Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, and Basic: Exploring the best option for you

Dave W. Shanahan

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Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service offered by Microsoft that provides access to a suite of applications and services tailored to meet the needs of individuals and families. It includes popular applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. With a Microsoft 365 subscription, users also gain access to exclusive features and cloud-based services, ensuring a seamless and efficient workflow. The plans are as follows, Microsoft 365 Personal, Microsoft 365 Family, and Microsoft 365 Basic.

Comparing Microsoft 365 Products

1. Microsoft 365 Personal

Microsoft 365 Personal is ideal for individual users who want to access premium apps and cloud services on one device. It includes popular applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, along with OneDrive cloud storage and Skype for communication. This package is perfect for students and freelancers who require a robust suite of tools to unleash their creativity and productivity.

2. Microsoft 365 Family

Microsoft 365 Family is designed for households with multiple users. With this subscription, you can share your plan with up to six people, each having access to the same set of premium apps and services offered in the Personal plan. This option is cost-effective and ensures that every family member can make the most out of Microsoft 365.

3. Microsoft 365 Basic 

Microsoft 365 Basic is a single-user subscription that offers a host of valuable features. With this subscription, you’ll receive an additional 100 GB of cloud storage that can be utilized across various Microsoft services like Outlook and OneDrive. Moreover, Microsoft 365 Basic grants you the benefit of enjoying ad-free email through Outlook and access to expert support for both Microsoft 365 and Windows 11. All these fantastic features come at a budget-friendly price, making it an excellent choice for individual users seeking a seamless and productive experience.

How to switch between Microsoft 365 plans

If you’re using Microsoft 365 and looking to optimize your subscription to match your requirements, you have the flexibility to switch between various plans. Whether you need more cloud storage, want to share the benefits with your family, or seek additional features, this guide will help you make a seamless transition. Let’s explore how you can switch Microsoft 365 subscriptions and what changes you can expect along the way.

  1. Choose your preferred subscription: Start by purchasing the new Microsoft 365 subscription that best suits your needs. Ensure that you use the same Microsoft account as your current subscription when making the purchase.
  2. Automatic conversion: Your remaining days on the current subscription will be automatically converted and added to the new subscription. The number of days added depends on the specific plans you’re moving between.
  3. Adjusted benefits: Depending on the new plan, certain benefits might be added or removed. For instance, you may gain more cloud storage, the ability to share the subscription, or premium Family Safety features.

If you’re looking for information on what happens when you switch subscriptions, Microsoft has a detailed table available, but expect the price to change depending on the subscriptions that you’re switching between.

What to expect when switching Microsoft 365 plans

microsoft 365 personal

Microsoft 365 Family

  • You can share your subscription with up to 5 other people.
  • Install premium Microsoft 365 apps on up to 5 devices per person.
  • Get 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per person.
  • Enjoy 60 Skype minutes per month, per person.
  • Access premium Microsoft Family Safety features.

Microsoft 365 Personal

  • Same benefits as with Microsoft 365 Family, but without sharing options and Family Safety features.

Microsoft 365 Basic

  • You won’t have access to desktop apps, and the storage will be limited to 100 GB.

It’s important to note that if you’re moving from Microsoft 365 Family or Personal and have used over 100 GB of storage, you’ll need to remove some files to stay within the limit.

Should you change Microsoft 365 subscriptions?

Microsoft 365 is a versatile and comprehensive subscription-based service offered by Microsoft, catering to the diverse needs of individuals and families. With its range of plans – Microsoft 365 Personal, Microsoft 365 Family, and Microsoft 365 Basic – users have the flexibility to choose the one that aligns perfectly with their requirements.

For individual users, Microsoft 365 Personal provides a robust suite of premium apps and cloud services, ideal for students and freelancers seeking enhanced productivity and creativity. On the other hand, Microsoft 365 Family caters to households, enabling up to six users to access the same premium apps and services, making it a cost-effective and family-friendly choice.

For budget-conscious individuals, Microsoft 365 Basic offers valuable features, including additional cloud storage, ad-free email, and expert support, ensuring a seamless and productive experience at an affordable price.

Moreover, users have the flexibility to switch between different Microsoft 365 subscriptions, enabling them to optimize their plans according to changing needs. Whether it’s the need for more storage, sharing benefits with family members, or gaining access to additional features, the process of switching is made easy and ensures a smooth transition. Check out the links for prices below.

Buy Microsoft 365 Personal | Microsoft Store

Buy Microsoft 365 Family | Microsoft Store

Buy Microsofft 365 Basic | Microsoft Store