Cheapest Microsoft Office Licence for Businesses

Every business relies on office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Microsoft heavily promotes its 365 subscription model, but perpetual licences for Office 2019, 2021 and 2024 are still available — and they do not have to cost a fortune.

Pre-owned software licences offer the same functionality at a fraction of the retail price. Office 2019 and earlier versions are significantly cheaper on the second-hand market, and they are fully legal within the EU. Below, we explain how to choose the right version for your business.

The right Office licence should cover your team's needs, fit your existing IT environment and stay within budget. That does not necessarily mean buying the newest version.

Older versions can be an excellent choice. The best Office version is simply the one that fits your workflow. Here are three steps to help you decide:

Buy or subscribe? So you can decide

Software can be acquired in several ways: new, pre-owned, or via subscription. The best option depends on your budget. Pre-owned licences are functionally identical to brand-new ones — software does not degrade with use.

On the pre-owned market, you can save up to 50% compared to the retail price.

Subscriptions appear affordable at first glance. However, over time they add up: Microsoft 365 with desktop apps starts at around €12.99 per user per month. Over three years, that is well over €450 per user.

A pre-owned perpetual licence, by contrast, can cost as little as €29 — and it never expires. You pay once and use the software for as long as you need it. These licences are identical to those sold by Microsoft directly.

The question is straightforward: would you rather pay recurring fees every year, or make a one-off investment? A perpetual licence for Office 2019 Pro Plus pays for itself within months.

Office 2013, 2016 or 2019?

If you opt for a perpetual licence, several versions are available — from Office 2016 through to Office 2024. Here is a quick comparison to help you choose.

Office 2019: New features for your business

Office 2019 introduced several improvements over Office 2016, including:

• New animation types in PowerPoint
• Improved charts and data analysis functions in Excel
• Enhanced inking support across all apps

Consider whether the newer features justify the price difference for your team. Note that Office 2019 requires Windows 10 or later.

Office 2016: The first choice for many

The Office 2016 version has lower system requirements than Office 2019 and is significantly cheaper, while still covering the core needs of most businesses. It remains a popular choice for companies that do not need the latest features.

Microsoft ended extended support for Office 2016 in October 2025. Office 2019 retains extended support until October 2025 as well. For longer support coverage, consider Office 2021 (supported until 2026) or Office 2024.

Office 2013: cheap and secure

Office 2013 is the most affordable option, suitable for teams that only need the core features of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. However, Microsoft ended support for Office 2013 in April 2023, so it no longer receives security updates. If you do use an older version, make sure all available patches are installed — this applies to every Office version.

Office 2010: The clock is ticking!

If your company is still running Office 2010 or 2013, it is time to upgrade. Microsoft discontinued support for these versions years ago, which means no more security patches and an increasing risk of vulnerabilities.

Standard or Professional Plus - how to choose the right edition?

Every Office version comes in different editions, each with a different set of applications.

The Standard edition includes Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and OneNote. For most businesses, Office 2019 Standard covers everything they need.

The Professional Plus edition adds Access (database management), Skype for Business (video conferencing) and advanced Excel tools such as Power Pivot and Inquire. It is the better choice for larger teams or data-heavy workflows.

Our conclusion: It pays to compare

It pays to compare all available Office options before committing. The pre-owned software market offers genuine licences at a fraction of the retail price — and you may be surprised by how much is available.

Microsoft Office 365 Business Standard includes the same desktop apps as Office Pro Plus, plus cloud storage and regular feature updates. If you prefer a one-time purchase instead, Licendi offers perpetual licences that never expire.

Already have a licence key? You can download Office 2019 Professional Plus directly from our download centre.

We hope this guide helped you find the right Office licence for your business.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or give us a call.

Best regards,

The Licendi Team