

On the other hand, if you want to share the subscription with family or friends, the "Microsoft 365 Family" plan is for you. It costs $70 a year (or $7 per month) and gives you access to all the apps alongside 1TB of OneDrive storage. If you would be the only one using the apps and services, the "Microsoft 365 Personal" plan is for you. The cloud service option comes in two offerings. If you need access to the suite of apps, Microsoft 365 is perhaps your best choice. In contrast, Office 2021 only allows you to install the apps on one computer running Windows 11 or 10, and you have to pay again for future upgrades. It is also the only option that provides continuous updates at a low cost of ownership. However, the company makes it clear that this is one move in its continuing efforts to nudge users over to a Office 365 subscription instead.Microsoft 365 is the best option since you can install the apps on every supported device (Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and macOS). And if you buy a subscription under the new HUP, you will continue to receive the discount on future renewals even if you leave your current employer.įor now, Microsoft will continue to offer Office 2019 perpetual licenses for users who would rather buy software than rent it. If you already have a perpetual license purchased through the program, it will continue to work. Now, they will have to purchase a subscription with a 30 percent discount, costing $48.99 a year for Office 365 Personal or $69.99 a year for Office 365 Home. Previously, employees had been offered discounted rates for perpetual licenses. The HUP is a program aimed at employees in eligible companies, allowing them to buy the same Microsoft products they use at work to use at home. As spotted by Computer World, the company updated it HUP frequently asked questions page to confirm: "Office Professional Plus 2019 and Office Home and Business 2019 are no longer available as Home Use Program offers." Microsoft will no longer sell one-off licenses for Office 2019 as part of its Home Use Program (HUP). While users have traditionally purchased the Office suite as a one-off perpetual license, the company is pushing customers toward an annual subscription instead.

Microsoft is no different, joining the charge to sell its Office products as a subscription service. From Netflix to phone apps, tech companies love to chase that sweet, reliable subscription money.
