Can I buy Microsoft Office without having to take a subscription?

If you are considering using or upgrading Microsoft Office, you will probably Office 2021 and encounter the Microsoft 365 Office apps. This can cause some confusion and does not make the choice any easier. Although both options provide access to the same apps, the difference lies in the additional benefits that affect the costïnvloeden.

Do you need a subscription for Microsoft Office 2021? Microsoft Office 2021 is a standalone version of the app suite that does not require a subscription. This means that with a one‑time purchase you are permanently the owner of the product. This standalone version allows installation and updates of the Office apps on één computer, but does not provide the ability to upgrade to a newer version. In other words, you can use the apps throughout their lifespan, which is usually about 8‑9 years. After that you can continue using the app without further updates.

However, to upgrade from Office 2021 to a potentially next version, you need to purchase a new license.

Office 2021 includes essentiële apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, but only provides access to a limited set of features. Moreover, Office 2021 offers fewer benefits than a Microsoft 365 subscription. For example, cloud- and AI-based features are missing, as well as other services such as the premium version of “Outlook.com”, 1 TB OneDrive cloud storage, and free monthly Skype credits for landline calls.

Who would Office 2021 should buy?

The Office 2021-suite is primarily developed for business customers with volume licenses who are not yet ready to switch to the cloud version of Office, or who have specific on-premise application needs. This offering, however, is open to everyone. As a home user, this option is mainly sensible if you prefer a more traditional approach and can bear the initiële costs. It is also a good choice if you plan to use the applications on only één device.

If you do not need extra features or are not yet ready to switch to a Microsoft 365 subscription, this is a suitable choice.

There are two versions available for Microsoft Office 2021: Office Home & Student 2021 and Office Professional 2021, with prices typically ranging between €150 and €250. Office Home & Student 2021 includes programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, while Office Home & Business 2021 also includes Outlook.

Office 2021 is supported by Windows 10 or Windows 11 and three recent versions of macOS, a change compared to earlier releases. For using Office on Windows 7 or 8.1, a Microsoft 365 subscription is required.