Office 2021 Editions Comparison
Microsoft Office 2021 comes in several editions designed for different users. This comprehensive comparison helps you choose the right version for your needs, whether for home, education, or business use.
Table of Contents
Editions Overview
Office 2021 is available in four main editions, each tailored for specific user needs:
$149.99
$24.99
Home & Student
1 PC or Mac
Essential apps for students and home users who need core productivity tools without email management.
Best for:
Students, home users, basic document creation
Apps included:
- Perpetual license
- Classic desktop apps
- No commercial use rights
$249.99
$27.99
Home & Business
1 PC or Mac
Core apps plus Outlook for professionals and small businesses who need email management.
Best for:
Freelancers, small businesses, professionals
Apps included:
- Perpetual license
- Commercial use allowed
- Email management with Outlook
$439.99
$34.99
Professional
1 PC only
Complete suite with Publisher and Access for advanced business needs including database management.
Best for:
Businesses, data management, desktop publishing
Apps included:
- Perpetual license
- Commercial use
- Database management
- Desktop publishing
Volume licensing
$29.99
Professional Plus
Volume (5+ devices)
Enterprise edition with all apps plus Skype for Business, available through volume licensing programs.
Best for:
Large organizations, enterprises, IT departments
Apps included:
- Volume licensing
- Enterprise deployment
- Centralized management
- Skype for Business
Feature Comparison Table
See exactly what's included in each Office 2021 edition:
| Feature | Home & Student | Home & Business | Professional | Pro Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Applications | ||||
| Microsoft Word | ||||
| Microsoft Excel | ||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | ||||
| Microsoft OneNote | ||||
| Communication & Email | ||||
| Microsoft Outlook | ||||
| Skype for Business | ||||
| Advanced Applications | ||||
| Microsoft Publisher | ||||
| Microsoft Access | ||||
| Licensing & Usage Rights | ||||
| Commercial use rights | ||||
| Mac compatibility | ||||
| Volume licensing | ||||
| Perpetual license (one-time) | ||||
Pricing Analysis: Which Offers Best Value?
Compare retail prices vs Prise Keys discounted licenses:
Home & Student
Home & Business
Professional
Professional Plus
All Prise Keys licenses include lifetime activation and instant delivery
Which Edition is Right for You?
Based on your profile, here's our recommendation:
Students & Home Users
Home & Student
Get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote at the lowest price. Perfect for homework, personal projects, and home use. You don't need Outlook for personal email.
Freelancers & Professionals
Home & Business
Includes Outlook for professional email management with commercial use rights. Ideal for solopreneurs and consultants who need to manage client communications.
Small to Medium Businesses
Professional
Access for database management and Publisher for marketing materials. Best for businesses needing advanced data management and desktop publishing.
Large Organizations
Professional Plus
Volume licensing, centralized deployment, and Skype for Business. Designed for enterprise IT management with multiple device deployments.
Related Office 2021 Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What's the difference between Office 2021 and Microsoft 365?
Office 2021 is a one-time purchase with perpetual license (no subscription). Microsoft 365 is a subscription service with continuous updates, cloud storage, and always the latest features. Office 2021 is more economical long-term if you don't need cloud features.
Q:Can I use Home & Student edition for my small business?
No, the Home & Student edition license explicitly prohibits commercial use. For any business purposes, you need at least Home & Business edition which includes commercial use rights.
Q:Why isn't Professional edition available for Mac?
Publisher and Access are Windows-only applications and have never been available for macOS. Mac users who need the full Office suite should choose Home & Student or Home & Business editions.
Q:Can I install Office 2021 on multiple computers?
Standard retail licenses allow installation on one device only. If you need multiple installations, you'd need to purchase additional licenses or consider Professional Plus through volume licensing.
Q:Is the Office 2021 license transferable to a new computer?
Yes, you can transfer your Office 2021 license to a new device. Simply uninstall from the old device, then install and activate on your new computer using the same product key.
Q:How long will Office 2021 be supported by Microsoft?
Microsoft provides mainstream support until October 2026. After this date, the software continues to work but won't receive new security updates. Many users continue using older Office versions safely for years.
Q:Which edition should I choose for a startup?
For startups, we recommend Professional if you need database management (Access) or Professional Plus if you need to deploy to multiple employees. Home & Business is sufficient for very small teams that only need core apps and email.
Q:Do all editions include the same features within each app?
Yes, the applications themselves (Word, Excel, etc.) have the same features across all editions. The difference is which applications are included in each edition, not the features within them.
Ready to Get Office 2021?
Choose your edition and get instant delivery with lifetime activation
View All Office 2021 Products