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Microsoft’s current consumer one-time Office purchase is Office 2024. For Mac, Office Home 2024 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for one Mac or PC; Office Home & Business 2024 adds Outlook. Both are perpetual licenses for the included apps—not Microsoft 365 subscriptions—and neither includes an automatic upgrade to the next major Office release. Microsoft’s Office 2024 comparison describes the editions and purchase terms.
Which apps does each one-time Office license for Mac include?
The two consumer editions differ chiefly in whether Outlook is included and whether Microsoft describes the intended use as home or work. Both cover one PC or Mac.
| Edition | Included apps | Microsoft’s stated use | Device coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Home 2024 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote | Home or school | One PC or Mac |
| Office Home & Business 2024 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook | Home or work | One PC or Mac |
These are classic desktop apps installed on the computer. Access is not included for Mac: Microsoft identifies Access as PC-only in its Office 2024 FAQ. Choose Home & Business if you need Outlook; the edition descriptions alone do not establish licensing rights for every particular business use or jurisdiction.
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What the one-time purchase does not include
A perpetual purchase gives you the Office 2024 apps covered by that edition, not the broader set of services and evolving features associated with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
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- 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.
- No automatic next-version upgrade: The license does not entitle you to the next major Office release. If you want a later major version, Microsoft says you must buy it separately.
- No Microsoft 365 subscription services: The one-time suite does not include services such as OneDrive, Exchange Online, or SharePoint Online.
- Some cloud-backed features are absent: Microsoft cites PowerPoint Designer and Excel Data Types as examples not included with one-time Office suites.
- Feature updates differ: Office 2024 receives security updates, but not new feature upgrades to later major releases. Microsoft 365 subscriptions provide the latest app versions and ongoing feature updates; available services depend on the subscription plan.
Microsoft explains these differences in its comparison of Microsoft 365 and Office 2024.
What a Mac needs to install and run Office 2024
Microsoft’s Office 2024 for Mac requirements list Intel and Apple Silicon support, the three most recent major macOS versions, at least 4 GB of RAM, 10 GB of available disk space, and a 1280 × 800 display. The macOS support window moves forward as Apple releases new versions, so check Microsoft’s current requirements before buying or installing.
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- Lifetime License for 5 Users: Perpetual access for 5 users to TrulyOffice 2024 on Mac, ensuring a versatile 4-in-1 suite, catering to the needs of 5 users.(Mac Version Only)
- Digital Delivery: Please note that this product is not a physical CD. You will be delivered an activation code to access the software digitally. Compatible with Windows 7 or later and macOS 10.14 or later.
- Activation Instructions: Detailed instructions for activating your software are included with the delivery. Follow these steps to download and install your product.
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Internet access is needed to redeem and associate the license, install Office, and activate the apps. You can use the apps offline after setup, but Microsoft requires periodic internet access to keep Office activated.
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A one-time Office license is not compatible with the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint versions downloaded from the Mac App Store. Microsoft says those App Store versions require a Microsoft 365 subscription for creating and editing documents. For a perpetual license, download the Office apps directly from Microsoft, following its Mac setup and requirements guidance.
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How to choose between Office 2024 and Microsoft 365
- Choose Office Home 2024 if you need the four included apps for home or school on one computer, do not need Outlook, and prefer a one-time purchase over a subscription.
- Choose Office Home & Business 2024 if you need Outlook as well as the other included apps and the edition fits your intended use.
- Consider Microsoft 365 if you want ongoing feature upgrades, need subscription services or cloud-backed features, or need coverage beyond one computer. Compare the specific plan, because service inclusions vary.
Microsoft’s own Office FAQ frames the choice as whether you want a subscription or a one-time purchase, and specifically asks Mac users what to buy. Store prices and availability vary by region and can change; compare the current local offers rather than relying on an old quoted price.
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