Hermes vs ChatGPT is not a choice between talking and taking action: both can perform tasks. Choose ChatGPT to get started quickly with questions, writing, and analysis; Microsoft 365 Copilot for help with everyday Office work; and Hermes if you want your own agent with configurable tools and workflows. You do not have to use the same tool for everything.
ChatGPT is OpenAI's chat interface. It is useful for ideas, explanations, and brainstorming. It can also analyze files and run Python code. For longer tasks, OpenAI offers ChatGPT Work: research and document creation, with access to local files on desktop if you grant permission. Available features depend on your plan and workspace settings.
Here, Copilot means Microsoft 365 Copilot for business work, not the separate consumer chat or GitHub Copilot for software development. It helps with Word, Excel, Teams, and other Microsoft products. That is useful if most of your work happens there. Through agents and connectors, Copilot can also use external business data and perform actions. Your CRM or custom tools are not automatically excluded; the integration, license, and permissions determine what is possible.
Hermes is an open-source AI agent that is not confined to one app. Hermes works through Telegram, Slack, Discord, WhatsApp, or desktop. With the right access, the agent can read files, run scripts, and use tools. You can choose the language model, integrations, and reusable work instructions, called skills. Read more in our explanation of Hermes Agent.
Memory is not exclusive to Hermes: ChatGPT can remember context and Copilot has memory settings. With Hermes, you can inspect and edit memory and skills in your own installation. That also takes configuration and maintenance. Voltti installs Hermes on a local node and provides support. A local agent does not mean every language model runs locally: task content may be sent to an external model provider.
The table compares ways of working, not which model is the smartest. With ChatGPT and Copilot, check which features your account supports. With Hermes, check which tools and permissions you have configured.
| Feature | ChatGPT | Microsoft 365 Copilot | Hermes Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
Type | Chat and agent features, including Work | Assistant and agents for Microsoft 365 | AI agent you configure yourself |
Where it works | Web, mobile, and desktop; features vary | Microsoft 365 apps and Copilot Chat | Desktop, terminal, and connected chat platforms |
File access | Uploads and connected sources; Work on desktop can also access local files with permission | Microsoft 365 files and connected external sources | Permitted files and connected systems |
Use tools | Includes data analysis, apps, and multistep tasks through Work | Apps, agents, and connectors, including outside Microsoft | Scripts, browser, API integrations, and custom skills |
Memory | Context across conversations when memory is enabled | Saved memories and chat history, depending on settings | Inspectable memory, skills, and session search |
Open source | No, the service is closed source | No, the service is closed source | Yes, the agent code; evaluate the chosen model separately |
Self-hosting | Not the ChatGPT service; desktop can work locally | Not the Microsoft 365 Copilot service | Yes, the agent on your local node; the model can be local or external |
Start with the first question. If the answer is yes, test that option with a real task. If not, move to the next question.
Are you a writer, marketer, or researcher who mainly wants to develop an idea or analyze a file quickly, without your own agent installation? Start with ChatGPT. Try Work if the task needs several steps and a finished document.
Are you a project lead or an administrator whose daily work mainly happens in Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams? Start with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Check with your IT lead which work data and agents you are allowed to use.
Are you responsible for technology, or do you want to configure a recurring process across several systems? Consider Hermes if you want control over tools, model choice, and reusable workflows. Agree in advance who will handle access, updates, and checks.
Do none of these work styles quite fit? Do not choose a replacement yet. First compare one bounded task using the tools you already have. For example, ask each tool to create a report from an approved data source, then check both the figures and the output file.
Do not judge that trial on writing quality alone. Also record how much preparation and correction it takes, which data leaves the environment, and which actions need human approval. Any tool that can write to your systems needs limited permissions, regardless of its brand.
Read more about the distinction in our article AI agent vs chatbot. Or see what Hermes can do for businesses.
Yes. ChatGPT is still useful for quick questions and brainstorming, and it can perform tasks too. You can use Hermes alongside it for configured workflows on your own node. Choose per task; you do not need to switch completely.
Not automatically. Microsoft 365 Copilot is a logical first choice if most of your work happens in Office and Teams. It can also work with external sources and agents. Compare the integrations and permissions you need before choosing another tool.
You cannot tell from the license price alone. Compare subscriptions, model usage, hardware, setup, and support for the same task. Voltti prepares a custom quote. Without that comparison, there is no basis for claiming Hermes is cheaper or more expensive for your team.
Hermes can use Microsoft services through configured integrations and granted permissions. It is not built into Word or Excel in the same way as Microsoft 365 Copilot. You need to test which actions each integration supports.
