Microsoft has officially launched Office 2024, a one-time purchase option for consumers who prefer owning their software outright instead of opting for the subscription-based Microsoft 365.
Available at a starting price of $149.99, Office 2024 caters to both personal and business users, but is it really exciting enough to warrant the price?
Features of Microsoft Office 2024
The Office Home 2024 edition comes with core applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, which are staples for productivity.
This version is priced at $149.99 and is compatible with one PC or Mac.
If you’re a business user, or if you want access to Outlook, you can opt for the Office Home & Business 2024 edition, which also includes commercial use rights, for an additional $100.
Despite the push toward cloud-based subscriptions like Microsoft 365, Office 2024 is being offered as a perpetual license, meaning you pay once and own the software for life.
This appeals to a specific segment of users who prefer having full ownership of their software rather than paying recurring fees.
However, Office 2024 still requires a Microsoft account and internet access for installation and activation, though most of its features will work offline once set up.
What’s New in Microsoft Office 2024?
If you were expecting major upgrades or groundbreaking features in Office 2024, you might be left feeling underwhelmed. The latest version brings minor improvements rather than game-changing innovations.
It incorporates the Fluent design theme, which aligns with Microsoft’s recent design language across Windows and other software, making the interface look sleek and modern.
Additionally, Office 2024 has focused on accessibility improvements, making it easier for all users to interact with the software. It also supports the OpenDocument Format (ODF) 1.4, a popular file format used in open-source software.
One of the most notable updates is the inclusion of live camera feeds in PowerPoint presentations, which allows users to integrate real-time video into their slides—a handy feature for virtual presentations and meetings.
What You Don’t Get with Office 2024
While Office 2024 does include key productivity tools, users will miss out on several features available exclusively through Microsoft 365. Notably, Microsoft Teams, the popular collaboration platform, is not bundled with Office 2024.
Additionally, you won’t get access to cloud storage, such as OneDrive, which is included in the subscription-based Microsoft 365.
These missing features highlight Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to encourage users to switch to cloud-based subscriptions.
For businesses or individuals that rely on seamless collaboration, access to Teams, and cloud storage, Microsoft 365 may still be the better option.
Compatibility and Business Solutions
Interestingly, Office 2024 supports both Windows 10 and Windows 11, which is a relief for users who have yet to upgrade to Microsoft’s latest operating system.
Despite Microsoft’s efforts to drive adoption of Windows 11, a majority of users are still running Windows 10—as of August 2024, around 64% of all Windows users were still on the older OS, while Windows 11 only accounted for around 32% of installations.
For businesses, Microsoft also offers Office Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) 2024, designed for organizations with five or more users.
This version allows companies to deploy Office alongside Microsoft 365 while using simple management tools for hybrid environments.
The LTSC version is ideal for businesses that need to manage both cloud-based and on-premise software simultaneously.
Is Microsoft Office 2024 the Right Choice for You?
If you’re a casual user who needs basic productivity tools and prefers to make a one-time payment rather than commit to a subscription, Microsoft Office 2024 might be a good option.
It offers the essential applications most people need for work, school, or personal projects. However, it lacks some of the cloud-centric features that are increasingly becoming the standard in today’s connected world.
For users and businesses who need access to Microsoft Teams, cloud storage, and other collaboration tools, Microsoft 365 may still be the better investment.
With Office 2024, Microsoft is trying to cater to those who still prefer offline, one-time purchases, but the reality is that the industry is increasingly moving toward cloud-based solutions.
Ultimately, whether Office 2024 is the right choice depends on your specific needs. If you value ownership and offline functionality, it could be worth the price. However, if you need advanced collaboration features, Microsoft 365 may offer better value.
