Microsoft 365 Basic vs. Microsoft 365 Personal: Key Differences Explored
Pros, cons, and downright confusion many users have about the product formerly known as Microsoft Office
12/1/20232 min read
Microsoft 365, formerly known as Office 365, offers a range of subscription plans tailored to meet the needs of different users. Among these plans, the Microsoft 365 Basic Plan and the Microsoft 365 Personal Plan are popular choices for many individuals and small businesses. In this article, we will explore the significant differences between these two plans to help you make an informed decision based on your specific requirements.
1. User Limit and Licensing:
The most prominent difference between the Microsoft 365 Basic Plan and the Microsoft 365 Personal Plan lies in the number of users and licensing. The Basic Plan is designed for small businesses and allows up to 300 users, making it suitable for teams or companies with a moderate size. On the other hand, the Personal Plan is intended for just one individual with a single user license, making it ideal for personal use.
2. Applications and Features:
Both plans offer a set of essential productivity applications, but the included apps differ slightly. The Microsoft 365 Basic Plan primarily focuses on the core applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. These desktop applications provide the necessary tools for document creation, spreadsheet management, presentations, and email functionality.
In contrast, the Personal Plan includes all the applications that the Basic Plan offers, but it also incorporates additional features. The Personal Plan includes apps like OneNote and Access, enabling note-taking and database management, respectively. Furthermore, the Personal Plan provides access to Publisher, a desktop publishing software that allows users to create professional-quality publications.
3. Device Installation and Storage:
Another significant difference between the two plans lies in device installation and storage capacity. The Microsoft 365 Basic Plan supports installation on up to five computers (both Windows and Mac) and up to five mobile devices per user. This allows multiple users within a small business to access and install the applications on their respective devices.
In contrast, the personal plan allows installation on only one PC or Mac and one tablet or mobile device. This limitation makes it more suitable for individual users who primarily work on a single device.
Regarding storage, both plans provide 1TB of cloud storage through Microsoft's OneDrive. This storage allows users to securely store and access their files from anywhere.
4. Price and Subscription Options:
The pricing structure for the Microsoft 365 Basic Plan and the Microsoft 365 Personal Plan also differs. The Basic Plan is priced per user per month or on an annual subscription basis, making it more cost-effective for businesses with multiple users. On the other hand, the Personal Plan is designed for individual users and is available at a slightly lower price point.
Additionally, Microsoft often offers different subscription options, such as monthly or annual plans, allowing users to choose a payment method that suits their needs and budget.
Conclusion:
Selecting between the Microsoft 365 Basic Plan and the Microsoft 365 Personal Plan depends on the scale of usage, the number of users, and the specific applications and features required. The Basic Plan caters to small businesses, offering a comprehensive set of core applications with multi-user capabilities. Meanwhile, the Personal Plan targets individual users, providing the necessary applications along with additional features like OneNote, Access, and Publisher.
By considering your specific requirements and weighing the differences outlined above, you can make an informed decision about which plan best suits your needs, whether it be for personal use or a small business setting.