Microsoft Office is one of the most popular software suites in the world. It helps students write papers, small business owners create spreadsheets, and managers design cool slides. But people often wonder: how much does it cost in 2025?
The answer depends on what version you want. Microsoft offers different plans for different needs. Let’s break it down and make it super simple!
Two Main Ways to Get Microsoft Office
You can get Microsoft Office in two main ways:
- Microsoft 365 – This is a subscription.
- Office 2021 (One-time purchase) – This is a single payment.
Each option comes with its own pros and cons. Let’s dive in!
Microsoft 365 in 2025
Microsoft 365 is like Netflix, but for Office apps. You pay a little every month or once a year. In return, you get the latest updates, features, and cloud storage.
Here’s the pricing for Microsoft 365 in 2025:
- Microsoft 365 Personal: $79.99 per year or $7.99 per month
- Microsoft 365 Family: $109.99 per year or $10.99 per month – for up to 6 people!
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $7.20 per user/month
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $15.00 per user/month
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $27.50 per user/month
The Personal and Family plans are great for home users. Business plans are better for companies and work teams.
The great thing about Microsoft 365 is that you always get the newest version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. You also get 1TB of OneDrive storage per person!
Bonus Features of Microsoft 365
- Use on multiple devices (PC, Mac, phone, tablet)
- AI writing suggestions in Word
- Real-time collaboration with others
- Advanced security tools
Microsoft is always adding new features to 365. That’s why many people like the subscription option. It feels fresh and always updated.
Office 2021 Price in 2025
Not into subscriptions? No worries. There’s still the one-time payment option. That’s Office 2021.
In 2025, Office 2021 is still available. It doesn’t get the cool updates like Microsoft 365, but you pay only once.
- Office Home & Student 2021: $149.99 – One PC or Mac
- Office Home & Business 2021: $249.99 – Includes Outlook too
- Office Professional 2021: $439.99 – More apps for business
This version includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Home & Business and Professional also include Outlook and other apps.
If you don’t like monthly fees and you plan to use Office for a long time, then Office 2021 might be your pick.
Which One Should You Pick?
Let’s compare them side-by-side to make it easier!
| Feature | Microsoft 365 | Office 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Payment | Subscription (monthly/yearly) | One-time |
| Updates | Always up to date | No updates |
| Cloud Storage | Yes (1TB OneDrive) | No |
| Multiple Devices | Yes | No (1 PC or Mac) |
| AI Features | Yes | No |
So, which is better? If you love updates, sharing files, and using the latest tools, go with Microsoft 365. If you like to pay once and be done, go with Office 2021.
Can Students Get Microsoft Office for Free?
Yes! If you’re a student or teacher, check out Microsoft Office Education.
You can get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams for FREE with a school email address. That’s awesome!
What About Free Alternatives?
Not ready to spend money on Office? No worries! Here are some free tools you might like:
- Google Docs, Sheets & Slides: Works online and saves automatically
- LibreOffice: Open source and offline
- WPS Office: A free version with ads
They may not have all the fancy features, but they get the job done!
Wrapping It Up
So, how much is Microsoft Office in 2025? Here’s a quick summary:
- Microsoft 365 Personal: $79.99/year
- Microsoft 365 Family: $109.99/year (up to 6 people)
- Office 2021 Home & Student: $149.99 (one-time)
Pick what works best for you. If you want the latest features and cloud storage, Microsoft 365 is great. If you just want the basics and don’t want to pay every year, Office 2021 is solid.
Whatever you choose, Office still helps make your work easier, prettier, and more organized. And that’s worth every penny!
