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Guide to Use Microsoft Office 2021 & 365 for Mac [2024 Updated]

February 1, 2024 1.3K views

Millions of people worldwide use Microsoft Office. It is one of the most popular and efficient platforms to get things done for professional and personal use. Microsoft Office for Mac can be an expensive need, whether in the form of an MS 365 subscription or Office 2021.

Hence, you need to give a lot of consideration to which option to buy and why it should be your best choice. This article provides you with an idea as to what your options will look like on Mac and which better options are out there.

Microsoft 365 for Mac

Microsoft 365 is a productivity cloud that can help you express your productivity through the right channels. It offers you apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to be used on your iMac, MacBook, and Mac.

Microsoft 365 is available for its users in 2 options.

  • Microsoft 365 Personal

Microsoft 365 Personal is limited to the use of one person. You can use one Microsoft 365 personal account on up to 5 devices simultaneously. It is adaptable with all Mac devices and offers up to 1 TB of storage.

  • Microsoft 365 Family

Microsoft 365 family is ideal for professional environments. It can be shared by six people at a time, and each person can access it on five devices at one time. It also offers 1 TB per person (6 TB total) and is compatible with all Mac devices.

Intro.

Microsoft 365 is an ideal cloud-powered platform that is ideal for people with productivity needs. A single subscription can get you access to productivity apps such as Microsoft Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and so much more.

These tools can help you share, collaborate, and create content for your personal and professional use. Microsoft 365 is being used by millions of users worldwide hence making it easily sharable.

Features

A cloud-powered productivity platform is the most basic need of any person nowadays. However, you cannot trust every product or service you meet on the way as a choice for Microsoft Office for your Mac. Here are some important features of Microsoft 365 that you must understand.

  • Microsoft 365 comes with a mix of productivity apps such as Excel, OneDrive, Word, Teams, and so much more

  • It can be installed on any version of Mac, Android, PC, and much more.

  • Microsoft 365 offers 1 TB of storage for Microsoft 365 Personal accounts and 6 GB of storage for Microsoft 365 Family Accounts.

  • It can be actively used on up to 5 devices at a time.

Pros

There are more than one reasons why people use Microsoft 365 for their professional and personal use. There is an incontestable number of benefits to using this platform. These are the important things to consider.

  • Easy Access to Your Files

Microsoft 365 allows you to access your files on five devices at a time. Hence, you can ensure that nothing ever comes in the way of your productivity.

  • Secure Storage

Microsoft 365 is an ideal platform for people who take data security seriously. It has robust security measures in place to ensure that any security threats are identified and stopped immediately.

  • Better Communication

Skype and Outlook are the primary communication platforms that come with Microsoft 365 to ensure that you are always in touch with people.

  • Limited Expenses

Using the services and products of Microsoft 365 is not much different than buying a subscription. You must make the payment only once a month, and you are good to go.

  • Hassle-free Updates

All essential apps such as Word, Excel, OneDrive, and much more are updated automatically. You do not need to install different software to update each feature separately.

Cons

Although Microsoft 365 is widely used worldwide, it does not mean that there are no cons to it. Here are some cons of Microsoft 365 that you must consider.  

  • Subscription Costs

Many people are used to paying one-time costs. It is not for everyone to keep up with their subscriptions. Since these subscriptions are registered with a card, it can become hard to keep track of subscriptions when you no longer need the service.

  • Custom Software Issues

People and businesses using custom software in-house can have some problems regarding using Microsoft 365. New updates can give a lot of quality and integration issues to the users.

Price

Microsoft 365 Personal Subscriptions can cost $69.99/year or $6.99/month. You can also enjoy a month-long free trial.

Microsoft 365 Family Subscriptions can cost $99.99/ year and $9.99/month. This plan also comes with a one-month free trial option.

When to Choose

Microsoft 365 is ideal for streamlining processes for businesses, enterprises, schools, education, and much more. It can also help individuals make their life more productive and streamline their creative processes.

How to Download Microsoft 365 for Mac

While Microsoft may not be a default part of Mac, it decides they are relatively easy to install. Here is a step-by-step guide that can help you.

  • Go to the Microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/mac/microsoft-365-for-mac

Microsoft-365 pointing to the website link
  • Select your motivation for the purchase

Microsoft-365 choices between different types of account
  • Select a Plan

Microsoft-365 payment plans
  • Press “Buy Now” on the chosen option

Microsoft-365 set up page
  • Add Your Credentials

  • Sign in to Your Account

  • Enter the Product Key

Microsoft-365 product key sample page
  • Click Install Now

Office 2021 for Mac

Office 2021 is one of the most trusted versions of Microsoft Office for Mac. It is used widely by people everywhere with creative and productive needs. The best part is the experience of Microsoft Office for Mac does not bear confusing changes. Instead, it has been appreciated for its low learning curve.

Of course, it has also gained popularity because of new inking tools, data types, functions, translations, editing tools, and much more.

Intro.

Unlike Microsoft 365, Office 2021 is a one-time purchase for customers. It offers apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and much more for Windows and PC. However, there may be some services of Microsoft 265 that may not be included in this ordeal.

Features

There are many significant features that set Office 2021 apart from all the previous versions. Firstly, there is a new presentation recording feature for Microsoft PowerPoint, new functions in Excel, and a translation function in Google,

In addition, the users can also benefit from intelligence to help them seek documents, excerpts, and commands. Of course, you do not want to miss out on the updated ribbon interface and the color palate.

Pros

Microsoft Office for Mac and Windows is one of the most commonly used platforms for communication and productivity. Of course, it is the first choice of many people owing to various factors, including these.

  • Lifetime Licensing

Unlike Microsoft 365, MS Office 365 is a one-time purchase providing you with lifetime licensing. Hence, you can use it as long as you want without worrying about any ongoing subscription fees.

  • Last Chance for Life

Like many other platforms, Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac and Windows is shifting its focus towards a subscription-based approach. It is anticipated that Office 2021 might be the last in that string. Therefore, purchasing it today can be beneficial in the long run.

  • Meet Every Need

Applications such as OneNote, Outlook, Word, and Excel are Ideal for meeting the everyday needs of the users. Once you have the subscription, you will not have to worry about purchasing any management facility alone.

Cons

Although Office 2021 is used worldwide, it does not mean that you have to rely on others to get influenced. There are some downsides to Office 2021 that you may want to keep in mind before proceeding.

  • Intrusive Automatic Features

Many users of Microsoft Office 2021 have reported that some automatic features of the system can be frustrating and can delay the valid processes.

  • No Future Updates

Since buying Office 2021 is a one-time ordeal, there is no use in expecting any updates. The updates may be available only if you buy a new suite.

  • Confusing Features

Many people using Office 2021 agree that even after months of use, some features remain to be hard to find for them. This problem has led to frustration in many people and organizations.

Price

MS Office 2021 is a one-time purchase. Hence, you can expect it to be a bit more costly than the monthly subscriptions of Microsoft 365. The one-time purchase of Office 2021 costs $159.99.

When to Choose

If you need your productive and creative needs met for years ahead, Office 2021 is an ideal option. This facility can be purchased with a one-time payment and does not need a high-speed internet connection to work consistently.

How to Download Office 2021

Millions of people download and use Office 2021 on a daily basis. As easy to use as it is, Office 2021 is also easy to download. Here are a few effective steps that can help you download your Office 2021 effectively.

Microsoft Office sign up page
  • Sign in to your Microsoft Account

Microsoft Office Sign in Menu
  • Click “Install’’ on the homepage

Microsoft Office Sign in Menu
  • Click “I have a Key” in the drop-down menu and enter it

Microsoft Office 2021 inquiring about the Product Key
  • Add your Product Key

Microsoft Office Product Key Sample
  • Choose your preferred language from the pop-up box and click install

  • Wait for the download and then run the .exe file

Microsoft office setup .exe file
  • Click the “close” button when a successful signifier pops up

Office 2021 setup close button

Differences between Microsoft 365 & Office 2021

Any smart buyer wants to make sure that they make the best decisions from the available options. The best way to make the best choices is to compare all the options side by side.


                                     Microsoft 365

       Office 2021

       Cost

Monthly/Annual Subscription

One Time Payment

    Features

Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, SharePoint, OneDrive, Publisher, Exchange, Access, Yammer, Stream, Sway, Planner, Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, My Analytics, To-Do, and Teams

Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Teams

    Updates

Feature Updates, Quality Checks, and Other Big Updates

No Further Updates are Expected till 2026

 Accessibility

All editing Features are Available on any device

Only viewing features on tablets and phones

Should I get Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 for Mac?

There are many features in Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 that can make a potential buyer confused. After all, there are many options to consider among the competitors. While there are many other concerns to worry about, you may agree that price is one of the bigger concerns.

Whether you choose Microsoft 365 or Office 2021, you will have to pay a monthly/yearly subscription or a one-time subscription. In such circumstances, it is best to look for free and reliable options, such as the WPS office.

WPS Office is an ideal alternative to Microsoft Office for Mac or Windows. The best part is that it is free to download and user-friendly.

Best Alternative to Microsoft Office for Mac - WPS Office

WPS Office is an ideal alternative to Microsoft Office for Mac or Windows. The best part is that it is free to download and user-friendly.

Introduction

WPS Office Software has more than 1.2 billion installations worldwide. There are many reasons for this choice among so many people, including its cost-effectiveness and compatibility with other Microsoft Office for Mac and Windows.

1. Functions

Here are some amazing features of WPS Office that you must consider.

  • You can access WPS freely on any device

  • WPS Office is beginner-friendly

  • You can streamline your productivity and creativity

2. Compatibility

People who consider Microsoft Office for Mac often face a set of challenges that can be hard to conquer. However, WPS Office is compatible with Linux, iOS, Android, and all Windows versions.

Here is how easily you can edit and save Microsoft files with WPS.

  • Open WPS Office and go to the “Open” tab

WPS home pointing at the Open Tab
  • Select the desired file

WPS home recent file menu
  • Edit as per your preference

  • Save File as you like

WPS save as menu

Price

WPS Office is free to use for all users.

Pros

There are more than one reasons why millions of people worldwide are using WPS. Here are some undeniable benefits of using WPS Office for daily use.

  • Free of Cost

  • Ad-free Experience

  • Hassle-free use Online

  • User-Friendly

  • Easy Learning Curve

Trustpilot

stars

4.8
WPS Office- Free All-in-One Office Suite
  • Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

  • Edit PDF files with the powerful PDF toolkit.

  • Microsoft-like interface. Easy to learn. 100% Compatibility.

  • Boost your productivity with WPS's abundant free Word, Excel, PPT, and CV templates.

5,820,008 User

avator

Algirdas Jasaitis

FAQs

If you have used Microsoft Office for Mac or Windows, it can be hard to make a switch to other options. In such circumstances, answers to some frequently asked questions can help.

Is Microsoft Office Free on Mac?

Unfortunately, there is no free option for Microsoft Office for Mac users. However, you can get creative with your ways and start using Outlook for free. However, you may not be able to enjoy the other features of Microsoft Office Suite.

How do I activate Office on my Mac?

It can be a bit tricky to activate Microsoft Office for Mac. However, you can follow the following steps to activate Office on your Mac.

  • Open Your Finder

MacBook Finder Option
  • Go to Applications and scroll down to Microsoft Office apps

  • Open any Office app (Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

MacBook home pointing at Microsoft Word
  • Select “get started.”

  • Sign in on “active office screen” to sign in

MacBook home pointing at Microsoft Word

Use WPS as an Ideal Alternative to Microsoft Office for Mac

This article discusses in detail using Microsoft Office, whether Microsoft 365 or Office 2021. While both of these options have their utilities and benefits, you can have the best services for free.

Millions of people worldwide are already using WPS to ease tedious tasks and boost productivity in their personal and professional life. It is an ideal place to create presentations, documents, spreadsheets, and so much more on the go.

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.