How do you choose a Microsoft Office software suite?
In short
| Office 2021 Home and Student | Microsoft Office 365 Personal | Microsoft Office 365 Family | Office 2021 Home and Business | Microsoft 365 Business standard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expensive | Permanent | 1 year | 1 year | Permanent | 1 year |
| Users | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Outlook | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Operating system | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Chrome, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Chrome, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Chrome, Android, iOS |
| Suitable for | Personal use | Personal use | Personal use with the whole family | Mandatory for business use | Mandatory for business use |
| OneDrive cloud storage | No | 1TB | Up to 6TB (1TB per person) | No | 1TB |
Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Student
- With this suite, you have Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote at your disposal.
- This is a permanent license, so you don't have to extend it.
- The suite is suitable for both Windows and macOS appliances.
- This suite doesn't include Outlook. This option is included with Microsoft 365 Personal.
- When you use Office for business tasks, you're obligated to use the Office Business version according to Microsoft.
Microsoft Office 365 Personal 1-year Subscription
- Microsoft Office 365 Personal is a license for 1 user that you can install on all your PCs, Mac models, Chromebook models, smartphones, and tablets.
- With this suite, you have the latest versions of Office software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access, and Publisher at your disposal.
- You receive 1TB of OneDrive storage space per user, so you can save all your files online.
- This is a 1-year subscription, so you have to extend the license yourself.
The choice
When choosing a Microsoft Office suite, it's useful to think about the programs you want to use and whether you use Windows, macOS, or Chrome OS. Next, choose a perpetual license or an annual subscription. If you use Office with the whole family, you can choose for a suite for several computers. You can also easily use Office on a smartphone or tablet, so you can always access your files in the cloud.
Do you want a 1-year subscription or a permanent suite?
1 year (Microsoft Office 365)
With this package you have:
- Online storage (1TB OneDrive)
- Office Suite with Outlook
- Free updates
- Renewal fees every year
Permanent (Office 2021)
With this package you have:
- Unlimited use
- No annual costs
- Stability updates only
- No online storage (OneDrive)
- Suite without Outlook
Are you looking for a suite for 1 or multiple users / accounts?
1 user
All Microsoft Office 2021 suites and Microsoft 365 Personal are suitable for 1 user, which means for 1 person. You can install this license and connect it to your Microsoft account. This way, you can use the Office suite on any device that you log in to using your Microsoft account. Do you use the connected Microsoft account to log in to your laptop, tablet, or PC? You can use the Office apps on that device. This is the best option if you’re a student, entrepreneur, or just want to manage your own administration. In the case of Office software suites for 1 user, you can choose from yearly subscriptions and permanent licenses.
Multiple users
With Microsoft 365 Family, you’ll have all Office functionalities at your disposal. And your entire household can use it. That's because you can link this yearly subscription to up to 6 accounts. All 6 accounts can use the Microsoft programs on every device that you log in to with a linked Microsoft account. Did you install Office on your laptop and do you want to log in on your tablet with the Microsoft account? You'll also be able to use the Office software on your tablet. Are you the only one at home who wants to use Office Software? You’d probably prefer a suite that’s suitable for 1 user.
Do you want Outlook?
Outlook is included in every Microsoft Office suite by default, except in Office 2021 Home and Student. Do you use Outlook? Check if the suite includes the Outlook application. Outlook is widely used by people who want to work in a clear and organised manner, for example entrepreneurs. The application provides a clear overview of all your email traffic. In addition, you’ll get a calendar to manage all of your appointments and to-do lists. All Microsoft 365 suites include Outlook. Of all the Office 2021 licenses, Office 2021 Home and Business is the only suite that has Outlook.
Are you going to use Office on a Chromebook?
Do you have a Chromebook and do you want to use Office software? Buy a Microsoft 365 suite. Only the Microsoft 365 suites are suitable for a Chromebook. You can download the Office programs as apps on your Chromebook via the Chrome Web Store or the Google Playstore. After installation, you can use the Office programs right away.
Personal or Business
Business
Only suites for business use may be used for commercial purposes according to the Terms and Conditions of Microsoft. Whether you're a freelancer or an entrepreneur with a growing business, it's very important to keep an overview. Microsoft 365 Business Standard not only offers the benefits of the Office suite, but also includes access to Microsoft Bookings and Customer Manager for Outlook. Via Bookings, customers can easily see when you’re available and reserve this time in your calendar. Customer Manager provides an overview of all the information and communication regarding a customer.
Personal
Just you, or the whole family, the Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 suites for private use make your school, college, and work life a lot easier. The Microsoft 365 Family and 365 Personal have the latest functions. Easily compose your CV with Resume Assistant in Word, or run a final check on your thesis in Ink Editor with your tablet and stylus. New useful features appear every month to make your life even easier.
