Some people really dislike paying for software every year. Others would hate to be without the latest features and the cloud storage. Neither of them is wrong, which is why this question never quite goes away.
The difference in one sentence
A one-time license is software you pay for once and keep using, frozen as it was. Microsoft 365 is a subscription: you keep paying, and in return it keeps changing and improving.
| One-time Office | Microsoft 365 | |
|---|---|---|
| Payment | Once | Monthly or yearly |
| New features | None after purchase | Added regularly |
| Security updates | Until that version's support ends | While you subscribe and use a supported system |
| Cloud storage | Not included | OneDrive storage included |
| Devices | One PC per license | Several devices, including phones and tablets |
| If you stop paying | Nothing changes | Apps drop to limited, read-mostly use |
A one-time license suits you if...
- You use one computer and your needs don't change much.
- You use Word and Excel in pretty traditional ways.
- You'd rather not have one more recurring bill.
- You already have your own backup or cloud storage arrangement.
A subscription suits you if...
- You work across a laptop, a desktop and a phone.
- You want the newest features and ongoing security updates.
- You'd use the OneDrive storage anyway.
- You share a plan with family.
Doing the sums
Don't compare prices for a single year. Instead, ask how long you expect to keep using it. Multiply the subscription price by that number of years, and set that against the one-time price. Then ask yourself honestly whether you'd use the extras. Storage you'd otherwise pay for counts. Features you'll never open don't.
If a one-time license feels right, take a look at our Office range. If the subscription fits you better, that's a good decision too, and Microsoft sells it directly.