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 will 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 simple, paying commonly 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 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 possibility. As has all the time 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 received’t get any updates.
For some folks, it’s additionally potential to entry Microsoft Workplace free or at a reduced fee. Right here’s every thing you could know.
How one can get Microsoft Workplace in your laptop computer or PC
In years passed by, one of the 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. Nowadays that may be a little bit of a faff, with many laptops not even having disc drives anymore, nevertheless 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 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 more likely to be a one-time buy – good when you solely wish to pay as soon as, however you received’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 completely different variations of Workplace out there, and it is best to select one of the best one for you relying in your wants. It’s price noting that whereas this shopping for information covers each platform, Mac customers would possibly need to check out the precise 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 will have?
In the event you’re trying to improve, it’s straightforward to verify which model of Microsoft Workplace you will have put in. Offered you’ve downloaded all of the apps on the identical time, they need to all be working the identical model.
For the aim of this text, we’re utilizing Microsoft Phrase. The method might fluctuate barely relying in your gadget and app, nevertheless it ought to nonetheless be straightforward to seek out:
- Open the Workplace app of your alternative. You have to be introduced with a house display screen just like the one beneath
- From the bottom-left nook, click on ‘Account’
- Underneath the ‘Product Data’ part, search for ‘About Phrase’. Right here, it is best to see ‘Model’ adopted by a four-digit quantity
- To search out out when this model was launched, a fast net search will let you know
Nevertheless, the method differs on older Workplace apps. In Phrase 2010, you could select ‘File’, then ‘Assist’. The data will then be displayed on the best aspect of the display screen, as you possibly can see beneath.
It’s completely different once more in Phrase 2007. Click on on the spherical Microsoft Workplace icon within the high left after which ‘Phrase Choices’ on the backside of the menu. Subsequent, select ‘Sources’ – the final possibility on the left-side panel. It is best to see an ‘About’ button on the backside of the checklist which is able to present you extra particulars concerning the model that you just personal.
Within the 2003 model, go to the ‘Assist’ possibility within the high 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 recordsdata and apps will make the transfer, although, so if you have already got a standalone model (equivalent 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?
Will Microsoft 365 be getting new AI options?
It’s wanting seemingly. In February 2022, Microsoft introduced a brand new model of its Edge browser and Bing search engine with an built-in AI chatbot primarily based on ChatGPT.
It’s solely within the testing section on the time of writing, however comparable options will virtually definitely be added to Microsoft Workplace apps. Having the ability to compose a particular kind of article or write an e mail for you will have been highlighted as potential use instances, however there’ll seemingly be many extra.
The Verge studies that Phrase, PowerPoint and Outlook can be first in line, with a potential announcement as quickly as March. If that seems to be true, it wouldn’t be lengthy earlier than know-how arrives in ultimate variations of Workplace apps. In that state of affairs, it’s seemingly they’ll be unique to Microsoft 365 subscribers, reasonably than additionally out there on standalone variations – not less than initially.
Microsoft 365 (beforehand Workplace 365)
Microsoft’s productivity-focused subscription service was generally 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 shopper (i.e. most likely you). In the event you’re subscribing, there are two foremost choices to select from: Private (for only one person) or Household (for as much as six customers). For each, you will 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 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 folks, 1TB of cloud storage every, further Household Security options
There’s additionally a particular free model for college students and college employees 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.
You can too save your work to the cloud, just like Google Docs. Microsoft additionally throws in just a few further advantages equivalent to 1TB of cloud storage and full entry to Microsoft Groups.
Microsoft 365 – Household vs Private
In the event you’re subscribing, there at present two foremost choices to select from: Private (for only one person) or Household (for as much as six customers). For each, you will 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 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 folks, 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 associates. The yearly subscriptions prevent on two months of cost as properly.
There’s additionally no gadget restrict on Microsoft 365 installations, that means each Household or Private subscribers can set up the software program on as many units as wanted. You’re restricted to engaged on 5 units 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 prevailing 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 affords beneath.
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 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 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 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 person
- 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 identify suggests) a particular model of Microsoft 365 for college students and college school or employees. College students and lecturers can join free net entry to Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Microsoft Groups below the Workplace 365 A1 plan.
Unsurprisingly, you’ll want a college e mail handle or different proof of your standing to say it. See our full article on find out how to get Microsoft Phrase without spending a dime.
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 thirty days for every scholar 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, affords desktop and net entry together with added security measures.
If you wish to search for different nice scholar tech offers, take a look at
Tech Advisor’s again to high school hub.
Workplace Residence and Pupil 2021
In the event you would like to pay a one-off value, Workplace Residence and Pupil 2021 is the best package deal 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 gadget working Home windows 11, Home windows 10 or any current 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 without spending a dime, 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 applications included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Workplace 2021 consists of new options equivalent to a black theme in Phrase, new studying instruments, new charts and timelines, new transitions in PowerPoint and much extra. However not like a Microsoft 365 subscription, it received’t proceed getting new options over time.
It’s additionally price noting that Microsoft Workplace will quickly be generally known as Microsoft 365 following a rebrand, nevertheless it’ll nonetheless carry out in precisely the identical approach.
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 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 foremost variations of Microsoft 365 Enterprise out there, every providing very completely different software program packages, so ensure you choose the best one. Be particularly conscious about Microsoft 365 Enterprise Fundamental (from $6/£4.50 per person per thirty days), which doesn’t really embrace desktop variations of the core Workplace software program like Phrase and Excel – simply Microsoft’s on-line and cloud instruments.
Additionally notice the Microsoft 365 Apps for marketing strategy ($8.25/£7.90 per person per thirty days) consists of each desktop and cellular model of the apps however with out the opposite productiveness instruments equivalent 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 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
- Net variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint
US: $12.50 per person per thirty days
UK: £9.40 per person per thirty 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 handle
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Desktop variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Writer, Entry
- Entry to OneDrive, Trade, Microsoft Groups, SharePoint, Yammer
- Net variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
US: $22 per person per thirty days
UK: £16.60 per person per thirty days
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Fundamental
- 1TB cloud storage per person
- Electronic mail internet hosting with 50GB mailbox and customized area handle
- Permits as much as 300 customers
- Ongoing entry to updates
- Video conferencing with as much as 250 folks
- OneDrive, Trade, Microsoft Groups, SharePoint, Yammer
- Net variations of Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote
US: $5 per person per thirty days (annual plan)
UK: £4.50 per person per thirty 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
- Net 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 thirty days (annual plan)
US: $8.25 per person per thirty days (annual plan)
UK: £7.90 per person per thirty days (annual plan)
