Microsoft Office and Similar Products
Did you know you don't have to subscribe to Microsoft 365?Many other options are available for word processing, spreadsheets, etc.
For example, you can buy Office as a one-time purchase and not keep paying for it, as shown in the chart below.
Also, usually you can reinstall an older version that you had on a previous computer.
FAQs
- Do I need to subscribe to Microsoft 365?
No. There are many more options, including your own prior purchases and other free products. (See below) - Is Office available only by subscription?
No. You can also make a one-time purchase. - Do I have to keep paying for Office every year?
No. If you use a subscription product, you must keep paying for it; but products are also available by one-time purchase. - What do I get from a subscription that I can't get from a one-time purchase?
License to use on more than one computer
Online storage in OneDrive
Spreading of cost across time - Can I use an old version of Office that I bought long ago?
Yes, most of the time that works fine. - Do I have to use a Microsoft product at all?
No. Some people have no need for them; and similar products are available from other vendors, including some for free.
Choose and Buy Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365
| Product Name (and link to buy) | Number of Computers | Payment Frequency | Cost | Word, Excel, PowerPoint | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021 | 1 Computer | One-time Purchase | $149.99 | ✅ ✅ ✅ | ❌ |
| Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 | 1 Computer | One-time Purchase | $249.99 | ✅ ✅ ✅ | ✅ |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | 1 Computer | Annual Subscription | $69.99/year | ✅ ✅ ✅ | ✅ |
| Microsoft 365 Family | 6 Computers | Annual Subscription | $99.99/year | ✅ ✅ ✅ | ✅ |
Microsoft Office Purchases
- Your purchase (and license) is connected to your Microsoft account.
- Your purchase can easily be transferred to a future computer when the current computer is replaced (just sign in to your Microsoft account on the new computer).
- A purchase can be made at any time online.
The software can be downloaded and installed at any time.
It need not be done when buying a new computer. - A new computer usually comes with Office pre-installed, but without a license. To use it for more than a short trial period, you must either pay for it or sign in to an account that has a license.
Notes about old versions of Microsoft Office
- Often, an earlier purchase may already be in your Microsoft account (Office 2013 and later).
- If an old version of Office is no longer supported by Microsoft, it usually still works well. For example, I use Office 2003 on Windows 10.
- A CD is not needed to reinstall an old version, but the Product Key (license code) is required. For Office 2010 and earlier, that can usually be found on a computer that has it installed.
- Some features of old Office versions won't work together with newer software. (For example, Outlook syncing with Apple iCloud, and Outlook 2010 Search Indexing on Windows 11.)
- The Professional Plus versions of Office may or may not be able to be reinstalled on a new computer. These versions came through an employer at a steep discount. The Product Key would be needed to reinstall.
Alternatives to Microsoft 365 Subscription
- A one-time purchase of Microsoft Office
- Your old version of Microsoft Office
- LibreOffice, a free office suite. It includes a word processor (like MS Word), spreadsheet (like Excel), and presentation program (like PowerPoint)
- Apache OpenOffice, predecessor to LibreOffice
- On a Mac: Apple Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Mail
- Thunderbird (For email instead of Outlook)
- Microsoft Office Online (documents are stored in OneDrive)
- Google Docs (documents are stored online in Google Drive)
- Corel WordPerfect Office