Comparing Office 2024 and Microsoft 365: The Better Choice for You
Microsoft has recently unveiled its latest offerings in productivity software, with two main options for businesses and individuals: Microsoft 365 and Office 2024. Both packages provide access to essential apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, but they differ in their features and cost structures.
Microsoft 365: The Subscription-Based Option
Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service that offers the same apps as Office 2024, with additional features. The service includes Skype minutes, phone and chat support from Microsoft, and continuous updates and automatic security and maintenance updates.
With Microsoft 365, up to six people can share an account with the "Family" subscription, each with their own 1TB of OneDrive storage and access to five devices simultaneously. The service also provides creative content like icons, fonts, stock photos, and premium templates for use in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Microsoft 365 no longer supports Windows 7, requiring an upgrade to Windows 11 or 10 to install the apps. Subscribers receive additional services like Microsoft Family Safety, Microsoft Editor, PowerPoint Speaker Coach, Designer, and Resume Assistant.
Microsoft 365 subscribers now have full access to the Clipchamp app, PC Manager app, Microsoft Defender monitor app, and the premium version of Outlook online with 50GB of storage, no advertisements, message encryption, and enhanced security.
Office 2024: The One-Time Purchase Option
Office 2024 comes in two variants, Office Home 2024 and Office Home & Business 2024, priced at $149.99 and $249.99, respectively. Office Home 2024 includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, while Office Home & Business 2024 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as the permissions to use the apps for commercial purposes.
Office 2024 is supported on Windows 11, 10, or the three most recent macOS versions. The one-time purchase offers a fixed cost with local installation and enhanced data privacy, supporting offline use without dependence on internet connectivity.
Subscribers receive 60 AI Credits to the chatbot across Microsoft 365 and Windows 11 apps, with one credit used for each interaction. Office 2024 is the standalone version of the apps that can be owned forever after a one-time purchase, with updates available for five years.
Comparing Costs and Benefits
Microsoft 365 subscriptions range from about $6 to $55 per user per month depending on the plan, summing to roughly $72 to over $600 per year per user. A common business plan, Business Standard, is around $12.50/month or $150/year per user. Office 2024 involves a one-time payment around $179 to $250 per license, with no ongoing fees, which can mean long-term cost savings if upgrading infrequently.
Microsoft 365 offers always-updated software with the latest features and security patches, cloud services including 1 TB OneDrive storage, Teams integration, and enhanced collaboration tools suitable for remote and hybrid work. The service also provides access to additional services like Outlook, Defender, and Power BI depending on plan level.
Office 2024, on the other hand, provides full local control of data with no need for cloud synchronization, supporting enhanced privacy and security, critical for regulated industries like healthcare or finance. The package also offers enterprise-grade document encryption and IT control features such as Group Policy.
In conclusion, businesses or individuals valuing ongoing software updates, cloud collaboration, and scalability may benefit more from Microsoft 365 despite higher cumulative costs. Meanwhile, those prioritizing data privacy, offline use, and lower long-term expenses may prefer a one-time Office 2024 purchase. Microsoft also offers Microsoft 365 for free to students and teachers during the back-to-school season with a valid school email address.
- Microsoft 365 includes Skype minutes, offering subscribers the ability to communicate beyond the usual apps in their package.
- Microsoft 365 subscribers can utilize the Clipchamp app, PC Manager app, Microsoft Defender monitor app, and the premium version of Outlook online, enhancing their productivity experience.
- Office 2024, an alternative to Microsoft 365, is a one-time purchase option that includes Outlook in its packages, providing commercial usage permissions in Office Home & Business 2024.
- Office 2024 is supported on Windows 11, 10, or the three most recent macOS versions, ensuring compatibility with desktop and laptop devices.
- Microsoft 365 requires Windows 11 or 10 for users to install the apps, creating a demand for an upgrade from Windows 7.
- Microsoft 365 subscribers can work on Microsoft technology such as Xbox consoles, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Microsoft Teams, extending their productivity beyond traditional PC work.
- Office 2024 subscribers receive 60 AI Credits to the chatbot across various Microsoft 365 and Windows 11 apps, making their interactions within the apps more convenient and efficient.
