Microsoft Workplace started life all the way in which again in 1990, predating widespread availability of the web. It’s undergone a wide range of modifications in that point, however maintained the identical title – till now.
In October 2022, Microsoft introduced that it might be rebranding standalone variations of Workplace apps to ‘Microsoft 365’. That matches what we noticed with the corporate’s productivity-focused subscription service in 2020, which shifted to the identical title.
At its most elementary, paying usually will get you entry to Phrase, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote and Writer, plus Groups for communication and Outlook for electronic mail. You additionally get cloud storage by way of OneDrive and common updates, however much more software program is out there on skilled and enterprise plans.
Whereas this text is designed that can assist you determine between them, it’s far out of your solely choice. As has at all times been the case, Microsoft continues to launch standalone variations of Workplace apps each few years. The most recent model was launched in
2021, however apart from software program patches, you gained’t get any updates.
For some folks, it’s additionally attainable to entry Microsoft Workplace free or at a reduced charge. Right here’s all the pieces you have to know.
The best way to get Microsoft Workplace in your laptop computer or PC
In years passed by, the perfect (and solely) approach to get Workplace was to purchase a CD-ROM for a one-off value and set up it onto your PC or laptop computer. As of late that will be a little bit of a faff, with many laptops not even having disc drives anymore, however it was a method to make sure you had a bodily backup.
These days, Workplace is out there as a obtain, however you possibly can both purchase it outright with a one time buy, or as a month-to-month subscription. There are benefits to both choices.
Any Microsoft product underneath the ‘365’ umbrella is subscription-based, referring to the variety of days in a 12 months. Any Microsoft product with out ‘365’ in its title is prone to be a one-time buy – good for those who solely wish to pay as soon as, however you gained’t have the ability to improve the software program with on-line updates like you possibly can with 365 subscriptions.
There are additionally a number of totally different variations of Workplace out there, and it’s best to select the perfect one for you relying in your wants. It’s price noting that whereas this shopping for information covers each platform, Mac customers may need to try the precise Workplace for Mac shopping for information on our sister web site Macworld.
First, we’ll break down Workplace choices in case you are shopping for for private house or pupil use, after which go on to the choices in case you are shopping for it for work or use inside a small enterprise.
Which model of Microsoft Workplace do you’ve gotten?
In case you’re trying to improve, it’s simple to verify which model of Microsoft Workplace you’ve gotten put in. Offered you’ve downloaded all of the apps on the similar time, they need to all be operating the identical model.
For the aim of this text, we’re utilizing Microsoft Phrase. The method could range barely relying in your system and app, however it ought to nonetheless be simple to seek out:
- Open the Workplace app of your selection. You need to be introduced with a house display screen just like the one under
- From the bottom-left nook, click on ‘Account’
- Below the ‘Product Data’ part, search for ‘About Phrase’. Right here, it’s best to see ‘Model’ adopted by a four-digit quantity
- To search out out when this model was launched, a fast internet search will inform you
Nevertheless, the method differs on older Workplace apps. In Phrase 2010, you have to select ‘File’, then ‘Assist’. The knowledge will then be displayed on the suitable aspect of the display screen, as you possibly can see under.
It’s totally different once more in Phrase 2007. Click on on the spherical Microsoft Workplace icon within the prime left after which ‘Phrase Choices’ on the backside of the menu. Subsequent, select ‘Sources’ – the final choice on the left-side panel. It’s best to see an ‘About’ button on the backside of the checklist which is able to present you further particulars in regards to the model that you simply personal.
Within the 2003 model, go to the ‘Assist’ choice within the prime menu bar, after which the ‘About Microsoft Workplace Phrase’. Within the pop-up, you will note the MS Workplace World model together with the suite it belong to, just like the Microsoft Workplace Skilled Version 2003.
Will Home windows 11 include Microsoft Workplace?
No, it doesn’t. Home windows 11 was launched in 2021 and is a free improve for many Home windows 10 customers, however Microsoft Workplace apps aren’t included. All of your current information and apps will make the transfer, although, so if you have already got a standalone model (akin to Workplace 2019 or Workplace 2021) it’ll nonetheless be out there.
However everybody else might want to pay for entry. Be taught extra in our separate information: Does Home windows 11 include Microsoft Workplace?
Microsoft 365 (beforehand Workplace 365)
Microsoft’s productivity-focused subscription service was often known as Workplace 365 from its preliminary launch in 2011 till 2020. Since April 2020 it’s been recognized merely as ‘Microsoft 365’, however the rebrand didn’t have an effect on performance apart from just a few new options.
First up are the choices designed for the person client (i.e. in all probability you). In case you’re subscribing, there are two important choices to select from: Private (for only one person) or Household (for as much as six customers). For each, you’ve gotten the choice to pay month-to-month or yearly:
- Microsoft 365 Private – $6.99/£5.99 per 30 days or $69.99/£59.99 per 12 months – one particular person, 1TB of cloud storage
- Microsoft 365 Household – $9.99/£7.99 per 30 days or $99.99/£79.99 per 12 months – as much as six folks, 1TB of cloud storage every, additional Household Security options
There’s additionally a particular free model for college kids and college employees which we’ll get to later.
The primary profit to choosing Microsoft 365 is that you simply’ll get common updates for so long as you’re a subscriber, without having to leap from one model to the following each few years, and no complications about file compatibility.
You can even save your work to the cloud, just like Google Docs. Microsoft additionally throws in just a few additional advantages akin to 1TB of cloud storage and full entry to Microsoft Groups.
Microsoft 365 – Household vs Private
In case you’re subscribing, there at the moment two important choices to select from: Private (for only one person) or Household (for as much as six customers). For each, you’ve gotten the choice to pay month-to-month or yearly:
- Microsoft 365 Private – $6.99/£5.99 per 30 days or $69.99/£59.99 per 12 months – one particular person, 1TB of cloud storage
- Microsoft 365 Household – $9.99/£7.99 per 30 days or $99.99/£79.99 per 12 months – as much as six folks, 1TB of cloud storage every, additional Household Security options
The additional £20/$30 per 12 months or £2/$3 per 30 days for the Household subscription is a superb deal for those who select to share the subscription prices amongst buddies. The yearly subscriptions prevent on two months of fee as effectively.
There’s additionally no system restrict on Microsoft 365 installations, which means each Household or Private subscribers can set up the software program on as many gadgets as wanted. You might be restricted to engaged on 5 gadgets concurrently, although.
Nevertheless, on 11 January 2023, Microsoft introduced {that a} new third tier could be added on 30 January. Referred to as Microsoft 365 Primary, it’ll change the present OneDrive 100GB storage plan however retain the identical value – $1.99/£1.99 per 30 days or $19.99/£19.99 per 12 months. Extra particulars on what it provides under.
Microsoft 365 Household
- For six customers at at time throughout limitless PCs/Macs, tablets and telephones
- 1TB cloud storage per person for 6 customers (6TB complete)
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Contains Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Writer (PC Solely), Entry (PC Solely), OneDrive, Microsoft Groups
US: $99.99 per 12 months or $9.99 per 30 days
UK: £79.99 per 12 months or £7.99 per 30 days
Microsoft 365 Private
- For 1 PC/Mac throughout limitless PCs/Macs, tablets and telephones
- 1TB cloud storage for one person
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Contains Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Writer (PC Solely), Entry (PC Solely), OneDrive, Microsoft Groups, Household Security
US: $69.99 per 12 months or $6.99 per 30 days
UK: £59.99 per 12 months or £5.99 per 30 days
Microsoft 365 Primary
- For 1 PC/Mac throughout limitless PCs/Macs, tablets and telephones
- 100GB cloud storage for one person
- Internet and cellular variations of apps solely
- Extra options to be added
US: $19.99 per 12 months or $1.99 per 30 days
UK: £19.99 per 12 months or £1.99 per 30 days
Workplace 365 Schooling – Free choices for college kids
Workplace 365 Schooling is (because the title suggests) a particular model of Microsoft 365 for college kids and college school or employees. College students and lecturers can join free internet entry to Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Microsoft Groups underneath the Workplace 365 A1 plan.
Unsurprisingly, you’ll want a college electronic mail tackle or different proof of your standing to say it. See our full article on the way to get Microsoft Phrase free of charge.
There’s additionally the
Workplace 365 A3 plan if you’d like desktop entry to the apps, which prices £2.20/US$2.50 per 30 days for every pupil and £2.85/$3.25 for every lecturers or different member of employees. The highest-tier Workplace 365 A5 plan, which prices £5.30/$6 per 30 days for college kids and £7.05/$8 per 30 days for lecturers, provides desktop and internet entry together with added safety features.
If you wish to search for different nice pupil tech offers, try
Tech Advisor’s again to high school hub.
Workplace Residence and Scholar 2021
In case you would favor to pay a one-off value, Workplace Residence and Scholar 2021 is the suitable package deal for you. You lose the automated software program updates of Microsoft 365, however meaning you should use the software program for years with out being tied right into a subscription. It really works with one system operating Home windows 11, Home windows 10 or any latest model of macOS.
Nevertheless, you don’t get full entry to the cellular and pill apps right here (anybody can nonetheless use them to view paperwork free of charge, simply not edit or create them), there’s no cloud storage included, and also you don’t get entry to the total suite of Workplace packages included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Workplace 2021 consists of new options akin to a black theme in Phrase, new studying instruments, new charts and timelines, new transitions in PowerPoint and plenty extra. However in contrast to a Microsoft 365 subscription, it gained’t proceed getting new options over time.
It’s additionally price noting that Microsoft Workplace will quickly be often known as Microsoft 365 following a rebrand, however it’ll nonetheless carry out in precisely the identical method.
Microsoft 365 Enterprise
Microsoft additionally provides business-minded variations of its software program. We’re specializing in the choices for small companies right here, however Microsoft additionally provides
Enterprise plans for bigger corporations. As soon as once more, there’s a cut up between the 365 subscription packages and the one-off buy model of Workplace 2021.
There are three important variations of Microsoft 365 Enterprise out there, every providing very totally different software program packages, so be sure you choose the suitable one. Be particularly aware about Microsoft 365 Enterprise Primary (from $6/£4.50 per person per 30 days), which doesn’t really embody desktop variations of the core Workplace software program like Phrase and Excel – simply Microsoft’s on-line and cloud instruments.
Additionally word the Microsoft 365 Apps for marketing strategy ($8.25/£7.90 per person per 30 days) consists of each desktop and cellular model of the apps however with out the opposite productiveness instruments akin to electronic mail, calendar and Groups convention name options.
Right here’s a abstract of all 4 important business-focused plans we’d suggest:
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Customary
- One licence for five PCs/Macs plus 5 tablets and 5 telephones per person
- 1TB cloud storage per person
- Permits as much as 300 customers
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Desktop variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Writer, Entry, OneDrive
- Internet variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint
US: $12.50 per person per 30 days
UK: £9.40 per person per 30 days
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Premium
- For five PCs/Macs plus 5 tablets and 5 telephones per person
- 1TB cloud storage per person
- Permits as much as 300 customers
- Electronic mail internet hosting with 50GB mailbox and customized area tackle
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Desktop variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Writer, Entry
- Entry to OneDrive, Change, Microsoft Groups, SharePoint, Yammer
- Internet variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
US: $22 per person per 30 days
UK: £16.60 per person per 30 days
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Primary
- 1TB cloud storage per person
- Electronic mail internet hosting with 50GB mailbox and customized area tackle
- Permits as much as 300 customers
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Video conferencing with as much as 250 folks
- OneDrive, Change, Microsoft Groups, SharePoint, Yammer
- Internet variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote
US: $5 per person per 30 days (annual plan)
UK: £4.50 per person per 30 days (annual plan)
Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise
- For five PCs/Macs plus 5 tablets and 5 telephones per person
- 1TB cloud storage per person
- Internet variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Permits as much as 300 customers
UK: £7.90 per person per 30 days (annual plan)
US: $8.25 per person per 30 days (annual plan)
UK: £7.90 per person per 30 days (annual plan)