Octobits Blog – Microsoft 365 has changed from a one-off purchase to a subscription-based service, which has got people wondering about the actual value of such an investment over time.
The Microsoft 365 price lifetime isn’t fixed. It’s a subscription model, so you have to keep paying to access the apps and services.
This model means users always have access to the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
With that in mind, let’s look at how lifetime payment models can help your business keep up with technology.
How Long Does a Microsoft 365 License Last?
Microsoft 365 is mainly a subscription service, so the length of your licence depends on how long you choose to subscribe.
For users in Australia, you usually get to choose between a monthly or annual plan.
The most popular options, like the Microsoft 365 Family plan, cost around AUD 139 a year or AUD 14 a month.
These plans give you access to premium Office apps, 1 TB of cloud storage per user, and advanced security features across multiple devices.
If you miss a subscription payment, Microsoft usually gives you a grace period to renew your subscription and avoid any service interruptions.
If you don’t pay within the grace period, you’ll lose access to Microsoft 365 apps and services.
The subscription model is different from the older perpetual licence model that was offered with products like Office 2019 or Office 2021.
With that model, you would pay once and then own the software forever.
However, these perpetual licences don’t offer the same continuous updates and cloud integration that are so important in today’s digital world.
With Microsoft 365, you can rest easy knowing your software is always up to date.
It’ll get the latest features and security patches automatically, which is especially important in today’s tech world and with cyber threats on the rise.
For reference of add-on, kindly read “Microsoft 365 Audio Conferencing Add-on Price: Features, Benefits, & How To Set Up.”
Is There a Lifetime Price for Microsoft 365?
As a fundamental answer; Microsoft doesn’t offer a lifetime subscription for Microsoft 365. So, it’s often thought differently about the idea of Microsoft 365 price lifetime.
Instead, all the proper licences for this suite are based on a subscription model, which requires either monthly or annual payments.
From time to time, you might come across offers for lifetime access to older versions of Microsoft Office, such as Office 2021.
These deals usually come from third-party sellers rather than Microsoft itself, and often involve a one-off payment.
It’s important to know that these lifetime licences are tied to specific software versions and aren’t part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, which includes ongoing updates and cloud-based services.
So, a lifetime licence for Office 2021 gives you unlimited access to that software version on one device.
However, it doesn’t include the regular updates, security patches or cloud services like OneDrive that you get with Microsoft 365.
Also, when Microsoft 365 says ‘lifetime’, they usually mean the lifespan of the device, not the user’s lifetime.
If the device you’ve got Office 2021 on breaks or you get a new one, you can’t usually transfer the licence to the new device without buying another one.
Microsoft 365’s subscription model doesn’t offer lifetime access, but it does guarantee that users will have access to the latest features and security updates throughout the subscription period.
The lifetime price topic has been around for a few years now. For instance, you can see it in this Microsoft Q&A forum. So, this misconception needs to be corrected on an ongoing basis.
Alternatives to Microsoft 365 Price Lifetime
If you’re looking for a one-time payment, Microsoft still has the Office Home & Student 2021 edition, which you can buy outright for AUD 219.
This version includes essential apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but it doesn’t have the latest updates and cloud integration features that you get with Microsoft 365.
There are also free or cheaper productivity suites like Google Workspace, which might be enough for people who don’t need the full Microsoft toolset.
On top of that, if you’ve got a particular requirement, open-source options like LibreOffice could be a good alternative,
Once again, as an alternative, it might not have all the advanced features and seamless integration that you get with Microsoft’s products.
As a point of reference, you might want to take a look at “Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 vs Plan 2 Price: Overview & Features.”
How to Manage Microsoft 365 Subscriptions
One of the first things you should think about is how you’re billed. Switching to an annual subscription instead of monthly payments can help you save money.
For example, in Australia, the Microsoft 365 Family plan costs AUD 139 a year, while the monthly plan is AUD 168 over a year.
Then, you need to regularly check in with yourself to see how well your current Microsoft 365 plan is working for you.
But, there’s more to managing your Microsoft 365 subscription than just the billing and usage.
You need to keep an eye on renewal dates and understand what happens if you cancel.
Microsoft usually sets up automatic renewals for its subscriptions, which can catch users off guard if they’re not kept on top of it.
So, a tool like Octobits can make things even easier by giving you a single, easy-to-read overview of all your bills.
As a license management platform, Octobits gives you detailed usage reports so you can keep all your subscription info in one place.
What does this mean for your team? First, you can see all your SaaS-related expenses, including Microsoft 365, in one place.
Secondly, your IT managers can spot which services aren’t being used and make smart choices about downgrading or switching plans.
Plus, you’ll get timely alerts about upcoming renewals. This gives you plenty of time to decide whether to stick with your subscription or cancel it.
Especially if you want to avoid extra charges or make sure your OneDrive data is safely backed up before cancellation.
Given all those Octobits’ key benefits, we encourage you to do your own research and decide for yourself.
So, you can use Octobits free of charge until December 2024.
The idea is you can see how Octobits can help your SaaS system by checking out the insights and data.
In Conclusion
While a one-off purchase might seem like a good idea at the time, the subscription model means you can change your plan as your needs change and make sure you always have the latest features.
If you’re in Australia, think carefully about the costs and benefits of both options to find the best fit for you.
So, while the Microsoft 365 price lifetime is more like a one-off payment, all you need to think about is how to stay up to date with the evolving tech.
