In short
- Microsoft 365 Copilot Business is an add-on to an eligible Microsoft 365 Business plan. Include the existing licence when assessing costs.
- According to Microsoft, as of October 2026, Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is included in eligible Microsoft 365 plans at no additional cost. Check current plan terms with Microsoft.
- According to Microsoft, as of October 2026, business data is not used to train AI models by default. Check the current details with Microsoft. Access permissions for company content still matter.
- Start with a pilot group. Set rules for which data may be used and who approves access.
What the tool means for businesses
For businesses, Microsoft 365 Copilot is closely tied to their existing working environment. Before buying an add-on, establish which Microsoft 365 licences you already have and who needs the tool. According to Microsoft's website, as of October 2026, Microsoft 365 Copilot Business requires an eligible Microsoft 365 Business plan. Check your contracts and Microsoft's current information to see whether your existing licences qualify.
It is equally important to know which content employees can access. According to Microsoft, as of October 2026, Copilot can access content that the individual is already permitted to see. Check Microsoft's current information. This does not replace a review of your permissions. A document inadvertently shared with a large group is not adequately protected simply because it is accessed through an assistant. Review sharing permissions in SharePoint, Teams and mailboxes before expanding access.
This article covers Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing, requirements and privacy. If you want to compare two tools first, read Copilot or ChatGPT for business. We are not a Microsoft partner or reseller.
Plans and pricing
The following overview reflects information on Microsoft's website as of October 2026. It distinguishes between the standard price with an annual commitment, a time-limited promotion, a monthly subscription and Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. Before ordering, check current prices and terms with Microsoft, including which plan is available to your business and which existing licence it requires.
| Plan | Price on Microsoft's website | Minimum seats or requirements | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, annual commitment | USD 21.00 per user per month, according to Microsoft's website, as of October 2026, excluding tax. Check current prices with Microsoft. | Eligible Microsoft 365 Business plan required. | Standard price with an annual commitment. |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, promotion with annual commitment | USD 18.00 per user per month, according to Microsoft's website, as of October 2026, excluding tax. Check current prices with Microsoft. | Eligible Microsoft 365 Business plan required. | Time-limited promotion from 1 July to 31 December 2026. |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, monthly subscription | USD 25.20 per user per month, according to Microsoft's website, as of October 2026, excluding tax. Check current prices with Microsoft. | Eligible Microsoft 365 Business plan required. | Monthly subscription, cancellable on a monthly basis. |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat | Included in eligible Microsoft 365 plans at no additional cost, according to Microsoft, as of October 2026. Check current plans with Microsoft. | Eligible Microsoft 365 plan required. | Not the same as the Microsoft 365 Copilot Business add-on. |
As of October 2026. The source is the Microsoft page linked below. Its prices are in US dollars and exclude tax. Prices in euros and offers may differ by country. Prices and plans change frequently. Check current prices, requirements and promotion terms with Microsoft. The information provided does not specify a minimum number of seats. This does not mean there is no minimum.
For internal budgeting, the add-on price alone is not enough. First, establish which eligible Microsoft 365 plans you already have. Then decide who needs the add-on in the pilot. Keep the ongoing licensing decision separate from the question of whether the tool usefully supports a particular workflow. This avoids budgeting for a larger group before you have assessed its needs.
Privacy and data
According to Microsoft, as of October 2026, business data is not used to train AI models by default. Microsoft also states that Copilot only accesses content the individual is already permitted to see. Check Microsoft's current documentation for these statements and further privacy details. These two statements alone do not establish the server location applicable to your contract or every aspect of data processing.
Before use, review the data processing agreement and ask the provider about server locations and subprocessors. Record which documents you have received and which questions remain open. Check administrative permissions too: who can grant access, change settings and enable additional users? Assign these responsibilities clearly within your business.
Review sharing permissions in SharePoint, Teams and mailboxes for the planned pilot group. Pay particular attention to confidential documents and permissions that have accumulated over time. Support the technical review with an AI policy. It should define which data may be entered, who reviews outputs and what employees should do when unsure. This article is not legal advice.
When it may be suitable and when it may not
Microsoft 365 Copilot is worth assessing if your business already uses eligible Microsoft 365 plans and employees regularly work with content whose access permissions have been checked. A specific use case matters. Describe the task to be supported, the data it requires and how you will assess during the pilot whether the tool is useful for your team.
A wider rollout is premature if existing licences are unclear, sharing permissions have not been reviewed or no one is responsible for administration. The same applies if a planned process requires defined steps and reliable handovers between systems. A chat assistant does not automatically manage such workflows. Treat the licensing decision separately from process design.
What a chat assistant does not replace
A chat assistant can support employees with individual tasks. If a process needs to take data from your systems, process it according to set rules and pass it on, it requires an appropriate technical solution. AI automation and AI agents may be options. The right approach depends on your integrations, responsibilities and approval processes. None of this guarantees particular results in AI responses.
How to introduce it carefully
1. Define a pilot group: Select a limited group with clearly described tasks. Check eligible licences and participants' access permissions first. During the pilot, record specific questions, errors and situations where outputs need reviewing. 2. Apply an AI policy: Set rules for permitted data, approved accounts and the handling of outputs. Refer to your internal AI policy and name a contact for questions. Specify when confidential content must not be entered. 3. Review permissions before expanding access: Have permissions, administrative rights and the required contract documents reviewed. Only then decide whether to extend access and to whom. For further practical questions about introducing an assistant, read Introducing ChatGPT in your business.
Sources
- Microsoft, Microsoft 365 Copilot Pricing, as of October 2026, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot/pricing. Check current details with Microsoft.