Microsoft Office vs Microsoft 365: Which One to Choose?

Microsoft has made a momentous decision to rebrand its iconic Microsoft Office app to Microsoft 365. This change comes after three decades of Office's prominence, aiming to accommodate the ever-growing list of productivity tools. 

As Microsoft's flagship productivity suite, Microsoft 365 provides a comprehensive experience for users. The new Microsoft 365 app will offer enhanced features, a fresh look, and a simplified approach to accessing and sharing content.

Join us on this exciting journey to discover what's new, how it will impact you, and how to make the most of the Microsoft 365 app. Embrace the future of productivity and unleash the full potential of your favorite tools.

Table of Contents

1. Microsoft Office vs Microsoft 365: A Quick Comparison
2. Microsoft Office Becomes Microsoft 365 App
3. Microsoft Office Rebranded as Microsoft 365 App
4. Smooth Transition and Multiple Versions Unveiled
5. New Features and Productivity Boost
6. Microsoft 365 vs. Office 2021: Choose the Right Productivity Suite
7. FAQs
8. Final Thoughts

Microsoft Office vs Microsoft 365: A Quick Comparison

Here's a comparison between Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365:

Subscription vs. One-time Purchase:

• Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that offers ongoing access to the latest productivity tools from Microsoft.
• Office 2021, on the other hand, is sold as a one-time purchase, providing access to Microsoft Office apps for a single computer.

Features and Apps:

• Both Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 include popular desktop applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• However, Microsoft 365 offers additional cloud-connected features and collaboration tools, allowing real-time file collaboration and extra cloud storage.

Updates and Support:

• With a Microsoft 365 subscription, you receive regular updates, new features, security patches, and technical support at no extra cost.
• Office 2021 lacks the ongoing updates and requires a separate purchase for future major releases.

Pricing and Flexibility:

• Microsoft 365 offers various plans for home, personal use, businesses, schools, and non-profits, with flexible monthly or yearly payment options.
• Office 2021 is a one-time purchase, but future upgrades come at full price.

Web-Based Access:

• Microsoft 365 for the web provides a free version accessible via web browsers, allowing users to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more without a subscription.

Ultimately, the choice between Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 depends on your needs and preferences. If you prefer a one-time purchase and don't require frequent updates, Office 2021 may be suitable. 

However, if you want access to the latest features, cloud storage, and collaboration capabilities, a Microsoft 365 subscription provides a more comprehensive and flexible solution.

Microsoft Office Becomes Microsoft 365 App

Microsoft has made a significant transformation by renaming its long-standing Microsoft Office app to Microsoft 365 App. This rebranding decision comes after 30 years of Office's dominance, signaling a shift to accommodate its ever-expanding array of productivity tools. The Microsoft 365 App now serves as the centralized hub for all your favorite productivity tools and content, offering new and improved features that aim to enhance your overall experience.

Why the change? Microsoft's recent release of Windows 11 showcased the company's commitment to innovation and adaptability. With the rapid advancement of technology, such shifts are becoming increasingly expected, and Microsoft's move to Microsoft 365 App is no exception.

The new Microsoft 365 App aims to streamline your productivity by providing innovative ways to find, create, and share content all within a single, unified platform. Whether you're working on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, or collaborating with colleagues, the Microsoft 365 App aims to be your go-to destination for all things productivity.

With this change, fear not, as beloved applications like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and others will remain intact. The transition to Microsoft 365 App ensures that your existing accounts, subscriptions, profiles, and files remain unaffected, giving you a seamless experience with a fresh icon and a revamped look.

Microsoft Office Rebranded as Microsoft 365 App

Microsoft is ushering in a new era for its productivity suite by rebranding the familiar Microsoft Office app to the Microsoft 365 app. Over the past couple of years, Microsoft 365 has taken center stage as the company's flagship productivity suite. With this transformation, Microsoft aims to optimize user experience and ensure users get the most out of Microsoft 365.

The change entails a comprehensive rebranding of key platforms. Office.com, the Office mobile app, and the Office app for Windows will all undergo a metamorphosis, becoming the unified Microsoft 365 app. This revamp will bring a fresh icon, a new look, and a range of additional features.

The rollout of these changes will occur in stages. Office.com will undergo its transformation first in November 2022, followed by the Office app on Windows and the Office mobile app in January 2023.

It's important to note that these changes apply to all users, regardless of whether they utilize the Microsoft Office app for work, school, or personal purposes.

Smooth Transition and Multiple Versions Unveiled

The transition from Microsoft Office to the new Microsoft 365 app won't disrupt users' existing accounts, subscriptions, profiles, or files. Users can rest assured that all their data and settings will remain intact throughout this transformation. 

The Office app will automatically update itself to reflect the changes, sporting a fresh icon and the new name - Microsoft 365.

For those eagerly anticipating the new Microsoft 365 app, the updates will start rolling out in November and continue beyond that. Users can keep an eye out for these changes and the arrival of the updated icon.

Additionally, Microsoft now offers three versions of the Microsoft 365 app to cater to different user segments:

1. Microsoft 365 app Home: Designed for individual users, this version offers a personalized productivity experience for personal and professional use.
2. Microsoft 365 app For Organizations: Tailored for businesses and enterprises, this version includes tools and features optimized for collaborative work and efficient team operations.
3. Microsoft 365 app For Educators: Specially designed for educators and educational institutions, this version provides tools and resources to enhance the learning and teaching experience.

The introduction of these different versions allows users to access the most suitable set of tools and features based on their specific needs and use cases, making Microsoft 365 a versatile and comprehensive productivity solution for all.

New Features and Productivity Boost

With the introduction of the Microsoft 365 app, users can expect a host of exciting new features and improvements. Some of these include:

1. New content creation types and templates, accessible through the Create module, which offers blank or recommended templates for projects across various Microsoft 365 apps.
2. A revamped Apps module, now called "tools," where users can discover, launch, and pin their most frequently used tools across the Microsoft 365 suite.
3. Welcome Badging, which provides users with their Microsoft 365 subscription status and allows them to track storage usage from a single, convenient location.
4. My Content, a popular feature for Microsoft 365 business users, now available for personal and educational use, serves as a centralized location to access and view all content, whether created or shared.
5. Feed, which offers relevant content based on colleagues, friends, classmates, or collaborators, streamlining workflow and collaboration efforts.
6. Tagging functionality to group and organize different types of content using custom tags, facilitating efficient organization and retrieval.

These enhancements and additions in the Microsoft 365 app aim to elevate the productivity experience, making it easier and more seamless for users to create, collaborate, and manage their content across the Microsoft 365 suite.

Microsoft 365 vs. Office 2021: Choose the Right Productivity Suite

Why Buy Microsoft 365:

1. Enhanced Collaboration: Microsoft 365 offers powerful collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, enabling teams to work together seamlessly across various platforms. With cloud-based sharing, collaborators always have access to the latest version of documents, eliminating the need for comparing old and new files.
2. Flexible Remote Work: Microsoft 365 allows you to work from anywhere with an internet connection. Whether you're on a computer, phone, or tablet, access to the productivity suite is as simple as logging into your account. Plus, the 1TB of OneDrive storage ensures your documents are accessible without the hassle of carrying around physical storage devices.

Why Buy Office 2021:

1. One-Time Purchase: With Office 2021, you make a single purchase and own the software indefinitely. This fixed cost is beneficial for businesses that prefer predictable expenses.
2. Offline Functionality and Advanced Features: Unlike the basic free version or Office Online, Office 2021 offers full offline functionality. You can access and work on your documents even without an internet connection. Additionally, Office 2021 provides advanced features like table of contents and bibliography in Word, advanced formula and chart tools in Excel, and rich formatting in PowerPoint.

FAQs

What is the difference between MS365 and Office?

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) is a subscription-based productivity suite that includes Office applications, cloud services, and other collaboration tools, while Microsoft Office refers to the standalone suite of desktop applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Is Microsoft Office called Microsoft 365?

No, Microsoft Office is not called Microsoft 365. They are two separate offerings, although Microsoft 365 includes the Office suite as part of its subscription.

Has Microsoft 365 replaced Office?

Yes, Microsoft 365 has effectively replaced traditional standalone versions of Office, offering a more comprehensive and cloud-connected solution for productivity needs.

What is Microsoft Office now called?

Microsoft Office is now known as Microsoft 365, which encompasses a broader range of features and services beyond just the traditional desktop applications.

What is Office 365 used for?

Office 365 is used for various purposes, including creating, editing, and sharing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and emails, as well as collaborating with others in real-time and accessing cloud storage for data backup and synchronization.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the choice between Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 boils down to your specific needs and preferences. Microsoft Office, now known as Microsoft 365 App, remains a reliable choice for those seeking a one-time purchase and offline functionality with advanced features. 

On the other hand, Microsoft 365 offers a cloud-powered productivity platform, fostering seamless collaboration and access to the latest tools across multiple devices. With Microsoft 365, teams can work together effortlessly, while the 1TB of OneDrive storage ensures flexible and convenient access to documents from anywhere. 

Ultimately, both options cater to different user requirements, providing a comprehensive set of productivity tools to enhance your work and productivity.

One more thing

If you have a second, please share this article on your socials; someone else may benefit too. 

Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to read our future articles, reviews, and blog post right in your email inbox. We also offer deals, promotions, and updates on our products and share them via email. You won’t miss one.

Related articles 

» Microsoft Office vs. iWork: Which is the Best Office Suite?
» Differences Between Microsoft 365 vs. Google Workspace
» Office 2019 vs. Microsoft 365: Which should you buy?