Read time: 6 minutes
Summary: Startups and businesses majorly rely on different Microsoft 365 business plans for storage, data management and much more. But where does the real challenge lie for them? Choosing the right plan as pert their specific needs. With us, get ready to compare Microsoft 365 plans and pricing along with their features. Get insights into using the Kernel Office 365 Migration Software for a smoother transition to the Office 365 environment.
Microsoft 365 pricing plans differ on a lot of aspects from features, the number of users to billing options. With recurring changes in subscriptions, organizations are perplexed as what to choose and what not!! Even their team size and rising trends of AI become some of the many factors that create confusion in choosing the right plan. Some businesses pay for features and tools they rarely use, while others miss essential applications like Teams or Outlook.
Let us sort all your worries out and help you make a wiser decision on Microsoft 365 business plans. Follow the comparison, assess your needs and choose the most cost-effective solution for your organization.
A Look into Microsoft 365 Business Plans
Microsoft 365 comes with 4 business plans to help businesses with up to 300 users. All plans include cloud storage via OneDrive and flexible billing options (monthly or annual). Here is a look at the Microsoft’s business plans:
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
When looking out for an affordable and a reliable plan for small businesses, the Microsoft 365 Business Basic is the one to go for. Get easy collaboration without the need of desktop apps. It also comprises of web and mobile Office apps, Microsoft Teams, Exchange email, and 1 TB OneDrive storage.
- Price: $6/user/month.
- Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint included.
- Browser-based + mobile applications only.
- Ideal plan for entry-level businesses.
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business
The Microsoft 365 Apps for Business offers full desktop Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with 1 TB OneDrive storage. It lacks Teams and Exchange email so it only becomes suitable for teams that just aim for productivity applications on a range of devices.
- Price: $8.25/user/month.
- 1 TB OneDrive storage.
- Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for desktop.
- No Teams or Exchange email included.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
In search of a combination of desktop, web, and mobile Office applications with Teams, Exchange email, SharePoint, and Planner, the Microsoft 365 Business Standard stands out. It’s perfect for SMEs who want a complete suite for collaboration, communication, and productivity all at once.
- Price: $12.50/user/month.
- Teams and email included.
- Desktop-based + browser-based apps.
- Best for small to mid-sized businesses.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
The Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes all standard features plus advanced security with Microsoft Defender, Intune device management, and conditional access. It is ideal for organizations that need enterprise-grade security, compliance, and data protection along with full productivity tools.
- Price: $22/user/month.
- Advanced security features.
- Desktop-based + collaboration apps.
- Best for businesses in need of advanced security and compliance.
Features & Pricing Comparison: Microsoft 365 Business Plans
Below is the full comparison of Microsoft 365 Business plans, features, and pricing. Review it carefully and choose the plan that best fits your team’s size, collaboration needs, cloud storage, and security requirements.
| Subscription Plan | Price (per user/month) | Plans + Copilot | Features | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Basic | $6.00 | $36.00 | Web + mobile apps, Teams, Exchange email, 1 TB OneDrive | Small businesses |
| Apps for Business | $8.25 | $38.25 | Full desktop apps, 1 TB OneDrive, no Teams or Exchange email | Teams needing desktop productivity apps only |
| Business Standard | $12.50 | $42.50 | Desktop + web apps, Teams, webinars, email, Bookings | Small to mid-sized businesses |
| Business Premium | $22.00 | $52.00 | All features with Standard + Defender, Intune, and advanced security | Companies requiring security & compliance |
Note: Microsoft 365 business plans prices might differ because of region, taxes, and billing cycle. Moreover, if you choose annual subscriptions, you can save up to 16% as compared to monthly plans.
Why Are Microsoft 365 Subscription Costs On a Rise?
The Microsoft 365 cost depends on several factors, such as the number of users, selected features, and billing cycle. Recently, Microsoft has adjusted its plans and pricing for the following reasons:
- Microsoft 365 now includes tools like Copilot that support productivity and workflow automation.
- With rising risks such as data breaches and phishing, businesses require more advanced protection and compliance features.
- As demand for secure and remote access grows, OneDrive storage has been increased, which adds to infrastructure costs.
Save on Microsoft 365 Business Subscription Costs | Common Practices to Know
If you want to make your business plan budget-friendly, you need to choose the right plan, avail discounts, and share a subscription. Here are some practices you can consider:
- It is unnecessary to overpay for Microsoft 365 features and applications you don’t need. Microsoft 365 provides different business plans for all types of businesses, depending on their size. So, review the features and pick the one that fulfils your needs.
- Several times, Microsoft 365 provides their plans at discount rates, so look for promotions, especially during Black Friday, back-to-school sales, or seasonal discounts. You can also avail annual payment discounts or limited-time offers on Microsoft’s official website.
- If you don’t need all Microsoft 365 features, explore free alternatives like Google Workspace, LibreOffice, or Zoho for basic productivity needs. Only go for Microsoft 365 if its specific features (like Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams) are essential to your work.
Winding Up
Choosing the right Microsoft 365 business plan requires understanding your business needs, user count, and required security features. Comparing Office 365 plans and pricing helps enhance productivity without overspending.
Always check the latest MS Office 365 pricing on the official Microsoft site before subscribing. If you feel any confusion, get the help of IT experts.
After choosing the well-suited plan, if you need to migrate from the current environment to Microsoft 365, use the professional and effective Office 365 to Office 365 migration tool.
This automated tool not only helps to migrate from one Office 365 to another but also keeps all the data intact. If you’re looking to migrate from Office 365 to Office 365, then try out the free trial version now!!!
Frequently Asked Questions You Should Know
Microsoft 365 Business Premium has all Standard features plus advanced security tools like Microsoft Defender and Intune. Besides, Microsoft 365 Business Standard includes desktop, web apps, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, Planner, and Bookings.
No, Microsoft 365 Apps for Business only provides desktop Office apps and OneDrive storage, instead of Outlook or Teams.
Yes, Copilot can be added to all Microsoft 365 business plans for $30 per user per month as an additional service if you’re an existing user.
Microsoft 365 Business plans support up to 300 users. For more users, companies need Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans.
