Microsoft's Copilot, an AI-powered assistant integrated into the Microsoft 365 suite, has faced significant challenges in gaining traction compared to OpenAI's ChatGPT, which has achieved over 900 million downloads. This disparity raises questions about the factors contributing to Copilot's slower adoption and ChatGPT's widespread popularity.
Lack of Effective Promotion
One critical factor is Microsoft's limited promotional efforts for Copilot. Upon its release on Google Play on December 20, 2023, and the App Store on December 28, 2023, Copilot received minimal marketing support. Notably, Microsoft did not utilize Apple's Search Ads to enhance visibility among iOS users. Consequently, by January 5, 2024, Copilot had only amassed 2.1 million downloads across both platforms. In contrast, during the same period, ChatGPT added an additional 4.2 million downloads, indicating that Copilot's launch did not significantly impact ChatGPT's user base.
User Familiarity and First-Mover Advantage
ChatGPT's earlier entry into the AI chatbot market has granted it a substantial first-mover advantage. Many users had already integrated ChatGPT into their daily routines before Copilot's introduction. This established user base has shown resistance to switching to a new platform, even when Copilot offers free access to OpenAI's GPT-4 technology, which ChatGPT reserves for its paid subscribers.
Integration with Bing and User Preferences
Copilot's integration with Microsoft's Bing search engine may have also influenced user preferences. Some users find the Bing-centric approach less appealing, preferring ChatGPT's standalone functionality. This preference is evident despite Copilot's capabilities, such as chatbot features, image generation through DALL-E 3, and assistance with drafting emails and documents.
Enterprise Adoption Challenges
In the corporate sector, Microsoft anticipated that its longstanding relationships with IT departments would facilitate Copilot's adoption. However, many employees had already become accustomed to using ChatGPT, leading to a preference for the familiar platform. For instance, pharmaceutical company Amgen purchased a 20,000-user plan for Copilot, yet employees continued to favor ChatGPT over a year later. This trend underscores the challenge of shifting user habits, even within organizations that have invested in Copilot.
Market Share and User Engagement
As of June 2025, ChatGPT boasted nearly 800 million weekly active users and 3 million paying business users. In contrast, Copilot's user base has remained around 20 million weekly users over the past year. This significant gap highlights ChatGPT's dominance in the AI chatbot market and the hurdles Microsoft faces in expanding Copilot's reach.
Conclusion
The disparity between ChatGPT's and Copilot's adoption rates can be attributed to several factors:
- Limited Promotion: Microsoft's minimal marketing efforts for Copilot resulted in low visibility at launch.
- User Familiarity: ChatGPT's early market entry established a loyal user base resistant to change.
- Integration Preferences: Users may prefer ChatGPT's standalone functionality over Copilot's Bing integration.
- Enterprise Challenges: Even with corporate investments, employees continue to favor ChatGPT due to familiarity.
Source: Bloomberg.com https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-16/microsoft-s-copilot-challenge-900-million-chatgpt-downloads/