Microsoft Office Versions
A Comparison

Since its release, Microsoft Office has been the leading office suite for home, student, and business. Microsoft now boasts over 1.5 billion users worldwide, which makes Microsoft the dominant force powerful business suites. Microsoft Office features a set of flagship products designed to make your work easier and more professional. These flagship products include Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access, OneNote, and Outlook. These applications empower business users, students, and home users to experience a boost in productivity and the ability to get more done in the most efficient way possible. Microsoft Office is available for PC and for Mac users.

There are different versions of the product, depending on your needs, and not all of the versions have the exact same apps and capabilities. In this article, we will take a close look at Microsoft Office and its different versions to compare Microsoft Office software versions and help you determine which version is right for you. At SoftwareKeep we believe in giving you all the information you need to make an informed buying decision, so here is our comparison of the Microsoft Office for PC and Office for Mac products.

Difference Between Version and Edition

When you read about Microsoft Office, you will hear the words version and edition. Most people don’t realize these two terms are not interchangeable. They refer to two distinctly different things. The version refers to the version number of the product. For instance, Windows 10. It can also refer to the build number of the particular version you are running. The Edition refers to “Home and Business” or “Professional.” Editions are named differently because they include different features and products aimed at specific audiences.

The Microsoft “Home and Student” edition, for instance, is aimed at casual users and students. Even teachers will find this edition enough in most cases. Another version, “Home and Business,” offers a slight variation that makes the product useful to casual users and students, but adds Outlook.

The idea here is to offer an edition of the product aimed at small business owners or home business users. For big business and corporations, of course, there is Office Professional and Professional Plus. Office Professional Plus is an integrated set of Microsoft applications for business or enterprise. Office Professional Plus includes all of the programs in Office Standard (Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word), plus you Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business.

Acces is a relational database management system that helps businesses track and report information. Skype for Business is a unified communications client that works with Skype for Business Server, allowing users to talk to one another via instant messaging, voice, or video, or two switch between modes. These are clearly not apps the everyday user would ever make use of or what to pay for, which is why there are different editions.

There is also a Standard edition of Microsoft that includes:

• Excel: A spreadsheet application with data analysis and visualization tools
• OneNote: A note-taking application that allows various types of content to be shared among team members.
• Outlook: A time and information manager that integrates email, calendar, contacts, and tasks.
• PowerPoint: A presentation graphics program with capabilities for text effects, sound, and animation.
• Publisher: A desktop publishing program that allows people with basic design skills to create a wide variety of publications.
• Word: A full-featured word-processing program.

The great thing about the Standard edition (desktop) is that it works well for a wide range of consumers. All of the basic important apps are there with the addition of Outlook for email and communications management and Publisher for easy professional desktop design layout capabilities. This version is a great value for a wide range of users.

So does it really matter which edition you choose? Yes and no. If you already have a “Professional Plus” edition and you are a casual user, no problem. The core apps are still the same and will work for you. If you are a casual user, however, about to purchase, you are not likely to want to spend the money on the “Professional Plus” version for applications you won’t use.

What Versions of Microsoft Office Are Available?

The most current version of Microsoft Office is Office 2019. There is a perpetual version (desktop or standalone version) that is a one-time purchase. Office 2019 comes in three editions (as noted above), 2019 Home and Student for Pc/Mac, 2019 Home and Business for Pc/Mac and Microsoft Office 2019 Professional. The desktop versions are significantly different than Office 365. Consumers can purchase the perpetual version and pay only one time for the software, while Office 365 is a subscription and cloud-based service that offers constantly updated versions of the Office products.

Older versions of Microsoft Office still available and supported by Microsoft go back as far as 2010, but the most popular pre-2019 version of Office is Office 2016.

Besides being available for PC and Mac, Office is available in Home and Student and Home and Business Editions. These editions are similar regardless of the operating system, but there are some slight differences between the PC and Mac versions of Microsoft Office. Those differences are primarily in the way the applications function rather than a difference in the applications that are included in Microsoft Office.

Microsoft Office Versions

Basic Editions of Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office 2021 Editions

Four major versions of the latest Microsoft Office 2021:

• Home & Student for PC/MAC: Includes core applications only.
• Home & Business for PC/MAC: Includes core applications plus Outlook.
• Professional: Includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher and Access. Uses Windows Installer method for offline installation.
• Professional Plus: Only available through volume licensing channels; includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access and Skype for Business. Uses Click-to-Run method for online installation.

Microsoft Office Home and Student

This edition is designed for individuals who need essential Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for personal use. It is perfect for creating basic documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, and is a great choice for students and home users.

Microsoft Home and Business - This edition is similar to Home and Student, but also includes Outlook for managing emails, contacts, and calendars. It is ideal for small business owners, freelancers, and individuals who need to balance their personal and professional life in one place.

Microsoft Office Professional - This edition includes all the applications in Home and Business, as well as Publisher and Access. Publisher is a desktop publishing application that allows you to create professional-looking marketing materials and publications, while Access is a database management tool that helps you organize and analyze data. This edition is recommended for businesses and professionals who need advanced features for desktop publishing and database management.

Microsoft Office 365 - This is a subscription-based service that provides all the features of Office 2021, plus additional cloud-based services like OneDrive, Skype for Business, and Exchange Online. It is perfect for businesses that need to collaborate and communicate in real time, as well as individuals who want access to the latest features and updates.

Note: - There are other versions of Microsoft Office available, such as Microsoft Office Standard 2021 and Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021, which offer additional features like volume licensing and advanced security options. In addition to the four major versions of Microsoft Office 2021 for Windows and Mac, there are also LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) versions available for Windows users. LTSC versions of Microsoft Office are designed for organizations that prefer to have access to the same features and functionality for an extended period of time, without receiving frequent updates or upgrades.

Microsoft Office 2021 Perpetual

Microsoft Office 2021 is the latest version of the world's most popular productivity suite, designed to help users work smarter and more efficiently. With Office 2021, you'll get all the classic features you know and love, along with a range of new and innovative tools that take your productivity to the next level.

Office 2021 comes in several different editions to meet the needs of different users. The Home and Student edition is perfect for casual home users and students and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. OneNote is an excellent note-taking application that allows users to create notes with text, images, and videos, which can be easily organized for quick access.

For those who need additional functionality, the Home and Business edition of Microsoft Office 2021 includes all the same core programs as Home and Student, but adds Outlook for email and contact management. This edition is ideal for small business owners who want to streamline their work and keep all their communication in one place.

If you need even more advanced features, the Professional edition of Office 2021 is designed for big businesses and corporations. It includes all the same programs as Home and Business, but also adds Access and Publisher for database management and desktop publishing.

Whether you're a student, a small business owner, or a large corporation, Microsoft Office 2021 has everything you need to stay organized, productive, and efficient. With its new and innovative tools, you'll be able to work smarter and get more done in less time.

Microsoft Office Products - 2021 Editions

• Word.

• Excel.

• PowerPoint.

• OneNote.

• Outlook.

• Access.

• Publisher.

• Teams.

• OneDrive.

• SharePoint.

• Visio.

• Project.

Please note that the specific applications included in your Microsoft Office 2021 edition may vary depending on the version you purchase.

Microsoft Office 2021 also comes in different editions to cater to the various needs of our customers. We regularly offer seasonal discounts of up to 15-20% off the suggested retail price, so you can get the best value for your money. Here are the different editions of Microsoft Office 2021:

• Home & Student: This edition includes the core applications only, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. It is suitable for students and casual home users.
• Home & Business: In addition to the core applications, this edition includes Outlook for managing emails and contacts. It is suitable for small business owners and casual users who require email management.
• Standard: This edition is only available through volume licensing channels and includes the core applications, Outlook, and Publisher. It is suitable for businesses that require desktop publishing capabilities.
• Professional: This edition includes the core applications, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. It uses the Windows Installer method for offline installation and is suitable for businesses that require database management capabilities.
• Professional Plus: This edition is only available through volume licensing channels and includes the core applications, Outlook, Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business. It uses the Click-to-Run method for online installation and is suitable for businesses that require online collaboration and communication capabilities.

No matter which edition you choose, Microsoft Office 2021 is designed to help you be more productive and efficient in your work, whether you're a student, home user, or business professional.

Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Student

Office 2021 Home and Student edition is an excellent choice for home users, students, and anyone who needs to get some writing done. It includes the core applications: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as OneNote, which is perfect for taking detailed and organized notes. With Office 2021 Home and Student, you can write essays, create presentations, and keep your notes in one place.

Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Business

The Home and Business edition of Microsoft Office 2021 includes all of the core applications, with the added functionality of Outlook. This makes it an excellent choice for small business owners who need email capability and contact management. It bridges the gap between the Home and Professional editions of Office and is an ideal choice for those who require more than just the core applications, but not all the features found in the Professional edition.

Microsoft Office 2021 Standard

The Standard edition of Microsoft Office 2021 continues to be a volume licensing exclusive, making it an ideal choice for midsize to large businesses looking to purchase the suite in bulk. This edition includes all the core applications found in the Home and Business edition along with Outlook for email communication and contact management. Additionally, it offers the powerful desktop publishing application, Publisher, which allows businesses to create professional-looking documents with ease.

Microsoft Office 2021 Professional

Microsoft Office 2021 Professional includes all the core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, and Access. This edition is perfect for businesses that require powerful database management capabilities to store large amounts of customer data. With Access, businesses can easily create custom applications and manage complex data sets.

The offline installation is done using the Windows Installer method, making it an ideal choice for organizations with strict IT policies.

Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus

Office Professional Plus 2021 is the top-tier edition of the suite, available exclusively through volume licensing channels. It includes all the core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business, making it the ideal choice for large enterprises that need advanced collaboration, database management, and desktop publishing capabilities.

Unlike the traditional Windows Installer method used in previous versions, Office Professional Plus 2021 uses the modern Click-to-Run method for faster and more reliable online installation.

Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac

Mac users now have access to the latest Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with Office 2021 for Mac. This edition is compatible with Apple's three most recent versions of macOS, ensuring that users are up-to-date with the latest technology. Microsoft's commitment to providing Mac users with a similar experience to PC users has resulted in a powerful and versatile suite of applications that are tailored to Mac's unique capabilities.

Office for Mac supports Apple’s three most recent versions of macOS.

Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Student for Mac

Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Student for Mac Edition is designed to provide casual and professional users with all the necessary apps for productivity. This edition offers Mac users most of the features that were previously only available to PC users, providing a seamless experience across platforms.

The Home and Student edition includes updated versions of the core programs, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with new features that were introduced in Office 365. With macOS compatibility, this version offers a powerful set of tools for students, writers, and casual users who do not require advanced business features.

The software supports Apple's latest three versions of macOS, ensuring compatibility with most Mac computers. With a simple and intuitive user interface, Office 2021 for Mac allows users to maximize their productivity and creativity.

Microsoft Word 2021 for Mac:
Make your writing stand out with Word! The most recent version of this powerful software comes equipped with improved AI-driven support that can help you write better than ever before. From the Editor feature providing detailed grammar and style suggestions to enhanced collaboration capabilities enabling real-time working together – Word is perfect for any project or report.

Microsoft Excel 2021 for Mac:
Excel is a powerful tool for analyzing and visualizing data. The latest version includes new features such as dynamic arrays, XLOOKUP, and CONCAT, which make it easier to work with large sets of data. Excel also comes with new templates and chart types that help you create stunning visualizations in no time.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2021 for Mac:
If you're looking to captivate and energize your audience, PowerPoint is the ideal program for crafting professional presentations. The latest version offers an abundance of design tools, slide transitions, and collaboration options that will make it simple to collaborate with others in real time! With its improved features, creating engaging visuals has never been easier or more efficient.

Microsoft OneNote 2021 for Mac:
Get organized and boost your productivity with OneNote! With its updated features like enhanced search, tagging, improved integration with other Office apps, as well as real-time collaboration tools – you can easily keep track of all your ideas, notes, and projects in one convenient place. Now it's easier than ever to work on projects together from any device!

Basic Editions of Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office 2019 Editions

Four major versions of Office 2019 for Windows and 2 for Mac OS were released for Office 2019:

• Home & Student for PC/MAC: Includes core applications only.
• Home & Business for PC/MAC: Includes core applications plus Outlook.
• Professional: Includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher and Access. Uses Windows Installer method for offline installation.
• Professional Plus: Only available through volume licensing channels; includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access and Skype for Business. Uses Click-to-Run method for online installation.

Microsoft Office Home and Student

Office 2019 Home and Student includes core apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also comes with OneNote, which is a note-taking app that allows you to create detailed notes using text, images, music, weblinks, and more. This edition of Office 2019 is ideal for students, teachers, and creative writers.

Microsoft Home and Business - The Home and Business edition of Microsoft Office includes the flagship core products, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. It includes Outlook instead of OneNote, with the assumption that powerful email management and features is more important to the business owner than taking extensive notes. Outlook allows you to track and manage appointments and projects effectively, plus you get the superior email management.

Microsoft Office Standard - The standard version of Microsoft Office brings you the 3 core apps, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, plus you get Outlook and Publisher. This can be looked at as an extended version of Office Home and Business. Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing application that allows for powerful design layouts of many different types of documents from newsletters to posters. This version of Microsoft Office, however, is only available through volume licensing. This means that the standard version of Office is primarily going to be used for schools and businesses that purchase bulk licenses.

Microsoft Office Professional -The difference between this version of Microsoft Office and the other versions is the inclusion of Microsoft Access, a powerful database. If your business needs a database app, this is the version you’re looking for. It also includes Microsoft Publisher and does not require volume licensing. The three core apps are included, along with Outlook.

Microsoft Office Professional Plus - This one includes the core applications, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also includes Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business. This is for big corporations and power business owners with a lot of employees. Volume licensing only for this version.

Microsoft Office 2019 Perpetual

Office 2019 is the latest version of Microsoft Office. It’s packed with new features and innovative ways to help you be more productive. It’s a compilation of all the best features from Office 365 up to the release of 2019, making it one of the largest and most valuable upgrades available. All of the classic features you know and love are here, along with some hefty new features and capabilities that let you take your office productivity to an entirely new level.

Office 2019 comes in the editions you expect. There is a Home and Student version available for casual home users and students. It includes all of the core programs: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also includes the powerful note-taking application OneNote, which gives students the perfect way to compile notes that incorporate text, videos, and images. The notes can be easily organized for quick access.

As usual, the Home and Business edition of Microsoft Office 2019 includes the same core programs but adds Outlook for email capability and contact management. It can be used by the casual user and student user, but it is also great for small business owners who want to add the functionality of Outlook but don’t need all the features found in the Professional edition on Office. Office Professional, designed for big business and corporations, adds business features that include Access and Publisher.

Microsoft Office Products - 2019 Editions

• 1. Outlook.

• 2. OneDrive.

• 3. Word.

• 4. Excel.

• 5. PowerPoint.

• 6. OneNote.

• 7. SharePoint.

• 8. Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft Office 2019 comes in different editions just as all releases of MicrosoftOffice have. During Sales and Promotional seasons, the sale price is slated to drop of 15-20% off the MSRP to give our customers the best deals in the business. Highlighted below are Office 2019 editions:

• Home & Student: Includes core applications only.
• Home & Business: Includes core applications plus Outlook.
• Standard: Only available through volume licensing channels: includes core applications plus Outlook and Publisher.
• Professional: Includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher and Access. Uses Windows Installer method for offline installation.
• Professional Plus: Only available through volume licensing channels; includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access and Skype for Business. Uses the Click-to-Run method for online installation.

Microsoft Office 2019 Home and Student

Office Home and Student, is perfect for home use, school use by teachers and students, and it even works well for writers. It also includes OneNote, which is ideal for the student or writers. OneNote allows you to keep detailed notebooks full of research. You can include text, pictures, and audio for the most complete note-taking experience ever.

Microsoft Office 2019 Home and Business

The Home and Business edition of Microsoft office 2019 is very similar to Home and Business. It adds Outlook to the picture, making it an ideal choice for small business owners. All of the core apps are here too. This is a great midpoint between the home and professional business editions of Office, which is why it is perfect for small business owners who are looking for contact management in addition to the core products.

Microsoft Office 2019 Standard

The Standard edition of Microsoft Office 2019 is only available through volume licensing. It is ideal for midsize to large businesses and includes all of the features of smaller editions of Office 2019, but it also includes Outlook for communications and Publisher, which brings simple, professional desktop publishing capabilities to the table

Microsoft Office 2019 Professional

Office Professional 2019 includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, and Access. Uses Windows Installer method for offline installation. This is where you get into the power needed for corporations and large businesses. Access is a database management system that provides businesses with the means for storing lots of customer data and more. This is only available in the Professional editions.

Microsoft Office 2019 Professional PlusM

You can only get Office Professional Plus 2019 through volume licensing channels. It includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access, and Skype for Business. Uses Click-to-Run method for online installation.

Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac

Mac users should not feel cheated. For many years, Mac users have always felt that Microsoft left them out of the game, but that’s no longer the case. Now Microsoft gives Mac users an office suite comparable to what PC users have. Office for Mac 2019 comes in three specific editions:

Office for Mac supports Apple’s three most recent versions of macOS.

Microsoft Office for Mac 2019 Home and Student

Microsoft Office 2019 Home and Student for Mac Edition is the perfect combination of apps and features for casual or professional users who don’t need advanced business features but want all the necessary apps for productivity. This version of Office 2019 finally gives Mac users most of the features that many of them feel they have been lacking over previous editions of Microsoft Office releases.

This edition, like the PC edition, gives casual users and students everything they need to be productive. You get the core programs, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, all updated with the latest features that had been introduced in Office 365 over the previous year. There are some slight variations due to the operating systems, but overall, you get the same great productivity and performance in Office 2019 for Mac as you do with Office 2019 for PC.

Microsoft Excel 2019:
New formulas and features help you better analyze and visualize your data. Leverage features like Analysis Toolpak, Slicers, and Formula Builder to save time, allowing you to focus on the small details. New templates help you get up and running faster.

Microsoft Word 2019:
Create stunning professional documents, term papers, flyers, and more with Word. New features include improved inking, roaming pencil case, and a focus mode that lets you write without any distraction. If you share and work on a document with others, you can take advantage of real-time edits and threaded comments that appear next to the relevant text for more efficient collaboration. Improved research tools let you search for information and apply them without ever leaving Word.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2019:
Create, collaborate, and present your ideas with new slide transitions and Animation task pane that lets you have more control over your presentations. Threaded comments alongside your slides let you incorporate feedback into your presentations. Presenter View displays the current slide, next slide, speaker notes, and a timer on your Mac, all while projecting only the presentation to your audience on the big screen. This lets you know what to expect and lets you get a feel for how your presentation is going.

OneNote 2019:
This impressive digital notebook lets you keep notes, ideas, web pages, photos, and audio and video in one place. Whether at home, in the office, or on the move, you can take everything with you wherever you go while. You can also share and collaborate with others. Great for school assignments, work projects, travel plans, party planning, and more.

Office for Mac 2019 Home and Business

The 2019 Microsoft Office Home Business for Mac. Includes the core applications, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and powerful email management with Outlook. This is the same as Home and Student. It includes core applications plus Outlook. The big difference is this one is available for volume licensing, making it perfect for large businesses.

We recommend the latest versions (2016) of Microsoft Office products, but you can save a little by purchasing Office 2010 or 2013. The core applications are in both of these products, which also come in the same basic Home and Student, Home and Business editions. If you choose 2010, you will save money but lose some of the substantial updates. With 2013, you get the best of both worlds -- a Microsoft Office product that is inexpensive and still offers most of the power and features of the latest version of Microsoft Office.

The choice is yours, and at SoftwareKeep, we believe in bringing you every option and letting you make a purchasing decision that’s right for you. Check out SoftwareKeep for the best prices on the best software.

Office for Mac 2019 Professional

This is the heavy-duty Office for Mac Professional. If you’ve got a corporation or big business of any kind, this is what you need. Includes all of the basic Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Mac Professional 2019 also includes Access and Skype. Publisher, the award-winning desktop publishing software does not come with Office for Mac in any edition, even on 365.

Some of the features included in Office for Mac 2019 include a roaming pencil case and ribbon customizations in all Office apps. There’s a focus mode in Word and Excel adds new data-analysis features and more charts and functions, including CONCAT, TEXTJOIN, IFS, and SWITCH. PowerPoint users can now include Morph transitions, in-click sequence, and 4k video export. For Outlook users, there’s the new focused inbox that allows you to organize your inbox for better productivity.

Microsoft Office 2016 Editions

Office Home and Business 2016

With Office Home and Business 2016 you are able to work you best no matter where you are or who you are with. The new updated versions of the classic desktop applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, are built to achieve maximum productivity.

Microsoft Office Home and Business 2016 (PC Key Card):

• Full installed versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote
• Store files in the cloud with OneDrive
• 1-time purchase office software
• Microsoft Office 2016 1 PC license

Five traditional editions of Office 2016 were released for Windows:

• Home & Student: Includes core applications only.
• Home & Business: Includes core applications plus Outlook.
• Standard: Only available through volume licensing channels: includes core applications plus Outlook and Publisher.
• Professional: Includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher and Access. Uses Windows Installer method for offline installation.
• Professional Plus: Only available through volume licensing channels; includes core applications plus Outlook, Publisher, Access and Skype for Business. Uses Click-to-Run method for online installation.

Three traditional editions of Office 2016 were released for Mac:

• Home & Student: Core applications only.
• Home & Business: Core applications plus Outlook.
• Standard: Only available through volume licensing channels, includes core applications and Outlook.

Microsoft Home and Student Edition Overview

Home users and students have different needs a business or corporation that will be looking for advanced productivity tools. Microsoft Office brings you the perfect edition. Office Home and Student, designed specifically to fit your needs if you are a casual home user or a student. This edition of Microsoft Office includes Word for creating professional word processing documents, Excel for compiling spreadsheets, and Powerpoint for creating stunning visual presentations. Word, Excel, and Powerpoint are the highlights of Microsoft Office Home and Student, but it also includes OneNote, which is the perfect way for students to takes notes. OneNote lets you take your notes to another level. Compile notes, web links, video links, and audio links all in one place. You’ll never lose track of your notes again.

Microsoft Home and Student Edition Overview

Business users need power. They need the tools to keep on top of things in the business world. They need office apps and tools they can rely on. Microsoft Office Home and Business is designed with the needs of small business owners and large corporations in mind. The business version of Microsoft Office includes the flagship products, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, in addition to a powerful email client in Outlook, which is designed with the rich features necessary to stay on top of appointments and projects, and in PC versions, the powerful database Access. If you’re a business user, Microsoft’s Home and Business edition will meet your needs head on. The benefit of having so many versions of Microsoft Office is that you can always find the perfect version of Microsoft office to fit your needs and your budget. One of the disadvantages is figuring out which version you need.

For some people, finding the right version of office is easy, but for those who aren’t sure, we have decided to compare versions here to let you know which version of Office is right for you.

First, let’s look at the current version, Microsoft Office 2016. Office 2016 makes some great leaps and advances for users. The apps work better and faster than ever before. There are also many better ways to collaborate and share documents with co-workers, so it’s easier to get work done in group situations and stay on top of the changes..Office 2016 also brings a better email experience to the table with Outlook with a feature called “Clutter” that lets you organize your messages based on the priority. This seems like a no-brainer and should have been in existence already. The new Office also brings you better ways to secure your data and protect your information.

There are essentially 5 versions of Microsoft Office 2016, plus Microsoft’s subscription service Office 365, which lets you subscribe to Office online and brings a whole bunch of features to the table, including instant updates to the latest editions and features. The two fundamental packages are Microsoft Home and Student and Microsoft Home and Business. The first of these two, Microsoft Home and Student, is ideal for casual home users and for college students. The second, Office Home and Business, is ideal for large businesses and corporations. Small business owners can opt for either. In many cases, Home and Student is all a small business needs. In some cases, a small business might opt for the Office Home and Business to take advantage of the extra business-related apps included in the business version. Let’s take a look at some of the differences that could affect your choice.

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2016

Includes these core apps:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft OneNote

All of the fundamental apps are included in Microsoft Office Home and Student. You get Word for creating professional articles, flyers, books, and for writing homework assignments. You get PowerPoint for creating stunning presentations. You also get the Excel spreadsheet, which allows you to manage and calculate intense sets of data. OneNote allows you to keep track of web links, photos, music, and notes for research projects all in one place, making it convenient and keeping you from ever losing your extensive notes again.

Mac Versions of Microsoft Office

Office for Mac Standard 2016

There are three versions of Microsoft Office for Mac.

Office Home and Student for Mac 2016

This includes just the core applications, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. It’s perfect for students and casual home users.

Office Home and Business for Mac 2016

This is the business version of Microsoft Office for Mac. Includes the core applications, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and powerful email management with Outlook.

This is the same as Home and Business. It includes core applications plus Outlook. The big difference is this one is available for volume licensing, making it perfect for large businesses. We recommend the latest versions (2016) of Microsoft Office products, but you can save a little by purchasing Office 2010 or 2013. The core applications are in both of these products, which also come in the same basic Home and Student, Home and Business editions. If you choose 2010, you will save money but lose some of the substantial updates. With 2013, you get the best of both worlds -- a Microsoft Office product that is inexpensive and still offers most of the power and features of the latest version of Microsoft Office. The choice is yours, and at SoftwareKeep, we believe in bringing you every option and letting you make the purchasing decision that’s right for you. Check out SoftwareKeep for the best prices on the best software.

Should I get an Office 365 Subscription?

This is a good question. The disadvantage to a subscription, of course, is that you pay an ongoing fee to use it. That means you pay more money in the long run. The big advantage over the perpetual version, of course, is that you can use your 365 subscription on many different devices, keep your work synced with the cloud services, and you will always have the latest and greatest features as they become available. This is why so many people do choose to subscribe to Office 365.

Older Versions of Microsoft Office

Some people love their older versions of the Office apps they are used to and need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the future. For those who still prefer the old days when it comes to Microsoft Office products, you can still get your hands on the older classic versions from some sellers, but only if your software seller of choice still has leftover copies in stock.

If you want Office 2013 or even, dare we say, Office 2010, you can still find copies. Those versions also come in the Home and Student editions as well as business editions. Keep in mind, however, that they are far behind the current version of Office (2019) and even Office 2016. You’re missing out on a lot if you choose to stick with this older products. You can check our Comparison guide on Microsoft Office 2019 Vs Office 2016 here.

Also, Microsoft has ended mainstream support for them, so while you can still use the products, you won’t get the support from Microsoft. You will need to rely on your software seller for that support, which is why it is so important to buy these products from a reputable software reseller like SoftwareKeep.