Microsoft Office is a fantastic software package that has enabled individuals and organizations across the globe to complete various projects in an organized fashion. If you have ever used Microsoft Office, you have certainly realized its unwavering flexibility and usefulness.
There are several different versions of Microsoft Office to choose from.
- Microsoft Office 365 Home
- Microsoft Office 365 Personal
- Microsoft Office 365 University
- Microsoft Office 2016 Home and Student
- Microsoft Office 2016 Home and Business
- Microsoft Office 2016 Professional
Naturally, each of the different versions of Microsoft Office that are currently available have various pros and cons associated with them. Furthermore, each of these versions has a different cost level associated it—the more features you are hoping to have access to, the more money you will inevitably end up paying. The good news is that finding Discounted Versions of Microsoft Office is simple. The first step is to identify how much you are willing to spend, your personal goals and the number of devices you will need to use.
Microsoft Office 365 Home
All of the versions of Microsoft Office 365 are compatible with any version of Windows that is 7 or later (as well as Mac OS X 10.10 or later). Office 365 Home is great for families because it is compatible on up to 5 different devices. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, and several other programs.
Microsoft Office 365 Personal
Microsoft Office 365 Personal is basically the same as Office 365 Home, but, as the name might imply, can only be used on one computer and one tablet or device. Though it doesn’t have the inclusive benefits that Office 365 Home can offer, it is much more affordable. For many people, Office 365 Personal can provide them with exactly what they need.
Microsoft Office 365 University
Microsoft Office 365 University was designed to cater to college students who are looking to save money. It offers all of the same programs as Office 365 Personal, but can be used on twice as many devices. If you are a college student with a roommate, friend, or anybody else that you know, ‘splitting’ an Office 365 University subscription costs noticeably less than buying Office 365 Personal on your own.
Microsoft Office 2016 Home and Student
Microsoft Office 2016 Home and Student is another version of Microsoft Office that was designed to specifically cater to the needs of college students. College students are typically in the uniquely unfortunate position of having extensive software needs but also looking to save a lot of money. Office 2016 Home and Student seeks to be the source of salvation that many of these students have been looking for.
Office 2016 Home and Student features the most recent versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Each of these programs are notable improvements on previous versions and have been praised for their unique ability to cater to modern technology requirements.
This new version of Microsoft Office is designed to save all data to the cloud. This can be particularly useful for individuals who are changing computers frequently, travelling, or trying to collaborate with others. The collaborative features of Office 2016 Home and Student are perfect for group projects yet are still able to stay within the limited budget of the typical college student.
Microsoft Office 2016 Home and Business
Microsoft Office 2016 Home and Business is very comparable to the version that is designed for students, though a bit more expensive and a bit more expansive. The Home and Business version of Office was specifically designed with working professionals in mind.
While it still features all of the same great programs that can be found in the student version (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote), it also features the newest version of Microsoft Outlook. Outlook is a critically important organization tool that allows you to easily organize your contacts, keep track of your busy schedule, and also collaborate with colleagues on various tasks.
When combined with the usefulness and adaptability of the Microsoft Cloud, it is clear that the newest version of Microsoft Office may be the greatest edition to ever be developed.
Microsoft Office 2016 Professional
Lastly, Microsoft Office 2016 Professional is perhaps the most extensive of all of the 2016 versions. Office 2016 Professional features all of the aforementioned programs that can be found in Home and Business, but additionally includes updated versions of Publisher and Access. These programs can help expand your creative possibilities and are particularly useful for working professionals.
What is the difference between Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Office 2016?
In the status quo, both Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Office 2016 may often seem as if they are indistinguishable. But the important distinction that needs to be made is that while Microsoft Office 2016 will eventually require you to renew it or purchase upgrades, Microsoft Office 365 is always up to date.
As the ways in which software is used have continued to change over time, many people have been switching to Microsoft Office 365. Though it can often be more expensive than the alternative editions of Microsoft Office, the fact that it is constantly updating can offer both individuals and organizations a major competitive advantage in the long-run.
How do I know which version of Microsoft Office is right for me?
Ultimately, there is no single version of Microsoft Office that can be universally deemed to be ‘the best’. The version that will ultimately be in your individual best interest to purchase will depend on a variety of different conditions.
- What am I going to be using Microsoft Office to accomplish?
- How long am I going to need to be using Microsoft Office?
- How many computers and devices will I need to be using?
- Is it important to me to continually be upgrading?
- What are the programs I am most likely to use? What are the programs I know that I will never use?
- Am I going to be changing computers in the near future?
- What is my current budget for software purchases?
- Are there any unique discounts or ways I can save on software available?
Once you have read over this brief guide and answered these questions, hopefully you can be pointed in the right direction. There are several different ways you can save on software over time, and—depending on what your needs and goals may be—any of these different versions of Microsoft Office may be exactly what you have been looking for.