While Microsoft Office is widely used by enterprise users, it's not a universal solution. They each feature many of the same applications, so recognizing the differences among them and understanding which will best suit your needs can be tough. The table below is a comparison of the features and pricing models among Office 2024, Office 2021, and Microsoft 365. Let's check it out and see how to decide which is best for you.
In summary, Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service, while Office 2021 or 2024 requires a one-off purchase. Office 2021 or 2024 is sold as a one-time purchase, which means you pay a single, up-front cost to get Microsoft 365 apps for one computer. One-time purchases are available for both PCs and Macs. However, there are no upgrade options, which means if you plan to upgrade to the next major release, you'll have to buy it at full price.
If you want a one-time purchase and have a low budget, then Office 2021 Professional is your choice, you just need to pay only $35.11 during the Singles' Day Software Sale. Pay once, use forever!
As for me, I would recommend you buy Office 2021 Pro. Because it allows you to buy all the essential productivity tools at a lower price, and you can use them offline. You can save a lot, which is money you can spend on one of the best graphics cards, one of the fastest SSDs, or a couple of AAA games for your new PC.
Note: The productivity suites mentioned above all require your system to upgrade to Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro. For the best experience, it is recommended to use the latest version of the operating system. There's also the upcoming end of support for Windows 10, which is set to hit on October 14, 2025. You also just need to pay $13.25 for Windows 11 Pro during this Single's Day software sale. Windows 10 is still the dominating operating system with over 60% market share. If you still prefer Windows 10, you can get it for only $8.25! This excellent offer ends on November 12.
Choosing the right version depends on your specific needs, budget, and whether you prefer one-time purchases or ongoing access to the latest features. If you need help deciding which one is best for you, feel free to ask!