Microsoft has unveiled a fresh non-subscription version of Microsoft Office tailored for both home and commercial customers. This new offering is separate from the subscription-focused Microsoft 365, highlighting several significant distinctions.
The following sections clarify these differences. Office 2024 serves as the successor to Office 2021, which Microsoft released in October 2021.
What editions of Microsoft Office 2024 can be acquired? Microsoft presents two versions: Office 2024 Home, available for a one-time fee of $149.99, and Office Home & Business 2024, priced at $249.99 as a single payment.
Additionally, third-party online merchants are anticipated to stock Office 2024, frequently at discounted prices. Buyers may have opportunities to obtain a key for Office 2024; however, the legality of such purchases can vary depending on the area.
In what ways do the two Office 2024 editions differ? Both variations of Office 2024 comprise fundamental desktop applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. The Office 2024 Home & Business version is also equipped with Outlook and designed for professional use.
What sets Office 2024 apart from Microsoft 365? Below is a summary of their main distinctions:
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 duration of support for Office 2024? Microsoft has committed to supporting both versions of Office 2024 for a period of five years, ending in October 2029, after which no security or non-security updates will be released.
Customers must acquire the subsequent version of Office to uphold access, and it remains uncertain whether Microsoft will issue another non-subscription variant of Office.
An alternative option is to switch to Microsoft 365.
Can documents produced in Office 2024 be accessed using earlier editions or Microsoft 365? Certainly, the format ensures full compatibility. Files can be seamlessly created and opened 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 necessary for Office 2024? While an internet connection is not required for regular usage of Office 2024, online activation is essential.
Further information:
LibreOffice 24.2 released: enables automatic recovery of documents
What is the maximum number of Office 2024 licenses that can be associated with a single Microsoft account? Microsoft restricts the license count to 25 for Office Home 2024, Office Home & Business 2024, and Office Professional 2021.
Are there free substitutes available for Office 2024? Indeed, LibreOffice is a free, open-source office software suite available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. While it may not offer complete compatibility with Office, it bears considerable similarity, and most home users are unlikely to encounter major compatibility issues.
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