The Short and Sweet

Microsoft 365 is a suite of productivity tools and cloud-based services offered by Microsoft that includes several business offerings tailored to meet the needs of different organizations. The main differences between the business offerings are in the features and pricing, as well as the size and complexity of the organization each option is designed for.

Microsoft Business Basic

The first offering, Microsoft 365 Business Basic, is an entry-level option that includes cloud-based services such as Microsoft Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams. It is designed for small to medium-sized businesses and is priced per user per month. This option does not include any desktop applications such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, but does include the browser versions of these applications and is intended for organizations that primarily need cloud-based collaboration tools.

Microsoft Business Standard

The next offering, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, is designed for organizations that need both cloud-based services and desktop applications. In addition to the cloud-based services included in Business Basic, Business Standard includes desktop applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It is priced per user per month and is designed for small to medium-sized businesses that need a more comprehensive set of productivity tools.

Microsoft Business Premium

For larger organizations with more complex needs, Microsoft 365 Business Premium may be a better option. It includes all the features of Business Standard, plus advanced security features such as device management, advanced threat protection, and information protection. This option is designed for larger organizations that require more advanced security and management features, and is priced per user per month.

In addition to these options, Microsoft 365 also offers several specialized business offerings. For example, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise is designed for organizations that only need desktop applications, without the cloud-based services. Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 are designed for larger organizations with more complex needs, offering advanced features such as data loss prevention, information protection, and advanced threat protection.

Overall, the main differences between the Microsoft 365 business offerings are in the features and pricing, as well as the size and complexity of the organization each option is designed for. Businesses should carefully consider their specific needs and budget when selecting the best Microsoft 365 offering for their organization.

Need options for larger organizations?

Beyond the Business licensing options Microsoft offers the “Office E” range of licences such as E5, E3 and E1.

These licensing options include everything from the Business range but also include a vast array of additional applications and services to give your Enterprise organization more control of it’s data and better insight into how you could be using that data. Tools for automation are also included which allow you to automate business processes and procedures.