Anyone looking to buy Office today faces one single, decisive question: subscription or one-time purchase? Microsoft offers both routes – Microsoft 365 as an annual subscription and Office 2024 as the classic perpetual version. Both include Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The difference lies in everything beyond that: cloud, updates, artificial intelligence, and the question of how many devices and people you want to equip.
This comparison will help you decide in just a few minutes – no marketing, just clear numbers and an honest recommendation for every type of user.
The fundamental difference: subscription or one-time purchase
Microsoft 365 is a subscription. You pay annually or monthly and always receive the latest version, ongoing feature and security updates, cloud storage, and the AI features of Copilot.
Office 2024 is a perpetual licence. You pay once and use the programs permanently on one device. New major versions are not included – anyone wanting to switch to a successor later purchases it again. Office 2024 receives regular security updates until October 2029.
The simple rule of thumb: Microsoft 365 is a service. Office 2024 is a product.
Microsoft 365: the complete package
Microsoft 365 is aimed at everyone who wants more than just the bare Office programs:
- Always up to date – new features and security updates at no extra charge
- 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per person
- Copilot AI in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Multiple devices – PC, Mac, tablet and smartphone
- Two variants: Single for one person, Family for up to six people with 1 TB of storage each
For households with several users, the cost per person drops considerably as a result.
Office 2024: the classic perpetual version
Office 2024 is the right choice for everyone who wants to pay once and work in peace:
- One-time purchase, no recurring costs
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote – Outlook only in the Home & Business variant
- Use on one PC or Mac
- No cloud storage, no Copilot, no new major versions
- Security updates until October 2029
Anyone who works locally anyway, doesn't use OneDrive and doesn't need AI features gets exactly what they need with Office 2024 – without a subscription running in the background.
The direct comparison
| Criterion | Microsoft 365 | Office 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Subscription (annual) | One-time purchase |
| Apps | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and more | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (Outlook only Home & Business) |
| New versions | always included | not included |
| Cloud storage | 1 TB per person | – |
| Copilot AI | yes | no |
| Devices | several (PC, Mac, mobile) | one PC or Mac |
| People | 1 (Single) or up to 6 (Family) | 1 |
| Updates | ongoing | security updates until October 2029 |
What costs what?
Guide prices based on Microsoft RRP, as of 2026. Deviations possible depending on provider and timing.
| Product | Price | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Single | approx. €99 / year | one person, multiple devices |
| Microsoft 365 Family | approx. €129 / year | up to six people |
| Office 2024 Home | approx. €149 one-time | one person, without Outlook |
| Office 2024 Home & Business | approx. €249 one-time | with Outlook, usable commercially |
Purely in arithmetic terms, Office 2024 Home is cheaper than a Microsoft 365 Single subscription after about a year and a half – provided you look solely at the purchase price. Cloud storage, multiple devices and ongoing updates are, however, not included in this calculation.
Note on the 2026 price increase: The price adjustment announced for 1 July 2026 primarily affects the Business and Enterprise subscriptions. You can read what this means for companies in our article Microsoft 365 Price Increase 2026 – Checking Alternatives.
Which variant suits you?
You work alone on one computer, classically with Word and Excel.
→ Office 2024 Home. Pay once, done. If you don't need Outlook, this is the most economical option.
You use Outlook and work commercially – as a freelancer or in a small office.
→ Office 2024 Home & Business. Includes Outlook and is licensed for business use.
You work on multiple devices, want cloud storage and always the latest version.
→ Microsoft 365 Single. The convenience of the subscription pays off as soon as you actually use OneDrive, Copilot or multiple devices.
You are equipping an entire family or several people.
→ Microsoft 365 Family. Up to six people, 1 TB of storage each – the cheapest solution per head.
The honest short version: don't choose the package with the most features, but the one with the features you actually use.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Office 365 as a one-time purchase?
No. Office 365 was renamed Microsoft 365 in 2020 and is available only as a subscription. Anyone wanting to pay once chooses Office 2024.
Does Office 2024 also run on the Mac?
Yes. Both Microsoft 365 and Office 2024 can be installed on PC and Mac.
Do I get new features with Office 2024?
You receive security updates, but no new major versions. Moving up to a future version requires a new purchase.
Is Outlook included?
With Microsoft 365, yes. With Office 2024, only in the Home & Business variant, not in Home.
Conclusion
There is no universally "better" licence – there is only the one that suits your way of working. Anyone who wants to work mobile, connected and always up to date is right with Microsoft 365. Anyone who works classically on a single device and wants to pay once is better off with Office 2024.
You will find a current overview of all available Office licences in the KARINEX software range. If you have questions about the right licence for your intended use, we will be glad to advise you.
