Access Cheap Office 365 Licenses: Empower Your Workforce with the Productivity Package Instantly
Microsoft 365, formerly known as Office 365, provides a range of subscription plans designed to cater to individuals, families, small businesses, and large enterprises. This article focuses on the key differences between the plans most relevant to small businesses and offers guidance on choosing the most cost-effective solution.
## Overview of Microsoft 365 Subscription Plans
Microsoft 365 offers a variety of subscription plans, each tailored to specific user needs. For small businesses, the choice revolves around balancing functionality, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
## Main Subscription Plans and Their Features
### Personal & Family Plans
- **Microsoft 365 Personal**: Ideal for a single user, this plan includes access to Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, etc.), 1TB OneDrive cloud storage, and advanced features across multiple devices. It is suitable for freelancers or sole proprietors not requiring business-specific tools. - **Microsoft 365 Family**: Supporting up to six users, each gets their own 1TB of storage and access to all Office apps. However, it lacks business-oriented features like professional email, admin controls, or Teams for workgroups.
### Business Plans
| Plan Name | Max Users | Professional Email | Admin Controls | Cloud Storage | Security | Collaboration | Scalability | |----------------------------|-----------|--------------------|----------------|---------------------|------------------|--------------------|---------------| | Business Basic | 300+ | Yes | Yes | 1TB per user | Basic | Teams, SharePoint | Easy | | Apps for Business | 300+ | No | Yes | 1TB per user | Basic | Basic | Easy | | Business Standard | 300+ | Yes | Yes | 1TB per user | Basic | Teams, SharePoint | Easy | | Business Premium | 300+ | Yes | Yes | Unlimited (Prem.) | Advanced (Intune, etc.) | Teams, SharePoint | High |
- **Business Basic**: This plan offers web and mobile versions of Office apps, Exchange email, Teams, and 1TB OneDrive storage per user. It is best for businesses needing email and cloud collaboration without desktop apps. - **Apps for Business**: This plan provides desktop versions of Office apps for up to five devices per user, but it lacks business email and Teams. It is suitable for businesses that only need Office apps. - **Business Standard**: This plan includes desktop Office apps plus business email, Teams, and SharePoint, covering core business needs. - **Business Premium**: This plan offers all the above, plus advanced device management (Intune) and layered security features, making it ideal for businesses needing robust security and device control.
## How to Choose the Most Cost-Effective Solution for a Small Business
### Step 1: Assess Your Needs
- **User Count**: If you have fewer than six users and do not need business features, a Family plan might seem appealing, but it violates Microsoft’s terms for business use. - **Email Requirements**: If professional email is needed, Business Basic, Standard, or Premium are required. - **Desktop Apps**: If you need full desktop versions of Office, Apps for Business, Standard, or Premium are necessary. - **Security & Compliance**: For businesses handling sensitive data or remote devices, Business Premium’s advanced security is worth the higher cost. - **Collaboration**: If your team relies on Teams, SharePoint, or OneDrive, business plans are essential.
### Step 2: Compare Plans
Use the feature comparison above to match your requirements with the most affordable plan that meets them. Avoid Personal/Family plans for business use, as they lack critical features and violate terms of service.
### Step 3: Consider Licensing and Scalability
Business plans allow you to buy only the licenses you need and adjust as your team changes, maximizing cost efficiency.
### Step 4: Watch for Discounts
Occasionally, Microsoft or resellers offer deals on subscriptions, so check for promotions before purchasing.
### Step 5: Factor in Long-Term Costs
While Business Premium is more expensive, the included security and device management can reduce the need for additional third-party solutions, potentially lowering overall costs.
## Summary Table: Small Business Plan Selection
| Scenario | Recommended Plan | Why? | |--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Need only Office apps, no email/Teams | Apps for Business | Cheapest, desktop apps only | | Need email & Teams, basic security | Business Basic or Standard | Core business features, lower cost | | Need advanced security & device management | Business Premium | Highest security, compliance, and management[4] |
## Key Takeaway
For small businesses, **Microsoft 365 Business Basic** or **Business Standard** usually offer the best balance of features and cost. **Business Premium** is best for those needing advanced security and device management. Always choose a business plan over Personal/Family for compliance and feature access, and scale your licenses as needed to keep costs under control[2][3][4].
Additionally, customising settings in Office 365 can improve workflow efficiency, and businesses have reported significant productivity boosts after integrating Office 365 tools, such as a 30% increase reported by a marketing firm [5]. Office 365's collaborative tools, such as Teams and SharePoint, can further enhance productivity.
- For small businesses requiring desktop Office apps, the most cost-effective solution would be the Microsoft 365 Business Standard plan, as it provides email, Teams, and SharePoint in addition to the necessary apps.
- Customizing Office 365 settings can lead to significant productivity gains, with marketing firms reporting a 30% boost after integrating Office 365 tools.
- Incorporating collaborative tools like Teams and SharePoint within Office 365 can further boost productivity, aiding in personal growth and business success.
