Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365: Which Is Better?

If you’re trying to decide between Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365, it’s easy to get confused. Both options give you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more, but they differ a lot in how you pay, how many devices you can use, and how long the license lasts.

In this article, we’ll compare Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365 in terms of pricing, features, devices and long-term value so you can choose the option that fits your needs and your budget.

What Is Office 2021 Pro Plus?

Office 2021 Pro Plus is a classic, one-time purchase. You buy a license once, activate it with a product key, and then you can use it for as long as you want on the allowed number of devices.

With Office 2021 Pro Plus 5PC, you get:

Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook
OneNote
Publisher (Windows only)
Access (Windows only)
OneDrive integration

Once activated, you don’t pay again. There are no monthly or yearly fees. You receive security updates and bug fixes, but you don’t get the big new features that come to future Office versions unless you buy a newer version later.

If you prefer a lifetime license, you can check our offer for a genuine key here:
👉 Microsoft Office 2021 Pro Plus Lifetime License Key (5PC)

What Is Microsoft 365 (Office 365)?

Microsoft 365 (previously called Office 365) is a subscription-based service. Instead of paying once, you pay monthly or yearly to keep using the apps and services.

Depending on the plan, you typically get:

The latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and more
Apps for Windows, macOS, mobile, and web
1 TB or more of OneDrive cloud storage per user
Extra features like Teams, SharePoint or Exchange (for business plans)

As long as you keep your subscription active, you always have the newest version of Office. If you stop paying, the apps switch to reduced functionality mode and you lose many features.

If you prefer a subscription instead of a lifetime license, you can look at our Office 365 / Microsoft 365 style product:
👉 Office 365 Pro Plus – Instant Delivery

Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365: Payment Model

The biggest difference between Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365 is how you pay.

Office 2021 Pro Plus
– One-time payment
– Lifetime license for your devices
– No recurring fees
Microsoft 365
– Monthly or annual subscription
– You must keep paying to keep full access
– You always get the latest version

If you hate subscriptions and just want to buy once and own it, Office 2021 Pro Plus is usually the better choice. However, if you always want the latest features and don’t mind paying every month, Microsoft 365 can make sense.

Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365: Features Compared

For most home and business users, the core apps are very similar:

Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook are available in both Office 2021 Pro Plus and Microsoft 365.
Publisher and Access are typically available for Windows in the Pro Plus version and in some Microsoft 365 plans.

The main difference is how often the features change. The Office 2021 Pro Plus apps are feature-complete for this version. You get new security updates and fixes, but not major new tools every few months.

With Microsoft 365, Microsoft regularly adds new features, AI-powered tools, templates and cloud integrations. If you like having the newest features as soon as they are released, the subscription option wins here.

For many users, though, the features in Office 2021 Pro Plus are more than enough for everyday work, study and small business tasks.

Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365: How Many Devices?

Licensing can be confusing, so let’s keep it simple.

With Office 2021 Pro Plus 5PC, you can activate Office on up to 5 Windows PCs using your lifetime key.
With Microsoft 365, the number of devices depends on your plan:
- Some plans allow you to install Office on multiple devices for a single user.
- Other plans limit the number of users or installations.

If you have a few PCs at home or a small office, a 5PC lifetime license can be very cost-effective. You pay once, spread it across up to 5 machines, and you’re done.

Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365: Internet and Cloud

Both Office 2021 Pro Plus and Microsoft 365 can work offline, but Microsoft 365 depends more heavily on the cloud.

Office 2021 Pro Plus
– You download and install the apps locally.
– You can work offline anytime.
– Cloud features (like OneDrive) are available but not required.
Microsoft 365
– Deep integration with OneDrive, Teams and other cloud services.
– Some features work best when you’re online.
– The subscription periodically checks your license status via the internet.

If you often work without a reliable internet connection, a permanent local installation like Office 2021 Pro Plus is usually safer and more predictable.

Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365: Which Is Cheaper Long Term?

At first, Microsoft 365 can look cheaper because you pay a smaller amount each month. However, if you compare costs over several years, a one-time Office 2021 Pro Plus key often wins.

For example:

With a subscription, you may still be paying after 2, 3 or 5 years just to keep using the core apps.
With a lifetime license, you pay once and can keep running Office on your 5 PCs as long as they meet the system requirements.

If you plan to use Office for a long time and don’t need constant new features, a one-time purchase is usually the best value.

Who Should Choose Office 2021 Pro Plus?

You should consider Office 2021 Pro Plus if:

You want a lifetime license without monthly fees.
You need Office on up to 5 PCs in your home or small business.
You mainly use classic apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
You’re happy to use this version for several years without needing every tiny new feature.

Image 2:Buy Office 2021 Pro Plus lifetime key for 5 PCs from Nallexshop

You can get a genuine Office 2021 Pro Plus lifetime key for 5 devices here:
👉 Buy Microsoft Office 2021 Pro Plus Lifetime License Key (5PC)

Who Should Choose Microsoft 365?

You might prefer Microsoft 365 if:

You want the latest features as soon as they come out.
You rely heavily on cloud tools like OneDrive, Teams or SharePoint.
You don’t mind paying a subscription every month or year.
You need cross-platform access on many devices, including mobile and web.

If you want a subscription-style Office solution with instant digital delivery, you can explore:
👉 Office 365 Pro Plus – Instant Delivery

Official Resources From Microsoft

For more information straight from Microsoft, you can check their official pages: