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 identify – till now.
In October 2022, Microsoft introduced that it could 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 identify.
At its most elementary, paying repeatedly 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 choice. 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 other than software program patches, you received’t get any updates.
For some individuals, it’s additionally potential to entry Microsoft Workplace free or at a reduced price. Right here’s all the things it is advisable know.
Learn how to get Microsoft Workplace in your laptop computer or PC
In years passed by, the most effective (and solely) approach to get Workplace was to purchase a CD-ROM for a one-off worth and set up it onto your PC or laptop computer. Nowadays that might be a little bit of a faff, with many laptops not even having disc drives anymore, however it was a technique to make sure you had a bodily backup.
These days, Workplace is offered as a obtain, however you’ll be able to 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 below the ‘365’ umbrella is subscription-based, referring to the variety of days in a yr. Any Microsoft product with out ‘365’ in its identify is prone to be a one-time buy – good when you solely need to pay as soon as, however you received’t be capable of improve the software program with on-line updates like you’ll be able to with 365 subscriptions.
There are additionally a number of totally different variations of Workplace accessible, and it’s best to select the most effective one for you relying in your wants. It’s value noting that whereas this shopping for information covers each platform, Mac customers would possibly 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 house or scholar 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 could have?
For those who’re seeking to improve, it’s straightforward to verify which model of Microsoft Workplace you could have put in. Supplied 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 could fluctuate barely relying in your system and app, however it ought to nonetheless be straightforward to seek out:
- Open the Workplace app of your selection. You ought to be introduced with a house display much like the one beneath
- From the bottom-left nook, click on ‘Account’
- Beneath the ‘Product Data’ part, search for ‘About Phrase’. Right here, it’s 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
Nonetheless, the method differs on older Workplace apps. In Phrase 2010, it is advisable select ‘File’, then ‘Assist’. The data will then be displayed on the appropriate facet of the display, as you’ll be able to see beneath.
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 choice on the left-side panel. You must see an ‘About’ button on the backside of the listing which is able to present you further particulars in regards to the model that you just 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 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 present 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 accessible.
However everybody else might want to pay for entry. Study 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 called 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 other than just a few new options.
First up are the choices designed for the person shopper (i.e. in all probability you). For those who’re subscribing, there are two foremost choices to select from: Private (for only one consumer) or Household (for as much as six customers). For each, you could have 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 particular person, 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, further Household Security options
There’s additionally a particular free model for college kids and college workers which we’ll get to later.
The principle profit to choosing Microsoft 365 is that you just’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.
It’s also possible to save your work to the cloud, much like Google Docs. Microsoft additionally throws in just a few further advantages akin to 1TB of cloud storage and full entry to Microsoft Groups.
Microsoft 365 – Household vs Private
For those who’re subscribing, there at present two foremost choices to select from: Private (for only one consumer) or Household (for as much as six customers). For each, you could have 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 particular person, 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, further Household Security options
The additional £20/$30 per yr or £2/$3 per thirty days for the Household subscription is a good deal when you select to share the subscription prices amongst mates. The yearly subscriptions prevent on two months of fee as nicely.
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 units as wanted. You might be restricted to engaged on 5 units concurrently, although.
Nonetheless, on 11 January 2023, Microsoft introduced {that a} new third tier could be added on 30 January. Referred to as Microsoft 365 Fundamental, it’ll substitute the present OneDrive 100GB storage plan however retain the identical worth – $1.99/£1.99 per thirty days or $19.99/£19.99 per yr. Extra particulars on what it affords beneath.
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 whole)
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Contains 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
- Contains 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
- Internet 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 Training – Free choices for college kids
Workplace 365 Training is (because the identify suggests) a particular model of Microsoft 365 for college kids and college college or workers. College students and lecturers can join free internet entry to Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Microsoft Groups below the Workplace 365 A1 plan.
Unsurprisingly, you’ll want a college e-mail tackle or different proof of your standing to say it. See our full article on learn how 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 scholar and £2.85/$3.25 for every lecturers or different member of workers. The highest-tier Workplace 365 A5 plan, which prices £5.30/$6 per thirty days for college kids and £7.05/$8 per thirty days for lecturers, affords desktop and internet entry together with added safety features.
If you wish to search for different nice scholar tech offers, try
Tech Advisor’s again to high school hub.
Workplace House and Scholar 2021
For those who would favor to pay a one-off worth, Workplace House and Scholar 2021 is the appropriate bundle 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.
Nonetheless, 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 complete suite of Workplace applications 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 much extra. However in contrast to a Microsoft 365 subscription, it received’t proceed getting new options over time.
It’s additionally value noting that Microsoft Workplace will quickly be often called Microsoft 365 following a rebrand, however it’ll nonetheless carry out in precisely the identical method.
Microsoft 365 Enterprise
Microsoft additionally affords business-minded variations of its software program. We’re specializing in the choices for small companies right here, however Microsoft additionally affords
Enterprise plans for bigger firms. 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 foremost variations of Microsoft 365 Enterprise accessible, every providing very totally different software program packages, so ensure you decide the appropriate one. Be particularly aware 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 observe the Microsoft 365 Apps for marketing strategy ($8.25/£7.90 per consumer per thirty days) consists of each desktop and cellular model of the apps however with out the opposite productiveness instruments akin to e-mail, calendar and Groups convention name options.
Right here’s a abstract of all 4 foremost business-focused plans we’d suggest:
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Commonplace
- 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
- Internet 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, Trade, Microsoft Groups, SharePoint, Yammer
- Internet 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, Trade, Microsoft Groups, SharePoint, Yammer
- Internet 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
- Internet 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)
