Microsoft 365 vs Office 365: Key Differences That Clients Should Know

Overview of Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is a blend of Office 365 with Windows 10 and the Enterprise Mobility Suit (Here a Suite of Security and Management Tools). In Microsoft 365 development, there are more advanced cybersecurity options available.

Microsoft 365 is a combination of productivity software, collaboration, and cloud-based services owned by Microsoft. It comprises services like Outlook, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, enterprise products, and corresponding services like Exchange Server, SharePoint, and Yammer. It also offers additional AI and cloud-based services that are not available in Office 365.

What is Microsoft 365 used for?

The main goal of Microsoft 365 is to empower individuals and enterprises to reach new heights using advanced Office applications, intelligent cloud services, and top-of-the-line security features.

There are myriad versions of Microsoft 365 available designed for businesses, enterprises, schools, and individual consumers. These solutions not only offer productivity but also cater to enhanced collaboration and security approaches. The services included in Microsoft 365 are also available in the form of separate licenses.

Overview of Office 365

Released in June 2011, Office 365 is a suite of traditional office apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and OneDrive. It was designed for individual consumers and businesses, with various plans tailored to different needs.

Office 365 was officially rebranded to Microsoft 365 on April 21, 2020, so now it’s a part of Microsoft 365. The primary focus of this suit was on providing access to Microsoft's productivity software like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook over the web. Here one can obtain Office add-in development to extend the core functionalities of apps.

There are distinct plans available which include other services and applications such as Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and more. With Office 365, subscribers receive regular updates and new features as a part of their subscription, eliminating the need to upgrade to a new edition.

Basic differences between Microsoft 365 and Office 365

Is Microsoft Office now called Microsoft 365?

Yes, Microsoft Office is now called Microsoft 365 Yes, Microsoft Office is now called Microsoft 365. This change was implemented in November 2022. While familiar Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are still included, Microsoft 365 encompasses a broader range of features and services compared to the older Office 365 offering.

Microsoft 365 vs Office 365: Here’s the breakdown

Microsoft Office: Refers specifically to the key productivity apps such as PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, OneDrive, etc. You may purchase all of these at one-time or by a subscription process.

Microsoft 365: This is a subscription-based service that includes all the features of Office, along with additional benefits like:

While the name has changed, the core functionality of the Office applications remains the same. However, Microsoft 365 offers a more comprehensive experience with additional cloud-based features and ongoing updates.

Microsoft 365 vs Office 365: Major Differences to Note

At first glance, it may seem that these products are similar, but it's not. There are a few differences between these two popular Microsoft tools.

Security variations: Microsoft 365 vs Office 365

Microsoft 365 vs Office 365: Exploring Services

Targeted Audience

AI Integration

Offline Use

Collaboration Capability

Pricing

Microsoft 365 vs Office 365: Comparing Plans

Outlook 365 Plans

Microsoft 365 Plans

Office 365 vs Microsoft 365: Finding the Right Plan for Your Team?

-> Type of Organization

There are distinctive plans available that suit multiple niches of organization. However, one can find separate plans for nonprofit organizations, schools, and key workers as well.

-> Team Length

Consider your team size first like how many users are engaged in the business that will make use of Microsoft Office apps. It's also required to consider if you plan to expand the team in the future or not. So, you have to choose the option that comprises more flexibility and storage space compared to your current needs.

-> Consider Requirements

Now look for your specific requirements like for which tasks you require tools. Does your business require you to work with presentations often? Or are you required to keep engaged with texts, documents, and emails? Likewise, you can mark down specific tasks that your business is constantly engaged with and choose the tools in accordance with it.

-> Budget

Pricing varies depending on the specific services and plans so you can notice quite a big difference between plans. However, Microsoft 365 allows you to take a free trial before you purchase a specific plan. Hence you can find out if a particular plan aligns with your requirements or not. To be specific, you can compare the pricing of your current systems and subscription policies to find an option that fits within your budget.

Lastly, take a glance at the additional details like the operating system preferred by your organization (Windows or macOS), geographical location of the team, remote work opportunities, customized intranet, etc. This way you can get to know which plans suit your team size and you can choose accordingly.

A Shift from Office 365 to Microsoft 365: How It Can Impact Your Business?

The shift from Office 365 to Microsoft 365 can impact businesses positively.

Microsoft 365 is a productivity suite that offers far more advanced features than Office 365. With its sophisticated security levels, compliance tools, and advanced analytics, it provides a comprehensive solution for businesses of all sizes. Moreover, Microsoft 365's artificial intelligence capabilities enable users to enhance their productivity and work smarter, with fewer manual hurdles.

Microsoft 365 provides advanced security features including identity and access management, threat protection, and data loss prevention to safeguard your business and its data from cyber threats. Microsoft 365 is an all-in-one solution that offers a range of advanced security features designed to protect your business from cyber threats and ensure the safety of your valuable data.

With identity and access management, you can control who has access to your systems, while threat protection guards against malware, viruses, and other types of attacks. Additionally, data loss prevention helps prevent sensitive information from being leaked, providing you with peace of mind and assurance that your data is secure.

Microsoft 365 offers an array of features and functionalities that cater to the diverse needs of businesses at a similar price to Office 365. With Microsoft 365, businesses can enjoy a more robust and seamless experience, streamline their workflows, and collaborate more effectively. Hence, we can say Microsoft 365 offers better value for businesses with little to less pricing differences.

Microsoft 365 vs Office 365: Conclusion

In summary, Office 365 and Office add in development serve the traditional approach and suite of office tools helping organizations to do everyday tasks, while Microsoft sets an example of a powerful toolkit suiting the every day and changing needs of the modern workplace.

Office 365 is mostly about accessing Microsoft's productivity applications over the internet, Microsoft 365 development comprises a broader bundle that includes Office 365, plus additional tools and services focused on security, device management, and more advanced features. Hence the choice between these two relies on the organization’s specific needs and personal assistance.