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Microsoft 365 is a subscription, Office 2024 is a perpetual licence. At KARINEX, Microsoft 365 Single costs €139.90 per year, while Office 2024 starts at €12.90 as a one-time purchase. The subscription brings 1 TB of OneDrive storage, Copilot and multiple devices; Office 2024 runs on one device, with security updates until October 2029.
Anyone who wants to buy Office today faces one crucial question: subscription or one-time purchase? Microsoft offers both paths – Microsoft 365 as an annual subscription and Office 2024 as the classic purchase version. Both include Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The difference lies in everything beyond that: cloud storage, updates, artificial intelligence, and how many devices and people you want to cover.
This comparison will help you decide in just a few minutes – no marketing, just clear figures and an honest recommendation for every type of user.
What is the difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 2024?
Microsoft 365 is a subscription. You pay annually or monthly and in return always get the latest version, ongoing feature and security updates, cloud storage and Copilot's AI features.
Office 2024 is a perpetual licence. You pay once and use the programs permanently on one device. New major versions are not included – anyone who wants to move to the successor later has to buy it separately. Office 2024 receives security updates as standard until October 2029.
The simple rule of thumb: Microsoft 365 is a service. Office 2024 is a product.
What does Microsoft 365 offer?
Microsoft 365 is aimed at anyone who wants more than just the pure Office programs:
- Always up to date – new features and security updates at no extra cost
- 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, each with 1 TB of storage
For households with several users, this significantly reduces the cost per person.
What does Office 2024 offer?
Office 2024 is the right choice for anyone who wants to pay once and work with peace of mind:
- One-time purchase, no ongoing costs
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote – Outlook only in the Home & Business edition
- Use on one PC or Mac
- No cloud storage, no Copilot, no new major versions
- Security updates until October 2029
Anyone who already works locally, 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.
How do Microsoft 365 and Office 2024 compare directly?
| Criterion | Microsoft 365 | Office 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Subscription (annual) | One-time purchase |
| Apps | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and more | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (Outlook only in Home & Business) |
| New versions | always included | not included |
| Cloud storage | 1 TB per person | – |
| Copilot AI | yes | no |
| Devices | multiple (PC, Mac, mobile) | one PC or Mac |
| People | 1 (Single) or up to 6 (Family) | 1 |
| Updates | ongoing | security updates until October 2029 |
What does each option cost?
Approximate values based on Microsoft's RRP, as of 2026. Prices may vary depending on the retailer and time.
| Product | Price | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| 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 terms of cost, Office 2024 Home becomes cheaper than a Microsoft 365 Single subscription after about a year and a half – provided you only look at the purchase price. Cloud storage, multiple devices and ongoing updates are 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 – check alternatives.
Which variant suits you?
You work alone on one computer, using Word and Excel in the classic way.
→ Office 2024 Home. Pay once and you're 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 commercial use.
You work across multiple devices and 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 want to equip an entire family or several people.
→ Microsoft 365 Family. Up to six people, each with 1 TB of storage – 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 only available as a subscription. Anyone who wants to pay once should choose Office 2024.
Does Office 2024 also run on 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. To move to a future version, you need to purchase it again.
Is Outlook included?
With Microsoft 365, yes. With Office 2024 only in the Home & Business edition, not in Home.
Conclusion: Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 – which is worth it for you?
There is no licence that is generally "better" – there is only the one that suits the way you work. Anyone who wants to work mobile, connected and always up to date is well served by Microsoft 365. Anyone who works the classic way on one device and wants to pay once is better off with Office 2024.
You can find a current overview of all available Office licences in the KARINEX software range. If you have any questions about the right licence for your needs, we're happy to advise you.
