Microsoft 365 is one of the most popular cloud SaaS platforms today, built on top of Microsoft’s world-class cloud services platform. The Microsoft 365 Business Plans have been at the forefront of this change, providing an array of software and services designed to enhance productivity, collaboration, and security. Let’s consider the difference between Microsoft 365 Business Standard vs Premium plans, and we will also look at how Basic edition fits in the picture and compares to the other two.
What is Microsoft Business Basic?
Microsoft Business Basic is an entry-level subscription plan offered by Microsoft 365. This plan is designed for businesses looking for cost-effective access to Microsoft’s cloud-based services.
With Business Basic, users can benefit from a host of features like hosted email with a 50GB mailbox, Microsoft Teams for collaboration, web-based Microsoft 365 apps, and 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user.
It also supports online meetings and video conferencing for up to 300 users. This plan is perfect for businesses that primarily operate online and don’t require desktop versions of Office apps.
What is Microsoft Business Standard?
Microsoft Business Standard is a mid-range subscription plan offered by Microsoft 365. This plan is tailored for small to medium-sized businesses that need more comprehensive features, including full access to Microsoft 365 services and desktop versions of Office apps.
The Business Standard plan includes all the features of Business Basic, a full suite of Office apps, and additional features like webinar hosting, auto-expanding email archive, and workflow automation. It also offers enhanced connection and collaboration features, making it ideal for businesses looking for robust productivity tools.
What is Microsoft Business Premium?
Microsoft Business Premium is the top-tier subscription plan offered by Microsoft 365. This plan is specifically designed for medium to large-sized businesses with advanced needs, particularly in terms of security and device management.
The Business Premium plan includes all the features of Business Standard, plus advanced security tools like Azure Information Protection and Microsoft Defender and device management capabilities.
It also provides access to premium features such as Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Defender, Exchange Online Protection, and Microsoft Azure.
The Business Premium plan is the best choice for businesses that handle sensitive data and require enhanced security measures and advanced device management.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic: A Solid Starting Point
For businesses just starting their digital transformation journey, Microsoft 365 Business Basic serves as a robust and affordable foundation. Priced at $6.00 per user/month when billed annually, this plan is a cost-effective solution that provides all the necessary tools for businesses to operate efficiently in a digital environment.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic offers access to Microsoft 365 apps for the web, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. This means that users can work from anywhere, at any time, and on any device that has internet connectivity.
One of the significant features of this plan is the provision of a 50 GB mailbox and a custom email domain address for hosting email. In addition, it provides a whopping 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user, enabling businesses to store, access, and share files securely from anywhere.
These features and the capability to facilitate online meetings and video conferencing for up to 300 users make it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses that require core productivity tools alongside email hosting and cloud storage.
Further enhancing collaboration, Microsoft 365 Business Basic includes Teams for seamless teamwork, OneDrive for secure file storage, SharePoint for collaborative workflows, and Exchange for business-class email services.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard: More Productivity
As businesses grow and their needs become more complex, they may need to upgrade to Microsoft 365 Business Standard. This plan is priced at $15.00 per user/month when billed annually, and it’s designed to cater to businesses that need a more comprehensive range of productivity tools.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard takes all the features of the Business Basic plan and enhances them with the full suite of Office apps. This plan introduces Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook in their desktop version, adding more versatility and power to your productivity tools.
With these tools, you can easily host webinars, manage an auto-expanding email archive, and easily create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
The addition of Access and Publisher means that users can access everything within a single integrated environment with desktop, web, and mobile compatibility. This integrated approach to productivity means that teams can work more efficiently and collaboratively, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.
The plan also includes 1TB of OneDrive storage per user, offering ample space to store and share files securely.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium: Security and Advanced Features
Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the ultimate choice for businesses requiring advanced security features and device management functionalities. At $20.00 per user/month when billed annually, this plan goes beyond the basics and offers a wide range of tools to support your business’s growth and safety requirements. Only Business Premium includes additional protection found with the security features by default.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes everything offered in the Business Standard, with the addition of advanced security tools like Azure Information Protection and Microsoft Defender.
These tools ensure that any threats are detected and removed, safeguarding sensitive information from malicious attacks. The plan also includes data loss prevention features, which help maintain compliance and protect critical data.
It also includes mobile device management and mobile application management features, allowing to fully manage all your devices, including mobile devices across the environment, protecting company data.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
- Price: $6.00 per user/month with an annual subscription or $7.20 monthly with a monthly commitment
- Features: Email hosting with a 50 GB mailbox and custom email domain, Microsoft Teams for collaboration, Microsoft 365 apps for the web (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote), 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user, online meetings and video conferencing for up to 300 users, around-the-clock phone and web support from Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
- Price: $12.50 per user/month with an annual subscription ($150/user/year)
- Features: Full suite of Office apps (including Access and Publisher), 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user, email, calendars, webinar hosting, workflow automation, and options for connection and collaboration
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Price: $22 per user/month with an annual subscription ($264/user/year)
- Features: Business Premium users get everything included in Business Standard, with the addition of advanced security tools such as Azure Information Protection and Microsoft Defender. It also includes features for data loss prevention, device management (including the ability to implement security policies on devices and remotely wipe data), Microsoft 365 Intune, Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft 365 Azure, and more robust security and compliance measures
Below is a price comparison graphic from Microsoft detailing the differences between the plans:
Plan chooser here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/business/microsoft-365-plan-chooser
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does Microsoft 365 Business Basic compare to the free version of Microsoft Teams?
While both versions provide access to Microsoft Teams for collaboration, the Business Basic plan offers additional features like full integration with Microsoft 365 apps, 1TB of OneDrive storage per user, and hosting online meetings and video conferences for up to 300 users.
2. Can I use Microsoft 365 Business Standard on multiple devices?
Yes, one of the major advantages of Microsoft 365 Business Standard is its multi-platform accessibility. You can use the full suite of Office apps across desktop, web, and mobile environments, allowing you to work efficiently from virtually anywhere.
3. What makes Microsoft 365 Business Premium worth the higher price?
Microsoft 365 Business Premium is ideal for medium to large-sized businesses that handle sensitive data and require enhanced security measures. It offers a comprehensive security solution to Business Premium customers with features like advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and device management. Plus, it includes all the productivity and collaboration tools of the Business Standard plan.
4. How does SharePoint Plan 2 enhance team collaboration?
SharePoint Plan 2 provides robust collaboration tools like instant messaging and online meetings, secure file storage and sharing, and Teams for efficient teamwork and communication. It also includes features to create and manage intranet sites, making it easier to share information and resources within your organization.
5. Can I switch between Microsoft 365 plans?
Yes, Microsoft offers the flexibility to switch between plans. This allows businesses to scale their Microsoft 365 services as their needs change, ensuring they always have the right tools.
6. Are there any discounts available for Microsoft 365 plans?
Microsoft occasionally offers promotional discounts for its 365 plans. It’s best to check their official website or contact their sales team for the most up-to-date information on any ongoing promotions.
7. What support options are available for Microsoft 365 users?
Microsoft provides around-the-clock phone and web support for all their 365 plans. This ensures that help is always available whenever you encounter any issues or have questions about their services.
8. How secure is my data with Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 has built-in security measures like threat detection and data loss prevention. The Business Premium plan includes advanced tools like Azure Information Protection and Microsoft Defender. Microsoft is committed to ensuring the privacy and compliance of your data, making it a trusted choice for businesses worldwide.
Remember, the best way to choose a Microsoft 365 plan is to assess your business’s specific needs and compare how each plan can meet those needs. Don’t hesitate to contact Microsoft’s support team if you need help deciding.
Lots of options and features to choose from
Selecting the right Microsoft 365 plan for your business involves evaluating your needs and resources. The Business Basic plan offers a cost-effective solution for small businesses seeking essential productivity and collaboration tools.
The Business Standard plan expands on this by including desktop versions of Office apps, making it a suitable option for businesses needing a more comprehensive suite of applications. Meanwhile, the Business Premium plan delivers a premium experience with advanced security and device management features, ideal for organizations dealing with sensitive data and requiring enhanced security measures.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your business’s specific needs, priorities, and resources. Remember to review your options carefully to make an informed decision that supports your business’s growth and success.
Read More:
Microsoft 365 for Beginners: Your Comprehensive Guide to Cloud Productivity and Collaboration
Microsoft 365 for Beginners – What is Microsoft 365 for Education – Part 31
