Back in late 2023, tidbits of a new Office version alongside the possible next-gen Windows (12) started floating around right before the former’s launch (the latter never materialized). It was interesting to see the release of a standalone Office app in 2024 considering Microsoft likes to bundle everything together under the Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) subscription service.
While Microsoft Office 2024 still remains a part of the Microsoft 365 family of apps and services, the company has detailed the key feature differences between Office 2024 and M365 subscription. Microsoft has done so in a support article that was published earlier this year and for anyone who has been wondering, this is indeed a useful piece that can help users understand the similarities and dissimilarities between the two products. In fact, Neowin spotted this while wondering about the same thing.
Microsoft has described those in a table given below which include things like cost (got a hike recently), available apps, support, and more:
| Office 2024 | Microsoft 365 subscription | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Pay a single, one-time cost for this one-time purchase. | Pay a small monthly fee, or save by paying for a full year. |
| Microsoft 365 applications | Get Microsoft 365 apps like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. | Get the fully installed and latest versions of Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook, and OneNote for Windows or Mac. You’ll always get the latest features, new tools, security updates, and bug fixes. (PC users also get Access and Publisher.)
Microsoft 365 now includes AI-powered features, redefining what’s possible with Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. |
| Feature updates | Security updates are included, but you won’t get any new features. Upgrades to major releases aren’t included. | Your apps will always be improving. You’ll get all the latest features and updates, as well as security updates and bug fixes. |
| Install Microsoft 365 on more than one computer (Mac or PC) | One-time purchases can be installed once on either a PC or a Mac. | You can install Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium on all your devices and sign in to five at the same time―that means you can use the Microsoft 365 apps no matter where you are or what device you’re on. This includes PCs, Macs, tablets, and phones. With Microsoft 365 Family or Premium you can also share your subscription with up to five other people. |
| Advanced features on tablets and phones | Install the mobile apps for free and get basic editing features on tablets or phones under 10.1 inches. | Install the mobile apps for free and get extra features when you sign in to Microsoft 365 apps on your device. |
| Extra online storage | Not included. | Securely store your files in the cloud and access them from anywhere. Get 1 TB of cloud storage. With Microsoft 365 Family or Premium you get 1 TB per user, and anyone you’re sharing with will also get their own 1 TB of cloud storage. |
| Technical support | Access to support resources. Chat is available (Call Back for activation only.) | Ongoing support is available via Call Back and Chat. Technical Support is also included for Windows 10 & 11. |
You can find the support article here on Microsoft’s official website.
