When it comes to the productivity of software, Microsoft offers two key choices; Office 365 and Office 2024. Both offers well known Microsoft apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but they are very different in price, updates, and features included. Knowing these differences can help you choose which one is right for you.
Cost and Payment Structure
There are so many differences between Office 365 and Office 2024, with the way of payment being one of the major differences. Office 365 is basically a subscription-based service, whereas Office 2024 requires a single purchase.
- Office 365: It costs $6.99/month or $69.99/year for the Personal plan, while for Business, it is $6 per user per month. There are no initial costs, but you will have to pay on a monthly or annual basis to keep on using this service.
- Office 2024: It requires a one-time upfront payment of $149.99 for the Home version and $249.99 for the Home & Business version. Once you pay, there are no further costs.
Included Apps and Features
The apps and features included in each option also differ:
- Office 365: Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Exchange, Clipchamp, OneNote, and Microsoft Editor. Subscribers also get regular updates and new features throughout their subscription.
- Office 2024: Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. These apps are the latest versions available at the time of purchase, but they will not receive future updates.
Updates and Support
Another key difference is the update and support structure:
- Office 365: This provides the subscriber with constant updates, including new features, security patches, and improvements. Microsoft also allows customer support for Office 365 subscribers.
- Office 2024: Does not include future updates or customer support. Once you buy Office 2024, you own the version you purchased, and it will never see any new features or updates.
Summary Table
| Feature | Office 365 | Office 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Subscription-based ($6.99/month or $69.99/year) | One-time purchase ($149.99 or $249.99) |
| Included Apps | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Exchange, Clipchamp, OneNote, Microsoft Editor | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote |
| Updates | Continuous updates and new features | No future updates |
| Customer Support | Included | Not included |
| Cloud Services | OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Exchange | None |
Conclusion
The choice between Office 365 and Office 2024 is going to be based on your requirements and budget. If you want a subscription-based model that offers constant updates and support, then Office 365 would be the one to go for. Otherwise, if you prefer a one-time purchase and are okay with not receiving future updates, Office 2024 might be a better fit for you.
