A reference guide to understand the exact differences and inclusions within Microsoft's main subscription tiers.
Free basic plan for students and faculty. Fully cloud-based with no desktop install capability.
Legacy free plan that included full desktop apps. Microsoft is actively retiring this license globally.
Premium academic plan with desktop apps and advanced security/management tools.
The highest tier for education. Includes everything in A3 plus ultimate security and voice.
Basic enterprise plan. Cloud-based services without desktop app installations.
The standard enterprise tier. Desktop apps and advanced security tools.
The absolute highest tier for businesses. Unmatched security, voice, and analytics.
Essential cloud services for businesses with up to 300 employees. Web apps only.
The most common small/medium business plan with full desktop apps.
Everything in Standard, plus advanced cyber threat protection and device management.
Entry-level consumer plan upgrading free accounts with ad-free email and more storage.
Consumer plan for a single individual with full desktop apps and large cloud storage.
Consumer plan designed to be shared with up to 6 people.
Basic plan constructed strictly for frontline and shift workers with very minimal storage.
Advanced frontline worker plan featuring Windows Enterprise and enhanced security administration.
Unbelievably popular. A free 90-day renewable license offering full E5 capabilities intended solely for developers.
Specific plans designed strictly for custom email hosting without any real Office app bundles.
Provides the full desktop Office suite but absolutely zero email hosting.
OneDrive for Business (Plan 1/2) and SharePoint Online strictly for cloud data storage.
Dedicated subscriptions for exact corporate tools like Project, Visio, or Power BI.