Office 2019 vs Office 365: Which Should You Buy?

This is the million-pound question. Today we explain how they differ and help you decide which model suits your needs.

If there is one application that every PC user needs, it is Microsoft Office. There are two main ways to enjoy Word, Excel and the rest of the suite: by subscription or by one-off purchase. But which is better? Let us break it down.

If you are new to Microsoft Office or planning to upgrade, you have probably noticed two options: Microsoft Office 2019 (Professional, Professional Plus or Standard) and Microsoft 365. While you can access the same core applications with both, the key differences lie in the add-ons and total cost of ownership.

What does Microsoft 365 offer?

Microsoft 365 is the subscription-based service that replaced Office 365. You get the same apps as in Microsoft Office 2019, plus additional features and benefits.

With this option, you pay a monthly or annual fee for access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access and more on all your devices, including PC, Mac, tablet and phone.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of the subscription is that you never have to worry about new versions. Microsoft 365 always provides the latest version of each app, complete with regular security updates and new features as they become available.

You also gain cloud features such as real-time collaboration and AI-powered tools that boost productivity across devices. Everyone receives 1 TB of OneDrive storage (up to 6 TB with the family plan), and customer support is included. In summary:

• Access to all applications
• Support for up to 6 users
• Free updates
• Customer support included
• Compatible with Windows 10, Windows 11 and macOS

Disadvantages of Microsoft 365

• Ongoing subscription costs
• Limited functionality during service outages
• Frequent interface changes can be disorienting
• You may pay for features you never use

Who should buy Microsoft 365?

If you need access to the full suite across multiple devices, Microsoft 365 is the better option thanks to its continuous updates at a predictable cost. You also gain premium features including Microsoft Editor for spelling and grammar, AI-powered creative tools, and the ability to share a subscription with up to six people.

What does Office 2019 offer?

Microsoft Office 2019 is the standalone, one-off purchase version of the suite. No subscription is required; once you buy it, the licence is yours permanently.

This option allows you to install the applications on one computer and receive security updates throughout the product lifecycle (typically five years). However, you will not receive feature upgrades. If you want new functionality in the future, you will need to purchase a newer version.

Office 2019 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, all of which contain meaningful improvements over previous versions.

Advantages of Office 2019

If you only need core Office features on one device, Office 2019 Professional Plus is likely all you need. The key advantages are:

• Access to the most important applications
• No ongoing payments
• Security updates included
• Familiar, traditional experience
• Compatible with Windows 10, Windows 11 and macOS

Disadvantages of Office 2019

• One PC per licence
• Some features are restricted compared to Microsoft 365
• No feature upgrades
• No dedicated customer support line

Who should buy Office 2019?

Office 2019 is ideal for business customers with volume licences who are not yet ready to move to a cloud-based solution, or for anyone who wants to use the suite on a single computer without recurring costs. For a detailed breakdown of the editions, see our Office 2019 Professional Plus vs Standard comparison.

Please note that unlike previous perpetual versions, Office 2019 requires Windows 10 or later. If you need Office on Windows 7 or 8.1, a Microsoft 365 subscription is your only option.

Which should you buy?

The answer depends on your needs. If you only want desktop applications without cloud services, Office 2019 is a sound choice. If you are a family or need premium features, Microsoft 365 is the way to go. And if you are wondering whether an Office 365 licence is permanent: no, it is an annual subscription. For a permanent licence, choose Office 2019 Professional Plus or consider Office 2021 Professional Plus.

We hope this clears things up. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Looking for the best price? Visit our Microsoft Office licences page.

Best regards,
The Licendi Team