Almost everything is shifting towards a subscription-based model. Companies have recognized the benefits of having predictable, recurring revenue. As a result, many have adopted this practice, even if it’s not always entirely justified. However, this trend still has exceptions, and one notable example is Microsoft.
Good for Microsoft! Microsoft promised, and it has delivered. This is especially rare and wonderful in an era when more and more companies and developers are trying to turn their products into subscriptions. While Office 365 has been around for years, it’s great to see that Microsoft continues to offer lifetime license versions of its apps, where you pay once and keep it for life.
Disadvantages. Naturally, lifetime Office editions have downsides. Microsoft won’t update them as frequently or add new features to them. Nonetheless, for many users, that’s not a problem.
A good choice for those who tend to stick to the same tasks. Personally, I’m still using Office 2021 for macOS. Even though there are newer versions available, I don’t plan to update for a few more years. My use of these apps is very traditional and limited, so I don’t need more.
A Windows 11-style interface. Office 2024 has a new interface. It includes new features that Microsoft 365 users have benefited from in the last few years. The updated interface is more aligned with the design language of Windows 11’s Fluent Design. Additionally, Microsoft has added significant changes in Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
A Microsoft account. The company advises that, to use the suite, users must have a Microsoft account and an Internet connection. However, it’s likely this is only required to install and activate it, as well as to access security updates. Office 2024 is available for Windows 10, Windows 11, and the last three versions of macOS.
Two versions of Microsoft Office. The first is Office Home 2024, which costs $149.99 and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. If you also want Outlook, you’ll need to go for the Office Home & Business 2024 edition, which is priced at $249.99 and also allows users to use these apps for commercial purposes.
Long live lifetime licenses. Microsoft’s decision to offer lifetime licenses for these products is a welcome change in an industry that’s increasingly moving toward subscription models. Users are tired of ever-more-expensive subscriptions. This change gives them the option to purchase the software and use it forever, which should be more widely available across different services and products.
Image | Demure Storyteller | Ed Hardie
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