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Copilot for IT & software development

Microsoft's AI layer that combines GPT and Claude models with your own organisational data and the Microsoft 365 apps.

Recommended for IT & software development

Copilot is strong in deep Microsoft 365 integration and grounding on your own data via Microsoft Graph; that suits generating, completing and debugging code with AI assistance.

GDPR profileOur summary of what the provider itself publishes about your data: EU hosting possible, no training on your data for business use, and self-hosting available. Caution applies to a model with a documented problem, such as an investigation by a regulator. How we measure
GDPR: Caution
QualityQuality from blind duels on LMArena: users choose between two anonymous answers. A difference of about 20 points is noticeable, a few points is noise. How we measure
1485Elo, independent
Editorial scoreOur own assessment on 10 of suitability for professional work, price and privacy. This is a judgement, not a measurement; that is why it always sits alongside the Elo. How we measure
8,3
Entry price
from €10 / month
Full GDPR check

What Copilot does in IT & software development

Core tasks in IT & software development
  • Generating, completing and debugging code with AI assistance
  • Automatically reviewing pull requests and detecting security vulnerabilities
  • Automatically creating technical documentation and API specifications
  • Streamlining project planning, issue management and sprint workflows
Where Copilot is strong
  • Deep Microsoft 365 integration
  • Grounding on your own data via Microsoft Graph
  • Strong enterprise governance and compliance
  • Choice between GPT and Claude models

Copilot has a specific GDPR concern. The Claude models within Copilot are officially outside the EU Data Boundary. If you want to process strictly EU-only, exclude the Claude models in the admin panel. Weigh this heavily before using it in IT & software development.

Confidentiality and GDPR

GDPR: Caution

Source code is trade secret and intellectual property. Check whether AI coding assistants store your code or use it for model training (an opt-out or business plan is required). Use on-premises or privacy-compliant variants for sensitive projects. AI-generated code sometimes contains security vulnerabilities or errors, so always have a developer review it, especially production code.

Microsoft 365 Copilot (business) falls under the EU Data Boundary and does not train on tenant data. Consumer Copilot does train by default, with an opt-out.

Rule of thumb Use the business variant with a data processing agreement, and keep a human in the loop for decisions that matter.
Caution the Claude models within Copilot officially fall outside the EU Data Boundary. If you want strictly EU-only processing, exclude the Claude models in the admin panel.

Prices

Microsoft 365 Personal/Familyfrom €10 / monthPersonal €10/month, Family €13/month, Premium €22/month (higher Copilot limits); Copilot Pro has been discontinued
M365 Copilot Business$21 / seat / monthAnnual ($25.20 monthly); limited-time offer from $18; requires an M365 licence
M365 Copilot (Enterprise)$30 / seat / monthAdd-on to an M365 licence; $31.50 when billed monthly

Other models for IT & software development

Claude for IT & software developmentAnthropic · editorial 9.01506Gemini for IT & software developmentGoogle · editorial 8.61527ChatGPT for IT & software developmentOpenAI · edition 8.91485Le Chat (Mistral) for IT & software developmentMistral AI · editorial 8.41426
All options for IT & software development
Professional tools on Copilot

We are not aware of a professional tool for IT & software development that runs publicly on Copilot.

Questions about Copilot for IT & software development

Is Copilot suitable for IT & software development?
Yes. Copilot is strong in deep Microsoft 365 integration and grounding on your own data via Microsoft Graph, which fits IT & software development well. Always assess the specific task and keep a professional in the loop.
Can I put confidential data into Copilot?
Source code is a trade secret and intellectual property. Check whether AI coding assistants store your code or use it for model training (an opt-out or business plan is required). Use on-premises or privacy-compliant variants for sensitive projects. AI-generated code sometimes contains security vulnerabilities or errors, so always have a developer review it, especially for production code. Microsoft 365 Copilot (business) falls under the EU Data Boundary and does not train on tenant data. Consumer Copilot does train by default, with an opt-out.
How much does Copilot cost?
There is Microsoft 365 Personal/Family (from €10 / month), M365 Copilot Business ($21 / seat / month), M365 Copilot (Enterprise) ($30 / seat / month). Check current prices on the official site.
Next stepAll 36 options for IT & software developmentProfessional tools and general assistants side by side, on GDPR profile, price and quality.

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