License & Subscription Issues

Is Office Professional Plus 2021 Available Through the Microsoft Home Use Program?

Steve KSteve K Nov 4, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is inquiring whether Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 can be purchased as a perpetual license through the Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP).

Is Office Professional Plus 2021 Available Through the Microsoft Home Use Program?
Product
Microsoft Office
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
An employee is seeking to purchase a discounted Office license for personal use through their employer's benefits program.
Observed behavior
The user wants to buy a one-time perpetual Office 2021 license but needs to know if the Home Use Program still supports this specific offering.
Before you start

Before proceeding, check with your employer's HR department or benefits portal to confirm if your company is currently actively enrolled in the Microsoft Home Use Program.

Solution 1Recommended

Understand the Current Microsoft Home Use Program Offerings

Microsoft no longer offers perpetual licenses like Office Professional Plus 2021 through HUP. The program has transitioned to subscription-based discounts.

The Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP) was updated to focus entirely on subscription services. As a result, perpetual licenses, including Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021, are no longer available for purchase through this program.

Instead of a one-time software purchase, eligible employees now generally receive a 30% discount on annual subscriptions for Microsoft 365 Personal or Microsoft 365 Family.

1
Verify Employee Eligibility

Visit the official Microsoft Home Use Program website and enter your corporate email address to check if you qualify for the program discount.

2
Review Subscription Options

Once verified, log in with your personal Microsoft account to view the available Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription plans at the 30% discounted rate.

3
Complete the Subscription Purchase

Follow the checkout prompts to purchase your Microsoft 365 subscription and download the applications to your personal devices.

Understand the Current Microsoft Home Use Program Offerings
Discount Continuity: The 30% discount applies to your Microsoft 365 subscription renewals indefinitely, as long as you maintain recurring billing.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Free Alternative to Office Professional Plus 2021?

If you were hoping to get a one-time perpetual license without paying for a pricey Microsoft 365 subscription, WPS Office is an excellent alternative. It offers a free, lightweight, and fully featured office suite with high compatibility for all your document needs.

  1. 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the 'Free Download' button to get the latest version.
  2. 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
  3. 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open any existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files with perfect formatting retention.
Completely free to download and use for essential word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation tasks.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight software that installs quickly and runs smoothly without consuming high system resources.Familiar user interface, ensuring a seamless transition from Microsoft Office without a learning curve.
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my previously purchased HUP perpetual license?

Yes. If you previously purchased a perpetual license like Office Professional Plus 2019 or earlier through the Home Use Program, you can continue to use it. However, you cannot upgrade it to a newer perpetual version through the program.

What happens to my Microsoft 365 HUP discount if I leave the company?

If you leave your company, you can continue to access your Microsoft 365 subscription at the discounted rate as long as you keep your recurring billing active.

Is the 30% HUP discount applicable to standalone Microsoft Office 2021 versions?

No, the current Home Use Program discount only applies to Microsoft 365 Personal and Microsoft 365 Family annual subscriptions. Standalone Office 2021 products are excluded from this discount.

Can I buy Microsoft Visio or Project through the Home Use Program?

Currently, Microsoft Visio Professional and Project Professional are sometimes offered under specific employer agreements. You must log into your unique HUP portal to see if your company's benefits include these specific perpetual licenses.