above translate this into concrete personas.

Are there other tools to consider?

Yes — every tool in this comparison has its own alternatives page that ranks the closest competitors. Click any tool name to drill into its full review and alternatives list.

Editorial verdicts, not algorithmicDisagree? Tell us →