Subscription-free version of Microsoft Office 2024 launched

Users can get lifetime licence to the suite of apps – so long as they can do without updates or collaboration

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

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

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

For comparison, current pricing for Microsoft 365 Personal is £59.99 per year, while Microsoft 365 Family (one to six people) comes in at £79.99 annually.

Microsoft first made the decision to move Office suite to a subscription-based model with the release of Office 2013, and has continued on this trajectory since then, although perpetual options have generally been available.

With Office 2024, Microsoft says it continues to cater to users who prefer traditional, non-subscription software over an annual fee for Microsoft 365. "We know some of our customers still prefer a non-subscription way to access our familiar apps, which is why we're releasing Office 2024," a Microsoft spokesperson said.

The suite incorporates all the modern features introduced in recent years, but once purchased, it will not receive additional updates. Unlike Microsoft 365, Office 2024 users won’t have access to real-time collaboration tools or the Copilot AI integration, key features that the subscription service offers.

Office 2024 also lacks the continual updates and cloud-based functionality that come with a Microsoft 365 subscription.