Should I buy Office 365 or Install Version?

If you need to install Microsoft Office in your system to run either Word or Excel, then you have two options in front of you. You can either get Office 365 or the traditional install version, which is Office 2016. These two suites will give you access to the same useful software although the actual features you get may be a little different from each other.

Today’s technology has changed the way people create and access documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. And as everyone’s need changes, the programmers at Microsoft are doing their best to adapt. If you need access to one or all of the said software, then you should make the right decision as to which of the two Microsoft Office Suites available will work for you best.

Best Word, Excel and PowerPoint Suite

There are at least four points of comparison when it comes to Office 365 and the Install Version, with each of them discussed in full details below. This information should help you make an informed decision later on.

1. Updates

Office 365 is offered in a subscription plan mode, which means you get fully installed Office installations such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, and Publisher. Except for Access and Publisher which are PC-only installations, all the rest are accessible online. And because they are offered on a subscription basis, you have to pay for the use of the software regularly. The advantage to that is the fact that your software is always updated and you’re assured of using all the latest features.

Office 2016 is offered on one-time purchase so if ever you need an update, you have to purchase the latest version and install it. So if ever Office 2018 is released and you want the updated version of the software, you would have to purchase that.

2. Compatibility

Office 365 is highly adaptable. It can be installed and used across multiple devices, such as PCs, Macs, Android phones and tablets, iPhones, and iPads. The Office 2016 install version, on the other hand, can only be used on one PC or Mac computer. It can’t be installed on mobile devices either.

3. Storage

Office 365 is a type of cloud-based software, which means you can take advantage of online storage solutions such as OneDrive. When configured correctly, all your files are automatically saved or backed-up online. This also means that you can access your files anywhere you go. However, the install version doesn’t work like that. The files you created are stored on your hard drive by default. If you want a file saved on an online storage, then you’d have to manually upload it there to make it accessible anywhere and download it again so you can work on it.

4. Price

The cost of the install version of Microsoft Office is $119.99, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Office 365 Personal and Home, on the other hand, costs $5.99 and $7.99 a month respectively. They come with all the software included in the install version, plus Outlook, Publisher, and Access. They also come bundled with OneDrive and Skype services. You also get unlimited customer support, whereas, for the installed version, access to support is only valid for the first 60 days after purchase.

If ever you need to install Word or Excel on your computer, these are the two options available to you. Choose the one that’s right for you after weighing all of these comparison points. That’s how you can easily arrive at the best choice.