How much does Microsoft Office cost in the UK? The answer ranges from nothing for basic online apps to £249.99 for a one-time home-and-business package. Most individual users will pay between £19.99 and £189.99 per year for a Microsoft 365 subscription, while Office Home 2024 currently costs £119.99 as a one-time purchase for one computer.
The price depends on what you mean by “Microsoft Office”. Some people use the name for Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Others mean the full Microsoft 365 subscription, including desktop applications, cloud storage, Outlook, security features and Copilot tools. Searches such as “MS Microsoft Office” and “Microsoft Word 365” often mix these products together, which can make the prices unnecessarily confusing.
This guide explains the current UK options, the difference between subscriptions and one-time purchases, what each plan includes and which package is likely to offer the best value for your needs.
Microsoft Office UK prices at a glance
The following prices were displayed by Microsoft UK when checked on 20 July 2026. Retailer promotions, student offers and future price changes may produce different amounts.
| Product | Current UK price | Users and devices | Main purpose |
| Microsoft 365 Free | Free | One person; web and mobile use | Basic online Word, Excel and PowerPoint |
| Microsoft 365 Basic | £1.99 monthly or £19.99 yearly | One person; web and mobile use | 100 GB storage and ad-free Outlook |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | £8.49 monthly or £84.99 yearly | One person; up to five devices at once | Full desktop apps, 1 TB storage and Copilot |
| Microsoft 365 Family | £10.49 monthly or £104.99 yearly | One to six people; five devices each at once | Shared household subscription and up to 6 TB storage |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | £18.99 monthly or £189.99 yearly | One to six people | Family features with higher AI usage for the owner |
| Office Home 2024 | £119.99 once | One PC or Mac | Classic Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote |
| Office Home & Business 2024 | £249.99 once | One PC or Mac | Office Home apps plus Outlook and business use |
| Word purchased separately | £159.99 once | One PC or Mac | Standalone Microsoft Word |
Microsoft 365 Free and Basic do not provide the same full desktop software as Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium. Office Home 2024 is installed desktop software but is limited to one computer and does not include Microsoft 365 subscription services.
What does “Microsoft Office” mean today?
Microsoft Office was traditionally the name of the software package containing applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Microsoft still uses “Office” for its one-time-purchase Office 2024 products, but most subscription packages now use the name Microsoft 365.
This means there are two main ways to buy Microsoft office software:
- Pay regularly for a Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Pay once for an Office 2024 licence.
Both routes provide familiar Office applications, but the licensing, applications, devices, updates and online services are different.
Microsoft 365 is designed as an ongoing service. Depending on the plan, it can include desktop, web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote, together with OneDrive cloud storage, security tools, support and AI-assisted features.
Office 2024 is a fixed release. How much does ms microsoft office cost in the UK? You pay once and install it on one compatible Windows PC or Mac. You receive the classic 2024 applications included in your chosen package, but you do not receive the larger collection of cloud and subscription benefits offered through Microsoft 365.
What is the difference between MS Office & 365?
The clearest answer to “What is the difference between MS Office & 365?” is that Office 2024 is a one-time software purchase, while Microsoft 365 is an automatically renewing subscription.
With Office 2024, you pay one upfront price for a specific collection of desktop applications on one computer. The licence does not automatically entitle you to the next major version. If Microsoft later releases a new major Office product and you want it, you will normally need to purchase that new product separately.
With Microsoft 365, you pay monthly or yearly. Your applications receive the latest available subscription features, fixes and security updates while the subscription remains active. You can normally use the applications across several supported computers, tablets and phones, subject to the limits of your plan.
Microsoft 365 also provides cloud storage and connected features. These make it easier to save files in OneDrive, move between devices, share documents and collaborate with other people. Personal, Family and Premium subscriptions also include consumer Copilot features, although usage limits apply.
The main differences can therefore be summarised as follows:
- Payment: Office 2024 requires one upfront payment; Microsoft 365 renews monthly or annually.
- Devices: Office 2024 covers one PC or Mac; Microsoft 365 Personal can be used on up to five devices simultaneously.
- Updates: Office 2024 receives updates for that version but not a free upgrade to a future major release; Microsoft 365 receives continuing subscription features.
- Storage: Microsoft 365 paid plans include OneDrive storage; Office 2024 does not include the same subscription storage allowance.
- Sharing: microsoft word 365 Family can cover as many as six people; Office 2024 is licensed for one computer.
- AI features: Current Personal, Family and Premium plans include Copilot-related benefits, while Office 2024 is the classic non-subscription product.
- Commercial use: Office Home 2024 is described as non-commercial, whereas Office Home & Business 2024 is intended for home or work use.
Neither option is automatically better. Someone using a single home computer for occasional letters may prefer Office Home 2024. A person working across a laptop, desktop, tablet and phone may receive considerably more value from Microsoft 365 Personal.
How much does the free version of Microsoft Office cost?
ms microsoft office offers free online and mobile versions of several familiar applications. A free Microsoft account currently provides 5 GB of cloud storage and access to web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive and other tools. It also includes an advertising-supported Outlook email and calendar service.
The free version may be sufficient for someone who only needs to:
- Write simple documents;
- Open and make basic changes to spreadsheets;
- Prepare straightforward presentations;
- Store a small number of files online;
- Work mainly through a web browser.
You do not receive the same full desktop applications included with microsoft word 365 Personal or Office Home 2024. Web applications can also have fewer advanced tools than their desktop equivalents. A complex Excel workbook, specialist formatting requirement, large mail merge or advanced document workflow may therefore require desktop software.
The free option is nevertheless a sensible starting point for beginners. It allows you to test the Microsoft interface and find out whether you genuinely need to pay for more features.
Microsoft 365 Basic: £19.99 per year
microsoft word 365 Basic currently costs £1.99 per month or £19.99 per year. It is designed for one person and includes 100 GB of OneDrive storage, ransomware protection for files and photos, ad-free Outlook email and access to ongoing support.
It is important to understand what the plan does not include. microsoft word 365 Basic is not a low-cost route to the complete desktop versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Microsoft describes it as working through the web, iOS and Android, rather than providing the full PC or Mac desktop suite.
The yearly price is cheaper than paying monthly for a full year. Twelve monthly payments of £1.99 total £23.88, while the annual payment is £19.99. The annual option therefore saves £3.89 based on the displayed prices.
Basic is likely to suit a person who mainly wants extra cloud storage and better Outlook features but is comfortable using Word and Excel through a browser. It is less suitable for someone buying Microsoft Office specifically because they need advanced desktop functions.
Microsoft 365 Personal: £84.99 per year
Microsoft 365 Personal is the principal subscription for one user. It currently costs £8.49 per month or £84.99 per year. It includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage and desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote. Microsoft states that it works across Windows, macOS, iOS and Android and can be used on up to five devices simultaneously.
The plan also includes Microsoft Defender benefits, ms microsoft office Microsoft Teams features and Copilot within supported microsoft word 365 applications. Availability can vary by device, language and platform, and AI usage limits apply.
Personal is often the most balanced option for a single user who:
- Regularly uses Word or Excel;
- Owns more than one device;
- Wants files to synchronise automatically;
- Needs Outlook and substantial cloud storage;
- Prefers receiving continuing application updates;
- Is willing to pay a recurring charge.
Paying annually is cheaper than paying monthly throughout the year. Twelve payments of £8.49 total £101.88. The £84.99 annual price therefore saves £16.89 over twelve months at the displayed rates.
Some users refer to this product as “Microsoft Word 365”. There is not a separate consumer plan officially called Microsoft Word 365. Word is one of the major applications included in Microsoft 365 Personal, Family and Premium. It is also available within Office 2024 packages and as a separate one-time purchase.
Microsoft 365 Family: £104.99 per year
microsoft word 365 Family currently costs £10.49 per month or £104.99 per year. It ms microsoft office can be shared with up to five other people, covering a total of one to six users. Each person receives a separate account, can use the applications on up to five devices simultaneously and receives 1 TB of cloud storage. The maximum combined storage is therefore 6 TB when six people use the plan.
This can provide very good value for a household. At the annual price:
- Two users effectively cost about £52.50 each per year.
- Three users cost about £35 each per year.
- Six users cost about £17.50 each per year.
These figures are simply the annual price divided between the number of users. Microsoft bills the subscription owner, so household members will need to decide privately how any shared cost is handled.
There is an important limitation concerning AI. Microsoft states that the Family plan’s AI features are available to the subscription owner and cannot be shared with the other family members. ms microsoft office other users still receive their own applications and storage, but they do not all receive the owner’s Copilot allowance.
The annual plan also costs less than twelve monthly payments. Paying £10.49 each month for a year totals £125.88, compared with £104.99 annually. That is a difference of £20.89.
Family is usually the strongest-value package where at least two people require the full applications. It is not intended to replace managed business licensing for employees working within an organisation.
Microsoft 365 Premium: £189.99 per year
microsoft word 365 Premium currently costs £18.99 per month or £189.99 per year. It includes the core Family benefits for one to six people but adds higher usage for selected Copilot functions, increased AI image-creation allowances and access to certain AI features reserved for Premium subscribers.
As with microsoft word 365 Family, the AI benefits are linked to the subscription owner and cannot simply be distributed among all six users. This distinction matters because the Premium name may otherwise make it appear that every family member receives the higher AI allowance.
Premium is likely to appeal to someone who uses Copilot and AI-supported creative features frequently enough to justify the extra cost. For ordinary Word, Excel, PowerPoint and cloud-storage use, Personal or Family may be more economical.
Twelve monthly payments would total £227.88. Paying £189.99 annually therefore saves £37.89 based on the displayed prices.
Beginners should not automatically choose Premium simply because it is the highest-priced consumer plan. Start by deciding whether you need the desktop applications and storage. Then consider whether your expected AI use is genuinely high enough to justify paying £85 more per year than the Family plan.
Office Home 2024: £119.99 as a one-time purchase
Office Home 2024 currently costs £119.99 as a one-time purchase. It can be installed on one PC or Mac and includes the classic 2024 desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. microsoft word 365 describes it as a non-commercial product for home or school use.
This cost of microsoft office product does not include Outlook. It also does not provide the wider services available with a Microsoft 365 subscription, such as 1 TB of storage per user, multi-device installation and continuing access to the latest subscription features.
The £119.99 price is higher than one year of microsoft word 365 Personal but can become cheaper over a longer period if you keep using the same release on the same computer. For example, the purchase price works out at approximately:
- £60 per year over two years;
- £40 per year over three years;
- £24 per year over five years.
These calculations do not mean that the products are directly equivalent. microsoft word 365 Personal includes Outlook, cloud storage, multiple-device use, subscription updates and other services that Office Home 2024 does not provide.
Office Home 2024 may suit someone who has one computer, does not need Outlook or large OneDrive storage and prefers avoiding recurring payments. It may be less suitable if you regularly replace devices, work across multiple platforms or want new Microsoft 365 features as they are released.
A one-time purchase should not be misunderstood as access to every future Office version. cost of microsoft office Microsoft expressly states that there is no upgrade option to the next major release and that a future major version would need to be purchased at full price.
Office Home & Business 2024: £249.99 as a one-time purchase
Office Home & Business 2024 currently costs £249.99 for one PC or Mac. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook. Microsoft describes it as suitable for use at home or work.
The main differences from Office Home 2024 are the inclusion of Outlook and permission for business use. This explains part of the substantial price difference between the two packages.
A self-employed person who needs desktop Word, Excel and Outlook on one fixed computer but does not want a subscription may consider this version. However, at £249.99, it is necessary to compare the long-term cost carefully with Microsoft 365 business subscriptions.
The product does not include the same cloud services, managed business email, user administration, multi-device licensing or continuing feature additions available with microsoft word 365 business plans. A growing company should therefore choose its licence based on operational needs rather than merely comparing the initial prices.
How much does Microsoft Word cost on its own?
Microsoft’s UK Store currently lists the standalone version of Word at £159.99 for one PC or Mac. It supports document creation and OneDrive-based sharing but does not include Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook.
Surprisingly, that displayed price is higher than the £119.99 cost of Office Home 2024, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Prices and promotions can change, but at the amounts checked, Office Home 2024 provides more applications for a lower upfront price than standalone Word.
A Word-only buyer should therefore compare the complete packages rather than assuming a single application will be cheapest. Microsoft 365 Personal may also be better value where the user needs Word on several devices or wants cloud storage.
Is it cheaper to pay monthly or annually?
Annual microsoft word 365 subscriptions are cheaper when you expect to keep the same plan for a complete year. Based on the current prices:
- Microsoft 365 Basic saves £3.89 annually.
- Microsoft 365 Personal saves £16.89 annually.
- Microsoft 365 Family saves £20.89 annually.
- Microsoft 365 Premium saves £37.89 annually.
Monthly payment provides greater short-term flexibility. It may be appropriate where you need the software for only a limited project, want to test it beyond any free trial, or are uncertain whether you will continue using it.
Annual payment is generally more economical for long-term users. However, subscriptions normally renew automatically unless recurring billing is cancelled. A beginner should record the renewal date and check the expected future charge before the subscription renews. Microsoft may change prices, although it should show the applicable renewal terms within the account.
How much does Microsoft Office cost for students?
Students should check their institution before purchasing anything. Microsoft states that students and educators at eligible institutions can sign up for microsoft word 365 Education without charge using a valid school email address. The education package can include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Teams and classroom tools, depending on the institution’s arrangement.
University and college students may also qualify for Microsoft’s separate student offer for Microsoft 365 Personal. Microsoft advertised a student price of £3.99 per month when checked, subject to verification and current offer terms. The student must generally use a personal Microsoft account and provide an education email address or other acceptable evidence of enrolment.
cost of microsoft office states that full-time and part-time students at accredited colleges and universities may be eligible. Student status must be reverified, and the price can rise to the current standard monthly amount when the user is no longer eligible. The subscription also renews unless cancelled.
Students should distinguish this subscription offer from Microsoft Store’s general education discount on physical products. cost of microsoft offices general UK discount terms exclude Office software, apps and Microsoft 365 subscriptions, even though separate education and student Microsoft 365 programmes may be available.
How much does Microsoft 365 cost for a UK business?
Business licensing is charged per user rather than per household. Microsoft’s current UK page lists Microsoft 365 Business Basic at £5.40 per user per month, paid yearly, excluding VAT. This provides web and mobile applications, business email, 1 TB of storage per user and collaboration services, but it does not provide the same full desktop applications as higher plans.
Microsoft 365 Apps for business is listed at £9.80 per user per month, paid yearly and excluding VAT. It includes desktop versions of applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, together with 1 TB of storage per user, but is primarily focused on the applications rather than the complete communication package.
Microsoft also lists business plans bundled with Copilot. When checked, Business Standard with Copilot was £18.10 per user per month, paid yearly and excluding VAT, while Business Premium with Copilot was £24.60 per user per month on the same basis. Teams-free versions and other combinations may be available.
For a single person, a consumer subscription may appear cheaper. However, business plans can provide functions that consumer plans are not designed to replace, including:
- Custom-domain business email;
- Central user and licence administration;
- Organisational access controls;
- Business collaboration workspaces;
- Employee account management;
- Enhanced security and device-management options;
- Separate business ownership of data and accounts.
A business should not simply share one How much does Microsoft Office cost in the UK? account among employees. Each worker who requires the services should normally receive the appropriate user licence and individual sign-in. The cheapest suitable plan depends on whether the organisation needs desktop applications, hosted email, Teams, Copilot, device management or advanced security.
Which Microsoft Office option offers the best value?
The most suitable choice depends on your actual pattern of use.
For occasional home use
Start with Microsoft 365 Free. It may be enough for simple documents, household budgets and basic presentations. You can upgrade later if the web tools become restrictive.
For cloud storage without desktop software
Microsoft 365 Basic is the lowest-cost paid option. It is most valuable for someone who needs 100 GB of OneDrive storage and ad-free Outlook but is happy using browser-based applications.
For one person with several devices
microsoft word 365 Personal is usually the most practical option. It combines the desktop applications, 1 TB of storage and use on up to five devices simultaneously.
For two or more household members
microsoft word 365 Family is generally the strongest value. Even with only two users, the annual cost per person is lower than purchasing two Personal subscriptions. Each user also receives an individual account and storage allocation.
For intensive Copilot use
microsoft word 365 Premium may be worthwhile for the subscription owner who regularly reaches lower AI limits. It is less compelling where Copilot is only used occasionally or where every family member expects the same AI allowance.
For one home computer with no subscription
Office Home 2024 may be suitable. It provides the classic core applications for one computer without annual renewal, but it excludes Outlook, multi-device use and microsoft word 365 services.
For commercial use on one computer
Office Home & Business 2024 provides a one-time business-use option with Outlook. Compare it carefully with business subscriptions, particularly if you need professional email or expect to add employees.
Additional costs and limitations beginners should check
The advertised price is not the only consideration. Before paying, check the licence conditions and practical requirements.
Office Home 2024 is for non-commercial use. Using it as your main business software may not match its licensing terms. Office Home & Business 2024 or an appropriate Microsoft 365 business plan may be required for work-related use.
One-time products cover one PC or Mac. They should not be purchased on the assumption that the same licence automatically covers every computer in the household.
Microsoft 365 subscriptions renew automatically unless the user cancels recurring billing. A discounted first period or free trial can therefore become a paid subscription.
Business prices normally exclude VAT. A quoted rate of £9.80 per user per month would therefore produce a higher invoice once applicable VAT is added.
Application availability also differs between Windows, Mac, mobile and browser versions. Microsoft states that features can vary by platform. Access, for example, is commonly associated with Windows rather than Mac. Buyers who require a particular advanced function should check the application and operating system before purchasing.
How to avoid fake or unsuitable Office licences
Extremely cheap “lifetime” Microsoft Office keys advertised online should be treated cautiously. A low price does not prove that the licence is authorised for resale, appropriate for your region or valid for your intended type of use.
Before buying from a third party, check:
- The exact product name and release;
- Whether it is a subscription or one-time purchase;
- How many devices it covers;
- Whether it permits personal or commercial use;
- Whether the seller provides a proper invoice;
- How activation and account association work;
- The refund policy if activation fails;
- Whether the price is for a new licence or merely an account supplied by someone else.
Never give an unknown seller access to your Microsoft account or computer merely to activate software. For beginners, purchasing directly from Microsoft or a well-established authorised retailer may reduce licensing and activation uncertainty.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Microsoft Office cost in the UK?
Current consumer prices range from free to £249.99. Microsoft 365 Personal costs £84.99 per year, Family costs £104.99 per year, Office Home 2024 costs £119.99 once, and Office Home & Business 2024 costs £249.99 once.
Can I use Microsoft Word for free?
Yes. Microsoft provides a free web version of Word through a Microsoft account. It is suitable for many basic tasks but does not include every feature available in the full desktop application.
Is Microsoft 365 the same as Microsoft Office?
Not exactly. microsoft word 365 is a subscription combining Office applications with cloud storage, connected services, updates and other benefits. Office 2024 is a one-time purchase for a fixed set of applications on one computer.
Is Microsoft 365 Personal worth £84.99 per year?
It can be worthwhile for one person who regularly uses the desktop applications, needs 1 TB of storage or works across several devices. It is less attractive for someone who only writes an occasional simple document.
Can I buy Microsoft Office without a subscription?
Yes. Office Home 2024 and Office Home & Business 2024 are available as one-time purchases. They do not provide free upgrades to a future major release or all the services included with Microsoft 365.
Does Office Home 2024 include Outlook?
No. Office Home 2024 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Outlook is included in Office Home & Business 2024 and microsoft word 365 Personal, Family and Premium.
How many people can use Microsoft 365 Family?
It can cover up to six people. Each person uses a separate Microsoft account, receives 1 TB of cloud storage and can use the applications on up to five devices simultaneously.
Do all Microsoft 365 Family members receive Copilot?
No. Microsoft states that the consumer AI features and higher AI usage are available to the subscription owner and cannot be shared with the other members.
Is Microsoft Office free for UK students?
It may be. Students and educators at eligible institutions can obtain Office 365 Education without charge. Verified college and university students may also qualify for a discounted microsoft word 365 Personal subscription.
Is an annual Microsoft 365 subscription cheaper than monthly payments?
Yes, based on Microsoft’s displayed UK prices. The annual saving ranges from £3.89 for Basic to £37.89 for Premium compared with making twelve monthly payments.
Conclusion
So, how much does Microsoft Office cost in the UK? A beginner can pay nothing for basic online applications, £19.99 per year for microsoft word 365 Basic, £84.99 for Personal, £104.99 for Family or £189.99 for Premium. The one-time options cost £119.99 for Office Home 2024 and £249.99 for Office Home & Business 2024.
The most important step is to decide whether you need desktop applications, cloud storage, Outlook, several devices, multiple users or commercial licensing. microsoft word 365 Personal is usually the most balanced option for one regular user, while Family offers better value for two or more people. Office Home 2024 can be economical for a person who wants classic Microsoft office software on one home computer without recurring payments.
Do not judge the cost of Microsoft Office by the purchase price alone. Device limits, storage, future upgrades, business-use rights and automatic renewal can materially affect its real value. Comparing those details will help you choose the right package without paying for features you will not use.