VERSION COMPARISON
Office Versions: 2016 · 2019 · 2021 · 2024 · 365
Four perpetual versions and one subscription — which is right for you? Compare every Office option in a single table with support dates, features and our live store prices.
Short answer
For price/performance we recommend Office 2021; for the longest support choose Office 2024 (October 2029). Microsoft support for Office 2016 and 2019 has ended — pick them only on a tight budget, knowingly. For multiple devices and cloud, the right choice is the Office 365 subscription.
Current Prices
$10.99$6.99%36
$10.99$6.99%36
$10.99$6.99%36
Prices are live — always identical to the product page. All except 365 are one-time purchases; no subscription.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Office 2016 | Office 2019 | Office 2021Our pick | Office 2024 | Office 365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licence type | One-time | One-time | One-time | One-time | Subscription (10-12 mo) |
| Microsoft support status | Ended (Oct 2025) | Ended (Oct 2025) | Until Oct 2026 | Until Oct 2029 | Current while subscribed |
| Devices | 1 PC | 1 PC | 1 PC | 1 PC | Up to 5 devices |
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Publisher | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Until Oct 2026 |
| XLOOKUP & dynamic arrays (Excel) | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mac support | Separate Mac product | Separate Mac product | Separate Mac product | Separate Mac product | Yes |
| Cloud (OneDrive) & mobile use | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Which One Is for Whom?
Balanced pick
Office 2021: modern features (XLOOKUP, Fluent UI) + support until October 2026. The price/performance champion. For a detailed head-to-head: Office 2021 vs 2024
Long-term thinkers
Office 2024: the longest-lived perpetual version with Microsoft support until October 2029. Buy once, forget about it for years.
Tight budget
Office 2016 and 2019 keep working, but Microsoft support has ended and they no longer receive security updates. Choose them knowingly, for short-term needs.
Multi-device & cloud users
Office 365: up to 5 devices across Windows, Mac, phone and tablet + always-current apps. For the rent-vs-own maths: Office 365 vs Perpetual Licence
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Office is the cheapest?
Office 2016 and 2019 are usually the lowest priced — but Microsoft support has ended, so they receive no security updates. If your budget stretches a little, the still-supported Office 2021 is the more balanced choice.
Is buying Office 2016 or 2019 still reasonable?
They keep working and activating, and they're fine for basic office work. But Microsoft support ended in October 2025, so they get no updates — choose them knowingly, for short-term use.
Should I buy Office 2021 or 2024?
2021 if you find it at a better price, 2024 for the longest support. See our detailed Office 2021 vs Office 2024 comparison for the full picture.
What happens when my Office 365 subscription ends?
The apps restrict editing features; your files remain yours. To keep using them, you'll need a new subscription.
I'm on a Mac — which Office should I buy?
The Retail versions in this table are for Windows. For Mac, see the Office Mac Home & Business versions in our store, or choose Office 365, which supports Mac among its 5 devices.
This page is an informational comparison prepared by Karınca Lisans. Please make sure you choose the licence that fits your needs before purchasing.
Feature and support information is based on Microsoft's official product lifecycle and release notes (as of July 2026).