Microsoft is now offering a no-subscription, standalone version of Microsoft Office 2024, available as a “one-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac.”
As a one-time purchase version of Microsoft Office, this provides permanent access to Microsoft’s classic productivity suite, representing a longer-term cost-saving alternative to the subscription-based Microsoft 365.
Two versions of the one-time purchase Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac are now available:
1. Office Home 2024 is priced at £129.99, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote (for non-commercial use).
2. Office Home & Business 2024 is priced at £249.99, which includes everything in the Home version plus Outlook and rights for commercial use.
Both require a Microsoft account and an internet connection.
Unlike Microsoft 365, which includes cloud-based services, this standalone version does not provide access to services such as 1 TB of OneDrive storage, 60 Skype minutes per month, Microsoft chat and phone support, or regular feature updates.
However, the Office Home & Business 2024 version offers added functionality for those needing Outlook or the ability to use Office apps commercially.
As Microsoft highlights, “one-time purchases don’t have an upgrade option, which means if you plan to upgrade to the next major release, you’ll have to buy it at full price”.
This makes it a more cost-effective choice upfront for users, though Mac users will need to consider whether they prefer the lower initial cost over the ongoing updates and services available with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
