Copilot Chat vs. StackAI Chat

Microsoft recently launched Copilot Chat, available through the Microsoft Copilot 365 subscription.

This is Microsoft's take on an AI-powered chat interface (an alternative to OpenAI's ChatGPT), integrated directly into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. While it offers seamless access within familiar apps, it comes with limitations—you're tied to Microsoft's AI models and predefined functionality.

StackAI, on the other hand, gives you the power to build a fully customizable AI chat. You can choose your AI model, define your knowledge base, tailor the interface to match your brand, and much more.

So, how does StackAI compare to Microsoft Copilot Chat? Is StackAI the best alternative to Copilot Chat? Let’s dive in.

Why StackAI Chat is the best alternative to Copilot Chat

1. A very different approach: which alternative is easier to use?

1.1. StackAI: A Fully Customizable Chat

StackAI Agent Builder where new AI agents are created and exported as a ChatGPT-like interface.

StackAI takes a flexible approach, empowering users to build AI-driven applications—one of which is the StackAI Chat. Creating a chat in StackAI is incredibly simple:

1. Click "New Project" in the main dashboard.
2. Select "Quick Start."
3. Instantly, a chat interface appears, with customization options on the right-hand side.

With StackAI, you have full control over:

• Description – Define the purpose and context of your chat.
• AI Engine – Choose from multiple AI models, not just one.
• Knowledge Base – Connect your own data sources to personalize responses.
• Tools & Agentic Actions – Enable specific functions, workflows, or automations.
• Conversation Starters – Customize prompts to guide user interactions.

It you are looking for a custom chat interface, StackAI is the best alternative to Copilot Chat.

1.1. Microsoft Copilot Chat: A Static Experience

Copilot Chat main view in Microsoft 365 panel.

Copilot Chat, part of Microsoft 365, offers a predefined, static chat interface designed for users to interact with OpenAI’s GPT-4o—the only model available. Users can access it via the Microsoft 365 panel, on the side bar.

Unlike StackAI, there are no customization options.

• Title, description, avatar, and conversation starters are all set for you.
• Users can’t modify the interface or integrate their own knowledge base.
• The only personalization available is selecting “agents” from a pre-built library.

With Copilot Chat, you interact with AI through Microsoft's predefined agents, each optimized for specific tasks. Users can select agents from a list but can only connect with one agent at a time via the right-hand panel.

2. Knowledge Retrieval: which alternative is better?

One of the biggest advantages of StackAI Chat is its ability to connect with a wide range of cloud storage providers. From Microsoft SharePoint to Dropbox, users can seamlessly integrate their content and use it as a knowledge base for the AI model.

2.1. A broad range of knowledge integration with StackAI

Copilot Chat main view in Microsoft 365 panel.

With StackAI, setting up a knowledge base is simple and flexible:

1. Select your cloud storage provider from the configuration tab.
2. Your content is indexed for optimal retrieval using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
3. Advanced parsing extracts valuable data from images, charts, and tables within documents—enhancing the AI's ability to generate accurate responses.

StackAI also allows users to fine-tune knowledge retrieval parameters based on specific needs. For example:

• Searching for resumes? The AI can return the entire document for a comprehensive review.
• Building an investment memo? The AI can retrieve only the relevant paragraphs from multiple documents.

This level of customization ensures highly relevant and accurate responses, tailored to different use cases.

2.2. Copilot Chat: Limited Storage Integrations & No Customization

Copilot Chat main view side bar with agents (integrations).

With Microsoft Copilot Chat, users must find and select a specific agent that supports the required cloud storage (e.g., Dropbox). Once connected, the AI can extract information from stored documents—but without any customization options.

• No OCR for extracting text from images.
• No advanced parsing for charts, tables, or embedded data.
• No control over chunk size, overlap, or query transformation—key features that enhance retrieval accuracy.

Because of these limitations, Copilot Chat often delivers less precise responses when handling complex queries or diverse document formats.

2.3. StackAI Chat vs. Copilot Chat: Cloud Storage Support

To highlight the differences, here’s a comparison of supported integrations across popular cloud storage providers:

To connect with certain data sources, users must have the necessary IT permissions within Copilot Studio. For another comparison with Stack AI, check this blog post.

3. Custom Agents & Tools: which alternative is more flexible?

One of the most powerful features of StackAI is its ability to let users choose from existing tools (agents) or create their own using OpenAI’s Swagger schema.

3.1. More Flexibility with StackAI

Agentic tools selection in StackAI Agent Builder.

With StackAI, users can:

• Select from a pre-built list of tools to enhance their AI’s capabilities.
• Build custom tools to trigger any action—such as uploading data to another system, sending automated emails, or pulling real-time stock prices.
• Define behavior by crafting detailed descriptions, ensuring the AI knows exactly when and how to use a tool.

This customization allows users to automate workflows, integrate with external applications, and control when specific actions are triggered. StackAI Chat is the best alternative to Copilot Chat if you need custom agents.

3.2. Copilot Chat: Limited, Predefined Agents

Copilot Chat agents library.

With Microsoft Copilot Chat, users can only choose from a fixed list of agents provided by Microsoft. While the list is extensive, it lacks critical integrations such as:

• Sending a Gmail directly from chat.
• Retrieving real-time financial data from Yahoo Finance.

Additionally, users cannot add custom agents or modify existing ones. Every agent operates based on Microsoft’s standard rules, meaning:

• Users cannot fine-tune agent behavior (e.g., setting conditions for when it should trigger).
• Users cannot add a new integration if the required tool is not available.

4. AI Model Flexibility: which alternative offers more variety?

AI Model Provider selection in StackAI Agent Builder.

StackAI is AI model agnostic, providing access to the most advanced models with a single click—no additional registration required.

Users can choose from a variety of models, including OpenAI, Llama, and others, selecting the best fit for their specific use case. Additionally, StackAI offers advanced configuration options, allowing users to:

• Enable chart drafting capabilities.
• Configure citation rendering for sourced responses.
• Implement PII protection and compliance guardrails.
• Set custom guardrails to refine responses.
• Adjust maximum token limits for optimized output.

AI Model selection in StackAI Agent Builder.

In contrast, Microsoft Copilot Chat offers no flexibility. Users are restricted to OpenAI’s GPT-4o, with no ability to customize model behavior or access advanced settings. StackAI Chat is the best alternative to Copilot Chat if you want to leverage the best AI model.

5. How secure is Stack AI vs Microsoft?

StackAI is built to meet the highest security and privacy standards, ensuring that enterprises can confidently deploy AI solutions without compromising compliance or data protection. By integrating advanced encryption, regulatory compliance tools, and customizable workflows, StackAI helps organizations navigate complex security requirements.

Key Security & Compliance Features

• Comprehensive Audit Trails: Maintain full transparency with detailed version histories and execution logs, ensuring complete traceability for regulatory compliance.
• Citation Tracking: AI-generated outputs include references to source information, enabling users to verify accuracy and maintain compliance with industry standards.
• Customizable Workflows: Organizations can tailor AI workflows to align with internal compliance policies, ensuring seamless integration with regulatory frameworks.
• End-to-End Encryption: Data remains secure both in transit and at rest, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access.
• Single Sign-On (SSO) Integration: Enterprise-grade authentication enhances security while simplifying access management.
• PII Protection: Personally identifiable information (PII) is handled with strict safeguards, ensuring compliance with global regulations such as GDPR.
• SOC 2 Certification: Adhering to SOC 2 standards, StackAI ensures that its infrastructure meets the strictest security and data protection requirements.

StackAI Agent Builder can be self-hosted.

For organizations with stringent security needs, on-premise AI deployment offers full control over data and infrastructure. This eliminates reliance on third-party cloud providers, ensuring compliance with internal data governance policies and regulatory requirements.

6. What else can you build in Stack AI?

List of StackAI interfaces to export AI agents.

With StackAI, chats are just the starting point. Enterprises across industries use StackAI to build and deploy AI agents in various formats, including:

• Forms for structured data input.
• Batch processing interfaces for handling large-scale operations.
• Slack and WhatsApp bots for seamless team collaboration.
• Chrome extensions for in-browser automation.

This flexibility enables businesses to automate entire workflows, such as:

• Investment memo generation for financial firms.
• RFP creation to streamline procurement processes.
• Quality control automation for manufacturing and compliance teams.

By integrating AI directly into existing workflows, StackAI transforms business processes, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency.

7. Is StackAI Easy to Learn?

Absolutely. StackAI is designed to make AI application development accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise.

• No coding required (though customization is always an option).
• Simple configurations without unnecessary complexity.
• Streamlined setup, allowing users to launch AI-powered solutions quickly.
• Pre-built interfaces that make sharing and collaboration effortless.
• Comprehensive learning resources, including tutorials, webinars, and guides, to help users get up to speed quickly.

With StackAI, creating and deploying AI applications is intuitive and efficient, making it an ideal platform for users at any skill level. StackAI is the best alternative for building AI agents fast and cost-effective.

8. Can StackAI support me while I build these AI agents?

StackAI provides comprehensive support to help users successfully build and deploy AI agents. A dedicated support team is available to assist at every stage, ensuring that organizations maximize the value of their AI initiatives. StackAI is the best alternative to help you build internal knowledge in your organization.

Available Support & Resources

• Direct Access to Solution Engineers: Schedule office hours with experts for technical guidance and troubleshooting.
• Workshops & Onboarding: Participate in structured sessions to accelerate adoption and ensure a smooth implementation process.
• Quarterly Business Reviews: Assess the impact of your AI initiatives and optimize your GenAI strategy over time.
• User-Driven Feature Development: Suggest new capabilities and influence product roadmaps based on real-world needs.
• Ongoing Platform Enhancements: With frequent updates—including new AI models and expanded functionality—StackAI continuously evolves to align with business requirements.

By offering high-touch support and rapid platform innovation, StackAI ensures that enterprises have the resources needed to scale AI adoption effectively.