Forget pesky paywalls, download and use Microsoft Word for free and get access to the familiar experience you know and love anytime, anywhere
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When it comes to word processing, Microsoft Word continues to reign supreme over alternatives like Google Docs and Adobe Acrobat. Although these alternatives are getting better and better, making the market more competitive for Microsoft, Word still shines above the rest because it is user-friendly, feature-packed, and allows you to work with documents quickly and effectively.
In our review of Microsoft Word (opens in new tab), we’re clear that this application is completely indispensable because of its features, support, and intuitive interface. As mentioned in that article, Word’s current capabilities extend far beyond text formatting, to encompass features like web page formatting, instant translation, and 3D model insertion.
When it comes to Microsoft, Word (along with the whole Microsoft 365 (opens in new tab) suite) offers everything you could possibly want when it comes to productivity, communication, and collaboration. The Microsoft 365 suite, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and Teams, provides you with a comprehensive set of tools to help you stay productive, connected, and organized.
With the suite of apps, you can create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, manage contacts and emails, store and share files, and collaborate with colleagues in real time. Microsoft 365 also includes a variety of security features to help keep your data safe and secure. With Microsoft Word and the Microsoft 365 suite, you have everything you need to stay on track.
However, the cost is a major deterrent for most people to take advantage of what it has to offer. Even without the entire Microsoft 365 suite, Word on its own is fantastic, having very little to leave you frustrated.
The most upsetting thing about Word is that it’s been hidden behind a paywall for most of the past 30 years. This has left the door open for Google Docs and other word processors and document editors to offer their subpar services for free, which is an extremely compelling offer considering Word and Docs are somewhat similar on the surface.
As previously mentioned, Microsoft Word has more competition than ever, especially beyond the paywall. Alternative applications, like Google Docs (opens in new tab), are on the scene, forcing Microsoft to offer Word for free just to compete.
While it’s true that you’re more limited in scope and some features aren’t available, on the whole, the free version of Microsoft Word will get the job done sufficiently for most people. You can still create professional documents, edit and format text, and insert images and tables.
Additionally, there’s no longer any requirement to buy a copy or sign up for Microsoft 365 to use Microsoft Word, which is a huge relief if you’re on a budget. However, if you decide you’d like to make the purchase, the best Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 deals (opens in new tab) will ensure you get the lowest price possible, especially if you are trying to avoid a hefty price tag.
If you’re currently shopping for the best MacBook and Macs (opens in new tab) and feel like that’s going to be enough of a financial outlay for now, or you already have a laptop and just can’t justify any extra expenses at the moment, the straightforward step-by-step instructions below will help you download and use Microsoft Word for free.
Best Microsoft 365 and Office deals
How to use Microsoft Word for free on Windows 10, Mac, Chrome OS, and Linux
The easiest way to download and use Microsoft Word for free is right in your web browser. Whether you’re on Windows 10 (opens in new tab), Mac, Chrome OS, or Linux, using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, or any other major browser, you can access a free-to-use version of Microsoft Word.
All you need is a Microsoft account and a data connection to access the free version of Word. Open t (opens in new tab)he official Microsoft Office website in your browser (opens in new tab) of choice to gain access to Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and other Microsoft products.
Using Microsoft Word online is a lot like Google Docs in that you have automatic cloud backups of your work with OneDrive. You also have the ability to collaborate with other people in real time. This isn’t the full version of Microsoft Word, but it has the same interface, is just as safe, and has all the basic suite of features that the majority of people will need access to.
How to use Microsoft Word for free on iOS and Android
More advanced features are available to users with a Microsoft 365 subscription, but if all you’re looking for is basic access to Microsoft Word on your smartphone or tablet, this will do the job very well. You can download and use Microsoft Word for free from either the Apple App Store (opens in new tab) or Google Play Store (opens in new tab).
Using Microsoft Word on a smartphone or a tablet might not be your first choice because of how small and difficult phones can be to deal with and type on, but it is free. Previously, Microsoft had a standalone Word app for both iOS and Android, but it has now merged Word with Excel and Powerpoint on mobile in a single Microsoft Office application.
This allows for better access to any Excel spreadsheets or Powerpoint presentations that you might need while using Word, as all three are integrated into this one application.
To use it, you only need to log in with a Microsoft account for free access to basic features, as well as online collaboration, backup to OneDrive, and the ability to create PDF files from your documents.
Summary
Not only is there no requirement to pay to use Microsoft Word anymore, but there’s also no requirement to even install it if you’re using it on a PC. The development of the browser-based application for Windows 10, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS users makes it easy and convenient to work solo or in collaboration.
The mobile application also provides free on-the-go access to basic editing features from your pocket, and all of this only requires a Microsoft account to keep everything in sync.
Microsoft Word is great because it is an easy-to-use word-processing program that allows users to create and edit documents quickly and effectively. It has a wide range of features, such as a spell-checker, grammar checker, table creation, and text formatting. Additionally, Word is compatible with a variety of other Microsoft Office programs, making it a great tool for collaboration, allowing you to stay on target with all of your projects and tasks.
We’ve listed the best Microsoft Office alternatives.
Ray is a Staff Writer for TechRadar, having previously contributed numerous pieces to other technology websites such as Makeuseof and Thesweetbits. He has been writing about a multitude of topics within the tech industry for years, and now lends his experience to variable content on TechRadar. In his free time, you’ll likely find Ray riding trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on his mountain bike.
Most Popular
When it comes to word processing, most people—and most businesses—still think of Microsoft Word. Whether it’s a résumé or an essay, it’s most likely to come as a .docx file, the universally recognized default file format used by Word, and whomever you’re working with probably wants one in return.
There’s just one problem—you need to pay a one-time fee or a recurring subscription to use Microsoft Word as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription … or do you?
Word on the Web
Word on the web offers plenty of features.
Microsoft via David Nield
Microsoft makes a free version of Microsoft Word available for anyone to use on the web. You have to register a Microsoft account, but that’s free too. As the app works entirely inside a web browser, you can access it from any computer, and your files are always synced and saved in the cloud. There are some limitations, but for a lot of users, Word on the web might be all they ever need.
Collaborating with other people on documents is very straightforward, as you would expect from a web app, and you get all of the basic formatting options offered by the desktop version of Word. It’s possible to put together some relatively complex layouts using Word on the web, and you can check out the free templates that Microsoft provides for some inspiration.
This online version of Word isn’t as powerful or as versatile as the desktop software for Windows and macOS. For example, you don’t get alignment guides or live layout options, you can’t create citations and a bibliography, and you don’t get any of the advanced proofing and reference tools. Plus, you need an active web connection to use the online version. These won’t be dealbreakers for everyone, and Word on the web is a perfectly capable application.
Word Apps on Mobile
Viewing a document on Word for Android.
Microsoft via David Nield
You can install Microsoft Word for Android and iOS, free of charge. As with the web version, you just need a Microsoft account and you’re good to go, but there is a caveat: If you want to use the mobile app version of Word on an Android device with a screen size of fewer than 10.1 inches or on an iPad, you need to pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription. With the free edition, you’re limited to cell phones.
That means you’re not exactly going to be hooking up a keyboard and bashing out several thousand words of a report—unless you type very fast on your phone’s keyboard (or you particularly love portable Bluetooth keyboards). As you would expect on mobile, these apps are also limited in other ways, both in terms of the smaller screen size and in terms of the formatting and layout options for the documents you create.
That said, they’re still great for quick edits and for viewing documents. If, for example, someone has sent you a Word document that you need to look at, and you don’t want to pay for the full version of the software, then you can easily get at it using your phone. Alternatively, if you just need something to create simple and short Word documents, with basic formatting, the mobile phone app will work just fine.
Get a Family Member to Pay
Family subscriptions can be shared with up to six people.
Microsoft via David Nield
You can get deals on family plans just about everywhere, from Apple to Spotify. The same is true for a Microsoft 365 subscription, so if you’re keen to get all of the benefits of Word (and Excel and PowerPoint) free of charge, then you might consider asking someone else in your family to pay for the software.
Check the Microsoft 365 plans page for the latest pricing. At the time of writing you could get an individual subscription for $69.99 per year or a family subscription for $99.99 per year. That family subscription covers up to six people, who can each install the Office apps on up to five devices.
You may have to use your powers of persuasion to the absolute maximum to get a relative to pay for you to access Microsoft Office without paying anything—but you might have a particularly generous family around you, or you may be able to return the favor in some other way. At the very least, it means you’re getting Microsoft Word for significantly less money if you split the $100-a-year fee six different ways.
Use an Alternative
Google Docs can save documents in Word format.
Google via David Nield
It may seem like cheating to tell you to use an alternative in a guide to how to use Microsoft Word for free, but bear in mind that a lot of these alternatives are now perfectly comfortable handling the same .docx file format that Word does, and anyone you’re sending to or getting files from doesn’t have to know you’re not using Word. That means you don’t miss out if the rest of your colleagues use Word and you don’t.
There is of course Google Docs, which is completely free to use and runs inside a web browser as well as on mobile in app form. While it doesn’t quite have the reach and range of features that Microsoft Word does—particularly when it comes to some layout formats and options for longer documents—you can access it from any computer, and sharing documents is very straightforward.
When it comes to desktop software, there’s the venerable OpenOffice, which includes a word processor as well as multiple other applications that you don’t have to pay for. The office suite is available for both Windows and macOS. If you’re on a Mac, there’s also Pages to consider, which is Apple’s free word processor.
As far as word processors go, Microsoft Word is still the king. But you don’t have to pay for the expensive Microsoft Office suite to use it. Here are all the ways to get Microsoft Word free.
Of course, MS Word is more than a simple word processor. It has a wide selection of tools and applications. Whether it’s on a computer or on a phone, it’s the best software for creating, editing, and managing documents. And you can download Microsoft Word for free.
Word Mobile for Windows
For a long time, Microsoft offered a free program called Word Viewer to open any DOCX file without paying for the full version of Office. But Word Viewer was retired a few years back. What you have instead is the new Word Mobile.
You can install Word Mobile on any Windows laptop, desktop, tablet, or phone. If your screen is larger than 10.1 inches, however, you can’t create nor edit files with the free Microsoft Word Mobile. Unless you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can only open documents and read them on larger screens.
To grab the app, head to the Microsoft Store and search for Word Mobile. Otherwise, follow the link below and click the Get in Store app button to open it in the Microsoft Store on your Windows computer. Proceed to download it like any app.
Download: Word Mobile for Windows (Free)
Microsoft Office for Android and iOS
Microsoft’s all-in-one Office suite for Android and iOS combines Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Forms, and a host of PDF options in a single app, and it’s completely free.
Perhaps the best part about the free Microsoft Office mobile app is how well it represents documents filled with charts and graphics. This has historically been a problem on most mobile office suites, but such files show up perfectly on this app, scroll through smoothly without lagging, and are smartly optimized for mobile screens.
The app also features a strong dictation mode. Apart from turning your voice into text, you can make lists, add punctuation, change lines, and much more. Not bad considering you’re getting Microsoft Word for free.
Download: Microsoft Office: Edit & Share for Android | iOS (Free)
Use the Android App on Chromebooks
Microsoft Office: Edit & Share is also the best method to get Microsoft Word free on Chrome OS. All Chromebooks now run Android apps, so go to the Play Store and download the same app for the Android linked above.
It will work as if you were using a tablet. The app works fine with a keyboard, and you can keep using the regular keyboard shortcuts you are accustomed to. But in the end, that’s a mobile version of Word, not the proper desktop one. For something closer to the desktop Word experience on a Chromebook, you’re better off using our next option; Office Online.
Office Online
If you have an active internet connection, you can use the free Office Online instead in your browser. All you need is a Microsoft account, which you can register for free, and then choose the Word app.
We can think of a few reasons why you should use Office Online instead of paying Microsoft to use Word. For starters, you can access documents anywhere through the 5GB of free OneDrive storage you get with a Microsoft account. It also accurately retains Microsoft Word formatting, unlike other apps. And it automatically saves your work, so you don’t lose it.
Office Online also makes it easier to share documents and work with others. Like with Google Docs, you and your friends can collaborate on the same document in this free Microsoft Word online app. It’s an easy step to cloud computing for anyone who is already hooked into the Microsoft Office ecosystem.
However, you can’t use Office Online without an internet connection. When you need an offline office suite, fully installed on your own PC, then the good old Office is still your best bet.
Microsoft 365
If you temporarily need the full version of Microsoft Word for free on your PC or Mac, get a trial subscription to Microsoft 365. Until a few years ago, buying Microsoft Office was a one-time cost, but a hefty one.
Now, Microsoft has embraced the subscription model, which actually increases the price but makes a lot of sense if you are using Office on multiple computers for your whole family. Plus, there are some cool freebies packaged with it.
Once you have finished your trial period, you need to make a decision whether to stick with one of the aforementioned Microsoft Word free versions or pay for the full version. The new Microsoft 365 subscription model not only gets you Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and Outlook, but if you opt for the Family package, it also adds 1TB of OneDrive storage per person, which is a total of up to 6TB.
The Microsoft 365 Family package is available for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. If you plan on sharing your Office with members of your family, this is the best value-for-money deal you can get.
It basically applies to six users; so you can install Office offline on six computers (PC or Mac), six tablets, or six phones, and get the aforementioned 1TB storage for six users each. And you also get some additional safety features for Word Mobile on your smartphone:
The cheaper Microsoft 365 Personal package costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year but supports only one user for 1TB of storage, offline installation on one computer, one tablet, and one phone.
BUY NOW
MICROSOFT 365If you don’t like the new subscription model, you can purchase Office at a one-time cost varying from $149.99 to $399.99.
Before you make a decision, check out these methods to get cheap Microsoft Office and Word licenses.
For Students and Non-Profits
Students can get Office 365 Education for free if your school supports it. You can check out eligibility on the official site. However, be warned that the 1TB of OneDrive storage is associated with your school’s account, which means a school administrator can change permissions and access.
Like students, non-profit organizations can get Microsoft 365 Business Premium for free.
Still Nothing? Try Microsoft Word Alternatives
Microsoft Word has always been a fantastic word processor. Maybe you have moved away from it because of its price. Though these alternatives aren’t the full-fledged Office suite that you expect to grab for free, you can still rely on these methods and use them for your productivity.
Otherwise, you might want to consider these fresh alternatives to Microsoft Office. You never know which of those free or cheap alternatives will work out for you.
Microsoft 365 is the most recent version of the Microsoft Office set of tools, and it includes programs you already use at home, school or work. Some of the programs include Word, Outlook and Powerpoint, and buying a Microsoft 365 membership is still the most popular way to access these tools and more.
On Jan. 11, Microsoft announced the release of Microsoft 365 Basic which costs $2 a month, or $20 for a yearly subscription. However, you can snag Microsoft 365 at no cost under some circumstances.
Microsoft’s suite of productivity software consists of classics like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, as well as newer apps like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint.
The suite typically costs $20 to $100 a year for subscription access across devices and family members. Microsoft also has a standalone version of Microsoft Office for Windows and Mac, called Office Home and Student 2021, for a flat $150 — no subscription required.
Here are the versions of Office 365, Microsoft 365 and their apps that you can find online for free.
Get Microsoft Office 365 Education free if you’re a student or a teacher
If you’re a student, teacher or faculty member with an active school email address, you’re likely eligible to get access to Office 365 for free through Microsoft, with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Teams, plus other classroom tools.
All you have to do is enter your school email address on this page on Microsoft’s website: Office 365 Education. In many cases, you’ll be instantly granted access thanks to an automated verification process. If you attend an institution that needs to be verified, it might take up to a month to confirm your eligibility.
College students can also get Microsoft 365 Personal for $3 a month with a valid school email address.
How to get Microsoft Office suite free if you’re anyone else
Anyone can get a one-month free trial of Microsoft 365. However, it does require you to enter a credit card number. If you don’t cancel your subscription before the month is up, you’ll be charged $100 for a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Family (formerly called Office 365 Home).
The good news is if you don’t need the full suite of Microsoft 365 tools, you can access a number of its apps online for free, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Outlook, Calendar, My Content, Skype, Designer and Clipchamp. Here’s how to get them:
1. Go to Microsoft365.com.
2. Click Sign up for the free version of Office under the «Sign in» button.
3. Log in to your Microsoft account or create one for free. If you already have a Windows, Skype or Xbox Live login, you have an active Microsoft account.
4. Select the app you want to use and save your work in the cloud with OneDrive.
Use the browser-based version of the Microsoft Word app for free.
Screenshot by Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET
So what’s the catch for the free version?
You might be saying, «Wait a minute, if I can get all of those apps for free, why pay for Microsoft 365 in the first place?» The functionality of the free apps is limited, so they only run in your web browser and you can only use them while you’re actively connected to the internet. They also have fewer features than the full Microsoft 365 versions.
There are still benefits to the free version, including the ability to share links to your work and collaborate in real time, similar to what the Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) productivity tools allow. If you’re looking for basic versions of each of these apps, the free version should work well for you.
For more productivity coverage, check out what Microsoft 365 Basic offers customers, all of the best features in Windows 11 and how to take screenshots in Windows 10 or 11. You can also take a look at CNET’s list of the best Windows laptops.
Since its release, Microsoft Office has been the leading office suite for home, student, and business. Microsoft now boasts over 1.5 billion users worldwide, which makes Microsoft the dominant force powerful business suites. Microsoft Office features a set of flagship products designed to make your work easier and more professional. These flagship products include Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access, OneNote, and Outlook. These applications empower business users, students, and home users to experience a boost in productivity and the ability to get more done in the most efficient way possible. Microsoft Office is available for PC and for Mac users.
There are different versions of the product, depending on your needs, and not all of the versions have the exact same apps and capabilities. In this article, we will take a close look at Microsoft Office and its different versions to compare Microsoft Office software versions and help you determine which version is right for you. At SoftwareKeep we believe in giving you all the information you need to make an informed buying decision, so here is our comparison of the Microsoft Office for PC and Office for Mac products.
Difference Between Version and Edition
When you read about Microsoft Office, you will hear the words version and edition. Most people don’t realize these two terms are not interchangeable. They refer to two distinctly different things. The version refers to the version number of the product. For instance, Windows 10. It can also refer to the build number of the particular version you are running. The Edition refers to “Home and Business” or “Professional.” Editions are named differently because they include different features and products aimed at specific audiences.
The Microsoft “Home and Student” edition, for instance, is aimed at casual users and students. Even teachers will find this edition enough in most cases. Another version, “Home and Business,” offers a slight variation that makes the product useful to casual users and students, but adds Outlook.
The idea here is to offer an edition of the product aimed at small business owners or home business users. For big business and corporations, of course, there is Office Professional and Professional Plus. Office Professional Plus is an integrated set of Microsoft applications for business or enterprise. Office Professional Plus includes all of the programs in Office Standard (Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word), plus you Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business.
Acces is a relational database management system that helps businesses track and report information. Skype for Business is a unified communications client that works with Skype for Business Server, allowing users to talk to one another via instant messaging, voice, or video, or two switch between modes. These are clearly not apps the everyday user would ever make use of or what to pay for, which is why there are different editions.
There is also a Standard edition of Microsoft that includes:
- Excel: A spreadsheet application with data analysis and visualization tools
- OneNote: A note-taking application that allows various types of content to be shared among team members.
- Outlook: A time and information manager that integrates email, calendar, contacts, and tasks.
- PowerPoint: A presentation graphics program with capabilities for text effects, sound, and animation.
- Publisher: A desktop publishing program that allows people with basic design skills to create a wide variety of publications.
- Word: A full-featured word-processing program.
The great thing about the Standard edition (desktop) is that it works well for a wide range of consumers. All of the basic important apps are there with the addition of Outlook for email and communications management and Publisher for easy professional desktop design layout capabilities. This version is a great value for a wide range of users.
So does it really matter which edition you choose? Yes and no. If you already have a “Professional Plus” edition and you are a casual user, no problem. The core apps are still the same and will work for you. If you are a casual user, however, about to purchase, you are not likely to want to spend the money on the “Professional Plus” version for applications you won’t use.
What Versions of Microsoft Office Are Available?
The most current version of Microsoft Office is Office 2019. There is a perpetual version (desktop or standalone version) that is a one-time purchase. Office 2019 comes in three editions (as noted above), 2019 Home and Student for Pc/Mac, 2019 Home and Business for Pc/Mac and Microsoft Office 2019 Professional. The desktop versions are significantly different than Office 365. Consumers can purchase the perpetual version and pay only one time for the software, while Office 365 is a subscription and cloud-based service that offers constantly updated versions of the Office products.
Older versions of Microsoft Office still available and supported by Microsoft go back as far as 2010, but the most popular pre-2019 version of Office is Office 2016.
Besides being available for PC and Mac, Office is available in Home and Student and Home and Business Editions. These editions are similar regardless of the operating system, but there are some slight differences between the PC and Mac versions of Microsoft Office. Those differences are primarily in the way the applications function rather than a difference in the applications that are included in Microsoft Office.
| Release Date | Title |
| August 24, 1995 | Microsoft Office 95 |
| November 19, 1996 | Microsoft Office 97 |
| June 7, 1999 | Microsoft Office 2000 |
| May 31, 2001 | Microsoft Office XP |
| August 19, 2003 | Microsoft Office 2003 |
| January 30, 2007 | Microsoft Office 2007 |
| June 15, 2010 | Microsoft Office 2010 |
| January 29, 2013 | Microsoft Office 2013 |
| September 22, 2015 | Microsoft Office 2016 |
| September 24, 2018 | Microsoft Office 2019 |
| October 5, 2021 | Microsoft Office 2021 |
Basic Editions of Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office 2021 Editions
Four major versions of the latest Microsoft Office 2021:
- Home & Student for PC/MAC: Includes core applications only.
- Home & Business for PC/MAC: Includes core applications plus Outlook.
- Professional: Includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher and Access. Uses Windows Installer method for offline installation.
- Professional Plus: Only available through volume licensing channels; includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access and Skype for Business. Uses Click-to-Run method for online installation.
Microsoft Office Home and Student
This edition is designed for individuals who need essential Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for personal use. It is perfect for creating basic documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, and is a great choice for students and home users.
Microsoft Home and Business — This edition is similar to Home and Student, but also includes Outlook for managing emails, contacts, and calendars. It is ideal for small business owners, freelancers, and individuals who need to balance their personal and professional life in one place.
Microsoft Office Professional — This edition includes all the applications in Home and Business, as well as Publisher and Access. Publisher is a desktop publishing application that allows you to create professional-looking marketing materials and publications, while Access is a database management tool that helps you organize and analyze data. This edition is recommended for businesses and professionals who need advanced features for desktop publishing and database management.
Microsoft Office 365 — This is a subscription-based service that provides all the features of Office 2021, plus additional cloud-based services like OneDrive, Skype for Business, and Exchange Online. It is perfect for businesses that need to collaborate and communicate in real time, as well as individuals who want access to the latest features and updates.
Note: — There are other versions of Microsoft Office available, such as Microsoft Office Standard 2021 and Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021, which offer additional features like volume licensing and advanced security options. In addition to the four major versions of Microsoft Office 2021 for Windows and Mac, there are also LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) versions available for Windows users. LTSC versions of Microsoft Office are designed for organizations that prefer to have access to the same features and functionality for an extended period of time, without receiving frequent updates or upgrades.
Microsoft Office 2021 Perpetual
Microsoft Office 2021 is the latest version of the world’s most popular productivity suite, designed to help users work smarter and more efficiently. With Office 2021, you’ll get all the classic features you know and love, along with a range of new and innovative tools that take your productivity to the next level.
Office 2021 comes in several different editions to meet the needs of different users. The Home and Student edition is perfect for casual home users and students and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. OneNote is an excellent note-taking application that allows users to create notes with text, images, and videos, which can be easily organized for quick access.
For those who need additional functionality, the Home and Business edition of Microsoft Office 2021 includes all the same core programs as Home and Student, but adds Outlook for email and contact management. This edition is ideal for small business owners who want to streamline their work and keep all their communication in one place.
If you need even more advanced features, the Professional edition of Office 2021 is designed for big businesses and corporations. It includes all the same programs as Home and Business, but also adds Access and Publisher for database management and desktop publishing.
Whether you’re a student, a small business owner, or a large corporation, Microsoft Office 2021 has everything you need to stay organized, productive, and efficient. With its new and innovative tools, you’ll be able to work smarter and get more done in less time.
Microsoft Office Products — 2021 Editions
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1. Word.
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2. Excel.
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3. PowerPoint.
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4. OneNote.
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5. Outlook.
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6. Access.
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7. Publisher.
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8. Teams.
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9. OneDrive.
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10. SharePoint.
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11. Visio.
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12. Project.
Please note that the specific applications included in your Microsoft Office 2021 edition may vary depending on the version you purchase.
Microsoft Office 2021 also comes in different editions to cater to the various needs of our customers. We regularly offer seasonal discounts of up to 15-20% off the suggested retail price, so you can get the best value for your money. Here are the different editions of Microsoft Office 2021:
- Home & Student: This edition includes the core applications only, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. It is suitable for students and casual home users.
- Home & Business: In addition to the core applications, this edition includes Outlook for managing emails and contacts. It is suitable for small business owners and casual users who require email management.
- Standard: This edition is only available through volume licensing channels and includes the core applications, Outlook, and Publisher. It is suitable for businesses that require desktop publishing capabilities.
- Professional: This edition includes the core applications, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. It uses the Windows Installer method for offline installation and is suitable for businesses that require database management capabilities.
- Professional Plus: This edition is only available through volume licensing channels and includes the core applications, Outlook, Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business. It uses the Click-to-Run method for online installation and is suitable for businesses that require online collaboration and communication capabilities.
No matter which edition you choose, Microsoft Office 2021 is designed to help you be more productive and efficient in your work, whether you’re a student, home user, or business professional.
Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Student
Office 2021 Home and Student edition is an excellent choice for home users, students, and anyone who needs to get some writing done. It includes the core applications: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as OneNote, which is perfect for taking detailed and organized notes. With Office 2021 Home and Student, you can write essays, create presentations, and keep your notes in one place.
Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Business
The Home and Business edition of Microsoft Office 2021 includes all of the core applications, with the added functionality of Outlook. This makes it an excellent choice for small business owners who need email capability and contact management. It bridges the gap between the Home and Professional editions of Office and is an ideal choice for those who require more than just the core applications, but not all the features found in the Professional edition.
Microsoft Office 2021 Standard
The Standard edition of Microsoft Office 2021 continues to be a volume licensing exclusive, making it an ideal choice for midsize to large businesses looking to purchase the suite in bulk. This edition includes all the core applications found in the Home and Business edition along with Outlook for email communication and contact management. Additionally, it offers the powerful desktop publishing application, Publisher, which allows businesses to create professional-looking documents with ease.
Microsoft Office 2021 Professional
Microsoft Office 2021 Professional includes all the core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, and Access. This edition is perfect for businesses that require powerful database management capabilities to store large amounts of customer data. With Access, businesses can easily create custom applications and manage complex data sets.
The offline installation is done using the Windows Installer method, making it an ideal choice for organizations with strict IT policies.
Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus
Office Professional Plus 2021 is the top-tier edition of the suite, available exclusively through volume licensing channels. It includes all the core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business, making it the ideal choice for large enterprises that need advanced collaboration, database management, and desktop publishing capabilities.
Unlike the traditional Windows Installer method used in previous versions, Office Professional Plus 2021 uses the modern Click-to-Run method for faster and more reliable online installation.
Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac
Mac users now have access to the latest Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with Office 2021 for Mac. This edition is compatible with Apple’s three most recent versions of macOS, ensuring that users are up-to-date with the latest technology. Microsoft’s commitment to providing Mac users with a similar experience to PC users has resulted in a powerful and versatile suite of applications that are tailored to Mac’s unique capabilities.
Office for Mac supports Apple’s three most recent versions of macOS.
Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Student for Mac
Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Student for Mac Edition is designed to provide casual and professional users with all the necessary apps for productivity. This edition offers Mac users most of the features that were previously only available to PC users, providing a seamless experience across platforms.
The Home and Student edition includes updated versions of the core programs, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with new features that were introduced in Office 365. With macOS compatibility, this version offers a powerful set of tools for students, writers, and casual users who do not require advanced business features.
The software supports Apple’s latest three versions of macOS, ensuring compatibility with most Mac computers. With a simple and intuitive user interface, Office 2021 for Mac allows users to maximize their productivity and creativity.
Microsoft Word 2021 for Mac:
Make your writing stand out with Word! The most recent version of this powerful software comes equipped with improved AI-driven support that can help you write better than ever before. From the Editor feature providing detailed grammar and style suggestions to enhanced collaboration capabilities enabling real-time working together – Word is perfect for any project or report.
Microsoft Excel 2021 for Mac:
Excel is a powerful tool for analyzing and visualizing data. The latest version includes new features such as dynamic arrays, XLOOKUP, and CONCAT, which make it easier to work with large sets of data. Excel also comes with new templates and chart types that help you create stunning visualizations in no time.
Microsoft PowerPoint 2021 for Mac:
If you’re looking to captivate and energize your audience, PowerPoint is the ideal program for crafting professional presentations. The latest version offers an abundance of design tools, slide transitions, and collaboration options that will make it simple to collaborate with others in real time! With its improved features, creating engaging visuals has never been easier or more efficient.
Microsoft OneNote 2021 for Mac:
Get organized and boost your productivity with OneNote! With its updated features like enhanced search, tagging, improved integration with other Office apps, as well as real-time collaboration tools – you can easily keep track of all your ideas, notes, and projects in one convenient place. Now it’s easier than ever to work on projects together from any device!
Basic Editions of Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office 2019 Editions
Four major versions of Office 2019 for Windows and 2 for Mac OS were released for Office 2019:
- Home & Student for PC/MAC: Includes core applications only.
- Home & Business for PC/MAC: Includes core applications plus Outlook.
- Professional: Includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher and Access. Uses Windows Installer method for offline installation.
- Professional Plus: Only available through volume licensing channels; includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access and Skype for Business. Uses Click-to-Run method for online installation.
Microsoft Office Home and Student
Office 2019 Home and Student includes core apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also comes with OneNote, which is a note-taking app that allows you to create detailed notes using text, images, music, weblinks, and more. This edition of Office 2019 is ideal for students, teachers, and creative writers.
Microsoft Home and Business — The Home and Business edition of Microsoft Office includes the flagship core products, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. It includes Outlook instead of OneNote, with the assumption that powerful email management and features is more important to the business owner than taking extensive notes. Outlook allows you to track and manage appointments and projects effectively, plus you get the superior email management.
Microsoft Office Standard — The standard version of Microsoft Office brings you the 3 core apps, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, plus you get Outlook and Publisher. This can be looked at as an extended version of Office Home and Business. Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing application that allows for powerful design layouts of many different types of documents from newsletters to posters. This version of Microsoft Office, however, is only available through volume licensing. This means that the standard version of Office is primarily going to be used for schools and businesses that purchase bulk licenses.
Microsoft Office Professional -The difference between this version of Microsoft Office and the other versions is the inclusion of Microsoft Access, a powerful database. If your business needs a database app, this is the version you’re looking for. It also includes Microsoft Publisher and does not require volume licensing. The three core apps are included, along with Outlook.
Microsoft Office Professional Plus — This one includes the core applications, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also includes Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business. This is for big corporations and power business owners with a lot of employees. Volume licensing only for this version.
Microsoft Office 2019 Perpetual
Office 2019 is the latest version of Microsoft Office. It’s packed with new features and innovative ways to help you be more productive. It’s a compilation of all the best features from Office 365 up to the release of 2019, making it one of the largest and most valuable upgrades available. All of the classic features you know and love are here, along with some hefty new features and capabilities that let you take your office productivity to an entirely new level.
Office 2019 comes in the editions you expect. There is a Home and Student version available for casual home users and students. It includes all of the core programs: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also includes the powerful note-taking application OneNote, which gives students the perfect way to compile notes that incorporate text, videos, and images. The notes can be easily organized for quick access.
As usual, the Home and Business edition of Microsoft Office 2019 includes the same core programs but adds Outlook for email capability and contact management. It can be used by the casual user and student user, but it is also great for small business owners who want to add the functionality of Outlook but don’t need all the features found in the Professional edition on Office. Office Professional, designed for big business and corporations, adds business features that include Access and Publisher.
Microsoft Office Products — 2019 Editions
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1. Outlook.
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2. OneDrive.
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3. Word.
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4. Excel.
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5. PowerPoint.
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6. OneNote.
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7. SharePoint.
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8. Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft Office 2019 comes in different editions just as all releases of MicrosoftOffice have. During Sales and Promotional seasons, the sale price is slated to drop of 15-20% off the MSRP to give our customers the best deals in the business. Highlighted below are Office 2019 editions:
- Home & Student: Includes core applications only.
- Home & Business: Includes core applications plus Outlook.
- Standard: Only available through volume licensing channels: includes core applications plus Outlook and Publisher.
- Professional: Includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher and Access. Uses Windows Installer method for offline installation.
- Professional Plus: Only available through volume licensing channels; includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access and Skype for Business. Uses the Click-to-Run method for online installation.
Microsoft Office 2019 Home and Student
Office Home and Student, is perfect for home use, school use by teachers and students, and it even works well for writers. It also includes OneNote, which is ideal for the student or writers. OneNote allows you to keep detailed notebooks full of research. You can include text, pictures, and audio for the most complete note-taking experience ever.
Microsoft Office 2019 Home and Business
The Home and Business edition of Microsoft office 2019 is very similar to Home and Business. It adds Outlook to the picture, making it an ideal choice for small business owners. All of the core apps are here too. This is a great midpoint between the home and professional business editions of Office, which is why it is perfect for small business owners who are looking for contact management in addition to the core products.
Microsoft Office 2019 Standard
The Standard edition of Microsoft Office 2019 is only available through volume licensing. It is ideal for midsize to large businesses and includes all of the features of smaller editions of Office 2019, but it also includes Outlook for communications and Publisher, which brings simple, professional desktop publishing capabilities to the table
Microsoft Office 2019 Professional
Office Professional 2019 includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, and Access. Uses Windows Installer method for offline installation. This is where you get into the power needed for corporations and large businesses. Access is a database management system that provides businesses with the means for storing lots of customer data and more. This is only available in the Professional editions.
Microsoft Office 2019 Professional PlusM
You can only get Office Professional Plus 2019 through volume licensing channels. It includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business. Uses Click-to-Run method for online installation.
Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac
Mac users should not feel cheated. For many years, Mac users have always felt that Microsoft left them out of the game, but that’s no longer the case. Now Microsoft gives Mac users an office suite comparable to what PC users have. Office for Mac 2019 comes in three specific editions:
Office for Mac supports Apple’s three most recent versions of macOS.
Microsoft Office for Mac 2019 Home and Student
Microsoft Office 2019 Home and Student for Mac Edition is the perfect combination of apps and features for casual or professional users who don’t need advanced business features but want all the necessary apps for productivity. This version of Office 2019 finally gives Mac users most of the features that many of them feel they have been lacking over previous editions of Microsoft Office releases.
This edition, like the PC edition, gives casual users and students everything they need to be productive. You get the core programs, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, all updated with the latest features that had been introduced in Office 365 over the previous year. There are some slight variations due to the operating systems, but overall, you get the same great productivity and performance in Office 2019 for Mac as you do with Office 2019 for PC.
Microsoft Excel 2019:
New formulas and features help you better analyze and visualize your data. Leverage features like Analysis Toolpak, Slicers, and Formula Builder to save time, allowing you to focus on the small details. New templates help you get up and running faster.
Microsoft Word 2019:
Create stunning professional documents, term papers, flyers, and more with Word. New features include improved inking, roaming pencil case, and a focus mode that lets you write without any distraction. If you share and work on a document with others, you can take advantage of real-time edits and threaded comments that appear next to the relevant text for more efficient collaboration. Improved research tools let you search for information and apply them without ever leaving Word.
Microsoft PowerPoint 2019:
Create, collaborate, and present your ideas with new slide transitions and Animation task pane that lets you have more control over your presentations. Threaded comments alongside your slides let you incorporate feedback into your presentations. Presenter View displays the current slide, next slide, speaker notes, and a timer on your Mac, all while projecting only the presentation to your audience on the big screen. This lets you know what to expect and lets you get a feel for how your presentation is going.
OneNote 2019:
This impressive digital notebook lets you keep notes, ideas, web pages, photos, and audio and video in one place. Whether at home, in the office, or on the move, you can take everything with you wherever you go while. You can also share and collaborate with others. Great for school assignments, work projects, travel plans, party planning, and more.
Office for Mac 2019 Home and Business
The 2019 Microsoft Office Home Business for Mac. Includes the core applications, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and powerful email management with Outlook. This is the same as Home and Student. It includes core applications plus Outlook. The big difference is this one is available for volume licensing, making it perfect for large businesses.
We recommend the latest versions (2016) of Microsoft Office products, but you can save a little by purchasing Office 2010 or 2013. The core applications are in both of these products, which also come in the same basic Home and Student, Home and Business editions. If you choose 2010, you will save money but lose some of the substantial updates. With 2013, you get the best of both worlds — a Microsoft Office product that is inexpensive and still offers most of the power and features of the latest version of Microsoft Office.
The choice is yours, and at SoftwareKeep, we believe in bringing you every option and letting you make a purchasing decision that’s right for you. Check out SoftwareKeep for the best prices on the best software.
Office for Mac 2019 Professional
This is the heavy-duty Office for Mac Professional. If you’ve got a corporation or big business of any kind, this is what you need. Includes all of the basic Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Mac Professional 2019 also includes Access and Skype. Publisher, the award-winning desktop publishing software does not come with Office for Mac in any edition, even on 365.
Some of the features included in Office for Mac 2019 include a roaming pencil case and ribbon customizations in all Office apps. There’s a focus mode in Word and Excel adds new data-analysis features and more charts and functions, including CONCAT, TEXTJOIN, IFS, and SWITCH. PowerPoint users can now include Morph transitions, in-click sequence, and 4k video export. For Outlook users, there’s the new focused inbox that allows you to organize your inbox for better productivity.
Microsoft Office 2016 Editions
Office Home and Business 2016
With Office Home and Business 2016 you are able to work you best no matter where you are or who you are with. The new updated versions of the classic desktop applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, are built to achieve maximum productivity.
Microsoft Office Home and Business 2016 (PC Key Card):
- Full installed versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote
- Store files in the cloud with OneDrive
- 1-time purchase office software
- Microsoft Office 2016 1 PC license
Five traditional editions of Office 2016 were released for Windows:
- Home & Student: Includes core applications only.
- Home & Business: Includes core applications plus Outlook.
- Standard: Only available through volume licensing channels: includes core applications plus Outlook and Publisher.
- Professional: Includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher and Access. Uses Windows Installer method for offline installation.
- Professional Plus: Only available through volume licensing channels; includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access and Skype for Business. Uses Click-to-Run method for online installation.
Three traditional editions of Office 2016 were released for Mac:
- Home & Student: Core applications only.
- Home & Business: Core applications plus Outlook.
- Standard: Only available through volume licensing channels, includes core applications and Outlook.
Microsoft Home and Student Edition Overview
Home users and students have different needs a business or corporation that will be looking for advanced productivity tools. Microsoft Office brings you the perfect edition. Office Home and Student, designed specifically to fit your needs if you are a casual home user or a student. This edition of Microsoft Office includes Word for creating professional word processing documents, Excel for compiling spreadsheets, and Powerpoint for creating stunning visual presentations. Word, Excel, and Powerpoint are the highlights of Microsoft Office Home and Student, but it also includes OneNote, which is the perfect way for students to takes notes. OneNote lets you take your notes to another level. Compile notes, web links, video links, and audio links all in one place. You’ll never lose track of your notes again.
Microsoft Home and Student Edition Overview
Business users need power. They need the tools to keep on top of things in the business world. They need office apps and tools they can rely on. Microsoft Office Home and Business is designed with the needs of small business owners and large corporations in mind. The business version of Microsoft Office includes the flagship products, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, in addition to a powerful email client in Outlook, which is designed with the rich features necessary to stay on top of appointments and projects, and in PC versions, the powerful database Access. If you’re a business user, Microsoft’s Home and Business edition will meet your needs head on. The benefit of having so many versions of Microsoft Office is that you can always find the perfect version of Microsoft office to fit your needs and your budget. One of the disadvantages is figuring out which version you need.
For some people, finding the right version of office is easy, but for those who aren’t sure, we have decided to compare versions here to let you know which version of Office is right for you.
First, let’s look at the current version, Microsoft Office 2016. Office 2016 makes some great leaps and advances for users. The apps work better and faster than ever before. There are also many better ways to collaborate and share documents with co-workers, so it’s easier to get work done in group situations and stay on top of the changes..Office 2016 also brings a better email experience to the table with Outlook with a feature called “Clutter” that lets you organize your messages based on the priority. This seems like a no-brainer and should have been in existence already. The new Office also brings you better ways to secure your data and protect your information.
There are essentially 5 versions of Microsoft Office 2016, plus Microsoft’s subscription service Office 365, which lets you subscribe to Office online and brings a whole bunch of features to the table, including instant updates to the latest editions and features. The two fundamental packages are Microsoft Home and Student and Microsoft Home and Business. The first of these two, Microsoft Home and Student, is ideal for casual home users and for college students. The second, Office Home and Business, is ideal for large businesses and corporations. Small business owners can opt for either. In many cases, Home and Student is all a small business needs. In some cases, a small business might opt for the Office Home and Business to take advantage of the extra business-related apps included in the business version. Let’s take a look at some of the differences that could affect your choice.
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2016
Includes these core apps:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft OneNote
All of the fundamental apps are included in Microsoft Office Home and Student. You get Word for creating professional articles, flyers, books, and for writing homework assignments. You get PowerPoint for creating stunning presentations. You also get the Excel spreadsheet, which allows you to manage and calculate intense sets of data. OneNote allows you to keep track of web links, photos, music, and notes for research projects all in one place, making it convenient and keeping you from ever losing your extensive notes again.
Microsoft Office Home and Business
The Home and Business edition of Microsoft Office includes the flagship core products, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. It includes Outlook instead of OneNote, with the assumption that powerful email management and features is more important to the business owner than taking extensive notes. Outlook allows you to track and manage appointments and projects effectively, plus you get the superior email management.
Microsoft Office Standard 2016
The standard version of Microsoft Office brings you the 3 core apps, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, plus you get Outlook and Publisher. This can be looked at as an extended version of Office Home and Business. Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing application that allows for powerful design layouts of many different types of documents from newsletters to posters. This version of Microsoft Office, however, is only available through volume licensing. This means that the standard version of Office is primarily going to be used for schools and businesses that purchase bulk licenses.
Microsoft Office Professional 2016
The difference between this version of Microsoft Office and the other versions is the addition Microsoft Access, a powerful database. If your business needs a database app, this is the version you’re looking for. It also includes Microsoft Publisher and does not require volume licensing. The three core apps are included, along with Outlook.
Microsoft Office Professional Plus
This one includes the core applications, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also includes Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business. This is for big corporations and power business owners with a lot of employees. Volume licensing only for this version.
Mac Versions of Microsoft Office
Office for Mac Standard 2016
There are three versions of Microsoft Office for Mac.
Office Home and Student for Mac 2016
This includes just the core applications, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. It’s perfect for students and casual home users.
Office Home and Business for Mac 2016
This is the business version of Microsoft Office for Mac. Includes the core applications, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and powerful email management with Outlook.
This is the same as Home and Business. It includes core applications plus Outlook. The big difference is this one is available for volume licensing, making it perfect for large businesses. We recommend the latest versions (2016) of Microsoft Office products, but you can save a little by purchasing Office 2010 or 2013. The core applications are in both of these products, which also come in the same basic Home and Student, Home and Business editions. If you choose 2010, you will save money but lose some of the substantial updates. With 2013, you get the best of both worlds — a Microsoft Office product that is inexpensive and still offers most of the power and features of the latest version of Microsoft Office. The choice is yours, and at SoftwareKeep, we believe in bringing you every option and letting you make the purchasing decision that’s right for you. Check out SoftwareKeep for the best prices on the best software.
Should I get an Office 365 Subscription?
This is a good question. The disadvantage to a subscription, of course, is that you pay an ongoing fee to use it. That means you pay more money in the long run. The big advantage over the perpetual version, of course, is that you can use your 365 subscription on many different devices, keep your work synced with the cloud services, and you will always have the latest and greatest features as they become available. This is why so many people do choose to subscribe to Office 365.
Older Versions of Microsoft Office
Some people love their older versions of the Office apps they are used to and need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the future. For those who still prefer the old days when it comes to Microsoft Office products, you can still get your hands on the older classic versions from some sellers, but only if your software seller of choice still has leftover copies in stock.
If you want Office 2013 or even, dare we say, Office 2010, you can still find copies. Those versions also come in the Home and Student editions as well as business editions. Keep in mind, however, that they are far behind the current version of Office (2019) and even Office 2016. You’re missing out on a lot if you choose to stick with this older products. You can check our Comparison guide on Microsoft Office 2019 Vs Office 2016 here.
Also, Microsoft has ended mainstream support for them, so while you can still use the products, you won’t get the support from Microsoft. You will need to rely on your software seller for that support, which is why it is so important to buy these products from a reputable software reseller like SoftwareKeep.
Complete Comparision Office Products
Features of Microsoft Office 2019
If you use Microsoft Surface devices, you are no doubt a fan of the digital pen that lets you draw, write notes and doodle directly onto their device’s screen. Office 2019 brings you new inking capabilities across all apps, including pressure sensitivity, tilt effects that adjust the ink’s thickness, and a roaming pencil case that lets users store and organize their favorite pens, pencils, and highlighters for use with all devices. These inking features apply to the suite.
Better Email Management with Outlook:
- Updated contact cards
- Office 365 Groups
- @mentions
- Focused inbox
- Travel package cards
Powerful Data Analysis with Excel
For data management and analysis, Excel is still the spreadsheet of choice. Excel 2019 brings in more powerful features like new formulas, new charts (like funnel charts and 2D maps), the ability to publish from Excel to Power BI (Microsoft’s own business analytics service), and enhancements for PowerPivot and PowerQuery.
PowerPoint is on Point
The new PowerPoint has Funnel Charts, Transition Morph, new zoom features, Remove Image Background capability, Insert Icons and 3D models, the ability to add an online video., and easy video conversions.
New Templates and Features in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word that make productivity the priority.
As the overviews show, there are many great individual features in Office 2019, including these finer points:
- Scalable Vector Graphics for Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- icrosoft Translator for Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Math Equations with LaTeX equation in Word
- Create smoother animations and movements with Morph in PowerPoint
- New navigation with Zoom for PowerPoint
- Use Surface Pen to navigate slides in PowerPoint
- New calculation functions in Excel
- New Inking features for all of Office 2019
In Office 2019, you can add Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) into Excel, Word, and PowerPoint documents. This type of graphic can be rotated, moved, colored, and resized without losing the quality of the image. There is a new Icon button you can use to access SVG icons.
Microsoft Translator is a feature added to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. To access it, open the Review tab in your document and then click the new Translate and Language buttons. From here, you’ll have the opportunity to translate the entire document or translate a selected portion of the text. While Microsoft Translator has been around for some time, having it integrated into Office is great. Translation services like Microsoft Translator aren’t perfect, but they are starting to get more accurate, which means more useful.
In PowerPoint, a new transition called Morph has been added. It’s called Morph and it lets you add smooth movement between one slide to the next in a presentation. It’s a great way to get any animation started in seconds. To use Morph, you need to duplicate a slide, then move, resize, or edit the objects on the duplicated slide, then you click Transitions and Morph.
PowerPoint also adds a dynamic navigation option for presenting your PowerPoint slides. With Zoom, you get thumbnails for your slides on one single page. You can click each slide individually and a small transition animation takes you to that slide.
Use the digital pen in PowerPoint and wirelessly move through slides at a distance of up to 30 feet. Pressing the eraser button advances a slide; pressing and holding the eraser takes you back a slide.
6 Great Excel Features:
- CONCAT is similar to CONCATENATE, but it now supports range references, not just individual cell references.
- MAXIFS can be used to return the largest number in a range – you can also set the returned result to only be a number that meets certain criteria. MINIFS works the same way but returns the smallest number.
- SWITCH evaluates one value against a list of values and returns the result corresponding to the first matching value.
- TEXTJOIN is a unique function that combines text from multiple ranges. You can also choose the ways the text is separated
Microsoft Office 2016
2016 advances Office in a lot of beneficial ways. First of all, the programs are faster than ever. They also offer new collaborative options that allow you to edit documents as a team in real time. You can also communicate more efficiently within documents and through Skype than ever before.
Office 2016 improves your email with Outlook experience by using a feature called Clutter to reorganize your messages based on the priority, a key innovation for those with a lot of emails to get through every day. The security features are also top-notch. There are new features that prevent data loss and allow you to encrypt your data so that you don’t have to worry about any of your information getting lost or stolen.
Office 2016, as with previous editions, comes in several different versions with different programs and features. Office 2016 for PC, they include:
- Home & Student: just the core applications of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote
- Home & Office: core applications and Outlook
- Standard: core applications, Outlook, and Publisher (only available through volume license)
- Professional: core applications, Outlook, Publisher, and Access
- Professional Plus: core applications, Outlook, Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business (only available through volume license)
Office 2016 for Mac, they include:
- Home & Student: just the core applications
- Home & Business: core applications and Outlook
- Standard: core applications and Outlook (only available through volume license)
If you are looking for the latest versions of every program with all the newest features, and you want a traditional, one-time, one-payment download (as opposed to 365 below), then Office 2016 is the right option for you.
Microsoft Office 2013
The middle option between 2010 and 2016, 2013 tends to be the easiest option to miss. Either you want something up-to-date, or you want something cheap, and 2013 is not quite either of those things. MS Office 2013 still has features that recommend it. It has increased interconnectivity options that utilize OneNote cloud storage more, and that links different platforms so you can have all the same data on your phone, tablet, and computer. It has many updated features for the programs as well. And the price is still lower than 2016.
Microsoft Office 2010
For many years, Office 2010 was the standard, and if you are looking for a cheap, one-time install version of Office and don’t mind missing out on some significant improvements in the later versions, 2010 is still a good option.
The downside is that it is slower than more recent versions, and it lacks those improvements, in particular, the interconnectivity that 2016 offers. Again, if this doesn’t concern you, consider 2010.
Microsoft Office 365
Office 365 offers you the same benefits as Office 2016 (in fact, it often includes 2016), but with a novel idea attached it: instead of paying a one-time fee, you pay a monthly subscription. In exchange, you all the latest program updates (not just security updates) and some additional features.
One of the best of these features is the ability to install Office on multiple devices with one license. Most 365 plans allow you to install on five computers, five tablets, and five phones. At the same time, many of the plans offer you 1 TB of cloud storage, and some offer you monthly Skype minutes as well.
The plans for home use include:
- Personal: Desktop versions of Office 2016 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access, and Publisher. 1 TB on OneDrive and Skype minutes. Only available for one computer. Ideal for individual use.
- Home: The same as Personal, but available for five computers. Ideal for family use.
For business use, the plans include:
- Business Essentials: Web versions (no desktop versions) of Office applications, as well as Outlook. 1 TB on OneDrive. Ideal for smaller businesses (fewer than 300 employees) with a focus on online communication.
- Business: Desktop versions of Office 2016 applications, but no Outlook email. Available for multiple devices for every license. Skype for Business and 1 TB on OneDrive. Ideal for smaller businesses (fewer than 300 employees) that already have a well-integrated email system.
- Business Premium: Desktop versions of Office 2016 and Outlook. Available for multiple devices for every license. Skype for Business and 1 TB on OneDrive. The best Office option for smaller businesses with fewer than 300 employees.
- Enterprise E1: Web versions of Office applications, as well as Outlook. Skype for Business and 1 TB on OneDrive. Differs from Business Essentials because it allows for an unlimited number of users.
- Enterprise E3: All the features of ProPlus and E1, plus advanced security tools, such as legal hold and data loss prevention. Ideal for big businesses with legal and data concerns.
- Enterprise E5: All the features of E3, plus even more advanced security options, as well as advanced analytics. The top of the line Office product.
As you can see, 365 offers you a wide variety of options to get the best out of Office for what you need as an individual, student, or business person. With a low monthly (or annual) payment, you get regular updates and a lot of incredible features.
Find out more about purchasing Microsoft Office products from SoftwareKeep
With so many options, purchasing Office can feel intimidating. To ease your concerns, contact SoftwareKeep, where our experts will guide you through your options point-by-point to make sure you get the exact Office (or other software) package you need.
We guarantee not just great customer service but also the lowest price anywhere on the web for the products you buy from us. Visit our website at SoftwareKeep today or contact us at +1 877 315 1713 to find out more.
