Microsoft 365 is a set of apps and services used by over one million businesses worldwide. It is a feature-rich cloud-based solution that provides users with a secure and cost-effective platform to store their data and information and work as a team. Previously known as Office 365, Microsoft 365 comes in three editions: Microsoft 365 Home, Microsoft 365 Business, and Microsoft 365 Enterprise.
Choosing the right Microsoft 365 Family plan can significantly impact your productivity and collaboration capabilities. In this blog, we will mainly talk about the key differences between Microsoft 365 Home and Microsoft 365 Business to help you understand which option best suits your personal or business needs.
Whether you’re an individual user or a business owner, our Microsoft 365 Home vs Microsoft 365 Business comparison will help you understand the features and benefits of both Microsoft 365 plans (Home and Business), allowing you to make an informed decision about your digital workspace.
Microsoft 365 Family Overview
Microsoft 365 Family is designed for families and individuals. It offers a suite of productivity tools, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Supports up to six users, each with 1TB SATA SSD of OneDrive cloud storage. With features like Microsoft Teams for use and advanced security options, it’s ideal for managing tasks, school projects, and home organization.
Microsoft 365 Business Overview
Microsoft 365, this version, is designed for small to medium-sized enterprises. It offers robust tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as advanced business services like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange. It includes enhanced security features and compliance capabilities, supporting seamless collaboration and data protection. Perfect for boosting productivity and streamlining operations, caters to the professional atmosphere with varying needs.
Comparison: Office 365 Family vs Microsoft 365 Business
Although most of the features and functions of Microsoft 365 Home and Microsoft Business seem similar, there are significant differences between them. In many ways, the basic plan mimics Microsoft 365 Home, although it is designed for business use. You can add up to 300 other accounts to your Microsoft 365 Business subscription, allowing them to install and use the software on all their devices.
Let’s Compare these Microsoft 365 Based on Several Key Factors:
Users
The main difference between the two plans is the user base and the number of users offered. Microsoft 365 Home is primarily designed for an individual user who wants to perform basic functionalities. On the other hand, MS 365 Business is primarily for entrepreneurs and SMEs.
The other major difference is the number of users offered by both plans. Office 365 Family Home features can be shared with up to 6 people, while Microsoft 365 Business can be shared with up to 300 people.
Features
The difference in the functionality of both plans lies in the features they offer. Microsoft 365 Home has only basic features. Also, the Microsoft 365 Business license has more features than the basic suite of apps and services. Here are some:
Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server is a platform for email, scheduling, calendaring, contact management, and collaboration. It is installed on the Windows Server operating system (OS) for corporate use. However, with the Business license, users get access to Exchange Server with 50 GB of email storage.
Skype
Skype is used by millions of people and businesses to have free video and voice one-to-one and group conversations, exchange instant messages, and share files with others. The Home license gives users access to 60 minutes (each) of Skype time. The Business license gives them access to Skype for Business, which permits users to have unlimited HD video conferencing.
SharePoint
Microsoft SharePoint is used by most businesses to develop websites. On the other hand, Microsoft 365 Business includes SharePoint Online, which provides users with a collaborative platform to share and manage documents and collaborate. As a result, they can boost their team’s productivity. All you need is a web browser, such as Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox.
Microsoft Teams
Users can access Microsoft Teams with Microsoft 365 Business, but not with a Home license. It provides users (local, distributed, or remote workgroups) with a platform to communicate, chat, video conference, and more. Microsoft Teams is exceptionally simple and user-friendly and requires little or no setup at all.
Microsoft Planner
Microsoft Planner with Microsoft 365 Business allows users to schedule meetings, assign tasks, and manage projects. In addition, Microsoft Planner is now available in Microsoft Teams and Microsoft SharePoint. You can also set deadlines, share files, and interact with your team members. On the other hand, the Home license does not have this feature.
Security and Compliance
Microsoft 365 is quite popular among businesses due to its mobility and collaboration capabilities. However, with cloud-hosted Microsoft 365, security is paramount as new threats emerge quickly. As a result, your company must adopt all available methods to protect its consumers’ information.
With this in mind, Microsoft 365 comes with built-in features and custom controls to help customers meet compliance requirements. In the Business license, users get several built-in security features, such as Advanced Threat Protection and Exchange Online Protection. The administrator can also control who can access documents in Microsoft 365 Business. On the other hand, the Home license does not have any built-in security features.
Which One is Right for You?
There is no definitive answer to this. It all depends on the demands of your organization and how frequently your teams use Microsoft and its services. As a result, there are many aspects to consider before making a selection. Microsoft has already done the hard work for you by categorizing its plans and packages according to the industry, so the first step is to choose the one that best suits your needs. Microsoft 365 Home can be used for personal use with only basic features and minimal security. However, Microsoft 365 Business is mostly preferred by SMEs and startups, as it offers several features and security patches to its users. Also, it is worth noting that a thorough knowledge of all Microsoft 365 plans will help you make the right decision before migrating to the cloud. SoftwareDiscountUSA team of cloud professionals is here to help you with 24×7 full support via chat, phone, or email. The relatively high cost means there are very few situations where Microsoft 365 Family will be the best option for you – even if you’re buying the software for business use.
If you’re a small company with relatively modest productivity needs, you can easily buy Microsoft 365 Family, give access to five other employees, and enjoy web, mobile, and PC-based access to important apps.
It’s also ideal for freelancers, people who need the product for their family, and many people who work from home.
However, pretty soon you’ll exceed the limits of Microsoft 365 Family, especially if you’re part of a growing business or if you work in a large team. If that’s the case, you or your business should shell out for a Microsoft 365 Business product.
Exchange compatibility means you can use corporate email addresses, those tools support a greater number of users, and you get better security and management options as you move up through the tiers. In terms of security, deployment, and administration, there’s no competition.
Ultimately, freelancers, sole traders, and people who need basic productivity tools can certainly save money with Microsoft 365 Family, and it’s a great option if you want one package to cover home and work use. But if you’re a larger business you’ll need the more robust security and management tools available from Microsoft’s proper corporate software.
Author: SoftwareDiscount USA
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