Office 2021 is sold as a one-time purchase, which means you pay a single, up-front cost to get Office apps for one computer. One-time purchases are available for both PCs and Macs. However, there are no upgrade options, which means if you plan to upgrade to the next major release, you'll have to buy it at full price.
Microsoft 365 is a subscription that includes the most collaborative, up-to-date features in one seamless, integrated experience. Microsoft 365 includes the robust Office desktop apps that you’re familiar with, like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. You also get extra online storage and cloud-connected features that let you collaborate on files in real time. With a subscription, you'll always have the latest features, fixes, and security updates along with ongoing tech support at no extra cost. You can choose to pay for your subscription on a monthly or yearly basis, and the Microsoft 365 Family plan lets you share your subscription with your family for up to 6 people, and use your apps on multiple PCs, Macs, tablets, and phones.
I am a seasoned expert in the field of office productivity software, specializing in Microsoft Office applications and their various licensing models. My deep understanding of this topic is rooted in extensive hands-on experience and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in the software industry.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article regarding the two primary offerings from Microsoft: Office 2021 and Microsoft 365.
Office 2021:
Office 2021 is presented as a one-time purchase option, requiring users to pay a single, upfront cost to obtain Office apps for a single computer. This licensing model is ideal for those who prefer a traditional, non-subscription approach. Here are key points related to Office 2021:
- One-time Purchase: Users pay a single, upfront cost.
- Available for PCs and Macs: It is not restricted to a specific operating system, making it versatile for both Windows and Mac users.
- No Upgrade Options: Unlike subscription models, Office 2021 does not provide upgrade options. Users wanting the next major release must purchase it at the full price.
Microsoft 365:
Microsoft 365, on the other hand, operates on a subscription-based model, offering a more dynamic and collaborative experience. Here are the critical aspects of Microsoft 365 highlighted in the article:
- Subscription Model: Microsoft 365 is a subscription service, involving recurring payments either on a monthly or yearly basis.
- Collaborative Features: It includes the latest collaborative and up-to-date features, fostering seamless collaboration on files in real time.
- Office Desktop Apps: Microsoft 365 encompasses the familiar Office desktop apps like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Cloud-Connected Features: Users benefit from extra online storage and cloud-connected features, enhancing accessibility and collaboration.
- Continuous Updates: Subscribers receive continuous updates, ensuring access to the latest features, fixes, and security updates.
- Tech Support: Ongoing technical support is included in the subscription at no extra cost.
- Family Plan: The Microsoft 365 Family plan extends the subscription to up to 6 people, allowing them to use the apps across multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, tablets, and phones.
In summary, the choice between Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 hinges on individual preferences and requirements, whether it be a one-time purchase with limited upgrades or a subscription offering continuous updates and collaborative features.
FAQs
Microsoft 365 applications
Get the fully installed and latest versions of Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook, and OneNote for Windows or Mac. You'll always get the latest features, new tools, security updates, and bug fixes. (PC users also get Access and Publisher.)
What is the difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 365 plans? ›
Office 365 is a suite of cloud-based productivity applications such as Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, Yammer, OneNote, etc. Microsoft 365, however, is a combination of services that blends together Office 365, Windows 10 OS, and Enterprise Mobility + Security.
What is the biggest difference between E1 and E3 plan of Microsoft Office 365? ›
E3 includes all the features of E1 in addition to the full desktop suite of Office 365 applications and greater cloud storage space. The E3 subscription gives you access to the latest Office applications on up to 5 devices, plus 5 TB of OneDrive storage.
What is the difference between the types of software of which Office 2016 and Office 365 are examples? ›
Office 365 is a service. Office 2016 is a product. Office 365 provides a group of cloud-based services via subscription…email, file storage/sharing, communications, and desktop productivity software. This is where Office 2016 comes in.
What is the difference between the versions of Microsoft Office? ›
One big difference between the “2021” and “365” options is how you pay for them. If you are buying a “perpetual license” (such as with Office Home & Business 2021 or Office LTSC 2021), you pay a larger sum than with the subscription's offerings under the Microsoft 365 or Office 365 brand, but you do so only once.
Can you get old versions of Microsoft Office for free? ›
Downloading Old Versions of Office
Microsoft has never released any desktop version of Office for free. However, you may be able to use an old copy of Office if you're also able to get the license or original product key. Download an older version that you own from the Microsoft website.
Is Microsoft discontinuing Office 365? ›
Even though most things are changing to Microsoft 365, Office is not going away entirely. Existing Office 365 subscription plans will be unaffected.
Do I have to pay for Microsoft Office 365 every year? ›
Subscription versions such as Microsoft 365 Family will require that you pay regularly, either monthly or yearly. As an alternative, you can get Office Home & Student 2021 (or Office Home & Business 2021) which is a one-time payment license for one user and one computer. Was this reply helpful?
What is the disadvantage of Office 365? ›
8 Cons & Disadvantages of Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365)
- Security Shortcomings in Complex Environments. ...
- SharePoint Online Versioning Inconsistencies. ...
- Manual Intensiveness in Teams Permissions Settings. ...
- Performance Limitations on Low-End Devices. ...
- Prohibitive Subscription Costs. ...
- Steep Learning Curve for New Users.
What are the different Office 365 licenses? Office 365 offers a range of licenses, including Office 365 Business (Basic, Standard, Premium), Office 365 Enterprise (E1, E3, E5), Office 365 Education, and Office 365 Nonprofit.
Feature Comparison
When evaluating Microsoft 365 E3 and E5, it's crucial to understand the differences in their features. Both plans provide a comprehensive suite of productivity apps, but E5 offers advanced security, compliance, and analytics capabilities that may be essential for certain organizations.
How to get Microsoft Office for free? ›
How to get Microsoft 365 for free if you're not a student or faculty member
- Go to Microsoft365.com.
- Click Sign up for the free version of Office under the "Sign in" button.
- Log in to your Microsoft account or create one for free. ...
- Select the app you want to use and save your work in the cloud with OneDrive.
While Office 365 primarily focuses on productivity applications (like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Microsoft 365 includes these applications along with additional features such as device management, security, and collaboration tools.
Which version of Microsoft Office is best? ›
Features: Microsoft Office 2021 is the most up-to-date version of the suite and includes all the latest features, such as AI-powered grammar suggestions and new data analysis tools. Office 2019 and 2016 both offer similar functionality, but they lack some of the newer features found in Office 2021.
What is the most fundamental difference between Office 365 and Office 2016? ›
Accessibility: If the ability to access your data across multiple devices is important for your workflow, Microsoft 365 is the preferred option. While Office 2016 allows cloud file saving, 365 offers a broader spectrum of access options and permits installations across multiple machines.
What is the difference between Office 365 and traditional Office? ›
Office 365 is More Flexible
Office 365 allows organizations to achieve varied levels of service as per their user requirements or device thresholds. This helps your business get exactly the kind of functionality you need out of Office 365, as it helps to better accommodate growth.
How is Office 365 different from previous applications of others? ›
Microsoft's Office 365 is a cloud-based office solution. The other versions of Microsoft Office are installation based, which follows the traditional buy-and-install model, and the license is purchased on a per-user basis. Therefore, to use Microsoft Office on multiple systems, then one must purchase multiple licenses.
Is Office 365 the same as regular Office? ›
The most prominent distinction between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 comes from the different licensing of the products. Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service that provides access to the latest versions of Microsoft apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and many more.
What changed between Office 2016 and Office 365? ›
While Office 2016 allows saving files to the cloud, Office 365 provides you with more extensive options for access and allows installation on multiple machines. Additionally, you can access online versions of Office apps from any device with an internet connection, further enhancing productivity and flexibility.
