Microsoft 365 vs. Office One-Time Purchase: Pros and Cons of Each

Are you considering switching to Microsoft's paid services? If so, You should carefully evaluate what your options are.In this comparison, we'll discuss Microsoft 365 vs. a one-time purchase of Office: the pros and cons of each. In the end, you'll be in a position to make the decision that best suits your needs and preferences.

Microsoft 365 vs. Office One-Time Purchase: What's the Difference?

When it comes to digital productivity, Microsoft remains the undisputed leader with its office suites, used in homes, businesses, and schools around the world. However, if you follow the Redmond company closely, you'll know that in recent years the company has driven a significant shift in its business model. With the motto "Office is now Microsoft 365", It is increasingly encouraging its users to switch to its subscription services instead of making a one-time purchase of Office..

In view of the above, it was a surprise to many that Microsoft launched the version Office 2024 with all its new featuresIt's clear that, while Microsoft 365 remains its favorite, the company doesn't want to neglect its many users who prefer to install Office on their computers. So, Between Microsoft 365 vs. a one-time purchase of Office, which is the best option? What are the differences between the two services? What are their advantages and disadvantages? Let's take it step by step.

Microsoft 365: An all-in-one subscription

In this confrontation between Microsoft 365 and the one-time purchase of Office, it's worth briefly reviewing what each offers. On the one hand, we have Microsoft 365, a subscription service from the company for its productivity suite. Said suite includes all Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, designers, ClipChamp and others) in its most updated version and with advanced features enhanced by Copilot AI.

Given its nature and online collaboration features, Microsoft 365 It is designed for professionals who work in teams and need access to advanced toolsThe personal plan costs 99 euros per year, while the family plan costs 129 euros per year. Let's now detail the advantages and disadvantages of this service.

Advantages of Microsoft 365

• Constant updates: Access to new features and security enhancements on a regular basis.
• 1 TB of storage in OneDrive per user.
• You can log in at five devices at once (PC, Mac, tablets and smartphones).
• Microsoft Teams (for video calls and collaboration).
• Advanced security with protection against phishing and ransomware.
• Web versions of Office to edit documents from any browser.
• Designer: AI image editor and generator.

Disadvantages of Microsoft 365

• Recurring payment: Although Microsoft 365 offers many benefits, it requires a recurring payment (monthly or annual), which can be more expensive in the long run than a one-time license purchase.
• Internet dependencyWhile some of its apps can be used offline, many of its advanced features require an internet connection.
• Some advanced features, such as AI tools, are limited in basic plans and require higher subscriptions.

Office One-Time Purchase: One-time payment for ongoing use

We continue comparing Microsoft 365 vs. a one-time purchase of Office, and this time it's the turn of the traditional Office tool. For many, it's the best and only office automation option, the one they grew up with and feel comfortable with. edit documents, tables, presentations and more. In its most recent version, Office 2024, Microsoft has introduced important changes and improvements in terms of accessibility, compatibility and appearance.

With the one-time purchase from Officee, you acquire a license that allows you to take advantage of the suite's main tools without limitations. Office Home 2024 license You get it for a one-time payment of 149 euros for the Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote applications. For its part, the Office Home and Business 2024 license It has a single cost of 299 euros, and includes the Outlook email application.

Advantages of paying for Office

• Between Microsoft 365 vs one-time purchase of Office, the single payment This is the main advantage of the latter.
• You can Use the software for years without worrying about renewing it or pay additional fees.
• Works without internet, since you don't depend on the cloud to use your core applications.
• By not receiving frequent updates, The design and functions remain stable, avoiding confusion and loss of time.
• If you are one of those who has used Office without needing additional functions, the one-time purchase is more economical compared to a subscription.

Disadvantages of paying for Office

• As time goes by, Office is becoming obsolete, since it does not have access to important updates.
• The one-time purchase of Office does not include access to larger storage which offers the Microsoft 365 subscription.
• The license allows you to use the suite in a single device.
• Does not include OneDrive nor advanced collaboration features, such as Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft 365 vs. Office One-Time Purchase: Which Should You Choose?

We've already reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft 365 vs. a one-time purchase of Office. Do you know which one to choose? In short, the choice you make will depend entirely on your preferences and needs. So, if what you're looking for is Flexibility, online collaboration, and access to the latest features from multiple devices, Microsoft 365 is the best alternative.

On the other hand, there is a clear winner between Microsoft 365 vs one-time purchase of Office if what you need is a basic and most economical long-term solutionMany users have been using previous versions of Office for years and have realized they don't need anything else, at least for now. If that's you, don't hesitate to purchase an Office license and enjoy your favorite suite as you have until now.

In conclusion, Choose Microsoft 365 if:

• You use Office on multiple devices (PC, mobile, tablet).
• You need more cloud storage.
• You want constant access to the latest features.
• You work as a team and use tools like Teams.

Or perform the one-time purchase of Office if:

• You only need Office on one computer.
• You don't want to pay a recurring subscription.
• You don't mind staying with a fixed version without updates.
• You work mainly without an internet connection.