Microsoft 365 comparison (personal vs family vs business): A feature comparison overview
There are multiple versions of Microsoft 365 (previously called Office 365). Microsoft 365 personal (1 user), Microsoft 365 family (6 users) and Microsoft 365 business range of products (Microsoft 365 basic, Microsoft 365 business standard and many others). The business versions are charged per user. For Microsoft’s detailed insights into Microsoft 365 business versions details click this link, but below is a quick summary.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
The following table provides a side-by-side Microsoft 365 comparison of the key features of Microsoft 365 Personal/Family and Microsoft 365 Business Standard:
| Feature | Microsoft 365 Personal / Family | Microsoft 365 Business Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Intended Use | Personal and household use | Business use |
| Number of Users | 1 (Personal) or up to 6 (Family) | Up to 300 users |
| Core Applications | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, OneNote (Desktop, Web, Mobile) | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, OneNote, Access (PC only), Publisher (PC only) (Desktop, Web, Mobile) |
| Email Hosting | Outlook.com email address (15 GB free, larger storage with paid plans) | Professional email hosting with custom domain (e.g., yourbusiness.com) (50 GB mailbox per user) |
| Teams | Teams for personal use (limited features, 60 min meeting limit in free version) | Microsoft Teams for business communication and collaboration (advanced features, webinar hosting) |
| SharePoint | Not included | SharePoint Online for team sites and document management |
| OneDrive Storage | 1 TB per user (+ option to add more) | 1 TB per user (up to 5 TB for eligible organizations) |
| Business Apps & Services | Not included | Exchange Online (business-class email), Planner, Lists, Forms, Stream |
| Advanced Security | Basic security features, Microsoft Defender for individuals/families | Enhanced security features, including anti-malware, anti-spam, and options for endpoint protection |
| Admin Portal | Microsoft account management | Admin center for managing users, devices, and security |
| Support | Standard Microsoft support (chat and phone available) | Business-class support (24/7 phone and web support) |
| Compliance Features | Not included | Basic compliance features (e.g., DLP in Exchange Online/OneDrive) |
| Meeting Capabilities | Basic meeting features in Teams (personal) | Robust meeting features in Teams, including recording, transcription, and webinar hosting |
| Licensing | Subscription per user (Personal) or household (Family) | Subscription per user |
| Cost | Generally lower cost | Generally higher cost, billed per user |
Microsoft 365 also provides advanced security features, regular updates, and AI-powered tools like Microsoft Copilot to enhance productivity. Available through subscription plans, Microsoft 365 caters to personal, business, and enterprise needs, making it a versatile solution for communication, creativity, and teamwork in the modern digital workspace. For a historic overview read Wikipedia.
