Microsoft 365 E3 is the enterprise baseline for productivity, collaboration, and core identity and security controls. Microsoft 365 E5 builds on that foundation with stronger identity protection, threat defense, compliance capabilities, and additional security and endpoint-management tools. On Microsoft’s US enterprise pricing page, the displayed prices are $39 and $60 per user per month, respectively, when paid yearly, with separate prices for plans without Teams.
Microsoft 365 E3 vs E5 at a glance
| Plan | US price shown with Teams | US price shown without Teams | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 E3 | $39 per user per month, paid yearly | $30.45 per user per month, paid yearly | Organizations that need the shared Microsoft 365 productivity and collaboration suite with baseline identity, device, and security controls. |
| Microsoft 365 E5 | $60 per user per month, paid yearly | $51.45 per user per month, paid yearly | Organizations that need advanced identity protection, broader threat defense and compliance controls, or E5-specific security and endpoint capabilities. |
At the displayed US prices, E5 costs $21 more per user per month than E3 with Teams, or $252 more per seat over 12 months. Without Teams, the displayed difference is also $21 per user per month. These are yearly-commitment list prices, not a guarantee of what an organization will pay: country, currency, billing commitment, Teams packaging, and Microsoft agreement terms can change the applicable price.
What E3 and E5 have in common
The core productivity experience is broadly shared. Both plans include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Access desktop apps, as well as web and mobile apps. They also include Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Loop, Forms, Planner, To Do, and Lists.
Microsoft lists shared device and storage entitlements for these plans: each user can install the apps on up to five PCs or Macs, five tablets, and five mobile devices. The listed mailbox entitlement is a 100 GB primary mailbox plus 1.5 TB of archive storage per user. Cloud storage is listed as 1–5+ TB per user; the amount available should be confirmed for the specific organization and subscription.
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
What E5 adds over E3
Identity and access controls
E3 includes Microsoft Entra ID Plan 1, while E5 includes Plan 2. Microsoft’s comparison associates E5’s higher tier with risk-based Conditional Access, Identity Protection, Privileged Identity Management, access reviews, and entitlement management. These capabilities matter when administrators need to make access decisions based on risk, govern privileged access, or review who retains access to sensitive resources.
Threat protection and security operations
E3 provides baseline Defender capabilities. E5 adds full Defender XDR, giving organizations a broader security and threat-protection stack. Under Microsoft’s packaging update effective July 1, 2026, E5 also receives Security Copilot; the same update adds Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 to E3.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Compliance and information protection
E3 includes core Microsoft Purview capabilities. E5 adds advanced Purview functions, including default and automatic sensitivity-label policies and broader governance controls. The practical difference is not simply the number of features: E5 is more relevant when an organization needs deeper information protection, compliance workflows, or oversight of sensitive data and user activity.
Endpoint management and packaging additions
Microsoft’s July 1, 2026 packaging update adds the following capabilities to E3: Intune Remote Help, Intune Advanced Analytics, Intune Plan 2, Copilot Chat enhancements, and Copilot Chat Analytics, in addition to Defender for Office 365 Plan 1. E5 receives those E3 additions and also adds Intune Endpoint Privilege Management, Microsoft Cloud PKI, and Intune Enterprise Application Management, alongside Security Copilot.
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Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Does E5 include everything in E3?
For the broad plan comparison, E5 is positioned as E3 capabilities plus advanced identity, security, compliance, analytics, and related additions. However, organizations should verify the exact SKU and agreement before treating every entitlement as interchangeable. Microsoft’s article about “Extra Features” applies specifically to Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 Original subscriptions purchased through an Enterprise Agreement; it describes corresponding Office 365, EMS, Windows, and Defender for Endpoint components. That is a distinct licensing context, not a reason to assume every E3 or E5 subscription has identical terms.
Likewise, features associated with Office 365 E5 should not automatically be attributed to Microsoft 365 E5. Microsoft identifies Power BI and Teams Phone in its Office 365 E5 comparison; confirm the precise Microsoft 365 SKU and included entitlements when those services affect the purchase decision.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Is Microsoft 365 E5 worth the higher price?
E5 is worth considering when the organization will use its advanced controls and the alternative would be buying multiple add-ons or operating separate tools. The relevant comparison is the incremental seat cost against the cost and administrative effort of obtaining the required capabilities another way—not simply whether E5 has more features.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
E3 is usually the better starting point when
- The main need is the shared Office apps, Teams, SharePoint, and collaboration stack.
- Baseline identity, device management, and security controls meet the organization’s requirements.
- Advanced identity, XDR, or Purview capabilities are not needed broadly and can be purchased separately for the users who do need them.
E5 is a stronger fit when
- Risk-based identity controls, privileged access governance, or identity-risk capabilities are required.
- The organization wants the full Defender XDR stack and Security Copilot in the E5 package.
- Advanced Purview, richer compliance controls, or E5-specific endpoint-management and PKI additions address concrete operational needs.
- Bundling these capabilities is more practical or cost-effective than sourcing and managing separate licenses.
How to choose between E3 and E5
- Calculate the actual seat cost. Compare annualized costs for the number of users who need each tier, using the correct country, Teams or no-Teams package, billing commitment, and Microsoft agreement.
- Map security requirements to the Entra and Defender tiers. Identify whether Plan 2 identity features or full Defender XDR are required, and which users or workloads need them.
- Check compliance and data-protection needs. Determine whether core Purview capabilities are sufficient or whether advanced labeling and governance controls are necessary.
- Review endpoint and analytics requirements. Account for the Intune capabilities in the July 2026 packaging update, especially if privilege management, cloud PKI, or enterprise application management is part of the need.
- Price alternatives and confirm entitlements. Compare E5’s premium with any separate add-ons or tools, then verify the exact SKU and Enterprise Agreement eligibility where relevant.
- Treat Microsoft Copilot as a separate decision. The cited plan comparison lists Microsoft Copilot as an add-on for both E3 and E5; do not assume the E5 license includes the Microsoft Copilot add-on.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
