Differences between Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Student, Home & Business and Professional
Microsoft Office is widely recognized as one of the most prominent and extensively utilized software suite solutions available. Comprising a diverse array of programs tailored for various purposes, it offers an ideal choice for both personal and professional contexts. With its comprehensive suite of tools, MS Office empowers users to effortlessly generate spreadsheets, presentations, text documents, and more.
Each application within the suite is packed with an array of valuable features that enhance and simplify the document creation process. This inherent user-friendliness enables even novices to navigate the software effortlessly. However, dedicating time to delve into the built-in functionalities unlocks the potential to create more advanced documents with ease.
The release of MS Office 2021 marks the third iteration of Office 16, introducing a multitude of fresh functionalities and performance enhancements. These additions aim to optimize the user experience, delivering a smoother and more efficient workflow than ever before.
Does your company need MS Office software but you’re not sure whether you should go with the latest Office 2021 or opt for the familiar and well-established Office 2019? We have prepared a handy comparison of the main features to help you choose the software that’s most suitable for your organization’s needs.
Each Microsoft Office package contains several Microsoft Office applications. Microsoft Office 2021 is available in the following variants:
Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Student
Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Business
Microsoft Office 2021 Professional
The table below shows the differences between the different packages.
| Features | Office Home & Student 2021 | Office Home & Business 2021 | Professional Plus 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Time Purchase | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Include Word, Excel & Powerpoint | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Include Outlook | Yes | Yes | |
| Requirements for PC | Windows 10 & 11 | Windows 10 & 11 | Windows 10 & 11 |
| Requirements for Mac | mac OS Big Sur, Monterey & Ventura | mac OS Big Sur, Monterey & Ventura | Not available for Mac |
For private individuals seeking Microsoft Office solutions, two options are available: Office 2021 Home & Student and Office 2021 Home & Business. The former caters specifically to home users and students, while the latter offers a versatile choice suitable for both private and business purposes.
Office 2021 Home & Business presents an optimal solution for individuals requiring the software suite in various contexts. Whether managing personal tasks or addressing professional needs, this edition provides the necessary tools and functionalities to facilitate seamless document creation and management. Its versatility enables users to efficiently handle both private and business-related tasks, making it a well-suited option for individuals seeking a comprehensive and adaptable Office experience.
Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Student
Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Student is the basic package of the Microsoft Office 2021 series and also contains the most used and best-known applications for individuals. Office 2021 Home & Student can be installed on 1 PC and the license is perpetual.
Which programs does Office 2021 Home & Student contain?
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
How long is the license valid?
The Office Home & Student 2021 license is a perpetual license. This means that there are no more costs after purchase, unlike with an Office 365 license.
Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Business
Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Business is more extensive than the aforementioned Home & Student and, in addition to the aforementioned applications, also contains Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Business can also be used for business purposes. This package can be installed on 1 PC and the license is perpetual
Which programs does Office 2021 Home & Business contain?
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
How long is the license valid?
The Office 2021 Home & Business license is a perpetual license. This means that there are no more costs after purchase, unlike with an Office 365 license.
Microsoft Office 2021 Professional
Microsoft Office 2021 Professional is the most comprehensive Office 2021 package that Microsoft has released. This package is primarily intended for companies with multiple users. In addition to the applications that are included with Home & Business, it has also been decided to include Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Access with this package. These two applications only work on the computer. Office 2021 Professional has a perpetual license and is a volume license, which makes Professional the ideal Office package for bigger companies.
What programs does Office 2021 Professional contain?
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Publisher
How long is the license valid?
When purchasing Microsoft Office 2021 Professional, you will receive a perpetual license. This means that there are no more costs after purchase, unlike with an Office 365 license.