Microsoft 365 vs Office 2021: Which One Saves You More Money in the Long Run?
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What’s the Real Difference Between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021?
At first glance, Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 might seem similar. But they’re built on different models:
- Microsoft 365: Subscription-based (monthly or yearly)
- Office 2021: One-time purchase with lifetime license
Both include core apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, but the way you pay and access features is where things differ.
Price Comparison Over 3 Years
| Version | Cost (3 years) | Payment Type | Apps Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office 2021 Pro Plus (via LicenGold) | $19.99 (one-time) | Lifetime | Full Office suite |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | ~$210 | $69.99/year | Full Office suite + 1TB OneDrive |
| Microsoft 365 Family (6 users) | ~$300 | $99.99/year | Office suite + cloud for each user |
Verdict: If you don’t need extra cloud storage or constant updates, Office 2021 is significantly cheaper.
Who Should Choose Office 2021?
- Users who prefer a one-time payment
- Students, freelancers, small business owners
- Those who don’t need cloud collaboration or online-only features
- Anyone wanting full offline access to Office apps
Who Should Choose Microsoft 365?
- Users who want cloud syncing and real-time collaboration
- Large families or teams needing multi-device support
- People who like having the latest features immediately
- Those who use OneDrive cloud storage heavily
Feature Comparison Summary
| Feature | Microsoft 365 | Office 2021 |
| Price | Subscription | One-time purchase |
| Updates | Regular (latest features) | Only security patches |
| Cloud Storage | 1TB OneDrive | None |
| Collaboration | Real-time w/ Teams | Manual sharing |
| Device Access | Multi-device | Tied to 1 PC (Retail/OEM) |
Final Thoughts – Which Is the Smarter Buy in 2025?
For most users, especially those looking to save money and don’t rely on cloud features, Office 2021 Pro Plus from LicenGold is the better long-term value.
However, if you love cloud storage, always want the newest features, and collaborate online daily, Microsoft 365 could be worth the investment.
Whatever your choice, LicenGold offers genuine keys for both — with instant delivery and full support.