Claude vs. Copilot: $20 vs. $12.99 is not an apples-to-apples comparison

Anthropic's Claude and Microsoft's Copilot are two of the best-known AI assistants. A headline on the site Tech Insider sets them against each other: $20 a month for Claude and $12.99 for Copilot. It sounds like a clear price gap, but the figures don't compare quite the same thing.

The figures below draw on several price comparisons.

What costs what?

Claude Pro costs $20 a month (about DKK 140). The subscription includes access to Anthropic's best model and to Claude Code, a tool for writing software code. For heavy AI users, there are Max plans at $100 to $200.

On Microsoft's side, the picture is more mixed. The $12.99 price corresponds to Microsoft 365 Family, which can be shared by up to six people. The price rose from $9.99, and the subscription includes a monthly allotment of AI credits for Copilot. In other words, it is a bundle with Word, Excel and other Office apps, where AI is part of the offering.

If you look at Microsoft's actual paid Copilot subscription for individuals, the price comes to $19.99 a month, according to another comparison. That is almost the same as Claude.

What does it mean for you?

The $7 price gap is therefore not necessarily a real saving. If you already have Microsoft 365, Copilot can feel like an inexpensive add-on, because the AI sits directly inside the apps you already use. Claude, by contrast, is a standalone product you pay for on top of everything else.

Ask yourself what you need AI for. If it needs to help you write, analyze and code in a chat, Claude is an obvious choice. If it needs to work inside your spreadsheet or your email, Copilot may offer more value. Also check what your employer already pays for before you sign up for a new subscription.

The dollar prices are US prices, and prices in Denmark may differ because of VAT and currency.