What is Microsoft 365? Complete Overview
Microsoft 365 is a subscription that gives you Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, 1TB cloud storage, and access on all your devices. You pay monthly or yearly instead of buying once.
Here's what you actually need to know before buying.
What's Included in Microsoft 365
Core Apps
Also Included
- + 1TB OneDrive cloud storage
- + Microsoft Teams for video calls
- + Use on PC, Mac, tablet, and phone
- + Always get the latest version
- + Publisher & Access (PC only, some plans)
Plans & Pricing
Personal – $70/year
Family – $100/year
Business – $6-22/user/month
Subscription vs One-Time Purchase
You can still buy Office 2021 or 2024 without a subscription. Here's the difference:
Microsoft 365 (Subscription)
- • Always updated
- • 1TB cloud storage included
- • Works on all your devices
- • $70-100/year ongoing
Office 2021/2024 (One-Time)
- • Pay once: $150-450
- • No cloud storage
- • One device only
- • No new features, just security updates
Bottom line: Subscription if you use Office daily. One-time if you rarely need it.
Pros & Cons
Worth It
- ✓ Always current with new features
- ✓ 1TB storage per person is generous
- ✓ Seamless across all devices
- ✓ Family plan is great value
Watch Out
- – Costs add up over years
- – Feels like renting software
- – Need internet to activate
Who Should Buy Microsoft 365
Remote workers:Teams + cloud storage makes collaboration easy
Students:Many schools give it free, otherwise discounted
Small businesses:Professional email + all the tools in one
Families:$100/year for 6 people is hard to beat
Multi-device users:Start on laptop, continue on phone
Probably skip it if you're:
- • Occasional users – Google Docs is free
- • People who hate subscriptions
- • Already using Apple or Google ecosystem
How to Get Started
- 1Pick your plan (Personal, Family, or Business)
- 2Buy from Microsoft or a retailer (retailers often cheaper)
- 3Sign in with your Microsoft account
- 4Download apps on your devices
- 5Set up OneDrive sync
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work offline?
Yes. Apps work offline after installation. You need internet occasionally for activation check and file sync.
What if I cancel?
You lose app access but keep your files in OneDrive (with reduced storage).
Can I share my subscription?
Personal: No. Family: Yes, up to 6 people.
Is Microsoft 365 the same as Office 365?
Yes, they renamed it in 2020. Same thing.
Microsoft 365 makes sense if you use Office apps regularly and value always having the latest version. Skip it if you just need occasional document editing—free alternatives exist.