Microsoft Copilot is available in a few different places, and the right option depends on whether you want a free AI chat assistant, Copilot inside Microsoft 365 apps, or a work-focused version connected to your organization. You can open the consumer version at Copilot on the web, get Copilot in Microsoft Edge, or get expanded Microsoft 365 features through a qualifying subscription.
The short version is simple: use the free Copilot experience for everyday questions and writing help, choose Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium if you want Copilot features in your personal Microsoft 365 setup, and ask your IT administrator or Microsoft representative about Microsoft 365 Copilot for work.
Important: This guide reflects Microsoft availability information last updated in January 2026. Copilot features, limits, supported regions, and pricing can change, so always check Microsoft’s current plan pages before buying.
Quick answer: where can you get Microsoft Copilot?
Option one: start with free Microsoft Copilot
If you want to try Microsoft’s AI assistant before paying for a Microsoft 365 plan, start at copilot.microsoft.com. Sign in with your personal Microsoft account to keep your chats and use the service across supported Copilot experiences.
The free version is a good fit for everyday tasks such as:
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Drafting an email, social post, or outline.
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Summarizing information you paste into a chat.
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Brainstorming trip ideas, recipes, PC upgrades, or project plans.
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Asking questions about information on the web.
If you mainly want an AI chatbot, this may be all you need. Upgrade only when you want the Microsoft 365 app features, more AI usage, or premium-only capabilities.
Option two: get Copilot in Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium
Microsoft’s personal Microsoft 365 subscriptions include Copilot benefits in apps and services such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. These plans also include AI credits or usage limits for eligible AI-powered features. See Microsoft’s AI credits and limits guide before choosing a plan.
Microsoft 365 Premium
Microsoft 365 Premium is Microsoft’s most comprehensive personal AI and productivity plan for up to six people. It offers the highest Copilot usage limits and is the plan to consider if you want the broadest access to new and exclusive AI features as Microsoft rolls them out.
It is best for people who use Copilot frequently for work, research, writing, image creation, or complex Microsoft 365 tasks. Microsoft says Premium includes extensive usage for select Copilot features, exclusive advanced features, and higher AI image-generation use.
Microsoft 365 Personal
Microsoft 365 Personal is built for one person. It includes Copilot benefits in Microsoft 365, along with the productivity apps and cloud services included with the subscription.
Choose this plan if you are the only person who needs Microsoft 365 and want Copilot support in your own workflow. It is a practical option for writing in Word, creating presentations, organizing notes, and handling email.
Microsoft 365 Family
Microsoft 365 Family can be shared with up to six people and includes Copilot benefits for the subscription owner. It is a good fit for households that want shared Microsoft 365 storage and apps.
There is one limitation worth remembering: AI benefits in Microsoft 365 Family and Microsoft 365 Premium are available only to the subscription owner. You can share the main subscription benefits with other people, but you cannot share the subscription owner’s Copilot AI entitlement.
How to choose a personal plan
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Go to Microsoft’s individual Copilot plans page.
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Compare Personal, Family, and Premium based on how much Microsoft 365 storage, app access, and AI usage you need.
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Sign in with the Microsoft account that should own the subscription.
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Complete the purchase through Microsoft.
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Open your Microsoft 365 apps and make sure you are signed in with the same subscription-owner account.
To check your existing subscription, sign in at the Microsoft account dashboard. Microsoft also explains how to manage Microsoft subscriptions.
Option three: get Microsoft 365 Copilot for work
Microsoft 365 Copilot for work is not the same as the consumer Copilot experience. It is designed for organizations and can use approved work data and Microsoft 365 services, depending on the license and your organization’s configuration.
Before an organization can buy Microsoft 365 Copilot, it needs an eligible Microsoft 365 or Office 365 plan. Microsoft’s January 2026 availability guidance listed these qualifying subscriptions:
Small businesses can review Microsoft’s Microsoft 365 Copilot business information. Enterprise customers should work with their Microsoft account representative or contact Microsoft 365 Sales.
If your workplace provides Microsoft 365 but has not assigned you a Copilot license, do not assume you can turn it on yourself. Ask your IT administrator whether your account is eligible and whether Copilot has been enabled for your organization.
Can you use a personal Copilot subscription at work?
Microsoft says that people whose work plan does not include a Copilot add-on may be able to bring a personal Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium account to work, subject to workplace policies. Read Microsoft’s guidance on using Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium at work before using personal AI benefits with work content.
Option four: use Copilot in Microsoft Edge
Copilot is built into Microsoft Edge, making it one of the fastest ways to use AI while researching the web. Microsoft says you should sign in to Edge with a personal Microsoft account, open the webpage, video, or PDF you want to ask about, then select the Copilot icon in the upper-right corner.
How to open Copilot in Edge
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Open Microsoft Edge and sign in with your personal Microsoft account.
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Visit a webpage, open a video, or load a PDF you want help with.
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Select the Copilot icon in the top-right corner of the browser.
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Type your question, or select a suggested prompt.
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Use options such as Create a Summary when you want Copilot to summarize the page.
For privacy, you can control whether Copilot uses browser context. In the Copilot sidebar, select More (the three dots), then go to Settings > Privacy and turn off Context Clues if you do not want Copilot to use the current webpage, open tabs, page titles, or browser history in responses. Read the full Copilot in Edge support guide for details.
What to do if Copilot is missing
If you already pay for a qualifying plan but cannot find Copilot, work through these checks:
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Check the account: Make sure you are signed in with the Microsoft account that owns the subscription or has the Copilot license.
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Refresh the license: In a Microsoft 365 desktop app, go to File > Account > Update License, then close and reopen the apps.
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Install updates: Update Microsoft 365 and Edge so you are on a supported build.
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Check work restrictions: If it is a work account, your organization may need to assign a license or enable the feature.
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Verify availability: Copilot features can vary by region, language, device, and subscription. Check Microsoft’s supported languages guidance.
Which Copilot option is right for you?
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Use free Copilot if you want help with web questions, drafts, brainstorming, and everyday AI chat.
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Choose Microsoft 365 Personal if you are the only user and want Copilot alongside your Microsoft 365 subscription.
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Choose Microsoft 365 Family if you want a household Microsoft 365 plan, while remembering that the AI benefits remain with the subscription owner.
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Choose Microsoft 365 Premium if you want Microsoft’s highest Copilot usage limits and access to additional AI features.
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Use Microsoft 365 Copilot for work if your employer has the right plan and assigns you a license.
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Use Edge if you want Copilot available while you browse, research, watch videos, or read PDFs.
For most people, the easiest first step is to open Copilot on the web and try it. If you find yourself regularly using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, or OneNote, compare the Microsoft 365 plans next.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Copilot free?
Yes, Microsoft offers a free consumer Copilot experience through Copilot on the web and supported apps. Paid Microsoft 365 plans can add Copilot benefits, higher usage for select features, and Copilot experiences in Microsoft 365 apps.
Can everyone on a Microsoft 365 Family plan use Copilot?
No. Microsoft says the AI benefits in Microsoft 365 Family are available only to the subscription owner and cannot be shared with other people on the plan.
Do I need Microsoft 365 Premium to use Copilot?
No. You can start with the free Copilot experience, and Microsoft 365 Personal and Family also include Copilot benefits. Microsoft 365 Premium is the higher-tier personal plan for the highest usage limits and exclusive AI features.
Can I get Copilot through work?
Yes. Your organization needs an eligible Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscription, and your administrator generally needs to purchase and assign the correct Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
Where is Copilot in Microsoft Edge?
Open Edge, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select the Copilot icon in the upper-right corner of the browser.
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