Microsoft offers a one-time purchase version and subscription-based software. Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based version, whereas Office 2021 is a one-time purchase. However, Office 2021 updates are paid. This article will guide you on whether you should purchase Office 2021 or subscribe to Microsoft 365. It’ll also mention the differences between them and their best alternative.
Microsoft Office One-Time Purchase
What’s the Microsoft Office one-time purchase?
Microsoft Office one-time purchase is Microsoft Office 2021 version. To use Microsoft Office 2021, you need to buy the software for one time. However, Office 2021’s updates are not free.
Why need Microsoft Office one-time purchase?
Microsoft Office one-time purchase, i.e., Office 2021, is needed because it’s a one-time purchase, and you won’t be required to pay again and again.
Features and Highlights of Microsoft Office's one-time purchase
Features of Microsoft Office one-time purchase are that you can create, read, edit, share in real-time, co-author, use premium features, and do much more using the Office applications. Microsoft Office is an excellent software with essential and advanced features and great customer support, which makes work more efficient and increases productivity.
Microsoft Office One-time Purchase’s Applicable System (Is it OK for Windows and Mac)
Microsoft Office one-time purchase is compatible and OK with Windows and Mac and has applications for IOS and Android devices. It’s OK with Windows and Mac.
Microsoft Office One-Time Purchase (Office 2021)
Office 2021 is the latest version of Microsoft Office's one-time purchase. It has various versions explained in-depth below.
Office Home & Student 2021
Intro
Office Home and Student is Microsoft Office 2021 for students, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Windows and Mac. This version of Microsoft Office 2021 is designed for students and should be chosen only by students or those who don’t use Office 2021 more often.
Features
It has all the features of standard Microsoft Office software.
You can create, edit, view, share, and download files smoothly
It allows co-authoring and storing files in the cloud
It is safe and has a good customer support
You can create Word files, Excel files, PowerPoint presentations, and more.
Price
You can buy Microsoft Office 2021 one-time for $149.99.
When to choose
You must choose Microsoft Office one-time purchase Home and Student version if you want to use it personally. The home and student version is designed for individuals and students who use Office 2021 for personal use.
Office Home and Business 2021
Intro
Businesses and individuals mainly use Microsoft Office for personal use. Office 2021 Home and Business version is designed especially for businesses and working individuals.
Features
The version has almost the same features as others.
It has Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
You can create, share, edit, and do more with your files.
Microsoft supports businesses and helps them keep their files safe and secure.
You can use real-time sharing and co-authoring features.
Advanced tools are available here.
It also works with Microsoft Teams
It’s a one-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac
Price
You can buy Microsoft Office 2021 one-time purchase Home and Business version for $249.99.
When to choose
If you are a working individual or a business, you must choose this version of Microsoft Office one-time purchase. Usually, businesses use Office Suite to make their work efficient and increase their productivity. A business or working individual may choose this version.
Office Professional
Intro
Microsoft Office 2021 has an Office professional version that is for Office professionals working in offices. This version has more apps and better support and features than all mentioned above. This version is made for people who work in offices and wish to boost their creativity and make their work more efficient and accurate.
Features
The Office 2021 Office professional version offers Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, and Outlook.
You can simply view, create, edit, share, save, and download files
You can co-author and use files simultaneously in real time.
It has a friendly and smooth user interface.
This version aims to boost your performance and make your work more efficient.
Price
Microsoft Office 2021 Office Profession version costs a whopping $439.99. It’s a one-time purchase with Office 2021 lifetime license. It includes all essential applications needed for the office profession.
When to choose
Microsoft launched this version for office professionals, people who are professionals and work in offices. Professionals who work in offices may purchase this one-time Microsoft Office version.
What are the Similarities and differences between Microsoft Office one-time purchase and subscription?
Intro
Microsoft Office is a one-time purchase software; however, Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based version of Office. Microsoft 365 is a software that one can get after subscribing to it and enjoying all the applications of Office. Microsoft 365 can be subscribed to monthly and yearly, with advanced level and up-to-date features and security updates.
Price
We learned about the Office 2021 versions and their prices, now it’s time to check out the price of Microsoft 365. It costs $69.99 per year for a Personal subscription, which a single person can use, and $99.99 per year for a family plan that can be used by 6 people simultaneously. This price can also be paid monthly. A user must pay this price monthly or yearly until using the Microsoft 365 software.
Microsoft Office one-time purchase vs. subscription
Microsoft Office 2021 (one-time purchase) and 365 (subscription based) have many differences between them. Here are a few:
The main difference between both is that Office 2021 is a one-time purchase which means you will not have to pay again and again, whereas Microsoft 365 requires you to pay a subscription fee every month or every year.
Office 2021 has fixed features and applications when released in the year 2021, and it doesn’t get updates, whereas Microsoft 365 is up-to-date and gets regular updates on security and features.
Office 2021 has no cloud integration, and you must save all your files on your PC or Mac, whereas Microsoft 365 allows you to save your files in OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams, allowing you to store your files safely.
Microsoft 365 regularly updates its applications for free, whereas Office 2021 updates are paid. Moreover, you can access your Microsoft 365 files from multiple devices like phones, tablets, PCs, or Macs, which isn’t possible in Office 2021.
Microsoft Office provides additional benefits such as cloud storage, templates, access to premium features, and tech support, whereas it’s not available in Office 2021 version.
Office 2021 requires no internet connection for usage and has no phone applications. In contrast, Microsoft 365 requires a stable internet connection, has IOS and Android applications, and can be used for free by students, educators, and online users (on the website).
Best Free Alternative to Office 2021- WPS Office
WPS Office is the best free alternative to Office 2021 as it's completely free, has essential features, has good customer support, and more. It’s an office suite with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF, which can be used simultaneously in a single application. Sounds cool? It is!
Functions
WPS allows you to open, create, edit, save, and share Word, PPT, Excel, and PDF files.
It allows users to convert pdf files
It is similar to Office 2021; hence it has similar features.
It has a friendly and easy-to-use user interface which aims to increase productivity and make work efficient for users.
It’s easy to master and use and has no complex features.
It offers a wide range of free templates available on its official website.
Compatibility
WPS Office is compatible with all Windows versions, Mac, Android, IOS, and Linux.
How to use
Here’s how to open a file, edit and save it on your PC.
Step 1: Download and open the application
Step 2: Open a new Word/PPT/Excel file
Step 3: Click on the file and download. The file will download in Microsoft format.
Price
It has a free version that has every essential feature.
Pros
Free
No ads
Online use is entirely free on the official website
Easy to use
Allows multitasking
FAQs
Does Microsoft Office 2021 expire?
Microsoft said it’ll support Office 2021 with security until Oct 13, 2026.
Is Office 2021 the same as Office 365?
Office 2021 is a one-time purchase office suite, whereas Office 365 is a subscription-based office suite. Microsoft 365 plans include Office 2021 as a part of a more excellent offering.
How to activate Office 2021 without an account
A valid product code (product key) is required to activate Office 2021; hence you don’t need to have an account or log in to activate it.
Summary
Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 are two different products of Microsoft with their own benefits, drawbacks, and differences. They both have their own versions and plan designed for a certain group of people. However, we see that both are highly costly, and that’s where the best alternative -WPS Office comes in.
WPS Office is an office suite with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF, which can be used simultaneously, allowing multitasking. It’s an excellent software with advanced features available for free and a friendly user interface. The software has free templates available on its official website. The software is used and trusted by millions of users globally. So what’s stopping you from downloading it? Download WPS Office now!
