In this age of efficiency and productivity, it is vital to have a reliable office software suite. Do you own a Mac and are pondering whether to buy Microsoft Office? And if the expensive subscription is worth it or not. This article aims to unveil the ins and outs of Microsoft 365 for Mac. In addition, it also tells you if there is any other fantastic office software suite that is more budget-friendly. Let's learn about different options and find the perfect fit for your needs.
Microsoft 365 for Mac
Microsoft 365 features various powerful tools and services to enhance your productivity. With Microsoft 365 for Mac, you can unlock many benefits and features that transform how you learn, work, and connect with others.
Whether you are an individual, a family, or a business, Microsoft 365 offers feature-riched flexible solutions to help you maximize your productivity and stay organized. Microsoft 365 for Mac is available in 2 versions.
Microsoft 365 Personal
Microsoft 365 Family
Intro
Microsoft 365 Personal | Microsoft 365 Family |
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Microsoft 365 offers PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, and Excel applications to create and edit presentations, emails, documents, and spreadsheets. You can also co-author with your teammates by collaborating in real time. | You can keep your files securely and access them from any device anytime. In addition, Microsoft Teams can help you manage your online meetings, chats, and video calls. Office 365 for Mac regularly introduces new updates; therefore, stay up-to-date with the latest improvements and features. |
Features (Highlights)
Microsoft 365 Personal | Microsoft 365 Family |
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Price
The price of Microsoft Office for Mac is $49.99 for a lifetime.
Microsoft 365 Personal | Microsoft 365 Family |
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The personal plan costs you $69.99/year. | The family plan offers services at the rate of $99.99/ year. |
When to Choose
Microsoft 365 Personal | Microsoft 365 Family |
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A Personal plan is perfect for individuals like a student who wants access to cloud storage and Microsoft Office apps for Mac. It provides a cost-effective solution to help you manage personal tasks, like boosting productivity and managing documents & emails. | Microsoft 365 family plan is for multiple users in a household to provide them with an affordable way to access Office across different devices. It enhances communication and collaboration to manage family projects. |
How to Download Microsoft Office 365 for Mac free
If you install Microsoft 365 for Mac, you must do some pre-installation. Let's dive into the details of how to download, install and activate Office 365 for Mac.
Step 1:
Go to Microsoft Office and Sign in if you still need to be signed in.
Afterward, follow with the account you associated with this version of Office.
Open the Microsoft 365 home page and install Office apps by selecting "Office 365 apps." To start the installation process, consider the following instructions.
Step 2:
After the Microsoft 365 for Mac download, go to "Finder," click Downloads and double-click the Microsoft Office installer. Pkg.
Tip: Wait for 10 seconds if you see that Microsoft Office Installer. Pkg is from an unidentified developer. Then move the file to your desktop. Press Control + and click the file to start the installation.
Step 3:
You will see the screen "Welcome to the Microsoft Office for Mac Installer" Click on "Continue" to begin the process. Check the software license agreement, then click Continue. Agree to the terms of the agreement.
After selecting the installation method, click Continue. Click Install after reviewing the disk space requirements. Enter your password for logging into your Mac, and click Install Software after installing Microsoft 365 for Mac. Click Close.
Step 4:
To display all your apps, click on the "Launchpad" icon. In the launchpad, select "Microsoft Excel."
When you launch Excel, you see a "What's New" Window. Activate it by clicking "Get started."
Pros
Some of the positive points of Microsoft 365 for Mac are as follows.
Expert guidance from Microsoft Defender and real-time alerts & tips provide you with continuous monitoring of threats
Let you work offline or collaborate in real-time through Word, Powerpoint, and Excel
Allow you to quickly edit, share and save your files with Microsoft 365 and OneDrive
Create your next big idea using OneNote's text, audio, photo, and video capture features
Cons
There are some cons of using Microsoft Office for Mac 2021 as well that are discussed below.
Require you to pay a recurrent fee to continue using the service
Multiple features rely on an internet connection
Limited workflow adjustments and interface customization
Version compatibility issues may arise when sharing files with users of different versions
It is essential to weigh the cons against the pros to determine whether it aligns with your preferences.
Best Alternative to Microsoft Office for Mac - WPS Office
You can choose alternative options if you want to spend less on MS Office.
Introduction
WPS Office offers a free version to users looking for budget-friendly office suits such as Spreadsheets, writers, and Presentations. It features a user-friendly interface for people who struggle to deal with complex software.
However, users can upgrade to premium versions if they want additional features like OCR recognition and PDF conversion. The premium version of WPS Office is more affordable when compared with Microsoft Office. Hence, the WPS office is better for individuals and small businesses.
Functions
WPS features various operating systems, including Spreadsheet, Word, Presentation, and PDF software. Users can collaborate and share documents.
Compatibility
WPS Office is compatible with Mac, macOS V13 (Ventura), macOS V12 (Monterey), macOS v11 (Big Sur), macOS v10.15 (Catalina), macOS v10.14 (Mojave), and former Versions. It can edit all types of MS documents on the desktop.
How to Edit and Save Microsoft Word Excel Powerpoint with WPS
If you want to save Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel files using WPS Office, follow these steps.
Step 1:
First, you must download WPS Office (if you still need to get one). Go for the version compatible with your device (MacOS, Linux, Windows). Install it on your computer. After installing, launch the WPS Office from the Application folder (Linux/ MacOS) or Start Menu (Windows).
Step 2:
Open the file from the "File" option at the top left corner of the screen. From the drop-down menu, select "Open." Browse your computer to open your desired file (Word, Excel, or Powerpoint).
Step 3:
Whether the file is a document, spreadsheet, or presentation, it will open in the corresponding WPS application, i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Here you can edit the file accordingly.
Step 4:
After editing the file, click "File" from the drop-down menu, and select "Save As." You can choose the file name, destination folder, and format here. After selecting the required file formats, Click Save or Ok. The file will be ready for use in Microsoft Office.
Price
Essential features are Free to use. However, if you need advanced features, you can subscribe to the premium version, which is less expensive than Microsoft Office 365.
Pros
Offer free and no ads interruption
User-friendly interface and easy customization
Lightweight and doesn't take up heavy space on your device
Sync with multiple devices through cloud storage
Compatible with MS Office file formats
Cons
Lack of some advanced features in the free version
May not handle complex tasks for professional use
No support for VBA
Hence if you don’t want to spend your money on purchasing an expensive subscription to Microsoft 365 for Mac, WPS Office can prove to be the best alternative. It helps you create and edit your documents on Mac. You can use all the necessary features that are offered by Microsoft Office.
FAQs
Can you install Microsoft 365 on Mac?
After verifying your license, you can install it anytime. You must sign in for Microsoft Office for Mac free download and install its full version on your device using your personal, work, or school account and a product key.
What is the Apple equivalent of Office 365?
iWork is the Apple equivalent of Office 365. It is created by Apple Inc. for its operating systems like iPadOD, iOS operating system, and macOS.
How to activate Office 365 for free?
To activate your Microsoft Office for free, you must sign in to your Microsoft Account. Afterward, you can install your product or manage your new subscription without a product key.
Summary
After reading this article, you must have been able to know the versions of Microsoft 365, their features, pros, and cons, along with the ways to download, install and activate Microsoft 365 for Mac free.
Microsoft Office is an industry leader, but it can be expensive. So people looking for alternative budget-friendly options can consider the WPS office as it is free and compatible with multiple platforms. Hence, the WPS office is recommended to try for your productivity needs. Let’s download WPS and enjoy its tools and features.
