While the fight between Microsoft vs. Google might last forever, if you’re in the Microsoft ecosystem, then you know that it can be pretty hard to get your hands on cheap or free versions of Microsoft Office. While there is a free trial of Microsoft Word, that’s only a partial solution, and it doesn’t give you access to the wider Microsoft Office suite. That said, you can find some solid deals out there, and while the deals aren’t very steep, they’re a good opportunity to save a little extra when buying the software.
Microsoft Office is a pay once, receive once service. You don’t have to pay recurring monthly fees to use it, but the software also never updates. For what it’s worth, the Microsoft Office packages are labelled “2021”, so they’re all fairly recent but also ripe for a good deal. With the exception of AI integrations, not much has really changed in the past couple of years when it comes to your basic document creation and these programs should continue to be effective for years to come. Depending on what package you get, you’ll get access to different apps, based on the needs of the target audience. For example, Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 keeps it lean and cool and with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint being the only apps included.
Here are our favorite deals for the classic Microsoft Office experience:
Microsoft 365 is the Software As A Service (SAAS) model office suite. While it stays constantly updated, you do have to continually pay for it on a monthly or annual basis. Luckily, there are still some good deals out there to help you avoid paying a ton. These are mostly accessed by paying for annually instead of monthly. Microsoft 365 Business deals are also available, though you’ll need to be a Lenovo Pro member to access the deals. Don’t worry, however, as joining Lenovo Pro is free.
These are your best opportunities to get Microsoft 365 at a bargain rate:
To keep things simple, the primary difference between Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Office is that the former is a subscription service and the latter is a one time purchase. It does go beyond that, though, as Microsoft 365 has consistent updates while Microsoft Office is a static product. Microsoft 365 also has the advantage of being able to be used on an unlimited number of devices and has access to integrated cloud services, whereas Microsoft Office is locked to a single computer and that computer’s storage options. Though, if you have access to independent cloud storage, you can store your Microsoft Office files there.