Subscription-free version of Microsoft Office 2024 launched

Users can get a lifetime license for the app suite – as long as they can forego updates or collaboration

Microsoft has officially released a subscription-free version of its Office 2024.

The company says it offers a one-time purchase option for the latest version for both Windows and Mac users. This includes Microsoft apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Priced at £119.99 for a single PC or Mac, Office 2024 offers an alternative for those who would rather not commit to a subscription.

For £249.99, users can opt for the Office Home & Business 2024 Edition, which adds Outlook and offers the ability to use the software for commercial purposes.

For comparison, the current price for Microsoft 365 Personal is £59.99 per year, while Microsoft 365 Family (one to six people) costs £79.99 per year.

With the release of Office 2013, Microsoft first made the decision to move the Office suite to a subscription-based model and has continued on that path ever since, although perpetual options have generally been available.

With Office 2024, Microsoft says it continues to target users who prefer traditional software without a subscription to an annual fee for Microsoft 365. “We know that some of our customers still prefer a way to access our familiar apps without a subscription “That’s why we’re releasing Office 2024,” a Microsoft spokesperson said.

The suite includes all modern features introduced in recent years, but does not receive any further updates after purchase. Unlike Microsoft 365, Office 2024 users don’t have access to real-time collaboration tools or Copilot AI integration, key features that the subscription service offers.

Office 2024 also doesn’t have the continuous updates and cloud-based features that come with a Microsoft 365 subscription.