In our daily life, using an office suite is necessary for our work, which can improve our working efficiency. But the basic features of office software sometimes don't meet the needs of users. And they don't know which one is best for them when they choose a subscription plan.
Therefore, let’s find the answer in this article by comparing all aspects of Microsoft Office 365 subscription plans for you.
Part 1. Introduction to Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is a comprehensive suite of productivity tools and cloud-based services developed by Microsoft. It combines the best features of Office 365, Windows 10, and various other online services to offer individuals and businesses a powerful platform to enhance their productivity and collaboration.
Microsoft Office comes with software tools to help both in the business and home working environment. These include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive.
Benefits of Microsoft 365 subscription
Productivity and Collaboration: Microsoft 365 includes popular applications that provide users with the ability to create, edit, and share documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and emails seamlessly. The real-time collaboration features in these apps enable multiple users to work together on the same document simultaneously.
Cloud Storage: Subscribers to Microsoft 365 receive access to OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage service. With ample storage space, users can securely store their files and access them from anywhere on any device with an internet connection.
Regular Updates and Security: Microsoft 365 subscribers benefit from continuous updates and improvements to their software, ensuring they always have access to the latest features and security patches.
Communication and Meetings: Microsoft Teams, an integral part of Microsoft 365, facilitates seamless communication and video conferencing where users can hold virtual meetings, webinars, and chat with colleagues or clients.
Enhanced Accessibility: Microsoft 365 offers features designed to improve accessibility for users with disabilities. It includes built-in tools for dictation, screen readers, and other accessibility options, promoting inclusivity in the workplace and education.
Integrated Services: Microsoft 365 seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft services like SharePoint and Exchange that provide a unified platform for managing documents, emails, and team collaboration.
Part 2. Office 365 for Home
Office 365 for Home is a subscription-based version of Microsoft's popular Office productivity suite designed for individuals and families. It offers a comprehensive set of applications and services that enhance productivity, creativity, and collaboration. With a range of subscription plans, users can choose the one that best fits their needs and budget.
Suitable Subscription Plans for Different Groups
Office 365 Personal
This plan is ideal for individuals who require Office applications for personal use on a single device. Subscribers get access to essential applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, along with 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage. It is perfect for students, freelancers, or anyone needing Office on a single computer or tablet.
Microsoft 365 Family
The Family plan caters to households with multiple users. It offers the same applications and services as Office 365 Personal, but it allows installation on up to six devices per user. This plan is suitable for families where different members may need Office applications on various devices, such as PCs, Macs, tablets, or smartphones.
Office Home and Student 2021
Although not a subscription plan, this one-time purchase option provides lifetime access to Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for use on a single device. It is suitable for students and individuals who prefer a traditional software license without recurring subscription fees.
Along with the basic comparison, below here is the table you can refer to find useful differences between these Office home plans.
Subscription Plan | Price (Annual) | Price (Monthly) | Office Applications | Devices per User | OneDrive Storage per User |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Office 365 Personal | $69.99 | $6.99 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook | 1 Device | 1 TB |
Office 365 Family | $99.99 | $9.99 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook | Up to 6 Devices | 1 TB per user |
Office Home & Student 2021 | $149.99 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint | 1 Device | - |
Part3: Features Comparison Across Business Plans
Microsoft offers a range of Office 365 and Microsoft 365 subscription plans tailored specifically for businesses of all sizes. These plans provide access to a suite of productivity tools, cloud-based services, and security features, empowering organizations to enhance collaboration, communication, and efficiency within their workforce.
Suitable Subscription Plans for Different Groups
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for essential cloud-based productivity tools.
Includes web versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Microsoft Teams for chat, video conferencing, and collaboration.
Suited for businesses that primarily require cloud-based applications and teamwork capabilities.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
Suitable for small to medium-sized businesses that need the full suite of Office applications and cloud services.
Includes desktop versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration.
Offers OneDrive cloud storage and Exchange email hosting, enabling a complete productivity solution.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Designed for small to medium-sized businesses seeking advanced security and device management features.
Combines Office applications, Microsoft Teams, Exchange email hosting, OneDrive, and additional security features.
Suited for organizations that prioritize data protection, compliance, and remote device management.
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise
Suitable for large enterprises or organizations requiring only Office applications for desktop use.
You can store, access, and share files by getting 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage.
Provides access to the desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more without additional cloud services.
Best for companies with specific needs for desktop software without additional cloud-based collaboration.
You can also refer to the table below to find basic features and price differences between different Microsoft 365 pricing plans.
Subscription Plan | Subscription Price | Office Applications | Teams | OneDrive Storage | Advanced Security Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft 365 Business Basic | $6 per user per month | Web versions (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | Included | 1 TB | - |
Microsoft 365 Business Standard | $12.50 per user per month | Full versions (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) | Included | 1 TB | - |
Microsoft 365 Business Premium | $22 per user per month | Full versions (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) | Included | 1 TB | Advanced security and device management features |
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise | $12 per user per month | Full versions (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) | Not Included | Not Included | - |
Part4: Cost-effective Alternative Choice——WPS Office
WPS Office is a complete office suite that provides users with a free alternative to Microsoft Office. It offers a set of powerful productivity tools that enable users to create, edit, and manage documents, spreadsheets, and presentations seamlessly. WPS Office is compatible with various file formats and operating systems, making it a popular choice for individuals, students, and businesses alike.
Advantages of WPS Office
Free for Users: One of the significant advantages of WPS Office is that it is available for free to users. This provides a cost-effective solution for those who require office productivity tools without having to purchase a subscription or license.
Lightweight and Fast: WPS Office is known for its lightweight nature, making it quick to install and launch. It uses fewer system resources compared to Microsoft Office, resulting in faster performance, especially on older or lower-spec devices.
Cross-platform Compatibility: WPS Office supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. This cross-platform compatibility ensures users can access their files on various devices seamlessly.
Familiar Interface: The user interface of WPS Office bears a resemblance to older versions of Microsoft Office, making it easy for users transitioning from Microsoft's suite to adapt quickly.
File Compatibility: WPS Office is compatible with a wide range of file formats, including those used in Microsoft Office (e.g., .docx, .xlsx, .pptx). This ensures smooth collaboration and file sharing with users who utilize Microsoft Office.
FAQs
1. Is it possible to get Office 365 for free?
Yes, Microsoft Office 365 can be available for free, but only for verified students and educators. All you have to do is provide your valid school email, and you will get access to multiple Microsoft Office 365 apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Teams.
2. Is Office 365 free for lifetime?
Speaking precisely, there are no Microsoft Office subscriptions that offer ‘lifetime’ office ownership. So, all the news surrounding Microsoft Office for a lifetime is false, and it is recommended to refrain from believing such rumors.
Microsoft 365 Pricing and WPS
In this guide, we learned about the pricing of Microsoft Office 365 plans, both for home and business use. These plans are all either subscription-based or one-time-based, or both. So, you can select the one that suits your needs and preferences. You can determine your usage needs by analyzing how often you use Microsoft Office and which features and functionalities you use. Based on this information, you will select a subscription plan to match your needs.
But the only drawback to all these plans for Office 365 pricing is that you will have to pay a definite amount of fee every month. WPS Office, on the other hand, offers the same features and functionalities as Microsoft Office but for no price at all.
It has its own Word, Spreadsheet, and Presentation editor that can help you work with the same documents you used Microsoft Office for. So, if you want to save some money and put as minimum as possible load on your devices, we recommend you download WPS Office and start using it today.
