Microsoft 365 apps for businesses versus enterprises – Feature comparisons

In this article, we’re going to explain how Microsoft 365 apps for business versus enterprise compare, as well as the key differentiators.

Microsoft 365 product suite, previously known as Office 365, is a complete package that covers almost every aspect of the productivity suite. Used by nearly 200 million active users around the world, the service is one of the most reliable when it comes to enjoying the best quality business and enterprise solutions. It provides you with a cloud-based offering for access to all the extensive choices of applications available under the Microsoft brand.

The apps are designed to enhance and improve your productivity and are made available under different plans.

You have access to two types of subscriptions: Microsoft 365 apps for businesses and Microsoft 365 apps for enterprises. How do they relate to each other? What is the difference between Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise? We will try to understand them.

Microsoft 365 apps for businesses – An overview

The plan was previously known as Office 365 Business. In fact, only the name has changed, while the price and features remain the same. The plan is available for $8.25 per user per month.

Some of the features offered by Microsoft 365 Apps for Business include

• Regular monthly updates – The subscription gives you access to fully installed and regularly updated versions of key Office applications. These include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint for Windows or Mac, OneNote and Access and Publisher (PC only).
• Digital Storytelling – Get creative and engaged with your documents and other reports. Digital storytelling allows you to come up with original web-based reports, presentations, newsletters, training and much more. Microsoft Sway would help you achieve the best with storytelling.
• Cloud storage : get access to 1 TB of cloud storage in OneDrive per user. You can edit and share your documents, images and everything else in between.
• Support for multiple devices : install the Office apps on different devices and platforms. It supports PCs, Macs, tablets and mobile devices, regardless of the operating system they are on. The plan supports Windows, iOS and Android.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business is easy to set up and configure. Built-in security and an uptime of 99.9 percent for all your online apps should be the other added benefits.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business comes with the following options:

• Download desktop versions of all Office apps: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (plus Access and Publisher for PC only)
• One license covers installation of all your apps on up to five mobile devices, five tablets and five PCs or Macs per user
• 1 TB of cloud storage on OneDrive per user.
• Automatic updates every month
• Around the clock support on web and phone

The subscription is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and the two most recent versions of macOS.

Microsoft 365 apps for enterprises – A brief overview

The Microsoft 365 Apps and Enterprise comes with a price of $12 per user per month. Formerly known as Office 365 Enterprise, the plan packs in core office apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. Of course, Access and Publisher are only available as PC versions.

Some of the excellent features offered by the plan include:

• Monthly updates – Get access to fully installed and up-to-date versions of key office apps such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint for Windows or Mac, OneNote, Teams and Access and Publisher (PC only).
• Office for the Web – Create your documents on the go using your browser. You can download Word, OneNote, PowerPoint and Excel there in your browser.
• Availability on multiple devices – You can access enhanced productivity through different installations of the apps. You can install your apps on multiple PCs, Macs, tablets and mobile devices. The plan supports Windows, Android and iOS.
• Digital storytelling – You can access Microsoft Sway and create engaging interactive, web-based reports, presentations, newsletters and training.
• Business Intelligence – Microsoft 365 apps for enterprises come with enhanced business intelligence features. Get insight into new charts and graphs in Excel and do more with your Office apps.
• Cloud storage – Get 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user per month. Create, edit and share your documents, files and much more.

The plan provides you with full online availability, with 99.9 percent guaranteed uptime. The built-in security, along with an easy installation option, would make it one of the excellent choices for your capabilities.

Microsoft 365 enterprise apps come with the following options:

• 1 TB OneDrive cloud storage per user per month
• Access updated versions of key Office apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Teams and more
• You can install your apps on five PCs, five tablets and five mobile devices
• You are assured of a high level of security and compliance.
• Get access to FastTrack assistance.
• Around the clock web and phone support.

The subscription is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and the two most recent versions of macOS.

What is the difference between Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise?

Now that we have understood what Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise are, we can now compare them and come to the significant differences each offers.

The significant differences between the two plans lie in the fact that Apps for Enterprise comes with advanced options for security and compliance. We will look at the proper distinction between the two plans in more detail.

The characteristics

Each of those plans has its own specific set of options and features. Some of the notable features offered by each include

• Email storage – Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise gives you more features than the Microsoft 365 Apps for Business when it comes to the email storage available on the platform. Availability of a thicker mailbox of up to 100 GB, along with unlimited storage tokens, the Apps for Enterprise subscription. In contrast, the Apps for Business subscription comes with only 50 GB of mailbox.
• Business Intelligence and Analytics – The Enterprise version provides you with a high level of security and compliance. Utilities such as Advanced Excel, Delve Analytics and Power BI Pro should be a significant advantage. This will help analyze and visualize the data in a more analytical way.
• Additional features – Microsoft 365 enterprise apps should be one of the great options for expanded options, including Skype for Business, which gives you features such as conferencing via PSTN, Cloud PBX and Meeting Broadcast. Litigation Hold is yet another added feature that can help archive your mailbox. Intune is yet another feature you would find on an Enterprise version that helps with effective mobile management.

The costs

The cost factor is yet another differentiating factor between Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise. Apps for Business is available for $8.25 per user per month. However, the Apps for Enterprise option is slightly more expensive at $12 per user per month.

If you are a small to medium sized business, it is a better option to go with the Microsoft 365 Apps for Business subscription. If you are a large enterprise, you will find it an excellent opportunity to get Apps for Enterprise, which could be a better alternative than traditional choices.

The number of users

This is yet another aspect where Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise differ. The ‘
Apps for Business
‘ subscription is available for a user base of up to 300 users. In contrast, the Apps for Enterprise option can be used for an unlimited number of users.

That would mean that Apps for Business would be an excellent option for those of you looking to build smaller and growing businesses. The Apps for Enterprise version is best for larger enterprises with more than 300 users.

Security Features

You want your data to be secure. Whether you are a small-scale industry or a large corporation, you do indeed want your data to be protected. There is a significant difference between the two plans when it comes to the safety and security of your data.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business does not come with important security features. You will have access to Advanced Threat Protection (ATP). In contrast, the Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise subscription provides you with more advanced features, including Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics, Device Guard, Credential Guard, App Locker and Enterprise Data Protection.

Which of them should you take?

Well, you would make a decision based on your exact requirement. If you think Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise would be somewhat expensive, and perhaps you should analyze your needs before making your choice final.

Are you making the right choice in terms of cost and features? As we mentioned, both Apps for Business and Apps for Enterprise come with their own set of features and functions. Choose the right options based on your individual requirements. We assume that the tips and differences described in this compilation should help you make the right decision.

Office 365 has undergone a huge change in recent weeks. What was Office 365 has now become Microsoft 365. However, for most of the plan, the change has only appeared in the nomenclature and there have not been many changes in features and functionalities.

In today’s post, we’ll look at what has changed between Microsoft Apps and Office 365 Pro Plus. As we said, there has been a bit of a difference from the perspective of function, and changes have only been cosmetic.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business – what is it?

The former Office 365 Business has now changed to Microsoft 365 Apps for Business. Microsoft 365 Apps for Business is available for $8.25 per user per month subscription model. This is the mid-tier plan that is open between all Microsoft 365 subscriptions for Business. As Microsoft itself claims, “Office 365 business plans are now Microsoft 365 business plans. New name, same great value, same price”.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business now gives you access to all offline Desktop Office applications. However, you will not have access to other additional features, such as unlimited online meetings, email and Sway from this subscription. You will have access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Publisher and Access as part of the plan. Publisher and Access are only available in desktop mode. The program also gives you access to online versions of the Office applications.

Microsoft 365 apps for enterprises

What used to be Office 365 ProPlus has changed to Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise. It is offered as essential software and a SaaS package. Microsoft 365 apps for businesses is a version of Office applications and is made available as part of your Microsoft 365 subscription. The apps are installed on your computer or smartphone from the cloud.

You will need an active subscription to Microsoft 365 so that the apps are verified to have the required license. This would mean that the apps would not work if you do not have an active Microsoft 365 account.

The Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise can be run offline and does not require an active internet connection for functionality. However, it requires you to verify the license by connecting to your Microsoft 365 account once every 30 days. The services are available at a subscription fee of $12 per user per month.

Where is the change?

Well, again, we want to clarify that the changes have been only in the name of the services and there have been no changes in the features and functionalities.

Previously, you could buy two stand-alone versions of Microsoft Office. They include Office 365 Business and Office ProPlus. Office 365 Business has now changed to Apps for Business, while Office 365 ProPlus has changed to Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise. That would mean – as for this post – that we are working on finding the differences between Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise is designed specifically for business users. You will have access to UpToDate versions of Desktop Office apps that are constantly updated. In addition, you also gain access to security and compliance features offered by Microsoft in the enterprise-grade offering. You will also have access to enhanced communication tools.

It would further give you access to better control over the deployment and management of your applications. Even if you are not a corporate entity and only a small or medium-sized organization, you will benefit from the plan. The plan is designed to give you access to a higher level of IT control.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business, on the other hand, is a suite of all updated versions of Offline Office applications. You can get regularly updated versions of the apps; it differs from Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise because it doesn’t come with the additional security and compliance options. Yet another difference between the Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise would be in the number of users allowed. Apps for Business supports users up to 300 in number, while the number of users in Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise is unlimited.

The characteristics

Well, after understanding that Microsoft 365 apps now have the modified form of Office 365 Business and Office 365 ProPlus, how about checking out some of the features offered by each?

Microsoft 365 apps for enterprises

The service includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive and Microsoft Teams. The monthly cost would be $12.50 per user.

Some of the notable features offered by the platform include:

• Regular monthly updates – You can be assured of regularly updated and fully installed versions of the Office apps, namely Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Access.
• Cloud storage – Each of the users gets a OneDrive cloud storage of 1 TB. You can seamlessly edit and share documents and other files with ease.
• Online Office Applications – A perfect example of the Office for the Web, you could create or edit your documents and worksheets in Word and Excel in a browser. No offline application needed when you are on the go.
• Compatibility with multiple devices and platforms – You can install the fully installed Office apps on a wide range of desktop and mobile devices. You can connect your apps on PCs, Macs, tablets and mobile devices. The service is supported on Windows, iOS and Android.
• Business Intelligence at its best – Added functionality packed with your regular Office apps is what would make it one of the main options you would want to go with.

Other added benefits include 24 x 7 online availability with 99.9 percent uptime, built-in security and ease of setup.

Microsoft 365 enterprise apps come with the following options:

• Option to install your apps on five PCs, five tablets and five mobile devices
• Download all your offline Office apps in full- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Teams and more
• 1 TB storage for each user
• High level of security and compliance.
• Fast track assistance through multiple channels.

Compatibility – Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and the two latest versions of macOS

Microsoft 365 apps for businesses

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business features Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Publisher and Access. You must pay $8.25 per user per month with the annual commitment and $10 per user per month with a monthly commitment.

Some of the features available on Microsoft 365 Apps for Business include

• Monthly updates – You can download fully installed and regularly updated versions of all major Office apps, namely Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Publisher.
• Cloud storage : receive 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user. You need to be able to easily edit and share your documents with your teams.
• Accessibility on multiple devices: you can install the Office apps on multiple devices at once. Install them on any device with PCs, Macs, tablets and mobile devices. The apps are supported on Windows, iOS and Android.
• Digital Storytelling – The digital storytelling feature gives you access to create engaging and creative reports. Your report, presentation, newsletter and training would be one of the excellent options.

High-end support, built-in security and ease of installation are a few exciting options offered by Microsoft 365 Apps for Business

The Microsoft 365 apps for businesses come with the following options:

• 1 TB Cloud storage in OneDrive per user
• Fully installed Office apps, namely Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (plus Access and Publisher for PC only)
• Installation option on multiple devices with the ability to install it on five mobile devices, five tablets and five PCs or Macs per user
• Automatic app updates every month

Compatibility – Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and the two latest versions of macOS

In conclusion

Well, if you are confused between Microsoft 365 apps (for Business and Enterprise), Office 365 ProPlus and Office 365 Business, ideally the tips here would have helped you understand what has changed between them. You would have discovered that there was only a change in the name and not much difference between the features available on each.

The above discussion should ideally help you make the right decision and choose the right version according to your business needs.

Read more:

Microsoft’s official webpage about subscriptions and pricing

Source: gigxp