Introduction
One of the most common questions asked by many users is whether Office 365 is free or not. With so many free office software available in the market, it can be confusing to know which features of Office 365 are free. The purpose of this article is to provide clarity on Office 365’s free features, how to access them, its comparison with other free office software, and the benefits of using it for personal and small business use.
Top 5 Features of Office 365 that are Free to Use
Office 365 offers several features that are free to use, and these can be accessed simply by signing up for a Microsoft account. Below are the top 5 free features of Office 365:
- OneDrive: A cloud storage service that allows you to store, share, and access your files from anywhere. With 5GB of free storage space, you can store your photos, documents, and videos easily and securely.
- Word: A word-processing software that allows you to create and edit documents. With Office 365 Word, you can access templates, formatting tools, and collaboration features for free.
- Excel: A spreadsheet software that allows you to do calculations, create charts, and analyze data. With Office 365 Excel, you can access templates, formatting tools, and collaboration features for free.
- PowerPoint: A presentation software that allows you to create, edit, and present slides. With Office 365 PowerPoint, you can access templates, formatting tools, and collaboration features for free.
- Outlook: An email software that allows you to manage your emails, contacts, and calendar. With Office 365 Outlook, you can access features like spam filtering, calendar syncing, and email organization for free.
These free features of Office 365 can help you create and manage your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and emails easily and efficiently.
What You Need to Know About Office 365 Free Version
While Office 365 offers several features that are free to use, there are limitations to its free version. The free version of Office 365 is called Office Online, and it has the following limitations:
- No access to the desktop applications of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- 5 GB of free OneDrive storage (which can be upgraded with a paid subscription)
- No technical support for Office Online
One important thing to note is that the free version of Office 365 offers fewer features than the paid version. To access the complete set of features and tools, you would need to upgrade to a paid subscription.
Office 365 vs. Google Workspace: Which Free Version is Better?
Google Workspace is one of the most popular free office software available in the market. Both Office 365 and Google Workspace offer similar features and tools, but they differ in their pricing and capabilities. Here’s a comparison of Office 365 and Google Workspace:
| Feature | Office 365 | Google Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | 5 GB (free version) or 1 TB (with paid subscription) | 15 GB (free version) or $1.99/month for 100 GB |
| Word Processing | Free (with Office Online) | Free (with Google Docs) |
| Spreadsheet | Free (with Office Online) | Free (with Google Sheets) |
| Presentation | Free (with Office Online) | Free (with Google Slides) |
| Free (with Outlook Online) | Free (with Gmail) | |
| Collaboration Tools | Free (with Office Online) | Free (with Google Workspace) |
| Price | Free (with Office Online) or $69.99/year for Personal, $99.99/year for Home and $149.99/year for Small Business | Free (with Google Workspace) or $6/user/month for Business Starter, $12/user/month for Business Standard, and $18/user/month for Business Plus |
Both Office 365 and Google Workspace offer similar features and tools, but they differ in their pricing and capabilities. If you need a basic set of features for personal use, both are good options. However, for small businesses, Google Workspace may be a better choice due to its affordable pricing and more features.
Can You Really Get Office 365 for Free?
Yes, you can get a free version of Office 365 from different sources:
- Free Trial: Microsoft offers a 1-month free trial of Office 365 Home and Personal. This allows you to access the complete set of features and tools for free for a month.
- Student Discounts: Students and teachers can get Office 365 for free through Microsoft’s Education program. This includes access to all Office 365 desktop applications and 1 TB of OneDrive storage.
- Promotional Offers: Microsoft occasionally offers promotional offers for Office 365 subscriptions. Keep an eye out for these offers to avail of discounts or free access to premium features.
By availing of these options, you can get free access to Office 365 for a limited period or under certain conditions. These can be great options if you need access to the complete set of features and tools for a short duration or if you’re a student or educator.
How to Use Office 365 for Free as a Small Business Owner
If you’re a small business owner, you can get access to Office 365 for free or a discounted price. Here are the different options available:
- Office 365 Business Basic: This plan offers online versions of Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as email, video conferencing, and cloud storage. The cost is $5 per user per month, and it’s ideal for small businesses with basic needs.
- Office 365 Business Standard: This plan offers desktop versions of Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as email, video conferencing, and cloud storage. The cost is $12.50 per user per month and it’s ideal for small businesses with more demanding needs.
- Bundles: Microsoft offers different bundles that include Office 365 and other Microsoft services like Dynamics 365 and Power BI. Bundles are a great way to save money and get access to a wider range of services.
By availing of these discounts and plans, small business owners can get access to premium features and tools at an affordable price.
The Perks of Using Office 365 for Free
Using Office 365’s free features can offer several benefits, including:
- Cloud storage: OneDrive offers 5 GB of free storage space where you can store and access your files from anywhere.
- Collaboration tools: With Office 365, you can collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and emails with others in real-time.
- Video calls: With Microsoft Teams, you can host video calls with up to 250 people for free.
These features can help users collaborate and work efficiently with others. They can also help to increase productivity and offer greater flexibility in terms of access to data and communication.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Office 365 does offer several free features that can be accessed easily through a Microsoft account. While the free version does have limitations, it’s a great option for personal use or for businesses with basic needs. It also offers several avenues to access the complete set of features and tools, whether through student discounts, free trials, or promotional offers. When it comes to comparing Office 365 with Google Workspace, there are pros and cons to both. Small businesses may find Google Workspace more suited to their needs due to its pricing and feature set. Overall, Office 365’s free features offer a great set of tools for personal and small business use.
