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“Microsoft Office versions” can refer either to one-time-purchase releases such as Office 2024 and Office 2021, or to Microsoft 365 Apps, the subscription-serviced line that continues to receive features. For organizations, Office LTSC is a separate fixed-feature option. The name alone does not tell you what apps are included, whether cloud services are part of the offer, or whether the release is still supported.
What does “Microsoft Office version” mean?
It usually means one of two product models:
- One-time-purchase Office: A dated suite such as Office 2024, licensed for a specific edition and device scope. It does not include Microsoft 365 services, and some cloud-backed features are excluded. Microsoft outlines the distinction in its Office suites overview.
- Microsoft 365 Apps: Office desktop apps delivered through a subscription. Microsoft describes its subscription offerings as providing the latest, most feature-rich desktop apps; users must stay current and use a supported operating system under the Modern Lifecycle Policy.
For commercial and government deployments that require a stable set of features, Microsoft also offers Office LTSC. It is not simply another name for consumer Office: LTSC is a fixed-feature commercial release.
Which Office versions and editions are current or older?
Office 2024 for home or work
Office Home 2024 is a one-time purchase for one PC or Mac and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Office Home & Business 2024 adds Outlook and is also for one PC or Mac. Microsoft lists the editions and apps in its Office 2024 and Office LTSC 2024 FAQ.
Office LTSC 2024 for organizations
Office LTSC 2024 is the commercial fixed-feature release. Microsoft lists Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access for Windows. It receives no feature updates after launch; its support period is five years, with no extended support. See Microsoft’s Office LTSC 2024 overview.
#1 Best Overall
- Classic Office Apps | Includes classic desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with ease.
- Install on a Single Device | Install classic desktop Office Apps for use on a single Windows laptop, Windows desktop, MacBook, or iMac.
- Ideal for One Person | With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
- Consider Upgrading to Microsoft 365 | Get premium benefits with a Microsoft 365 subscription, including ongoing updates, advanced security, and access to premium versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more, plus 1TB cloud storage per person and multi-device support for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Office 2021, 2019, and 2016
Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021 are earlier consumer and commercial releases. Office 2019 and Office 2016 are older perpetual releases. Microsoft marks Office 2016 and 2019 as no longer supported in its Office suites overview; their lifecycle dates are listed below.
How do Office 2024, Office LTSC, and Microsoft 365 Apps compare?
| Option | Payment and audience | Apps and services | Feature updates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Home 2024 | One-time purchase; one PC or Mac | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote; Microsoft 365 services and some cloud-backed features are not included | No ongoing subscription-based feature delivery |
| Office Home & Business 2024 | One-time purchase; one PC or Mac; home or work use | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook; Microsoft 365 services and some cloud-backed features are not included | No ongoing subscription-based feature delivery |
| Office LTSC 2024 | Commercial and government deployment | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access on Windows | No feature updates after launch |
| Microsoft 365 Apps | Subscription-serviced apps | Latest, most feature-rich desktop apps through Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscriptions; services depend on the subscription | Continues to receive features; customers must stay current |
These options are not interchangeable just because they include Word and Excel. Choose by payment model, number of devices, required apps, need for online services, feature-update expectations, and—in an organization—the deployment and lifecycle requirements. Microsoft’s consumer suite details are in its Office 2024 FAQ, while its LTSC overview explains the commercial fixed-feature model.
Rank #2
![Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024 | Classic Desktop Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote | One-Time Purchase for 1 PC/MAC | Instant Download [PC/Mac Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41H8B5iqO4L._SL160_.jpg)
- [Ideal for One Person] — With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
- [Classic Office Apps] — Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote.
- [Desktop Only & Customer Support] — To install and use on one PC or Mac, on desktop only. Microsoft 365 has your back with readily available technical support through chat or phone.
When does support end for each release?
Support dates differ by edition and by the kind of support involved. Microsoft’s lifecycle listings give these dates:
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| Release or service | Microsoft-listed date | What the date means |
|---|---|---|
| Office 2024 Home and Home & Business for Windows and Mac | October 9, 2029 | Retirement date under the Modern Lifecycle Policy |
| Office LTSC 2024 | October 9, 2029 | End of its five-year Fixed Lifecycle Policy support period; no extended support |
| Office LTSC 2021 | October 13, 2026 | End of support |
| Office 2016 and Office 2019 | October 14, 2025 | End of general product support |
| Office 2016 and Office 2019 connections to Microsoft 365 services | October 10, 2023 | End of support for connecting to services such as Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and OneDrive |
The dates are from Microsoft’s Office 2024 lifecycle page, its upgrade guidance for older Office versions, and its guidance on Office versions and connectivity to Microsoft 365 services. Microsoft states lifecycle dates in Pacific Time (Redmond, Washington). Product support and cloud-service connection support are distinct: the older suites lost supported connections to Microsoft 365 services before their general end-of-support date.
Rank #3
- Designed for Your Windows and Apple Devices | Install premium Office apps on your Windows laptop, desktop, MacBook or iMac. Works seamlessly across your devices for home, school, or personal productivity.
- Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook | Get premium versions of the essential Office apps that help you work, study, create, and stay organized.
- 1 TB Secure Cloud Storage | Store and access your documents, photos, and files from your Windows, Mac or mobile devices.
- Premium Tools Across Your Devices | Your subscription lets you work across all of your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with apps that sync instantly through the cloud.
- Easy Digital Download with Microsoft Account | Product delivered electronically for quick setup. Sign in with your Microsoft account, redeem your code, and download your apps instantly to your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
How can you tell which Office version you have?
Check the product or account details shown in the Office app or the Microsoft account associated with the installation. Look for the marketed edition name—such as Office Home 2024, Office LTSC 2024, or Microsoft 365 Apps—rather than relying only on an internal version number. Microsoft says Office LTSC 2024 uses major version 16.0, a number also used by Office LTSC 2021 and volume-licensed Office 2019 and 2016. That internal number therefore does not uniquely identify the release. See Microsoft’s Office versions and connectivity guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- GREAT ALTERNATIVE - This Open Office Suite is a great alternative to MS Office and enables you to create beautiful and practical Documents, Spreadsheets, and Presentations.
- VERSITLE - This DVD includes both Windows and Mac installation files, just follow the steps included on installation guide.
- LICENSE - Perpetual License granted and when connected to the internet the Open Office Suite will check for uptades and will give you the option to install them.
- EXTRAS - Enjoy all the Extras- Installation Guides, User Guides, Clipart Library, Template Library are all included on the DVD.
- COMPATIBLE - Extensive compatibility across Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and MacOS 10.7 to 10.15
Rank #4
- Designed for Your Windows and Apple Devices | Install premium Office apps on your Windows laptop, desktop, MacBook or iMac. Works seamlessly across your devices for home, school, or personal productivity.
- Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook | Get premium versions of the essential Office apps that help you work, study, create, and stay organized.
- Up to 2 TB Shared Cloud Storage | Store and access your documents, photos, and files from your Windows, Mac or mobile devices.
- Premium Tools Across Your Devices | Your subscription lets you work across all of your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with apps that sync instantly through the cloud.
- Share Your Family Subscription | You can share all of your subscription benefits with up to 6 people for use across all their devices.
How should you choose between them?
- For a personal or home computer where you want a one-time purchase, compare Office Home 2024’s included apps with the Outlook-inclusive Home & Business edition.
- If you need continuing feature updates and subscription-serviced apps, consider Microsoft 365 Apps and verify which services your subscription includes.
- If you manage an organization that needs a stable, fixed-feature deployment, evaluate Office LTSC’s deployment fit and support window.
- Before keeping an older release, check its exact lifecycle status and whether you depend on connecting it to Microsoft 365 cloud services.
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.
