What Are the Choices to Purchase Microsoft Office? 5 Smart Options Explained

Microsoft Office is one of the most popular productivity suites in the world, offering essential tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for individuals and businesses. However, when it comes to purchasing What Are the Choices to Purchase Microsoft Office? Do you opt for a subscription-based Microsoft 365 plan or a one-time purchase of Office 2021, 2019, or 2016?
Need the cheapest deal? As a Microsoft Certified Partner, Softesia.com offers lifetime activation keys for Office 2021, 2019, and 2016 at unbeatable prices. Shop now and skip recurring fees!
In this guide, we’ll break down the different ways to purchase Microsoft Office, compare Microsoft 365 and standalone versions like Office 2021, and help you decide which option is best for your needs.
Table of Contents

Understanding what Are the Choices to Purchase Microsoft Office?
Before making a decision, it’s important to understand the available Microsoft Office products and their differences. Microsoft offers two main ways to purchase Office:
- A subscription-based service (Microsoft 365)
- A one-time purchase (Office 2021, 2019, or 2016 via lifetime activation keys)
Pro Tip: If you prefer owning Office forever, Softesia.com provides genuine lifetime licenses for:
- Office 2021 Professional Plus (PC)
- Office 2019 Professional Plus (PC)
- Office 2016 Professional Plus (PC)
- Office 2021 Home and Business for MAC
Subscription-Based vs. One-Time Purchase
The primary difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 lies in the pricing and accessibility of features:
- Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service where you pay monthly or yearly to access the latest Office apps, cloud storage, and collaboration tools. This option ensures you always have the most up-to-date software and security features.
- Office 2021/2019/2016 is available as a one-time purchase, meaning you pay once and own the software permanently. While it doesn’t receive major feature updates, it’s ideal for users who prefer offline work and no ongoing costs.
Why overpay? At Softesia.com, you can buy Office 2021 Pro Plus keys for 60% less than Microsoft’s retail price.
Microsoft 365 Subscription Plans
Microsoft 365 is a flexible subscription model that allows users to access Office apps and cloud-based services. There are different plans designed for individuals, families, and businesses.
Microsoft 365 Personal vs. Microsoft 365 Family
For individuals or families, Microsoft offers two main plans:
- Microsoft 365 Personal
- Designed for a single user
- Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, and other apps
- Provides 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage
- Works across multiple devices
- Microsoft 365 Family
- Designed for families, with up to six users
- Offers the same apps as the Personal plan
- Each person gets 1TB of OneDrive storage
- Best suited for households with multiple users
Important Note: While Microsoft 365 requires yearly payments, Softesia.com offers lifetime licenses for users who want to avoid subscriptions.
Microsoft 365 Business Plans
For business users, Microsoft provides several subscription options:
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic
- Offers web-based Office apps only
- Includes cloud services like OneDrive, Teams, and Exchange
- Affordable entry-level plan for businesses
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard
- Includes downloadable Office apps in addition to cloud services
- Best for businesses needing both local and cloud-based apps
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Includes all features of Business Standard
- Adds advanced security features and device management
Businesses on a budget: Consider volume licenses from Softesia.com, such as Office 2021 Professional Plus (5-PC) packs, to save on long-term costs.
Microsoft Office One-Time Purchase (Lifetime License)
For those who prefer a one-time purchase, Microsoft Office 2021, 2019, or 2016 activation keys are the right choice.
Overview of Microsoft Office 2021
Microsoft Office 2021 is the latest standalone version of Office that does not require a subscription. Once purchased, the software can be installed on a single PC or Mac and used indefinitely.
Softesia’s Top Picks:
- 💻 Office 2021 Professional Plus (PC) – Latest features, premium support.
- 🍎 Office 2021 Home and Business for MAC – Optimized for Apple users.
- 🔑 Office 2019/2016 Professional Plus – Budget-friendly older versions.
Features Included in Office 2021
Office 2021 includes the core Office applications but lacks some cloud-based features found in Microsoft 365. The suite includes:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access (Windows only)
- Microsoft Publisher (Windows only)
Need more devices? Softesia offers 5-PC licenses for Office 2021, 2019, and 2016 at discounted rates.
Differences from Microsoft 365
Office 2021 differs from Microsoft 365 in several ways:
- One-time purchase – You pay once and own the software forever.
- No major updates – Unlike Microsoft 365, Office 2021 only receives security patches.
- Offline use – Ideal for users who prefer working without cloud dependency.
- Cost-effective – Save hundreds over time compared to subscriptions.
Microsoft 365 vs. Office 2021 – Which One to Choose
To decide between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021, consider the following factors:
Major Differences in Pricing and Features
- Microsoft 365 – Recurring fees but includes cloud storage and collaboration tools.
- Office 2021/2019/2016 – One-time payment with no cloud features but lifetime access.
Not sure? Contact Softesia for personalized recommendations based on your needs.
Best Ways to Buy Microsoft Office Online
Buying Directly from Microsoft vs. Third-Party Retailers
- Microsoft Official Store – Safest but most expensive.
- Third-Party Retailers – Trusted partners like Softesia.com offer identical licenses at 50-70% off.
How to Find the Best Deals
To save money, look for:
- Lifetime licenses – Avoid subscriptions with Softesia’s one-time purchases.
- Bundle deals – Save with Windows + Office packages (e.g., Windows 11 Pro + Office 2021 Pro).
- Volume discounts – 5-PC licenses for teams or families.
Conclusion
Choosing between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 depends on your needs, budget, and usage preferences:
- Microsoft 365 – Best for frequent collaboration and cloud features.
- Office 2021/2019/2016 – Ideal for users who want lifetime access without recurring fees.
Get the cheapest genuine licenses at Softesia.com:
- 🚀 Office 2021 Pro Plus (PC/MAC).
- 💼 Volume licenses for businesses.
- 🎁 Bundles like Windows 11 Pro + Office 2021 at discounted rates.
Visit Softesia Now and unlock premium Microsoft tools without breaking the bank!