Microsoft has introduced a new non-subscription variant of Microsoft Office designed for both residential and business users. This offering is distinct from the subscription-centric Microsoft 365, featuring several notable differences.
The sections that follow delineate these variances. Office 2024 is the successor to Office 2021, which Microsoft launched in October 2021.
What editions of Microsoft Office 2024 are available? Microsoft offers two editions: Office 2024 Home for a one-time price of $149.99, and Office Home & Business 2024, which is available for $249.99 as a single payment.
Moreover, third-party online retailers are expected to stock Office 2024, often at reduced prices. Buyers may have options for obtaining a key for Office 2024, but the legality of such transactions can differ based on location.
How do the two versions of Office 2024 differ? Both editions of Office 2024 include essential desktop applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. The Office 2024 Home & Business edition also comes with Outlook and is suited for commercial use.
What distinguishes Office 2024 from Microsoft 365? Below is a summary of their primary differences:
| Office 2024 | Office Home & Business 2024 | Microsoft 365 Personal | Microsoft 365 Family | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 one-time | $249.99 one-time | $69.99 annually | $99.99 annually |
| Included | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Defender, Outlook, OneDrive, MS Editor, Clipchamp | |
| Storage | none | none | 1 TB | 1 TB per user |
| Users | 1 | 1 | 1 | up to 6 |
| Devices | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Platforms | PC or Mac | PC or Mac | PC, Mac, or Web | PC, Mac, or Web |
| Upgrades | not included | not included | included | included |
| Updates | included | included | included | included |
What is the support duration for Office 2024? Microsoft has pledged to support both editions of Office 2024 for a span of five years, concluding in October 2029, after which neither security nor non-security updates will be distributed.
Users must purchase the next iteration of Office to maintain access, and it remains uncertain if Microsoft will release another non-subscription version of Office.
An alternative route is to transition to Microsoft 365.
Can documents created in Office 2024 be accessed using previous versions or Microsoft 365? Absolutely, the format offers full compatibility. Files can be created and opened seamlessly across the following Office versions:
- Microsoft 365
- Office 2024
- Office 2021
- Office 2019
- Office 2016
- Office 2013
- Office 2010
- Office 2007
- Office for Mac 2011
- Office for Mac 2008
Is an internet connection required for Office 2024? While an internet connection is unnecessary for everyday usage of Office 2024, online activation is mandatory.
Additional details:
LibreOffice 24.2 released: enables automatic recovery of documents
What is the maximum number of Office 2024 licenses that can be attached to a single Microsoft account? Microsoft limits the number of licenses to 25 for Office Home 2024, Office Home & Business 2024, and Office Professional 2021.
Are there free alternatives available to Office 2024? Yes, LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite accessible for Windows, Mac, and Linux. While it may not be entirely compatible with Office, it is quite similar, and most home users are unlikely to face significant compatibility challenges.
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