Not all Microsoft 365 is the same
Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook are included in every Microsoft 365 licence. What sets the editions apart is not the software itself, but who uses it, how many people it is intended for and which collaboration and AI features come with it. In just a few minutes, this comparison will guide you to the right choice between Single, Family and Business Standard.
All three editions share the full-featured Office apps for installation on PC and Mac, 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per person, as well as ongoing security and feature updates. All three are annual subscriptions, not a one-off purchase.
The three editions compared side by side
| Feature | Single | Family | Business Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intended for | a single individual | households, up to 6 people | businesses and the self-employed |
| People | 1 | up to 6 | per user (up to 300) |
| Devices at the same time | up to 5 | up to 5 per person | up to 5 per user |
| Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) | ✓ Desktop | ✓ Desktop | ✓ Desktop and Web |
| OneDrive storage | 1 TB | 1 TB per person | 1 TB per user |
| Copilot AI in the apps | ✓ for the using person | only for the subscription owner | as a separate option |
| Microsoft Teams (business) | – | – | ✓ |
| Business email with your own domain | – | – | ✓ (Exchange) |
| Central management and SharePoint | – | – | ✓ |
| Billing | annual subscription | annual subscription | subscription per user |
Microsoft 365 Single – for individual users
The Single edition (previously referred to by Microsoft as Personal) is tailored to one person. You get all the Office apps, 1 TB of OneDrive and the Copilot AI directly in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook – with a monthly AI allowance for the AI-powered features. You can sign in and use the subscription on up to five devices at the same time, whether PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone.
Ideal if: you use Microsoft 365 on your own for personal purposes and value the Office apps together with Copilot AI and cloud storage.
Microsoft 365 Family – for households of up to six people
Family covers up to six people, each with their own account. Every person gets the full Office apps and 1 TB of their own OneDrive storage – so up to 6 TB of cloud in total. Added to this is Microsoft Family Safety for managing screen time and location within the family.
Important note on Copilot AI: The Copilot features in the Office apps are available only to the subscription owner. The other up to five people use the Office apps and cloud storage to their full extent, but without integrated Copilot AI. Anyone who needs AI for several people should bear this in mind when choosing.
Ideal if: several people in one household use Microsoft 365 – cheaper and clearer than several individual subscriptions.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard – for businesses and the self-employed
Business Standard is the edition for business use. It is licensed per user (in organisations up to 300 users) and, beyond the Office apps, brings the tools for professional collaboration:
- Microsoft Teams for meetings, chat and calling
- Business email via Exchange with your own domain (e.g. name@your-company.com)
- SharePoint for shared team sites and file storage
- Central management of users and licences via the Admin Center
- Desktop and web versions of the Office apps as well as further business apps
Copilot AI is not included in the classic Business Standard package to the same extent as in the consumer plans; for AI in the enterprise, Microsoft offers Copilot as a separate business option.
Ideal if: you run a business or are self-employed and need business email with your own domain, Teams and central management.
→ View Microsoft 365 Business Standard
Single or Family – when is which worth it?
The rule of thumb is simple: If only one person uses the subscription, Single is the right choice. As soon as two or more people use Microsoft 365, Family is usually the better decision – one licence for up to six people is cheaper than several individual subscriptions, and each person gets their own 1 TB of storage.
Keep in mind the Copilot note from above: if several people need the AI features directly in the Office apps, Family does not cover that – Copilot integration remains reserved for the subscription owner.
Personal or business – the most important decision
The key decision is not Single versus Family, but personal versus business. Single and Family are intended for personal use. Business Standard is designed for business use and offers what matters in everyday working life: email with your own domain, Teams and central management.
For businesses, this is also a question of correct licensing: the consumer plans are not intended for business use. Anyone using Microsoft 365 professionally is properly set up with a business licence.
Subscription or one-off purchase? Microsoft 365 or Office 2024
All three editions are subscriptions: you pay annually and in return always receive the latest version, cloud storage and – in the consumer plans – Copilot AI. For anyone who prefers to buy once and keep using the same version permanently, the purchase version Office 2024 is the alternative – without a cloud subscription and without ongoing costs, but also without Copilot and without automatic version changes.
We have compared the differences in detail here: Office 2024 vs. Office 365 – which is better?
Our recommendation at a glance
- One person, personal → Microsoft 365 Single
- Household of 2 to 6 people → Microsoft 365 Family
- Business or self-employed → Microsoft 365 Business Standard
You will find all three editions bundled together in our collection Microsoft 365 Subscription.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Single and Family?
Single is for one person, Family for up to six people, each with their own account and their own 1 TB of storage. As soon as more than one person uses Microsoft 365, Family is usually cheaper.
Is Copilot included in all plans?
In Single, the Copilot AI is included for the using person. In Family it is available only to the subscription owner, not the other people. In the classic Business Standard, Copilot is not included to the same extent; Microsoft offers Copilot for businesses as a separate option.
Can I use Microsoft 365 Family for business?
The consumer plans Single and Family are intended for personal use. For business use – for example with email via your own domain – Business Standard is the right choice.
Do I need my own domain for Business Standard?
A business email address with your company name (name@your-company.com) requires your own domain. Office apps, Teams and cloud storage can also be used without your own domain.
Is it a subscription or a one-off purchase?
All three editions are annual subscriptions. If you prefer a one-off purchase version, Office 2024 is the alternative.
How quickly do I receive my access after purchase?
At Karinex you receive your licence or access immediately by email after purchase – including an invoice with VAT shown separately.
