Microsoft Copilot Think Deeper vs CustomGPT.ai Researcher

An in-depth comparison between Microsoft's Think Deeper feature and CustomGPT.ai Researcher, examining their capabilities, limitations, and use cases for AI-powered research.

Overview

Microsoft Copilot's Think Deeper feature, released in early 2025, represents Microsoft's entry into the AI research space. While marketed as a "deep research" capability, our analysis reveals it functions more as an enhanced LLM interaction rather than a true research agent. This comparison examines how it stacks up against dedicated deep research agents like CustomGPT.ai Researcher.

The exact same prompt when used with CustomGPT.ai Researcher resulted in this article:

Core Capabilities Comparison

Feature	CustomGPT.ai Researcher	Microsoft Think Deeper
Processing Time	38-minute average	~1 minute
Source Coverage	200+ sources per article	No visible source processing
Word Processing	1.4M+ words analyzed	Limited to LLM internal knowledge
Citation System	Dynamic Smart Citations	No citations provided
Knowledge Base	Google Search or Custom Knowledge	Limited to underlying LLM
Progress Tracking	Detailed progress indicators	Basic loading spinner
History	Full conversation history	No persistent history

Technical Architecture

Component	CustomGPT.ai Researcher	Microsoft Think Deeper
AI Models	Multiple specialized models (o3, gpt-4o, CustomGPT.ai)	Single model (OpenAI o1)
Research Tech	RAG with semantic search	No evident research capabilities
Tool Usage	Search, RAG, Vision	No tool integration
Processing	Progressive section generation	Single-pass generation
Anti-Hallucination	Industry-leading RAG implementation	No verification system
Custom Knowledge	Full integration available	Not available

Content Quality Assessment

Aspect	CustomGPT.ai Researcher	Microsoft Think Deeper
Research Depth	Deep semantic analysis	Surface-level LLM responses
Source Quality	Verified authoritative sources	No visible source usage
Citation Handling	Comprehensive citation system	No citations
Content Structure	Progressive narrative building	Basic response format
Verification	Source-backed claims	No verification system

Real-World Applications

Use Case	CustomGPT.ai Researcher	Microsoft Think Deeper
Academic Research	Comprehensive with citations	Not suitable
Market Analysis	Detailed industry insights	Basic LLM responses
Content Marketing	SEO-optimized with links	Basic content generation
Technical Documentation	Verified technical content	Limited capabilities

Cost and Value Analysis

Aspect	CustomGPT.ai Researcher	Microsoft Think Deeper
Pricing	Free tier + Premium options	$20/month (Copilot Pro)
Value Proposition	Comprehensive research platform	Enhanced LLM responses
Time Savings	20+ hours per report	Minimal
Output Quality	Professional-grade content	Basic AI responses

Key Limitations of Think Deeper

1. Limited Research Capabilities

   • No evident source processing
   • Relies solely on underlying LLM (o1)
   • No tool use integration (e.g., search)

2. Poor User Experience

   • Basic loading spinner with no progress details
   • No conversation history preservation
   • Limited context about processing

3. Quality Concerns

   • No citation system
   • No source verification
   • No transparency about information sources

4. Platform Lock-in

   • Value primarily for Microsoft ecosystem users
   • No compelling advantage over other solutions
   • Limited integration capabilities

Advantages of CustomGPT.ai Researcher

1. Comprehensive Research

   • Processes 200+ sources
   • Analyzes 1.4M+ words
   • Provides detailed progress tracking

2. Quality Assurance

   • Source verification
   • Dynamic citations
   • Anti-hallucination technology

3. Professional Features

   • Multiple export formats
   • Visual content enhancement
   • Custom knowledge integration

Use Case Recommendations

Choose CustomGPT.ai Researcher For:

• Professional content creation with custom knowledge
• Serious research needs
• Content requiring citations
• High quality output with deep research.

Consider Microsoft Think Deeper If:

• Already invested in Microsoft ecosystem
• Need basic AI responses
• Don't require source verification
• Have simple content needs

Conclusion

Microsoft's Think Deeper feature, while marketed as a deep research capability, functions more as an enhanced LLM interaction using o1. It lacks the fundamental features of a true deep research agent, such as source processing, citation handling, and progress tracking. When compared to dedicated research platforms like CustomGPT.ai Researcher or Perplexity Deep Research, Think Deeper's limitations become apparent:

• No real research capabilities
• No source verification
• No citation system
• Limited user experience
• Basic LLM responses

For users requiring serious research capabilities, CustomGPT.ai Researcher offers a more comprehensive solution with proper source verification, citations, and professional features. Think Deeper might suit basic needs within the Microsoft ecosystem, but it falls short for professional research and content creation tasks.

Objectivity Statement

This comparison is based on direct testing and publicly available information as of February 2025. Features and capabilities may change with updates.