Microsoft Workplace started life all the way in which again in 1990, predating widespread availability of the web. It’s undergone quite a lot of adjustments 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 often will get you entry to Phrase, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote and Writer, plus Groups for communication and Outlook for e mail. You additionally get cloud storage through OneDrive and common updates, however much more software program is offered on skilled and enterprise plans.
Whereas this text is designed that will help you resolve between them, it’s far out of your solely possibility. As has at all times been the case, Microsoft continues to launch standalone variations of Workplace apps each few years. The newest model was launched in
2021, however except for software program patches, you gained’t get any updates.
For some individuals, it’s additionally attainable to entry Microsoft Workplace free or at a reduced fee. Right here’s every thing it’s worthwhile to know.
Easy methods to get Microsoft Workplace in your laptop computer or PC
In years passed by, the very best (and solely) technique 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 may be a little bit of a faff, with many laptops not even having disc drives anymore, nevertheless it was a technique to make sure you had a bodily backup.
These days, Workplace is offered as a obtain, however you may 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 yr. Any Microsoft product with out ‘365’ in its title is prone to be a one-time buy – good for those who solely need to pay as soon as, however you gained’t have the ability to improve the software program with on-line updates like you may with 365 subscriptions.
There are additionally a number of totally different variations of Workplace out there, and it is best to select the very best one for you relying in your wants. It’s value noting that whereas this shopping for information covers each platform, Mac customers may need to try the particular Workplace for Mac shopping for information on our sister web site Macworld.
First, we’ll break down Workplace choices if you’re shopping for for private dwelling or pupil use, after which go on to the choices if you’re shopping for it for work or use inside a small enterprise.
Which model of Microsoft Workplace do you have got?
When you’re seeking to improve, it’s straightforward to test which model of Microsoft Workplace you have got put in. Offered you’ve downloaded all of the apps on the identical time, they need to all be operating the identical model.
For the aim of this text, we’re utilizing Microsoft Phrase. The method might fluctuate barely relying in your machine and app, nevertheless it ought to nonetheless be straightforward to search out:
- Open the Workplace app of your selection. You need to be offered with a house display just like the one under
- From the bottom-left nook, click on ‘Account’
- Underneath the ‘Product Info’ part, search for ‘About Phrase’. Right here, it is best to see ‘Model’ adopted by a four-digit quantity
- To seek 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, it’s worthwhile to select ‘File’, then ‘Assist’. The knowledge will then be displayed on the correct facet of the display, as you may 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 ‘Assets’ – the final possibility on the left-side panel. You need to see an ‘About’ button on the backside of the record which can present you further particulars in regards to the model that you simply personal.
Within the 2003 model, go to the ‘Assist’ possibility within the prime menu bar, after which the ‘About Microsoft Workplace Phrase’. Within the pop-up, you will notice 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 (resembling 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 identified merely as ‘Microsoft 365’, however the rebrand didn’t have an effect on performance except for just a few new options.
First up are the choices designed for the person shopper (i.e. in all probability you). When you’re subscribing, there are two principal choices to select from: Private (for only one consumer) or Household (for as much as six customers). For each, you have got the choice to pay month-to-month or yearly:
- Microsoft 365 Private – $6.99/£5.99 per thirty days or $69.99/£59.99 per yr – one individual, 1TB of cloud storage
- Microsoft 365 Household – $9.99/£7.99 per thirty days or $99.99/£79.99 per yr – as much as six individuals, 1TB of cloud storage every, additional Household Security options
There’s additionally a particular free model for college students 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 subsequent each few years, and no complications about file compatibility.
You too can save your work to the cloud, just like Google Docs. Microsoft additionally throws in just a few additional advantages resembling 1TB of cloud storage and full entry to Microsoft Groups.
Microsoft 365 – Household vs Private
When you’re subscribing, there at present two principal choices to select from: Private (for only one consumer) or Household (for as much as six customers). For each, you have got the choice to pay month-to-month or yearly:
- Microsoft 365 Private – $6.99/£5.99 per thirty days or $69.99/£59.99 per yr – one individual, 1TB of cloud storage
- Microsoft 365 Household – $9.99/£7.99 per thirty days or $99.99/£79.99 per yr – as much as six individuals, 1TB of cloud storage every, additional Household Security options
The additional £20/$30 per yr or £2/$3 per thirty days for the Household subscription is a superb deal for those who select to share the subscription prices amongst mates. The yearly subscriptions prevent on two months of cost as properly.
There’s additionally no machine 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’re restricted to engaged on 5 gadgets concurrently, although.
Nevertheless, on 11 January 2023, Microsoft introduced {that a} new third tier can be added on 30 January. Generally known as Microsoft 365 Fundamental, it’ll exchange the present OneDrive 100GB storage plan however retain the identical value – $1.99/£1.99 per thirty days or $19.99/£19.99 per yr. Extra particulars on what it presents under.
Microsoft 365 Household
- For six customers at at time throughout limitless PCs/Macs, tablets and telephones
- 1TB cloud storage per consumer for 6 customers (6TB complete)
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Consists of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Writer (PC Solely), Entry (PC Solely), OneDrive, Microsoft Groups
US: $99.99 per yr or $9.99 per thirty days
UK: £79.99 per yr or £7.99 per thirty days
Microsoft 365 Private
- For 1 PC/Mac throughout limitless PCs/Macs, tablets and telephones
- 1TB cloud storage for one consumer
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Consists of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Writer (PC Solely), Entry (PC Solely), OneDrive, Microsoft Groups, Household Security
US: $69.99 per yr or $6.99 per thirty days
UK: £59.99 per yr or £5.99 per thirty days
Microsoft 365 Fundamental
- For 1 PC/Mac throughout limitless PCs/Macs, tablets and telephones
- 100GB cloud storage for one consumer
- Net and cellular variations of apps solely
- Extra options to be added
US: $19.99 per yr or $1.99 per thirty days
UK: £19.99 per yr or £1.99 per thirty days
Workplace 365 Schooling – Free choices for college students
Workplace 365 Schooling is (because the title suggests) a particular model of Microsoft 365 for college students and college college 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 e mail tackle or different proof of your standing to assert it. See our full article on the right way to get Microsoft Phrase at no cost.
There’s additionally the
Workplace 365 A3 plan in order for you desktop entry to the apps, which prices £2.20/US$2.50 per thirty 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 thirty days for college students and £7.05/$8 per thirty days for lecturers, presents desktop and internet entry together with added security measures.
If you wish to search for different nice pupil tech offers, try
Tech Advisor’s again to highschool hub.
Workplace Residence and Pupil 2021
When you would favor to pay a one-off value, Workplace Residence and Pupil 2021 is the correct bundle for you. You lose the automated software program updates of Microsoft 365, however which means you should use the software program for years with out being tied right into a subscription. It really works with one machine 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 at no cost, 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 contains new options resembling 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 value noting that Microsoft Workplace will quickly be often known as Microsoft 365 following a rebrand, nevertheless it’ll nonetheless carry out in precisely the identical approach.
Microsoft 365 Enterprise
Microsoft additionally presents business-minded variations of its software program. We’re specializing in the choices for small companies right here, however Microsoft additionally presents
Enterprise plans for bigger corporations. As soon as once more, there’s a break up between the 365 subscription packages and the one-off buy model of Workplace 2021.
There are three principal variations of Microsoft 365 Enterprise out there, every providing very totally different software program packages, so be sure you decide the correct one. Be particularly conscious about Microsoft 365 Enterprise Fundamental (from $6/£4.50 per consumer per thirty days), which doesn’t truly 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 consumer per thirty days) contains each desktop and cellular model of the apps however with out the opposite productiveness instruments resembling e mail, calendar and Groups convention name options.
Right here’s a abstract of all 4 principal business-focused plans we’d suggest:
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Normal
- One licence for five PCs/Macs plus 5 tablets and 5 telephones per consumer
- 1TB cloud storage per consumer
- Permits as much as 300 customers
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Desktop variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Writer, Entry, OneDrive
- Net variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint
US: $12.50 per consumer per thirty days
UK: £9.40 per consumer per thirty days
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Premium
- For five PCs/Macs plus 5 tablets and 5 telephones per consumer
- 1TB cloud storage per consumer
- Permits as much as 300 customers
- E-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
- Net variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
US: $22 per consumer per thirty days
UK: £16.60 per consumer per thirty days
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Fundamental
- 1TB cloud storage per consumer
- E-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 individuals
- OneDrive, Change, Microsoft Groups, SharePoint, Yammer
- Net variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote
US: $5 per consumer per thirty days (annual plan)
UK: £4.50 per consumer per thirty days (annual plan)
Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise
- For five PCs/Macs plus 5 tablets and 5 telephones per consumer
- 1TB cloud storage per consumer
- Net variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Permits as much as 300 customers
UK: £7.90 per consumer per thirty days (annual plan)
US: $8.25 per consumer per thirty days (annual plan)
UK: £7.90 per consumer per thirty days (annual plan)
