The enterprise AI market is growing rapidly. Every company faces the same question: Which tool is right for us? Microsoft Copilot dominates headlines, Langdock is considered a German contender, and TheroAI promises data sovereignty without compromises.
In this article, we compare the three solutions objectively – with concrete numbers, real weaknesses, and clear recommendations for different company types.
The 2026 Market: Why the Choice Is So Difficult
The German enterprise AI market will grow to over 106 billion euros by 2030. But with growth comes confusion: Over 50 vendors are competing for decision-makers' attention.
The good news: There is no single "perfect" solution. The bad news: A wrong decision costs you not just money, but also time, trust, and competitiveness.
Comparison Table: The Hard Facts
| Criterion | TheroAI | Microsoft Copilot | Langdock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per User/Month | From €19 | $30 (~€28) | From €25 + 10% AI Markup |
| Hosting | 100% Germany | Microsoft Cloud (US/EU) | EU option available |
| On-Premise possible | Yes | No | Enterprise plan |
| Setup Time | < 1 day | 2-4 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Learning Curve | Low | Medium | High |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes (native) | Limited | Yes |
| Model Flexibility | Multi-model | GPT-4 only | Multi-model |
| Offline Capability | Yes | No | No |
Microsoft Copilot: The Giant with Weaknesses
Microsoft Copilot is the market leader. With deep integration into Microsoft 365, the choice seems obvious for many companies. But reality looks different.
The Strengths
Seamless Integration: Copilot works directly in Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook. For companies living entirely in the Microsoft ecosystem, this is a real advantage.
Brand Recognition: "Nobody ever got fired for buying Microsoft." This argument counts in many boardrooms.
The Critical Weaknesses
Shocking Adoption Numbers: According to Gartner, only 5% of companies make it from pilot phase to productive use. 95% of projects fail.
High Agent Failure Rate: A Carnegie Mellon study shows that Copilot agents fail in 70% of cases on real Office tasks. These aren't edge cases – this is core functionality that doesn't work.
Governance Nightmare: Copilot can access all files the user has access to. In companies with legacy permission structures, this leads to unintended data exposures.
No Trial Available: Microsoft offers no trial. You have to buy to test.
Vendor Lock-in: Once implemented, you can't easily get out. And if Microsoft raises prices? Then you pay.
Suitable For?
Large corporations with dedicated Microsoft admin teams, existing M365 E5 licenses, and resources for a multi-month change management project.
Langdock: The German Challenger
Berlin-based Langdock has positioned itself as a "secure ChatGPT alternative for businesses." With 600+ customers and 50,000+ monthly users, they're no longer a newcomer.
The Strengths
Multi-Model Approach: Langdock isn't tied to OpenAI. You can use Claude, Llama, and other models.
German Roots: Developed in Berlin, with EU hosting option and German support.
Broad Integrations: Over 100 connectors for Google Drive, Confluence, Notion, Slack, Salesforce, and more.
The Weaknesses
Steep Learning Curve: Reviews on G2 and Capterra repeatedly mention the "steep learning curve for non-techies." The platform is powerful – but complex.
Feature Overload: Five main products (Chat, Assistants, Agents, Search, API) are simply too much for many mid-sized companies. They want a solution, not a platform.
Hidden Costs: The base price of €25 sounds fair. But add a 10% markup on all AI provider costs. With intensive use, that can quickly become €450+ per month per team.
Slow Support: Multiple users report long wait times for customer support.
Suitable For?
Tech-savvy companies with IT resources looking for a flexible, extensible platform and willing to invest time in learning.
TheroAI: Simplicity Meets Sovereignty
TheroAI follows a different approach: Maximum simplicity with maximum data sovereignty.
Core Strengths
100% German Hosting: Your data never leaves Germany. Not "EU option" – Germany-only as standard. This makes GDPR compliance trivial.
RAG Technology: Retrieval-Augmented Generation enables precise answers from your company data. The AI doesn't "hallucinate" – it cites your documents.
Setup in Hours, Not Weeks: No complex IT project. TheroAI runs while you're still signing the contract.
Offline Capability: For critical infrastructure companies and security-sensitive areas: TheroAI works completely without internet connection.
Transparent Pricing: One price, no hidden markups, no surprises.
The Limitations
No Microsoft 365 Native: TheroAI doesn't integrate directly into Word or Excel. For companies working exclusively in Microsoft apps, this is a disadvantage.
Smaller Ecosystem: Compared to Microsoft, the global partner network is missing.
Suitable For?
German mid-sized companies looking for a secure, simple solution. Companies in regulated industries (finance, healthcare, legal). Organizations that understand data sovereignty not as a buzzword but as a requirement.
The Decision Matrix
Choose Microsoft Copilot if:
- You already have Microsoft 365 E5
- Your IT team can plan 2-4 weeks of setup time
- Governance and permissions are cleanly set up
- Budget for change management is available
Choose Langdock if:
- You need maximum model flexibility
- Your team is technically versed
- You have time for onboarding
- You want to automate complex workflows
Choose TheroAI if:
- Data sovereignty is top priority
- You want to start quickly (< 1 day)
- Simplicity is more important than feature abundance
- You work in a regulated industry
- On-premise or offline use is required
Conclusion: It's Not About Features – It's About Fit
The "best" enterprise AI doesn't exist. There's only the best for your company.
Microsoft Copilot shines on paper but struggles with real adoption problems. Langdock offers power features but demands technical expertise. TheroAI foregoes complexity in favor of security and speed.
Our recommendation: Test for yourself. With TheroAI, you can be live within a day – no risk, no long-term contract.
Ready for a no-obligation test?
👉 Schedule a Demo – 30 minutes that bring clarity
FAQ: Most Common Questions
Can I switch from Copilot to TheroAI?
Yes. TheroAI is not a replacement for Microsoft 365, but a complement or alternative for AI functions. Parallel operation is easily possible.
Is TheroAI GDPR compliant?
Yes. 100% German hosting, no data transfer to third countries, DPA included as standard.
What does switching from Langdock cost?
The switch itself is free. We support you in migrating your workflows and integrations.
How quickly can I start?
With TheroAI: Within one business day. Setup, onboarding, and first use on the same day.
Ready for Secure AI?
Try TheroAI in a GDPR-compliant sandbox environment.