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Best Microsoft 365 Plan for Word and Excel in a Small Business
Question details
The user wants to identify the most suitable Microsoft 365 subscription for a small business that specifically requires Microsoft Word and Excel desktop applications.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Evaluating and selecting software subscriptions for small business operations.
- Observed behavior
- Seeking the most cost-effective and feature-appropriate plan that includes dedicated desktop versions of Word and Excel.
Assess your small business requirements, including the number of employees, your need for professional business email, and whether you require offline desktop applications or just web-based tools.
Select Microsoft 365 Apps for Business
This is the most straightforward plan if your primary goal is securing the desktop versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without paying for extra communication services.
Microsoft 365 Apps for business provides the latest desktop applications of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for both Windows and Mac.
It does not include business email hosting (Exchange) or Microsoft Teams, making it highly cost-effective if you already have alternative communication tools in place for your company.
Navigate to the official Microsoft 365 Business plans comparison page to review feature sets.
Verify that 'Microsoft 365 Apps for business' includes the fully installed desktop versions of Word and Excel, not just the web versions.
Ensure the included 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user meets your business file-sharing and backup needs.
Opt for Microsoft 365 Business Standard for Full Services
Choose this plan if your small business also needs professional email and collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams alongside Word and Excel.
Save on Subscription Costs with WPS Office for Small Business
If your small business strictly needs robust word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations, Microsoft 365 subscriptions can be unnecessarily expensive. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Word and Excel that can drastically reduce your software overhead.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free version suited for your operating system.
- 2. Install on Workstations: Run the lightweight installer on your business computers. The installation takes only a few minutes.
- 3. Open Existing Files: Directly open your existing Microsoft Word and Excel files. WPS Office handles document formatting natively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy Word and Excel without a Microsoft 365 subscription?
Yes, Microsoft offers Office Home & Business as a one-time purchase, which includes classic desktop versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without ongoing subscription fees. However, this option does not include continuous feature updates or the 1 TB of cloud storage per user.
Does Microsoft 365 Business Basic include desktop versions of Word and Excel?
No, Microsoft 365 Business Basic only includes the web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You will need internet access to use them in a browser, and they lack some of the advanced features found in the full desktop applications.
What happens to Word and Excel if I stop paying my Microsoft 365 subscription?
If your subscription expires or is canceled, the desktop applications will enter a reduced functionality mode. You will be able to view and print your documents, but you will not be able to edit them or create new ones until you renew or switch to a free alternative like WPS Office.
Can small businesses mix and match different Microsoft 365 plans?
Yes, a single business can purchase a combination of different Microsoft 365 plans to suit various employee needs. For example, field workers could use Business Basic while office staff could be assigned Apps for business or Business Standard.
