Microsoft Office 2021: Release Date and Pricing, Revealed

Are you going to upgrade to Office 2021?

Microsoft Office 2021 is set to arrive on October 5, 2021, the same day as the Windows 11 general release.

Now, Microsoft has confirmed the official price of the upgraded Office 2021 suite, along with the features available to each subscription option.

How Much Will Microsoft Office 2021 Cost?

Microsoft Office 2021 will cost the same as Microsoft Office 2019. That means for the standalone Office 2021 package, you're looking at:

• Office 2021 Home & Student: $149.99
• Office 2021 Home & Business: $249.99

However, you can also opt for the yearly Microsoft 365 subscription, which might work out cheaper depending on your usage:

• Microsoft 365 Personal: $69.99/year or $6.99/month
• Microsoft 365 Family: $99.99/year or $9.99/month
• Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $5/month per user
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50/month per user
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $20/month per user
• Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: $8.25/month per user

Is It Worth Upgrading to Microsoft Office 2021?

At this point, standalone Microsoft Office 2019 users (or earlier versions) will be considering whether to upgrade to the latest version or not. It's always a difficult proposition: is it worth upgrading to the latest Office version?

Microsoft Office 2021 comes with several updates across the myriad apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. There's a new visual style with a standardized color scheme throughout Office, along with other performance tweaks and upgrades.

Unless there is something very specific you need to upgrade for, Office 2019 will keep you going just fine. The overall Office 2021 suite looks good and is full of features, but you're not missing too much by holding off upgrading.

Office 2013 Won't Work on Windows 11

Microsoft's announcement also revealed that Office 2013 will not work on Windows 11. If you were planning to continue to use Office 2013 with the new operating system, you'll have to upgrade to the latest standalone version or grab a Microsoft 365 subscription.

It's Time for Microsoft Office 2021

With a host of app updates, streamlined functions, and new visual style, Microsoft Office 2021 is sure to please those who upgrade.

Of course, those with a Microsoft 365 subscription don't have to make the tricky decision, as your version will upgrade automatically.

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