Microsoft 365 Personal is a yearly or monthly subscription that gives you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft apps on your devices

Microsoft 365 Personal is a paid subscription service, not a one-time purchase. You pay either monthly or yearly, and in return you get to use Microsoft's desktop and web applications on up to five devices at the same time. The subscription includes the full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and Publisher, plus 1 terabyte of cloud storage through OneDrive and basic support from Microsoft.

The main difference between 365 Personal and buying Microsoft Office outright is that with 365 you always have the latest version of the software. When Microsoft releases updates, they roll out automatically to your devices. You do not have to buy a new license every few years. If you stop paying, you lose access to edit documents, though you can still view them.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft 365 Personal costs a set monthly or yearly amount and works on Windows PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, and Android devices, up to five devices at once.
  • The subscription includes the desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and Publisher, plus 1 terabyte of OneDrive storage and monthly software updates.
  • You can share your subscription with one other person through a household account, and each of you gets your own login and storage.
  • If your subscription lapses, you cannot edit documents in the apps, but you can still open and read them for free through Microsoft's web versions.

What apps and features come with the subscription

The core apps are Word (for writing and documents), Excel (for spreadsheets), PowerPoint (for presentations), and Outlook (for email and calendar). You also get Access (a database tool, mainly for Windows) and Publisher (for newsletters and flyers, Windows only). All of these are the full desktop versions, not simplified web versions, so they have all the features you would get if you bought them separately.

Beyond the apps themselves, you get 1 terabyte of OneDrive storage, which is cloud space where you can save files and access them from any device. You also get 60 minutes per month of Skype calling to phone numbers in the United States and Canada, and basic technical support from Microsoft. Microsoft also includes templates, design tools, and cloud-based collaboration features so you can work on documents with other people in real time.

How many devices you can use it on

You can install Microsoft 365 Personal on up to five devices and use it on all of them. The devices can be a mix of Windows PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, or Android phones and tablets. However, you can only be actively signed in and using the apps on one device at a time per app. If you sign in on a second device, you will be signed out on the first.

This matters if you use Word on your laptop and then want to switch to your phone. You can do that, but you cannot have both open and editing the same document at the same time under the same account. If you need that kind of simultaneous access, you would need a second subscription or a different product like Microsoft 365 Family.

Sharing your subscription with another person

Microsoft 365 Personal allows you to add one other person to your subscription through a household account setup. That person gets their own login, their own OneDrive storage (1 terabyte), and can install the apps on their own five devices. You do not share a single login or a single storage folder; each person has completely separate access and files.

To set this up, you go into your Microsoft account settings and add a household member. They receive an invitation, accept it, and then they can read and install the apps using their own Microsoft account. If you stop paying for the subscription, both accounts lose access at the same time.

Monthly versus yearly payment and pricing

Microsoft 365 Personal is sold on a subscription basis, meaning you pay regularly to keep using it. You can choose to pay monthly or yearly. The yearly option usually costs less per month than paying month-to-month, but you pay the full year upfront. The monthly option lets you cancel anytime without penalty, but the per-month cost is higher.

Prices vary by region and change over time, so the best way to see current pricing is to visit Microsoft's website directly or check your email if you already have an account. Microsoft sometimes runs promotions for new subscribers or offers discounts if you have not subscribed in a while. If you are a student, you may be able to get Microsoft 365 through your school at a reduced rate or free.

What happens if you stop paying or your subscription expires

When your subscription ends, you cannot edit, create, or save new documents in the Microsoft apps on your devices. The apps will open, but they will be in read-only mode. You can view and print existing files, but you cannot make changes. Your OneDrive storage remains accessible through the web for 90 days, after which Microsoft may delete your files if you do not renew.

If you renew your subscription later, your files come back and you can edit again. There is no penalty for letting your subscription lapse and restarting it. However, if you need to use Word, Excel, or PowerPoint regularly, you will want to keep your subscription active or consider switching to a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office if that fits your needs better.

Comparing Microsoft 365 Personal to other options

The main alternative to Microsoft 365 Personal is buying a standalone copy of Microsoft Office, which you pay for once and own forever. That version does not get automatic updates and does not include OneDrive storage or Skype minutes. It is cheaper upfront but more expensive over time if you keep using Microsoft products for many years.

Microsoft 365 Family is a more expensive subscription that covers up to six people instead of two, and each person gets their own 1 terabyte of storage. If you live with others who also need Word and Excel, Family is usually a better deal per person than buying multiple Personal subscriptions. Free alternatives like Google Docs, LibreOffice, or Microsoft's own web versions of Word and Excel exist, but they lack some features of the desktop apps and may not work as smoothly offline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Microsoft 365 Personal on a Mac?

Yes. Microsoft 365 Personal works on both Windows PCs and Macs. You install it the same way, and all the features are available on both operating systems. The Mac versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint look and work slightly differently from the Windows versions, but they have the same core functionality.

Do I need an internet connection to use the apps?

No, you can use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the other desktop apps offline. However, you need an internet connection at least once every 30 days to verify your subscription is still active. If you go longer than 30 days without connecting to the internet, the apps will stop working until you reconnect and let Microsoft confirm your subscription.

What if I want to cancel my subscription?

If you are on a monthly plan, you can cancel anytime through your Microsoft account settings, and you will not be charged again. If you are on a yearly plan, you can also cancel, but Microsoft's refund policy depends on how long you have had the subscription. Check your account settings or contact Microsoft support for details on your specific situation.

Can I use the same subscription on my phone and my computer at the same time?

You can install the apps on both, but you cannot be actively editing in the same app on two devices at once under the same account. You can switch between devices, but signing in on a new device will sign you out on the old one. If you need simultaneous access, you would need a second subscription.

Is there a free version of Microsoft 365?

Microsoft offers free web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook through Outlook.com and Office.com. These work in your browser and have most common features, but they are not as full-featured as the desktop apps. Students and educators may also get Microsoft 365 free or discounted through their school.