Okay, so you need Microsoft Office for your Mac. Maybe you’re tired of trying to make Apple Pages work with everyone else’s Word documents, or you actually need Excel for something. Now you’re on Microsoft’s website and it’s confusing as heck.
Should you buy Office once and be done with it? Or subscribe to Microsoft 365 and pay every year?
As a millennial, let me break this down for you like I’m explaining it to my parents.
Quick note: This is the fast-answer version. If you want the complete analysis of all Office options, Mac compatibility details, and comprehensive decision frameworks, check out our Independent Buyer’s Guide for Microsoft Office on Mac.
The Basic Difference (It’s Like Netflix vs. Buying a DVD)
Office Home 2024 means you pay $149.99 ONE TIME and you own it forever. It’s like buying a DVD. You pay once, it’s yours, done. You can use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on one Mac for as long as that Mac works.
Microsoft 365 is a subscription. You pay $99.99 every year (or $10 per month) and you can use Office as long as you keep paying. It’s like Netflix—stop paying, and you lose access. But while you’re subscribed, you always get the newest version.
But the difference goes way beyond the payment model.
Here’s What You Actually Get
Let me show you what you’re paying for with each option:
| What You Get | Office 2024 ($150 once) | Microsoft 365 Personal ($100/year) | Microsoft 365 Family ($130/year) |
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| OneNote | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Outlook email app | ❌ Nope | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| How many Macs? | Just 1 | Up to 5 devices | Up to 5 devices per person |
| How many people? | 1 person | 1 person | Up to 6 people |
| Cloud storage | ❌ Nope | 1 TB (1,000 GB!) | 1 TB per person |
| Works on your iPhone/iPad | Sort of (limited) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Get new features | ❌ Nope | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| AI features (Copilot) | ❌ Nope | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Updates stop | 2029 | Never (while subscribed) | Never (while subscribed) |
| Internet requirement | ❌ Works Offline fully | Must connect every 31 days | Must connect every 31 days |
| Battery impact on MacBook | ⚡ Minimal | ⚡⚡ Slightly higher (cloud sync) | ⚡⚡ Slightly higher (cloud sync) |
The big things to notice:
- Office 2024 doesn’t include Outlook (the email program)
- Office 2024 gives you ZERO cloud storage
- Office 2024 never gets updated with new features
- Office 2024 works completely offline after installation
- Microsoft 365 requires internet connection every 31 days
- Microsoft 365 Family is insanely cheap if you split it with family
Let’s Talk Money (The Real Cost)
Here’s the thing everyone wants to know: which is actually cheaper?
If You’re Just One Person
Office 2024 costs $150 once.
Microsoft 365 Personal costs $100 per year.
So Microsoft 365 is cheaper for the first year only. After year 2, Office 2024 becomes the better value.
Over 4 years:
- Office 2024: $149.99 total ($37.50/year)
- Microsoft 365 Personal: $399.96 total ($99.99/year)
That’s a $250 difference. And with Office 2024, you still own it after year 4.
About that cloud storage argument: Microsoft loves to say “but you get 1TB storage!” Here’s the reality—most Mac users already have iCloud storage, and if you don’t need 1TB, you’re paying for something you won’t use. Don’t let bundled features you don’t need justify an ongoing subscription.
If You’re a Student (This Changes Everything)
Students get Microsoft 365 Personal for just $4.99/month – that’s only $59.88 per year instead of $99.99!
Over 4 years of college:
- Office 2024: $149.99 total
- Microsoft 365 Student: $239.52 total (still $90 more, but you get updates)
BUT FIRST: Check if your school provides Office for FREE. Most colleges and many high schools give students free Office 365. Check your student portal or IT department before buying anything.
For college students paying themselves: Office 2024 is often the better value if you work independently. You’ll own it after graduation, no subscription to maintain.
Learn more about student discounts and free school access
If You Have a Family (The ONE Case Where Subscription Wins)
Microsoft 365 Family is $130 per year for UP TO 6 PEOPLE.
That’s about $22 per person per year.
If you bought Office 2024 for 6 people, you’d pay $150 × 6 = $900.
With the Family plan, you’d need to subscribe for 7 years before you spent that much.
This is the one scenario where the subscription math clearly makes sense. If you have multiple family members who need Office, the Family plan is genuinely the better choice.
What’s Good and Bad About Each Option
Office 2024: Buy It Once
The Good Stuff:
- You own it. Pay once, use forever. No recurring charges sneaking onto your credit card.
- Works completely offline after activation—perfect for MacBook battery life
- Better MacBook battery life – no background cloud syncing draining power
- The apps never change on you—no forced updates breaking your workflow
- Fits Mac culture of buying professional software (like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro)
- Predictable costs—you know exactly what you’re spending
- No internet check-ins—use it anywhere, anytime
The Bad Stuff:
- Frozen in time at the 2024 version (but realistically, how often do you need new Word features?)
- No Outlook email app in the $150 version (but most Mac users prefer Apple Mail anyway)
- Zero cloud storage (but you probably have iCloud already)
- Only works on ONE Mac
- Security updates stop in 2029 (5 years from now)
- No AI features (which cost extra with subscriptions anyway)
- iPhone/iPad apps are the free, limited versions
Bottom line: This is the smart choice for most Mac users who work independently and value ownership over renting.
Microsoft 365: The Subscription
The Good Stuff:
- Always have the newest version with latest features
- 1 TB cloud storage included (though most Mac users already have iCloud)
- Works on 5 devices at once (Mac, iPad, iPhone)
- Includes Outlook email app
- Gets new AI features (basic Copilot Chat; advanced AI costs extra $20/month)
- Full versions on iPhone and iPad
- Real-time collaboration features
The Bad Stuff:
- You have to keep paying every year—$100 annually forever
- Need internet connection every 31 days or apps enter “reduced functionality mode”
- If you stop paying, everything stops working (you can read docs but can’t edit)
- Apps get updated whether you like it or not—Microsoft controls your workflow
- Slightly higher battery usage on MacBooks due to cloud sync
- The subscription benefits Microsoft more than it benefits you—recurring revenue is their goal
- You’re paying for bundled features you might not need
Bottom line: Only worth it if you genuinely need real-time collaboration daily or you’re splitting a Family plan with others.
So Which One Should You Actually Get?
Let me make this really simple. Most Mac users should buy Office 2024. Here’s when each option makes sense:
Get Office 2024 if: (This is most people)
- You work independently most of the time
- You use Word/Excel/PowerPoint regularly but not for real-time collaboration
- You prefer owning your software (like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro)
- You want predictable, one-time costs
- You don’t want another subscription payment
- You already have cloud storage (iCloud, Dropbox, etc.)
- You value better MacBook battery life
- You don’t need the absolute latest features the day they release
This is the right choice for about 90% of Mac users. You own it, it works offline, and it respects how Mac users like to buy professional software.
Get Microsoft 365 Personal if: (Only if you truly need these)
- You collaborate in real-time with others DAILY (not just occasionally sharing files)
- You genuinely need 1TB cloud storage AND don’t have iCloud+ or similar
- You work across many devices constantly and need instant sync
- You absolutely must have the newest features immediately
- Your work specifically requires Microsoft 365 features
Be honest: Do you really need real-time collaboration, or do you just email documents back and forth? If it’s the latter, Office 2024 works perfectly.
Get Microsoft 365 Student if:
- You’re a current student (high school or college)
- You’ve verified your school doesn’t offer FREE Office (check first!)
- You need collaboration features for frequent group projects
- You want the best price: $4.99/month = $59.88/year
But consider Office 2024 if: You’ll use Office for 4+ years and mostly work independently. It’s cheaper long-term ($149.99 vs $239+ over college).
Get Microsoft 365 Family if:
- You have 2+ family members who need Office
- You want to share with spouse, kids, parents, or roommates
- Multiple people need Office across different devices
This is the ONE scenario where the subscription clearly wins. At $22/person/year for families, the math makes sense.
A Few Things Mac Users Should Know
Your Mac Needs to Be Kind of New
Both options only work on the three newest versions of macOS. Right now (late 2025), that means Ventura, Sonoma, or Sequoia.
If your Mac is older than that, you might have trouble. With Office 2024, you’re stuck—can’t upgrade without buying a new copy. With Microsoft 365, you just keep your subscription going as long as your Mac can run a current macOS.
Good news: If you have an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, or M3), Office runs natively and performs beautifully on both options.
Macs Don’t Get Everything Windows Gets
Just so you know, neither option gives you Microsoft Access or Publisher—those are Windows-only. Both Mac versions also have limited support for fancy Excel macros. This isn’t about subscription vs. purchase—it’s just how Microsoft Office works on Mac.
It’s still totally fine for 99% of what people do. Just wanted you to know.
Battery Life Matters on MacBooks
Office 2024 has minimal battery impact because it works completely offline with no background processes.
Microsoft 365 uses slightly more battery due to OneDrive syncing and cloud features. It’s not dramatic, but if you’re working on battery all day, it’s worth knowing.
Wait, What About Office 2021?
You might see Office 2021 still for sale, sometimes at a discount. Skip it.
Security updates stop in October 2026—that’s basically right around the corner. It’s also a 4-year-old version that’s missing a bunch of features.
If you’re going to buy Office once, spend the extra money for Office 2024. You get three more years of updates and newer features. The savings on 2021 aren’t worth it.
My Honest Recommendation
For most Mac users: Get Office 2024 ($149.99).
Here’s why: You pay once, you own it forever. No subscription anxiety, no internet check-ins, better battery life on your MacBook. It respects the Mac way of buying professional software—just like Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro. The subscription model benefits Microsoft more than it benefits you.
But get Microsoft 365 Personal if you truly need:
- Real-time collaboration with others daily
- 1TB of cloud storage (and you don’t already have iCloud+ or similar)
- The newest features the moment they release
- Full Office on multiple devices (Mac, iPad, iPhone)
Most people think they need these things but actually don’t. Be honest with yourself.
For students: Check for FREE school access first.
Most colleges and many high schools provide free Office 365. Check your student portal before buying anything. If your school doesn’t offer free access, then consider:
- Office 2024 ($149.99) if you’ll use it for 4+ years (better value)
- Student discount ($4.99/month) if you need collaboration features for group projects
For families: Microsoft 365 Family makes sense.
$130/year split among up to 6 people is ridiculously cheap ($22/person). This is the ONE case where the subscription math clearly wins. If you have multiple family members who need Office, get the Family plan.
The bottom line on subscriptions:
Subscriptions are convenient for Microsoft’s revenue, but for most Mac users who work independently and prefer to own their tools, Office 2024 is the smarter choice. Don’t let Microsoft’s marketing convince you that you need a subscription when a one-time purchase serves you better.
Where to Actually Buy This Stuff
Here are the two best places to buy, in order:
1. Amazon (Usually Cheapest)
Amazon sometimes has Microsoft 365 on sale, so always check.
- Microsoft 365 Personal: Check current price on Amazon
- Microsoft 365 Family: Check current price on Amazon
- Office 2024: Check Amazon for deals
Pro tip: Amazon frequently has sales, especially around Black Friday, Prime Day, and back-to-school season. I’ve seen Microsoft 365 Family for as low as $99.99.
2. Microsoft Direct
If Amazon doesn’t have a good deal, buy straight from Microsoft:
Bonus: Microsoft offers a free one-month trial of Microsoft 365. Try it before you buy it.
Where NOT to Buy
- Sketchy third-party key resellers – You might save $20 but risk getting a fake key that stops working
- Used keys on eBay – Microsoft 365 is tied to accounts; you can’t really “resell” a subscription
- Those “lifetime Office” deals – They’re scams. Office doesn’t work that way.
Stick with Amazon or Microsoft. They’re legit, their customer service is good, and you won’t get scammed.
Still Can’t Decide? Here’s a Super Quick Quiz
Answer these honestly:
1. Do you have 2+ family members who need Office?
→ YES = Get Microsoft 365 Family and split it. This is the ONE case where subscription wins.
→ NO = Keep going.
2. Are you a current student?
→ YES = Check if your school offers FREE Office first. If not, consider Office 2024 for 4+ year value or student discount if you need collaboration. → NO = Keep going.
3. Do you collaborate in real-time with others DAILY?
→ YES = You might actually need Microsoft 365 Personal (but be honest—is it daily or just occasionally?)
→ NO = Keep going.
4. Do you genuinely need 1TB cloud storage AND don’t have iCloud+ or similar?
→ YES = Microsoft 365 Personal might make sense
→ NO = Keep going.
5. Do you prefer owning your software instead of renting it?
→ YES = Get Office 2024. Done.
→ NO = Keep going.
6. Are you okay paying $100 every year forever for features you might not need?
→ YES = Get Microsoft 365 Personal
→ NO = Get Office 2024
If you made it this far: Get Office 2024. You’re overthinking it. Buy it once, own it forever, move on with your life.
Related Resources
Want more details? We’ve got you covered:
- The Independent Buyer’s Guide for Microsoft Office on Mac – Complete 10-minute analysis of all options, Mac compatibility, and detailed recommendations
- Student Guide: How to Get Free Office for Mac – Check if your school provides free access
- Office 2024 Home vs Home & Business – When you need Outlook and when you don’t
Bottom line: Don’t fall for the subscription trap unless you genuinely need real-time collaboration or you’re splitting a Family plan. Most Mac users who work independently are better off buying Office 2024 once and owning it. It’s how you’d buy Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro—why should Office be different?
Now go buy Office 2024 and get back to actually using it instead of spending another hour researching. You’ll thank yourself in 2 years when you’re not paying another $100.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn small commissions from Office purchases through our links. This doesn’t affect our recommendations or the price you pay—we often suggest the cheaper one-time purchase when it’s the better choice for Mac users.
Last updated: November 2025. Prices change, so double-check current prices on Amazon and Microsoft before buying. I’m not sponsored by anyone—this is just genuinely good advice from a fellow Mac user.