Microsoft 365 or Office 2024: which one suits you?
In brief: comparing Microsoft subscriptions and one-time purchase
Microsoft 365 is an annual subscription with the latest Office apps, 1 TB (or more) of cloud storage and Copilot. Office 2024 is a one-time purchase of classic Word, Excel and PowerPoint without cloud features, for use on a single PC or Mac. Choose Microsoft 365 Personal if you're always working solo and want the latest version, Microsoft 365 Family if you're sharing it with multiple family members, and Office 2024 if you'd rather pay once with no subscription.
Trying to decide between a Microsoft 365 subscription and a one-time purchase of Office 2024? Both give you access to Word, Excel and PowerPoint, but the way you pay, update and collaborate differs quite a bit. Below, you'll find out what each package includes, we'll put the differences side by side, and our buying guide will help you reach the right choice in a few steps.
What is Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 is Microsoft's subscription that gives you the latest version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote at all times. You pay a fixed amount per year, and in return, alongside the Office apps, you also get cloud storage via OneDrive, the AI assistant Copilot and support across multiple devices. As soon as Microsoft releases new features, you get them automatically as part of your subscription.
Microsoft 365 Personal
For 1 user, up to 5 devices at once, 1 TB of OneDrive storage and Copilot included. For those working or studying on their own.
Microsoft 365 Family
For up to 6 users, each with their own 1 TB of storage (up to 6 TB combined) and Family Safety for the family's digital safety.
What is Office 2024?
Office 2024 is Microsoft's one-time purchase: you pay once and then use the software with no further subscription costs. You get the classic, fixed version of the apps as they stand at the time of purchase; no new features will be added, though you do get security updates until 9 October 2029. Cloud storage and Copilot aren't included.
Office Home 2024
Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote for a single PC or Mac. Intended for home use and study, not for business use.
Office Home & Business 2024
The same apps plus Outlook, and it is permitted for work, freelancers and the self-employed.
Microsoft 365 vs Office 2024: the key differences
Scroll sideways for all options →
| Office 2024 | MS365 Personal | MS365 Family | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence type | One-time purchase | Annual subscription | Annual subscription |
| Users | 1 | 1 | Up to 6 |
| Devices | 1 PC or Mac | Max. 5 at once | Max. 5 per user |
| Cloud storage | ✗ | 1 TB | 1 TB per user |
| Copilot | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Always the latest version | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Support | Until 9 Oct. 2029 | Ongoing | Ongoing |
| Business use | Home & Business only | ✗ | ✗ |
| View | View | View |
What we see in practice
As an official Microsoft partner, 2GO Software sells both Microsoft 365 and Office 2024, and we see day to day what customers run into. Most post-purchase questions aren't about the software itself, but about the choice made beforehand: customers who bought Office Home 2024 for business use still need to switch to Home & Business, and families who buy separate Personal licences often end up paying more than with a single Family subscription.
That's why we not only help you make the right choice before purchase, but we're also here for you afterwards. If you get stuck during installation or activation, our customer service helps you further via email or WhatsApp, and you get a tailored guide so you know exactly which steps to take yourself. On top of that, you can turn to both Microsoft and us with questions, and our not-satisfied-money-back guarantee applies if the software still doesn't meet your expectations.
Buying guide: which Microsoft package suits your situation?
Ask yourself these three questions:
- Do you want a fixed, low annual amount, or would you rather pay once (at a higher purchase price)?
- Do you use Office on your own, or do you share it with your partner, children or other family members?
- Do you need cloud storage, collaboration features or Copilot, or would you rather work locally with the basic programs?
Microsoft 365 Personal
✓ Choose Microsoft 365 Personal if you work or study on your own and always want the latest features and security.
✗ Microsoft 365 Personal isn't ideal if you want to share Office with family members, in which case Family is better value.
View PersonalMicrosoft 365 Family
✓ Choose Microsoft 365 Family if you use Office with 2 to 6 family members and want parental control via Family Safety.
✗ Microsoft 365 Family isn't ideal if you live or work on your own, in which case Personal is better value.
View FamilyOffice 2024
✓ Choose Office 2024 if you don't want a subscription, work on a single device and don't need cloud storage or Copilot.
✗ Office 2024 isn't ideal if you work across multiple devices or want to collaborate in real time.
View Office 2024Working in business or as a self-employed professional with Office 2024? Then choose Home & Business specifically, not Office Home. Want to use Office purely for business within a company with multiple employees? Then take a look at Microsoft 365 Business.
Ready to choose a Microsoft package?
Check current prices and install straight away with our free installation service.
