License & Subscription Issues

How to Check If You Have Microsoft 365 Business E3 or E5

Maira Mehtab Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users and administrators need to verify which Microsoft 365 subscription tier, such as Business E3 or E5, is currently assigned to a specific account.

How to Check Your Microsoft 365 Business E3 or E5 License Status

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Verifying the active Microsoft 365 license tier to understand available applications, security features, and service quotas.
Observed behavior: The user or administrator wants to locate the specific subscription details in the Microsoft 365 web portal or the admin center.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft 365 account credentials ready. If you are trying to check the licenses of other employees in your organization, you must have administrative privileges.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Your Own Microsoft 365 License via Outlook on the Web

Follow these steps if you are a standard user wanting to check your own personal subscription tier and app access.

Every Microsoft 365 user has access to a personal account portal where their assigned licenses and available applications are listed.

Open Outlook on the web

Navigate to https://outlook.office.com in your web browser and sign in with your work or school Microsoft 365 credentials.

Access your profile

Click on your profile picture or initials located in the top right corner of the Outlook interface.

Go to your account settings

Select 'View account' from the drop-down menu to open your Microsoft account portal.

View Subscriptions

In the left-hand navigation pane, click on 'Subscriptions'. Here you will see the exact subscription name (like Microsoft 365 Business E3 or E5) assigned to your account.

Check Your Own Microsoft 365 License via Outlook on the Web

Included Applications: The Subscriptions page will also list all the specific applications and services (such as SharePoint, Teams, or Planner) included in your current license tier.

Solution 2

Check User Licenses via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Use this method if you are an IT administrator who needs to verify the license assigned to any user within your organization.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a cost-effective alternative to Microsoft 365 E3 or E5?

Microsoft 365 enterprise licenses can be expensive. If you or your team primarily need powerful word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software without the hefty subscription fees, WPS Office is an excellent free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux, or mobile).
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software in minutes.
3. Open and edit files directly: Launch WPS Office to immediately start creating new documents or editing your existing Microsoft Office files for free.

Completely free to download and use for core office tasks, avoiding expensive enterprise subscriptions.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats, ensuring seamless editing of .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files.Familiar user interface that requires zero learning curve for users switching from Microsoft Office.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on older or lower-spec devices.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference between Microsoft 365 Business E3 and E5?

Microsoft 365 E5 includes all the features found in E3, but adds advanced security, compliance, and voice capabilities. This includes tools like Microsoft Defender, advanced data governance, and Audio Conferencing.

Can I check my license if I don't use Outlook on the web?

Yes. You can log directly into your Microsoft account portal by visiting myaccount.microsoft.com. From there, navigate to the 'Subscriptions' section to view your assigned licenses without needing to open Outlook.

Why can't I see the 'Active users' section in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center?

If you cannot see the 'Active users' section, your account most likely lacks the necessary administrative privileges. Only users with specific admin roles (such as Global or User Admin) can view and manage licenses for other users.

Does WPS Office require an enterprise subscription like Microsoft 365?

No, WPS Office offers a robust free version for standard office tasks. While there is a premium tier for advanced PDF editing and extra cloud storage, the core word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation tools are entirely free to use.

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