Microsoft 365 Apps

Microsoft 365 Apps for business supports a maximum of 300 users. If you have more than 300 users or think you will soon, take a look at our other plan options.

Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise is the always up-to-date suite of desktop apps you already know (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Teams) available as a subscription. Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise includes exclusive intelligent capabilities like Ideas in Excel and Researcher in Word, real-time collaboration, Teams as the hub for teamwork, and advanced security features. As a user-based license, you can deploy Office on up to five PCs or Macs, five tablets, and five mobile devices. And with 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage, you can access and collaborate on your files from anywhere.

Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise is a subscription that comes with premium apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Publisher, and Access (Publisher and Access are only available on PC). The apps can be installed on multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Android tablets, and Android phones. Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise also comes with services like 1 TB of OneDrive storage and Microsoft chat and phone support. Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise includes exclusive intelligent capabilities like Ideas in Excel and Researcher in Word, real-time collaboration, Teams as the hub for teamwork, and advanced security features. With a subscription, you get the latest versions of the apps and automatically receive updates when they happen.

Office LTSC 2021 is a one-time purchase that comes with classic apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for PC or Mac, and does not include any of the services that come with a Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise subscription. One-time purchases don’t have an upgrade option, which means if you plan to upgrade to the next major release, you'll have to buy it at full price. Learn more about the differences between Microsoft 365 Apps and Office LTSC 2021 in Office Support, or use the comparison chart to help you pick the right Office version for your needs.

Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise is built for our enterprise customers. Along with the always up-to-date versions of the core Office desktop apps, Apps for enterprise includes enterprise-grade security and compliance features, enhanced communication tools, and fine-grained controls for deployment and management. Some small and medium-sized businesses, including those in regulated industries or wanting higher levels of IT control, may also be interested in ProPlus.

Microsoft 365 Apps for business also offers always up-to-date versions of the core Office desktop apps, but without any of the additional security, communication, or administrative features listed above. Microsoft 365 Apps for business is also supported only up to a maximum business size of 300 users, whereas Apps for enterprise is available for an unlimited number of users.

Office 365 E plans include apps like Word and Excel (E3/E5 only), OneDrive cloud storage, and services like Teams, Exchange Online, and SharePoint Online. Different suites offer different combinations of these elements.

• Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise offers the Office desktop apps plus 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage. These apps are always up to date, and new functionality can be added as often as monthly. It does not include services.
• Office 365 E1 offers services only, plus web and mobile versions of the apps. Some customers buy E1 on its own, while others combine it with other versions of the Office apps.
• Office 365 E3 provides a complete suite of apps, storage, and services. It combines the Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise desktop apps and storage, the Office 365 E1 services, and additional security and compliance features.
• Office 365 E5 is our most advanced, secure, and comprehensive offering. It includes everything in Office 365 E3 (apps and services) plus advanced security, analytics, and voice capabilities.

A persistent internet connection is not required; Microsoft 365 Apps runs locally on your PC. Internet access is required to install and activate Microsoft 365 Apps, but IT administrators in traditional private cloud environments can deploy Microsoft 365 Apps and Microsoft 365 Apps updates using software distribution tools and infrastructure.

Some features like Ideas in Excel and Researcher in Word require an internet connection. Regularly connecting to the internet ensures that you can receive automatic updates and that you’re using the latest versions of your Microsoft 365 Apps. Internet access will also be needed to manage your Office 365 account, for example to change payment options or to access documents stored on OneDrive.

Yes, people using Office 365, Office LTSC 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007 as well as Office for Mac 2008 or later will be able to open and view the documents you create. Those on versions earlier than Office 2007 may need to install a compatibility pack.

Yes, you can configure Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise to apply only the software updates you have tested and validated. You can manage software updates completely in-house either by using familiar software distribution tools or by directing Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise to check for updates at your file shares or URLs.

No, after Teams is installed, it's automatically updated approximately every two weeks with new features and quality updates. This update process for Teams is different than the update process for the other Office apps, such as Word and Excel. For more information, see Teams update process.