Is There an Upgrade Discount from Office 2019 to Office 2021?
Question details
Users want to know if there is a discounted pricing option available when upgrading from a perpetual Office 2019 license to a new Office 2021 license.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user currently owns Microsoft Office 2019 and is considering moving to the standalone version of Office 2021, seeking a lower upgrade price.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs clarity on Microsoft's upgrade pricing policies because standalone licenses typically require purchasing at full retail price.
Before deciding to purchase a new software license, verify your current Office 2019 version and review whether the newly added features in Office 2021 justify paying the full retail cost.
Understanding Microsoft's Upgrade Policy for Office 2021
Microsoft requires a full-price purchase for standalone versions, offering no upgrade discounts from Office 2019 to Office 2021.
Microsoft generally does not offer upgrade discounts for users moving from Office 2019 to Office 2021. Unlike subscription-based models like Microsoft 365 where updates are continuous and included, standalone (perpetual) versions require a completely new purchase.
If you want the newest standalone features, you will need to buy Office 2021 at the applicable full retail price.
Visit the official Microsoft Store website to view the current full retail price for Office Home & Student 2021 or Office Professional 2021.
Consider if a Microsoft 365 subscription is a better fit for your needs, as it provides continuous feature updates rather than a one-time static purchase.
Upgrade to WPS Office for Free Instead of Paying Full Price
Why pay full price for an Office 2021 license when you can get a powerful, highly compatible office suite for free? WPS Office provides excellent Microsoft Office format compatibility, a familiar user interface, and all the essential tools you need without the hefty price tag.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installation package and install it on your PC or Mac.
- 2. Open your Existing Files: Double-click your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents to instantly open them in WPS Office without losing any of your formatting.
- 3. Enjoy Free Updates: Benefit from continuous software updates and new productivity features without ever worrying about future version upgrade fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Office 2019 still be supported if I don't upgrade to Office 2021?
Yes, Office 2019 will continue to receive necessary security updates until its official end-of-support date on October 14, 2025. However, it will not receive any new software features.
Can I upgrade from Office 2019 to Microsoft 365 for free?
No, there is no free upgrade path from a perpetual Office 2019 license to a Microsoft 365 subscription. You will need to purchase a new subscription plan to access Microsoft 365.
Can I have both Office 2019 and Office 2021 installed on the same computer?
It is not recommended to install multiple standalone versions of Microsoft Office on the same device, as it often causes software conflicts and file association issues. You should completely uninstall Office 2019 before installing Office 2021.
What happens to my documents if I switch to a free alternative like WPS Office?
Your files remain completely intact and secure on your device. Free alternatives like WPS Office are fully compatible with standard Microsoft file formats, so you can continue opening, editing, and sharing your documents seamlessly.
