Difference Between Microsoft 365 Family, Microsoft 365 Personal, And Microsoft Office Home & Student

With the ever-increasing demands of the modern workplace, students, professionals, and even families need access to powerful productivity tools to help them stay organized, efficient, and ahead of the curve.

Regarding productivity software, Microsoft is a household name, and its Office and 365 products suite has been empowering individuals and businesses for decades. With a range of features that can help you create, collaborate, and communicate more effectively, both software suites have a lot to offer.

In this article, we will compare Microsoft 365 products (Family and Personal) and Microsoft Office (Home & Student), two of the most popular software suites on the market for non-enterprise uses. However, it is worth mentioning that there are other products and plans also available for businesses and enterprises, but won’t be the epicenter of this post.

At the time of writing this post, Microsoft Office 2021 was the latest version available.

So, buckle up and get ready for a deep dive into the world of Microsoft productivity software.

Microsoft 365 Family

Subscribe to Microsoft 365 here

Microsoft 365 Family is a comprehensive suite of apps and services designed to cater to the needs of your entire family. With this plan, you get access to a wide range of innovative apps, advanced security features, and up to 6 TB of cloud storage. It comes down to 1 TB per person since up to six people can share this plan.

The 365 Family can be purchased either on a monthly basis for $9.99 per month or on a yearly basis for $99.99 per year, making it an affordable solution for families of all sizes. Moreover, with a one-month free trial, you can try out the suite before committing to a subscription.

The suite can be used on up to five devices simultaneously by each of the up to six members of your family, as mentioned earlier, regardless of whether they are using a PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android phone or tablet. This allows for seamless collaboration and access to files across different devices.

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The suite includes premium versions of popular apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, all with offline access and premium features. Additionally, Microsoft 365 Family comes with Microsoft Defender advanced security for your personal data and devices, OneDrive ransomware protection for your files and photos, and Outlook ad-free secure email. Microsoft Editor, an advanced spelling, grammar, and writing assistance tool, is also included in the suite.

You can enjoy a range of other exciting features like Clipchamp video editor with premium filters and effects, customizable templates, an expanded content library of high-quality photos, icons, fonts, videos, and audio, and additional features in the Microsoft Family Safety mobile app. The suite doesn’t fall short on customer service and hence, allows access to support via chat or email to get help when you need it.

Microsoft 365 Personal

Subscribe to Microsoft 365 here

Similar to the Family plan, Microsoft 365 Personal is also a subscription-based suite of apps and services that provides access to a range of innovative tools for individuals. With 1 TB of cloud storage and advanced security features, this plan offers a superb solution to meet your personal productivity needs. You can use it on up to 5 devices simultaneously, including PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets.

The subscription provides offline access and premium features to popular Microsoft apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. These apps are equipped with an array of powerful tools that allow you to easily create and collaborate on documents. With Microsoft Defender, you can also rest assured that your personal data and devices are protected from cyber threats.

OneDrive ransomware protection ensures that your important data is backed up and secure in the cloud. Moreover, Outlook’s ad-free secure email keeps your inbox organized and protected from spam and phishing attempts. Microsoft Editor provides advanced grammar and writing assistance, making it an excellent tool for students, writers, and professionals.

Besides these apps and features, like the Family version, this suite also includes Clipchamp. You will also get a premium range of templates that can be customized. Furthermore, there is an accessible library offering various fonts, icons, photos, videos, and audio to help you create engaging content.

The subscription can be purchased for a monthly or yearly fee. The monthly cost is $6.99, while the yearly cost is $69.99, making it an affordable option for individuals. The 1 TB of cloud storage is a generous amount that provides ample space for your important documents, photos, and videos.

Microsoft Office Home & Student

Buy Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Student here

Like Microsoft 365, the Office suite also offers a variety of plans; both for home and enterprise use.

The “Home and Studen” plan is exclusively made for non-commercial users, providing classic versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The Office Home & Student is a one-time purchase for one PC or Mac and is compatible with Windows 11, Windows 10, or macOS. Microsoft support is included for the first 60 days at no extra cost, making it a reliable and cost-effective option for those in need of office software.

It is compatible with Microsoft Teams – an essential tool for collaboration in the modern workplace. With the ability to seamlessly integrate with Teams, this software suite provides a powerful set of tools for remote workers and distributed teams.

Alongside its compatibility with Teams, Office Home & Student includes several useful features. For example, Word provides a range of formatting options, making it easy to create professional-looking documents, while Excel offers powerful data analysis and visualization tools. PowerPoint, on the other hand, enables you to create dynamic presentations that captivate and engage their audience.

Furthermore, it comes with a number of cloud storage options, allowing you to easily save and access your documents from anywhere, at any time. This makes it a flexible and convenient option for those who work on the go.

When it comes to cost, Office Home & Student 2021 is currently available for a one-time purchase with no monthly fees. Because of this, it is a cost-effective solution if you don’t require ongoing software updates or additional features.

However, if you need ongoing support, you can opt for a Microsoft 365 subscription, which provides access to the latest versions of Office products and other additional benefits.

Comparing The Microsoft 365 + Office Plans

The comparison chart below will guide you through the major differences in terms of features, cost, services, and more. Make sure to look closely so you only end up making an informed choice.

Choosing The Right Microsoft 365 And Office Plan

As we reach the end of this discussion on, one major difference that stands out include that Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service while Office Home & Student is a one-time purchase. This difference affects not only the price point but also the features and updates available to users.

With Microsoft 365, you can enjoy the latest updates and cloud-based features, including access to additional apps, more storage, and collaboration tools. Whereas, Office Home & Student offers a one-time purchase with no additional fees and a more limited set of features.

That said, with one-time purchases, an in-place upgrade is not available. This means that you will need to purchase the next Office product at full price. In comparison, a subscription to Microsoft 265 offers automatic updates and you’ll always have the latest products at your disposal.

Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your specific needs and budget. Regardless of which option you opt for, Microsoft continues to roll out top-of-the-line office software to help you achieve your goals and simplify daily tasks.

So, make sure to carefully understand the differences between each plan and choose whichever fits your needs.