Microsoft 365 vs Office 2024: Subscription vs One-Time Purchase
Microsoft wants you to subscribe. But you can still buy Office outright. Which one actually makes more sense for your wallet and workflow?
Let's cut through the marketing and look at real numbers.
Quick Comparison
| Microsoft 365 | Office 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70-100/year | $150-450 once |
| Updates | Always latest | Security only |
| Cloud Storage | 1TB included | None |
| Devices | 5 devices | 1 device |
| Apps Included | All + Teams | Core apps only |
| Support Duration | Ongoing | 5 years |
Real Cost Breakdown
Everyone wants to know: which is cheaper? It depends on how long you plan to use it.
Microsoft 365 Costs
- Personal: $70/year
- Family (up to 6): $100/year
- Over 3 years: $210-300
- Over 5 years: $350-500
Office 2024 Costs
- Home & Student: ~$150
- Home & Business: ~$250
- Professional: ~$450
- One payment. Done.
Break-Even Point
If you buy Office 2024 Home & Student ($150) instead of Microsoft 365 Personal ($70/year), you break even at just over 2 years. After that, the one-time purchase saves you money—if you don't need the extras.
The catch: You lose cloud storage, device flexibility, and feature updates.
Feature Differences That Actually Matter
Microsoft 365 Gets You
- 1TB OneDrive cloud storage (worth ~$100/year alone)
- Install on 5 PCs/Macs + 5 tablets + 5 phones
- Microsoft Teams included
- New features as they release
- Family sharing (up to 6 people on Family plan)
- Premium Outlook features
- Microsoft Editor (advanced grammar/style)
Office 2024 Gets You
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote
- Outlook (Home & Business and Pro only)
- Publisher & Access (Pro only, PC)
- Install on 1 PC or Mac
- Security updates for ~5 years
- That's it. No cloud. No extras.
What Office 2024 doesn't have: No Teams. No OneDrive storage. No new features. No multi-device access.
Who Should Choose What
Choose Microsoft 365 If You...
- Use Office on multiple devices
- Need cloud storage (1TB is a lot)
- Want the latest features
- Have a family that needs Office
- Use Teams for work or school
- Value automatic backups
Choose Office 2024 If You...
- Only use one computer
- Rarely need cloud storage
- Don't care about new features
- Plan to use it for 3+ years
- Hate subscriptions on principle
- Just need basic Word/Excel
The Verdict
Here's the honest answer:
Microsoft 365 wins for most people. The cloud storage alone justifies the cost, and multi-device access is genuinely useful. If you use Office regularly, the subscription pays for itself.
Office 2024 wins for specific situations: you use one computer, don't need cloud storage, and plan to keep the same setup for 5+ years. The math works out if you're patient and minimal.
For families: Microsoft 365 Family is a no-brainer. $100/year split among 6 people is $17 per person. You can't beat that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Office 2024 to Microsoft 365 later?
Yes. Your files stay compatible. You just download the new apps and sign in. No data loss.
Does Office 2024 work offline?
Yes, fully. It installs locally and doesn't need internet after activation.
Can I use Microsoft 365 offline?
Yes. Apps work offline. You need occasional internet for license verification and file sync.
What happens to my files if I cancel Microsoft 365?
They stay in OneDrive but you lose premium features. Storage drops to 5GB free tier—you'll need to delete or move files if over limit.
Is Office 2024 the last perpetual version?
Microsoft hasn't confirmed. They've said they'll 'continue to support' one-time purchases, but the future is unclear.
Can I buy Office 2024 cheaper?
Yes. Authorized retailers often sell below Microsoft's price. Just verify legitimacy before buying.
Our recommendation: Try the Microsoft 365 free trial first. If you find yourself using cloud storage, multi-device access, or Teams—stick with it. If you never touch those features, buy Office 2024 and save long-term.