If you prefer paying for your office software the old fashion way where you pay once for a lifetime license, you’re in luck as Microsoft has revealed new details about Office 2021.
Unlike Microsoft 365 which uses a software-as-as-service (SaaS) business model where users pay annually for the right to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook, Office 2021 is the next standalone version of the software giant’s office suite.
It’s been three years since Microsoft released Office 2019 and for a bit, it looked as if the company wouldn’t be releasing another standalone version of Office. Now though, the software giant has released brand new details on Office 2021 including its price, updated features and more.
Office 2021
Office 2021 will be available worldwide on Tuesday, October 5 which is a date that Windows users likely already have marked in their calendars because it’s also the release date for Windows 11. While Windows 11 will be available as a free update for Windows 10 users, those looking to test out the new features in Office 2021 will have to pay for the privilege to do so.
Office Home and Student 2021 will cost $149.99 and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Microsoft Teams for PC and Mac while Office Home and Business 2021 will cost $249.99 and will include everything in the Home version, Outlook for PC and Mac and the rights to use all of Microsoft’s office software for business purposes.
Although Office 2021 won’t use a subscription model for its pricing, the latest standalone version of Office will also be getting many of the collaboration features available in Microsoft 365 including real-time co-authoring, OneDrive support and Microsoft Teams integration. The new software has been designed to fit in with the rest of the apps available on Windows 11 and as such, it will have a refreshed ribbon interface, rounded corners and a neutral color palette.
Interested users can check out this support document from Microsoft which details all of the new features in Office 2021 and even includes a few videos so you can see the next standalone version of Office in action.
- We’ve also rounded up all the gear you’ll need to work from home successfully
Via The Verge
