Which Office should your Mac run?
Independent, Mac-first advice on buying Microsoft Office: own it once or subscribe, plus the gotchas Microsoft's marketing skips. We'll tell you when not to buy, too.
What brings you here?
Skip straight to the page written for your situation.
Buying for a college student Most students can get Office free. Check that before spending a dollar. Back to School guide → New You're a teacher Is there an educator discount? We asked Microsoft. Short answer: no. The teacher's guide → Deciding what to buy Office 2024 once, or Microsoft 365 forever? The independent comparison. The buyer's guide → Hunting a deal Verified sales with dates, and plain words when there aren't any. Current deals →
The short comparison
Four numbers tell most of the story. The full table adds apps, extras, and the fine print.
| Product | Price (4 years) | Copilot AI | Cloud storage | Own forever |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office 2024 Home ⭐ Best value | $179.99 once | ❌ None | ❌ | ✅ |
| Office 2024 H&B | $249.99 once | ❌ None | ❌ | ✅ |
| M365 Personal | $399.96 ($99.99/yr) · or $9.99/mo | ✅ In desktop apps (usage limits) | 1TB OneDrive | ❌ |
| M365 Family | $519.96 ($129.99/yr) · or $12.99/mo | ✅ Owner only | 6TB (1TB each) | ❌ |
| M365 Premium | $799.96 ($199.99/yr) · or $19.99/mo | ✅ Highest limits + exclusive features, owner only | 6TB (1TB each) | ❌ |
| M365 Premium (Student) | $719.64 (yr 1 free, then $19.99/mo) | ✅ Highest limits + AI agents (owner only) | 6TB (1TB each) | ❌ |
Where we'd buy
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Microsoft directly
The source: full support, instant digital delivery.
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Amazon
Microsoft's official storefront on Amazon.
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Apple
Microsoft 365 subscriptions via the Mac App Store.
Avoid third-party key resellers and "too good to be true" pricing; gray-market keys get revoked. Current verified sales: the deals page.