Office 2021 vs Office 2024 – Which version should you choose?
If you want to buy Microsoft Office once without a subscription, you will quickly find yourself narrowing it down to two versions: Office Professional Plus 2021 and Office Professional Plus 2024.They look very similar, both cost a fraction of the retail price, and run on your own Windows PC. However, there are a number of differences that determine which version is the best choice for you.
In this guide, we put both versions fairly side by side — apps, price, support, and future-proofing — so you can make the right decision right away.
Please note: this article compares two one-time Office versions. Still unsure whether to buy it once or get a Microsoft 365 subscription? Then read Office 365 vs Office 2024 – what is the difference?
What do Office 2021 and Office 2024 have in common?
Before we discuss the differences, let's first look at the similarities, because they are significant:
- One-time purchase. You pay once and use the software for as long as your PC lasts. No annual bills, no automatic renewals.
- For Windows only. Both versions work on Windows 10 (Home or Pro) and Windows 11 (Home or Pro). For a Mac, you need a different edition — see our Office for Mac buying guide.
- Installed locally, no mandatory cloud. You work on your own drive, without having to save anything to OneDrive.
- Original, legal license. In both cases, you receive a genuine Microsoft product key.
In short: conceptually , they are identical. The difference lies in the apps, the price, and how long Microsoft continues to support the version.
What is in each package?
Both packages are the “Professional Plus” version — the full suite. The core is the same:
- Office Professional Plus 2021 — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher and Access.
- Office Professional Plus 2024 — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and Access.
The most important difference in content: Office 2024 no longer includes Publisher. Microsoft has phased out Publisher, so the latest one-time version no longer includes that app. If you still actively use Publisher for newsletters, flyers, or simple layout, Office 2021 the last one-time version that still contains Publisher.
Office 2024 stands as the most modern version: a refreshed interface in line with the rest of Office, performance improvements, and the latest features in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. For daily office work, documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and email, both versions do exactly what you expect.
The biggest difference: support and the future
This is the deciding factor for most people.
Office 2021 is approaching the end of its support period. Microsoft will provide security updates for Office 2021 until October 2026.After that, support ends: you can continue using the software, but you will no longer receive security updates.
Office 2024 has a fresh support period of approximately five years (until around 2029). So if you buy it now, you are covered for security updates for years to come.
In other words: Office 2021 is particularly interesting if you consciously opt for the lowest price or for Publisher, while Office 2024 is the most future-proof choice.
How much does it cost at LicentiePromo?
| Office 2021 Professional Plus | Office 2024 Professional Plus | |
| Price (1 pc) | €29,99 | €34,90 |
| Payment model | One-time | One-time |
| Works on | Windows 10 / 11 | Windows 10 / 11 |
| Apps | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access |
| Publisher included | Yes | No |
| Security updates until | ± October 2026 | ± 2029 |
| Best for | Lowest price or who needs Publisher | For those who want the newest and longest supported |
Prices valid at the time of writing (May 2026). Both versions are also available in multi-PC versions.
Which version suits you?
Choose Office 2021 (€29.99) as:
- you are looking for the lowest price for a complete, legal Office suite;
- you still use Publisher;
- you mainly do classic work (Word, Excel, email) and the very latest features don't interest you;
- you have no problem with support stopping at the end of 2026.
Choose Office 2024 (€34.90) if:
- you want the newest package with the longest support;
- you want to use your PC for years to come without worrying about updates;
- you want the most modern interface and the latest features;
- the price difference of a few euros is not decisive for you.
For most people buying new today, Office 2024 the most logical choice — precisely because support for 2021 is ending soon. Those who are really watching their budget or need Publisher are perfectly fine with 2021.
Ready to choose?
→ View Office 2021 Professional Plus — one-time €29.99
→ View Office 2024 Professional Plus — one-time €34.90
Not sure which version suits your PC and usage? Email [email protected] — our customer service usually responds within a few hours.