Which Microsoft Office programme do I need?

In this blog, we try to explain what the difference is between Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Office 2019 to help you choose the product you need. If you're only interested in which package we recommend, we can give you the answer now. Office 2019 Pro Plus, this is the version we recommend to 99% of our customers as this version includes almost all the programs you need and at a great price. Also, it is a one-time payment, so the licence is perpetual.

With Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365, you have access to the programmes you need to work, play and stay connected. From creating documents and presentations to developing database applications and staying in touch via email, Office simplifies the way you work online - and offline.

What you may not know is that Office comes in a variety of versions designed for different needs, uses and computers. But before you buy, compare Microsoft Office versions so you can choose the right software for all your tasks.

Various Microsoft Office products - comparison table

Various Microsoft Office products - comparison table

Annual subscription or one-off payment?

The various Microsoft Office programmes can be divided into two broad categories. These are subscription payments and one-off purchases. Office 365 includes all subscription packages, while the Office 2019 programmes are one-off purchases.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 plans include the full Office suite plus other web-enabled services such as additional cloud storage with OneDrive and Skype for Home minutes. With Microsoft 365, you get the full Office experience on PCs, Macs, tablets (including Windows, iPad and Android) and smartphones. Microsoft 365 plans are available as monthly or annual subscriptions and include 5 device installations. With Office 365, updates are always included in the subscription.

Office 2019

The Office 2019 suites, including Office Home & Student and Home & Business, include apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote; they are available as a single purchase for use on a single PC or Mac. The apps are not automatically updated; to get the latest version, you will need to purchase Office again when the new version is available.

Specific products and recommended use

What few people know is that Office comes in a variety of versions designed for different needs, uses and computers. But before you buy, compare Microsoft Office versions so you can choose the right software for all your tasks.

Microsoft 365 for Business

Designed for use on up to 5 PCs or Macs and 5 tablets - including iPad, Android or Windows - and 5 mobile phones. With the package you get access to Word, Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher and Access. You'll also automatically receive the latest Office updates (including Office 2019), 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage, free Microsoft Answer Desk support and 60 minutes of Skype calls per month.

Microsoft 365 Personal

When you compare the Office versions, Microsoft 365 Personal gives you the same great features as Microsoft 365 Business, but only on one PC or Mac and one tablet device, instead of up to five devices.

Office 2019 Home & Student

Microsoft Office 2019 offers new, modern versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote designed to maximise your productivity, with nice authoring features, design controls for seamless layouts and intuitive tools to help you get the most out of your data. And because you can access your documents in the cloud whenever you need to, you can work when, how and where it suits you. And when it comes to collaboration, you can even share documents and get your team on the same page. (For use on a PC).

Office 2019 Home & Business

With the same great features as Office 2019 Home & Student and Outlook, Office 2019 Home & Business gives you everything you need to get more done and stay connected with friends, family and colleagues around the world.

Office 2019 Pro Plus

Now you can do your best work - anywhere, anytime, with anyone. In addition to the 2019 versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote, Office 2019 Pro Plus includes new versions of Publisher and Access to help you boost productivity so you can get more done in less time. Best of all, because your documents are stored online, collaborating with teams around the world is easy.

When comparing Office to Microsoft 365, the most important thing is that Microsoft 365 is always up to date, so you never have to buy updates or wonder if you are using the latest version.

Were we able to help you with this article?? If you still have questions, comment below!

And if you want to read more, here are links to...
Microsoft 365 vs. Office 2019: What's different, what's the same and which version is right for you?