Anyone who uses Microsoft Copilot for meetings is likely familiar with its limitations: privacy concerns, a lack of advanced automation, and limited conversation analytics. For companies with strict data protection requirements or highly customized workflows, these limitations can quickly become roadblocks.
What’s more, Copilot’s integration is confined to the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, which can significantly restrict flexibility — especially in mixed-tool environments.
This is where Sally comes in: a German alternative that addresses precisely these challenges. Sally not only offers a privacy-first approach but also shines with broader integrations, deeper support, and more flexible automation capabilities.
But how do the two assistants really compare in practice? In this article, we take a closer look at Microsoft Copilot vs. Sally and highlight the key differences.
If you want a more detailed comparison of the two, you can read this comparison between Sally and Copilot.

Data Protection: European Standards vs. Microsoft Cloud
Data protection is a critical issue, especially for companies bound by strict compliance guidelines.
Microsoft Copilot stores and processes data in the Microsoft cloud, which may involve data transfers across multiple countries. This can pose challenges for companies operating within the EU, where GDPR compliance is mandatory.
Sally, by contrast, is hosted in Germany and Sally adheres to the strictest GDPR standards. For companies that require full control over their data, Sally offers a privacy-first solution.
Unlike Copilot, Sally ensures that your data is not only secure, but also processed in a fully compliant and transparent environment - a major plus for privacy-conscious organizations.
Transcription & Recording: Accuracy and Control
Both tools offer AI-powered transcription for meetings. However, Sally stands out with superior voice recognition, especially in German. This is a clear advantage for companies that conduct meetings in German or work with German-speaking clients.
Another key difference:
With Sally, users can choose where their recordings are stored - including the option for local storage or hosting in EU-based data centers.
In contrast, Copilot relies solely on the Microsoft cloud, leaving less flexibility and control over data handling, particularly relevant for meeting strict internal or industry-specific data protection policies.

Integration & automation: flexibility counts
Copilot is deeply integrated with Microsoft 365 but has limited functionality outside of that ecosystem. This means users who mainly work with Microsoft tools benefit from seamless integration. However, for companies that also use other tools like Trello, Notion, or Slack, Sally may be the more flexible option. Sally supports a wide range of applications and interfaces. It can be integrated not only with Microsoft products but also with other common tools. It also enables automated workflows that simplify meeting follow-ups—a feature Copilot lacks in its basic version.
Conversational intelligence & coaching: Copilot vs Sally - Who offers more value?
Copilot provides solid meeting summaries and highlights the essence of a conversation. For many users, this is already useful. But Sally goes a step further. It analyzes conversations, detects patterns, and provides concrete suggestions for improvement. This helps teams hold more effective meetings by improving communication. Sally offers more than just transcription—it actively supports better conversations.
Usability & Support: Which tool is easier to use?
While Copilot requires some training, Sally is intuitive and easy to use, even for those without technical expertise. This is ideal for companies without dedicated IT departments. Support in German and English is another plus with Sally. Copilot, by contrast, is better suited to international environments, but support is mostly in English, which may be a barrier for some users.
Value for money: Copilot vs Alternative Sally - Which is more worthwhile?
Copilot is often included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, making it attractive for companies that already use Microsoft products. Sally, on the other hand, is a standalone product that is offered at flexible pricing models, which creates a more individual choice for companies. Especially for companies that place great value on data protection and a variety of integrations, Sally offers a much more attractive overall package.
Conclusion: Copilot or German alternative Sally - Which suits you better?
Which choice should you make now? Co-pilot or German alternative Sally?
If you're deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem, Copilot is a solid solution. But for companies with strict data protection needs, a need for flexible integrations, and an interest in better conversation analysis, Sally is clearly the better option. It offers more customization, a friendlier interface, and better privacy standards. Especially for companies following European data protection laws, Sally is a strong recommendation.
Want more details? Click here for the full article on Copilot vs Sally.
Do you want more detailed information? Then click here for a detailed article about Copilot vs Sally.

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