← Back to Complete Office 2016 Guide

    Office 2016 Editions Comparison

    Find the perfect Office 2016 edition for your needs and budget

    Microsoft Office 2016 comes in several editions, each designed for different users and use cases. This comprehensive comparison will help you understand what each edition includes and which one is right for you.

    Available Editions

    Home & Student

    Most Affordable

    Perfect for students and home users who need essential Office applications.

    Best for: Students, families, and home users

    Included apps:

    WordExcelPowerPointOneNote

    Limitations:

    • No Outlook
    • No Publisher
    • No Access
    • Non-commercial use only

    Home & Business

    Mid-Range

    Ideal for home offices and small businesses that need email management.

    Best for: Small businesses, freelancers, home offices

    Included apps:

    WordExcelPowerPointOneNoteOutlook

    Limitations:

    • No Publisher
    • No Access
    • Single PC license

    Professional

    Premium

    Complete suite for professionals who need desktop publishing and database tools.

    Best for: Professionals, medium businesses

    Included apps:

    WordExcelPowerPointOneNoteOutlookPublisherAccess

    Limitations:

    • Retail purchase only
    • Single PC license

    Professional Plus

    Enterprise

    Full-featured edition with enterprise tools for large organizations.

    Best for: Large enterprises, IT departments

    Included apps:

    WordExcelPowerPointOneNoteOutlookPublisherAccessSkype for Business

    Limitations:

    • Volume licensing only
    • Requires IT infrastructure

    Feature Comparison Table

    FeatureHome & StudentHome & BusinessProfessionalPro Plus
    Microsoft Word
    Microsoft Excel
    Microsoft PowerPoint
    Microsoft OneNote
    Microsoft Outlook
    Microsoft Publisher
    Microsoft Access
    Skype for Business
    Commercial Use Rights
    Transferable License
    Volume Licensing

    Which Edition Should You Choose?

    Student or Home User

    Home & Student

    Get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote at the best price. Perfect for homework, personal projects, and home use.

    Freelancer or Small Business

    Home & Business

    Includes Outlook for professional email management. Great for solo entrepreneurs and small teams.

    Marketing or Creative Professional

    Professional

    Publisher and Access enable desktop publishing and database management. Full commercial use rights.

    Enterprise or Large Organization

    Professional Plus

    Includes Skype for Business and is available through volume licensing for easy deployment.

    Application Details

    Microsoft Word

    Industry-standard word processing for documents, reports, and letters.

    Writing documentsCreating reportsDesigning flyersMail merge

    Microsoft Excel

    Powerful spreadsheet software for data analysis, calculations, and charts.

    Financial trackingData analysisBudgetingCreating charts

    Microsoft PowerPoint

    Create stunning presentations with animations and multimedia.

    Business presentationsEducational slidesSales pitchesTraining materials

    Microsoft Outlook

    Professional email client with calendar, contacts, and task management.

    Email managementCalendar schedulingContact organizationTask tracking

    Microsoft OneNote

    Digital notebook for organizing notes, ideas, and information.

    Note-takingMeeting notesResearch organizationProject planning

    Microsoft Publisher

    Desktop publishing for creating professional marketing materials.

    BrochuresNewslettersBusiness cardsFlyers

    Microsoft Access

    Database management for creating custom database applications.

    Inventory trackingCustomer databasesAsset managementCustom apps

    Tips for Choosing the Right Edition

    • List the applications you actually need before deciding
    • Consider if you need commercial use rights for business purposes
    • Remember that you can't upgrade editions - you'd need to buy new
    • Check if your employer or school offers free Office licenses
    • Home & Student is sufficient for most personal users
    • Only get Publisher/Access if you specifically need them

    Office 2016 vs Microsoft 365

    Wondering whether to get Office 2016 or Microsoft 365? Here's a quick comparison:

    FeatureOffice 2016Microsoft 365
    PaymentOne-time purchaseMonthly/yearly subscription
    UpdatesSecurity updates onlyContinuous feature updates
    Cloud StorageNot included1TB OneDrive included
    Multi-device1 PC per license5 devices per user
    Latest Features2016 features onlyAlways latest version

    Ready to Buy Office 2016?

    Get genuine Office 2016 licenses at competitive prices with instant delivery.

    View Office 2016 Products

    Related Guides

    Related Office 2016 Guides