The Office perpetual licences compared
All the versions mentioned are perpetual licences: one-time purchase, permanent use. They differ mainly in their update period. For new purchases, Office 2024 is the clear recommendation.
| Version | Security updates until | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| Office 2024 | 09.10.2029 | New purchases, long-term use |
| Office 2021 | 09.10.2026 | Tighter budget, medium usage period |
| Office 2019 | Support already ended | Only when a specific version match is required |
| Office 2016 | Support ended | Generally no longer recommended |
Which perpetual licence suits which needs
- Office 2024. The standard choice. Current, longest update period, all editions available.
- Office 2021. A sensible option on a tighter budget or when Office only needs to be used for another two to three years.
- Office 2019 and older. Only buy this if a specific application requires exactly this version. Support has ended.
- Also choose the edition. Within each version: Home, Home and Business, Standard or Professional Plus, depending on the programs you need.