Copilot Cowork fits a team that works in Outlook, Teams and SharePoint and has the paid Copilot seat. Claude Cowork fits work on the files and apps on one person's computer, on a paid Claude plan. Both carry out tasks for one person and can ask before they act. Copilot Cowork keeps working with the laptop closed. So does Claude Cowork, unless the task uses files on that laptop.
Both carry out tasks for you, step by step
Microsoft and Anthropic both use the name Cowork, for 2 different products.
A chat assistant answers a question. With either Cowork, you describe a task, and it does the steps for you. It can draft documents, send emails or sort files, and it shows its plan as it works.
The 2 products differ most in where they work, and in the plan each needs. Prices here are in US dollars, as Microsoft and Anthropic list them.
Copilot Cowork works inside Microsoft 365
Copilot Cowork is part of the paid Copilot seat in Microsoft 365. Microsoft made it generally available, meaning ready for all work accounts, on 16 June 2026. Your Microsoft 365 admin still has to turn it on. Microsoft is testing a version for personal Microsoft accounts.
It sends emails, sets up meetings, writes documents and posts in Teams. It uses your Outlook mail and calendar, Teams messages, and OneDrive and SharePoint files. Microsoft's overview lists what it can reach.
- Where it runs. In the browser, in the Copilot app for Windows and Mac, and in the Copilot phone app. Its tasks keep running with your laptop closed.
- What it costs. The paid Copilot seat, at US$21 a person a month paid yearly, on top of Microsoft 365. If you subscribe by 31 December 2026, the first year is US$18 a month. Microsoft's Copilot business page gives the seat price.
- Extra use. Extra use is billed in Copilot Credits, at US$0.01 a credit. Microsoft does not say how many credits a task uses. Set a spending limit, and check the first month's bill.
- Who turns it on. It is off by default. Your Microsoft 365 admin, often your IT vendor, turns it on and sets the spending limit.
- What it asks first. It asks before actions such as sending an email or setting up a meeting. After you approve one, you can tell it not to ask again for the same kind of action.
Claude Cowork works with the files on your computer
Claude Cowork is part of the Claude app, made by Anthropic. You describe a task, and Claude works through it on Anthropic's servers. Anthropic's getting started page explains how it works.
- Where it runs. On the web, in the Claude phone app, and in the Claude desktop app for Mac and Windows.
- Laptop closed. Tasks on your connected tools keep running with the laptop closed. Tasks on files on your computer need that computer on, with the Claude desktop app open.
- What it reaches. Only the folders you connect, and the tools you link, such as Slack or Google Drive. Anthropic calls these links connectors.
- What it costs. A paid Claude plan: Pro, Max or Ultra for one person, or Team or Enterprise for a company. Claude Pro is US$20 a month, or US$17 a month paid yearly. Claude Team is US$20 a person a month paid yearly, from 2 people.
- Who turns it on. On Team and Enterprise, your Claude admin can turn it off for the company. The admin can also limit which tools each team may use.
Claude Cowork has 3 modes for when it asks you first:
- Manual: it asks before each action.
- Auto: it asks only when it is not sure an action is safe. This is the default on Pro, Max, Ultra and Team.
- Skip: it does not stop to ask.
To change the mode, open the menu in the message box that shows the current mode, such as Auto. Anthropic says Cowork always asks before it permanently deletes a file.
Anthropic is moving Cowork into the main Claude chat. For now, look for Cowork next to Chat in the message box. After the change, the same features are in the main chat.
Copilot Cowork reaches Microsoft 365, and Claude Cowork reaches your computer
| Copilot Cowork | Claude Cowork | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Microsoft | Anthropic |
| Works with | Your Outlook, Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint | Folders you connect, and tools such as Slack or Google Drive |
| Plan it needs | The paid Copilot seat, plus Copilot Credits for extra use | A paid Claude plan: Pro, Max, Ultra, Team or Enterprise |
| Who turns it on | Your Microsoft 365 admin. It is off by default | You, on Pro, Max and Ultra. On Team and Enterprise, your Claude admin can turn it off |
| Keeps working with the laptop closed | Yes | Yes, for tasks on connected tools. Tasks on files on your computer need the desktop app open |
| Asks before it acts | Before actions such as sending an email | Depends on the mode. Always before it permanently deletes a file |
Pick Copilot Cowork if your team works in Outlook and Teams
- The work is already in Microsoft 365. Mail, meetings and SharePoint files, with nothing to move.
- You already have the paid Copilot seat. Copilot Cowork needs that seat, plus credits for extra use.
- Your IT vendor can turn it on for you. They can also set the spending limit.
Pick Claude Cowork if the work is in files on your computer
- The work is in spreadsheets, PDFs and folders that are not in SharePoint.
- Your company does not run on Microsoft 365. Claude Cowork can work with local files, and with Google Drive or Slack.
- You want to try it this week. Try a Pro plan on files that are not confidential. Move to Claude Team before you use it on company files.
Check 3 things before you let either one act
- Which files it can reach. Give it one folder or one mailbox to start, not everything.
- When it asks you first. Keep the questions on until you trust how it works. On Claude, choose Manual in the mode menu.
- Which plan the account is on. For company files, use a work account on a business plan: Claude Team or Enterprise, or the paid Copilot seat. To check which AI plans keep your data out of training, use our free safe AI check.
Getting from personal AI to company AI takes 3 steps
You now know which Cowork fits one person's work. Both still work for one person at a time, on that person's files and approvals. An agent connected to the company's systems can do a shared job for the whole team. The Copilot comparison shows where such an agent fits beside Copilot.
- Personal AIOne person uses Copilot or Claude for their own emails, files and meetings.
- AI set up for the teamCompany accounts that keep data safe, a staff AI policy, training so everyone uses it the same way, and shared agents. See the Copilot course.
- AI that does a team's jobAn agent connected to your systems, such as Xero, WhatsApp or your stock system. It does a shared job and asks before it acts. See Glimmer.
Someone has to pick the plans, write the staff rules, train the team and connect AI to the company's systems. If nobody in your company has the time, Glints does that setup with you. Book a call about setup.
Questions people also ask
What is Copilot Cowork?
Copilot Cowork is Microsoft's agent inside Microsoft 365. It carries out tasks such as sending emails and setting up meetings, and it needs the paid Copilot seat. Microsoft made it generally available, meaning ready for all work accounts, on 16 June 2026.
Is Copilot Cowork the same as Claude Cowork?
No. Microsoft makes Copilot Cowork, and it works inside Microsoft 365. Anthropic makes Claude Cowork, and it works with the folders and tools you connect. The 2 products share a name only.
Which Claude plan includes Cowork?
Every paid plan includes it: Pro, Max, Ultra, Team and Enterprise. The free plan does not.
How much does Copilot Cowork cost?
It needs the paid Copilot seat, at US$21 a person a month paid yearly. If you subscribe by 31 December 2026, the first year is US$18 a month. Extra use is billed in Copilot Credits at US$0.01 a credit. Your Microsoft 365 admin can set a spending limit.
Is it safe to let an AI agent use my computer?
It is safer when you limit what it can reach and keep its questions on. Start with one folder, use a work account, and check each step before you approve it.
Where to start
This week, pick one task you repeat, such as filing invoices or replying to the same email. Check whether its files sit in Microsoft 365 or on a computer. That tells you which Cowork to try first. To compare the 2 assistants more widely, read Claude vs Copilot.
To get your managers using Copilot well, register your interest in our Copilot course. To talk about a job no single agent can do, book a call.