Instead, you either buy a physical “key card” with a download code on it, or you buy a digital download that’s emailed to you. You don’t even get a physical disc with Office 2016. Microsoft sells “ Office Home & Student 2016” for home users, and there are a few more expensive versions that include additional applications more frequently used by business users.Īfter paying the up-front fee, you get an Office 2016 license. Office 2016 is a traditional software product. Office 2016: A Traditional Software Product You can choose a subscription that allows you to install Office on up to five different computers, sharing it with your family, or just get Office for yourself. You also get additional OneDrive cloud storage and access to the Office apps for tablets. Rather than paying a hefty up-front price, you pay a monthly or yearly fee and get access to the latest version of Office for as long as you pay the fee. Office 365, on the other hand, is the new way Microsoft wants you to buy Office.
You pay once to buy a version of Office 2016 you can install on a single PC or Mac and use for as long as you like. Here’s the main difference: Office 2016 is the the traditional Microsoft Office product, sold for a one-time, up-front fee.
