Office 2019 vs Office 2021: Complete Comparison
Detailed analysis of features, performance, and value to help you choose the right version
Quick Comparison at a Glance
See the major differences between Office 2019 and Office 2021
| Feature | Office 2019 | Office 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | September 2018 | October 2021 |
| Windows Compatibility | Windows 10 | Windows 10/11 |
| macOS Compatibility | macOS 10.12+ | macOS 10.15+ |
| Dark Mode | Limited | Full Support |
| XLOOKUP in Excel | No | Yes |
| Dynamic Arrays | No | Yes |
| LET Function | No | Yes |
| Co-authoring | Basic | Enhanced |
| Accessibility | Good | Excellent |
| Mainstream Support | Ended Oct 2023 | Until Oct 2026 |
| Extended Support | Until Oct 2025 | Until Oct 2026 |
| OneNote Included | Yes | Yes |
| Teams Included | No | No |
Key Differences Explained
Understanding the major changes between versions
Modern Features
Office 2021 includes 3 years of feature updates that were added to Microsoft 365, including XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays, and improved collaboration tools.
Longer Support
Office 2021 has support until October 2026, while Office 2019 extended support ends in October 2025, giving you more security update coverage.
Windows 11 Ready
Office 2021 is fully optimized for Windows 11, while Office 2019 was designed for Windows 10 and may have compatibility limitations.
Performance Improvements
Office 2021 benefits from performance optimizations, faster startup times, and better memory management compared to Office 2019.
Word: Feature Comparison
Text editing and document creation improvements
| Feature | Office 2019 | Office 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Line Focus (Immersive Reader) | ||
| Text Predictions | ||
| Modern Comments | ||
| Ink Replay | ||
| Translator Improvements | ||
| Learning Tools | ||
| Enhanced Accessibility Checker | ||
| Visual Refresh |
Excel: Feature Comparison
Spreadsheet and data analysis capabilities
| Feature | Office 2019 | Office 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| XLOOKUP Function | ||
| Dynamic Arrays | ||
| LET Function | ||
| XMATCH Function | ||
| LAMBDA Function | ||
| Sheet Views | ||
| Power Query Improvements | ||
| Ideas (Insights) | ||
| Performance Improvements |
The XLOOKUP Advantage
XLOOKUP is one of the most significant additions in Office 2021. It replaces both VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP with a more flexible, powerful function that can search in any direction and return exact matches by default.
PowerPoint: Feature Comparison
Presentation creation and delivery tools
| Feature | Office 2019 | Office 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Record Slide Show (Enhanced) | ||
| Ink Replay | ||
| Rehearse with Coach | ||
| Stock Media Library | ||
| Video Trimming | ||
| Modern Comments | ||
| Visual Refresh |
Outlook: Feature Comparison
Email and calendar management features
| Feature | Office 2019 | Office 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Focused Inbox | ||
| Updated Search | ||
| Translator | ||
| @Mentions | ||
| Read Aloud | ||
| Meeting Insights | ||
| Visual Refresh |
Performance Comparison
Speed and efficiency improvements in Office 2021
Office 2021 launches applications more quickly thanks to optimized code
Better memory management when working with large Excel files or documents
Outlook search and in-app searches are significantly faster
Excel calculations, especially with new functions, are more efficient
Support Lifecycle Comparison
Understanding the support timeline for each version
Office 2019 Support
Mainstream Support
Ended: October 10, 2023
Extended Support
Ends: October 14, 2025
- No new features will be added
- Security updates continue until 2025
- Paid support available from Microsoft
- Community support still available
Office 2021 Support
Mainstream Support
Until: October 13, 2026
Extended Support
Same: October 13, 2026
- Fixed lifecycle policy (5 years)
- Security updates guaranteed
- Free support from Microsoft
- Regular quality updates
Office 2019 has less than 1 year of security support remaining. If security is a priority, consider upgrading.
Pricing Comparison
Cost analysis for both versions
Prices shown are typical retail prices and may vary by region and retailer
| Edition | Office 2019 | Office 2021 | Apps Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home & Student | $149.99 | $149.99 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Home & Business | $249.99 | $249.99 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook |
| Professional | $439.99 | $439.99 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access |
| Professional Plus (Volume) | Volume licensing | Volume licensing | All apps + Skype for Business |
Value Analysis
- Same retail price, but Office 2021 offers more features
- Office 2021 has 1+ year more support remaining
- New Excel functions alone justify the upgrade for data professionals
- Office 2019 may be available at discount from authorized resellers
Who Should Choose What?
Recommendations based on your needs
Stay with Office 2019 If...
- You're satisfied with current features
- Budget is extremely tight
- You don't need XLOOKUP or dynamic arrays
- You plan to upgrade to Office 2024 or Microsoft 365 soon
- Your organization has standardized on 2019
Upgrade to Office 2021 If...
- You work extensively with Excel data
- You need XLOOKUP, LAMBDA, or dynamic arrays
- Security and extended support are priorities
- You're using Windows 11
- You want the latest accessibility features
- You're starting fresh with a new computer
Consider Microsoft 365 If...
- You need cloud storage and sync
- Multiple devices across family/team
- You want always-latest features
- Collaboration is essential
- You need Teams integration
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Office 2019 and Office 2021 on the same computer?
No, you cannot install two different versions of Office side-by-side on the same computer. You must uninstall one before installing the other.
Will my Office 2019 documents work in Office 2021?
Yes, all Office 2019 documents are fully compatible with Office 2021. You can open and edit them without any conversion needed.
Is Office 2021 worth the upgrade from Office 2019?
If you use Excel frequently, the new functions (XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays, LAMBDA) make the upgrade very worthwhile. For basic Word and PowerPoint use, the benefits are less significant.
What happens when Office 2019 support ends in 2025?
The software will continue to work, but you won't receive security updates, making your system potentially vulnerable to new threats.
Can I transfer my Office 2019 license to a new computer?
Retail licenses can be transferred to a new computer after deactivating on the old one. OEM licenses are tied to the original computer.
Does Office 2021 require an internet connection?
Only for initial activation. After that, Office 2021 works completely offline, though you need periodic online checks (every 30 days) to maintain activation.
Is Office 2021 faster than Office 2019?
Yes, Office 2021 includes performance improvements, particularly for application startup, large file handling, and Excel calculations.
What's the main advantage of Office 2021 over 2019?
The new Excel functions (XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays) and longer support lifecycle are the biggest advantages, along with better Windows 11 optimization.
Can I upgrade from Office 2019 to 2021 without losing data?
Yes, your documents, templates, and settings are preserved when upgrading. The installation process will remove Office 2019 automatically.
Is Office 2019 still being sold?
Microsoft no longer sells Office 2019 directly, but authorized resellers may still have stock. Office 2021 and Office 2024 are the current perpetual versions available.
Ready to Upgrade?
Get a genuine Office 2021 license and enjoy the latest features with full support until 2026.
Related Guides
Explore more Office 2019 resources