Microsoft 365 or a one-off Office licence?

Subscription or buy once? Which suits you depends on how you use it.

Published 22 July 2026 · 3 min read

Microsoft 365 is a subscription that includes the latest Office apps, cloud storage and security updates. A one-off licence is cheaper upfront but is not updated with new features.

Microsoft 365 suits you if

  • You use several devices, or work from home and the office
  • You want email, Teams, OneDrive and shared files in one place
  • You are a business that needs security and user management

A one-off licence suits you if

  • You only need Word and Excel on a single computer
  • You never share documents or collaborate online
  • You prefer a single payment and do not mind missing new features

Free options such as LibreOffice or the web versions of Office are also worth knowing about for light use.

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