3 Alternatives To Microsoft Copilot For Secure AI Employee Chatbots

Generative AI is transforming the workplace, providing employees with unprecedented career acceleration. Yet, few companies have deployed secure AI-powered employee chatbots that align with corporate privacy and security standards. While Microsoft’s Copilot is the default choice for many, its pricing and integration have left some companies seeking alternatives. Fortunately, three tested and supported secure AI employee chatbot products now exists, so businesses are not limited to Microsoft Copilot.

The Growing Need for Secure AI Employee Chatbots

Companies cannot afford to lag in AI adoption in 2025. Investors expect executives to articulate AI’s role in their strategies, and top talent gravitates toward forward-thinking organizations. By the end of the year, at least 10% of your employees should have access to secure, AI-driven employee chatbots at work to remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent.

Challenges with Microsoft Copilot

Frustrations persist with Microsoft Copilot. The Wall Street Journal’s Tom Dotan and Forbes contributor Gene Marks (here and here) have highlighted issues, ranging from confusing product structures to questionable ROI. Confusingly, Microsoft offers more than 15 distinct Copilot products, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot and Security Copilot. Each requires separate licensing, leading to high cumulative costs.

Common frustration with Microsoft Copilot include:

• Complex Pricing Models: Incremental, per-user pricing adds up quickly.
• Forced Integration: Copilot is deeply embedded into Microsoft’s ecosystem, and some have forced upgrades with limit flexibility.
• Intrusive User Experience: Some users find the embedded AI Copilot assistant interface cumbersome and intrusive.

Understanding Secure Employee Chatbots Basics

Let’s review the basics. AI components are Large Language Models that handle text and Foundation Models that also handle images and videos. LLMs are a subset of FMs.

Secure employee chatbots fall into two categories:

• Stand-Alone Chatbots: Independent applications like OpenAI ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. Here the main user action is entering data into the prompt or query box.
• In-App AI Assistants: Integrated AI tools within productivity apps such as Microsoft Outlook or Google Docs. In this case, AI is an additional feature like spellcheck.

Users access AI capabilities directly with a browser that uses a chatbot application (e.g. OpenAI ChatGPT) or via API.

Not all LLMs come with tested and supported chatbot applications. For example, Cohere or Meta offer great LLM models but customers must build and test (or hire someone to build and test) a secure employee chatbot. This article focuses on “buy” options.

Regardless of the approach, AI licenses to secure employee chatbots range from $200 to $900 per employee annually.

3 Alternatives to Microsoft Copilot

The market is evolving rapidly, and several vendors now provide secure, enterprise-ready secure AI employee chatbot. Here are three noteworthy options:

1. OpenAI ChatGPT Enterprise or Teams

• Overview: A B2B version of the popular ChatGPT, offering enhanced security, collaboration and user management features.
• Customers: Estee Lauder, Moderna, Harvard Business School, PwC, and Bain & Company

2. Anthropic Claude for Enterprise

• Overview: Anthropic’s Claude is a leading competitor to OpenAI, with strong backing from Amazon.
• Customers: Deloitte, North Highland, and Sourcegraph

3. Google Gemini for Workspace

• Overview: Google’s Gemini offers stand-alone chatbot solutions and AI assistants integrated into Workspace apps, including seamless integration with Gmail, Drive, Docs, and Slides

Making the Right Choice

Each alternative offers trade-offs in terms of user experience, scalability, and cost. Businesses must understand their use cases need and vendor roadmaps before investing this year. The good news is that you have options with tested and supported secure employee chatbot.