Office 365 subscription: the complete guide to choosing the right Microsoft 365 package (and paying less)

You're looking for a "365 Office subscription" (often mistakenly referred to as Office 365) and you come across a whole host of offers: Microsoft Office 365 package, Microsoft 365 Single, Family, Business ...it's not always clear.

In this guide, you will learn:

• What a Microsoft 365 subscription really includes (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, etc.)
• Which plan to choose based on your usage (personal, family, student, professional)
• How to install Office on PC/Mac/mobile
• how to share a subscription (when applicable)
• how to terminate properly
• and how to reduce the bill through co-subscription (within the framework provided by Microsoft)

What exactly is an Office 365 subscription?

Today, Office 365 is called Microsoft 365 for the general public. In practice, when people type "Office 365 subscription," they are looking for a subscription that gives them access to:

• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook (full versions, often desktop + mobile)
• OneDrive (cloud for files and backups)
• additional services (depending on the package): security, creative tools, etc.

👉 Key points: Microsoft 365 = subscription (monthly/annual payment + continuous updates).
Alternative: Office 2024 (or equivalent) = one-time purchase, no subscription (often less attractive if you want cloud + multi-device support).

Microsoft Office 365 package: which plans should you choose?

1) Microsoft 365 Single (formerly "Personal"): for 1 person

Who is it for?

• You are alone and want Office on multiple devices (PC/Mac + mobile)

What it brings (in general):

• single-person use
• connection on multiple devices
• 1 TB of OneDrive storage

💡 When should you choose Single?
If you don't need to share files and find the cloud (OneDrive) useful on a daily basis.

2) Microsoft 365 Family: for multiple users (best value for money)

Who is it for?

• you want to share the subscription between several users (family/friends), each with their own account

Key points:

• sharing benefits with up to 5 other people (6 in total)
• Each person generally has their own space (e.g., OneDrive).
• Sharing is done through the Microsoft "family group": guests must join the account holder's family group.

✅ Why is this often the best option?
Because if there are 2, 3, 4 of you, the cost "per person" becomes very competitive.

Example of price range in Europe: Microsoft charges (depending on the country) around €99/year for Single and €129/year for Family (monthly payments also available).
(Prices vary depending on the country/promotion: always check with Microsoft at the time of purchase.)

3) Microsoft 365 Business: for professionals (not to be confused)

If you are looking for Office for a business (professional email, team management, etc.), you should look at Microsoft 365 Business rather than the "Home" offers. Prices and conditions change regularly on the professional side.

What does a Microsoft 365 subscription include?

Depending on the formula, you will generally find:

• Word / Excel / PowerPoint / Outlook / OneNote
• OneDrive (cloud)
• possible "bonus" services (Designer, Clipchamp, security, etc., depending on country/plan)

The real value of the subscription is:

• multi-device access
• cloud storage
• continuous updates
• collaboration (sharing, co-editing, history)

How to install Microsoft 365 (Office) on PC, Mac, and mobile devices

On PC / Windows

1. Sign in to the Microsoft account that purchased the subscription.
2. Go to your Services and subscriptions area (Microsoft Account)
3. Click Install (Office / Microsoft 365)
4. Run the installer and log in to activate the license.

On Mac

Same logic:

1. Download from your Microsoft account
2. Installing Office apps
3. Log in to your subscriber account to activate

On iPhone / Android

• Install Word/Excel/PowerPoint (or the Microsoft 365 app, depending on availability).
• Log in with your subscriber account (or your "guest" account if you are part of a Family).

Sharing an Office 365 subscription: what is possible (and what is not)

✅ What's planned: Microsoft 365 Family

• the holder may share with up to 5 people
• provided that the persons join the family group of the holder

❌ What is not shareable

• Microsoft 365 Single/Personal: no sharing planned
• Lending your login details: not a good idea (security + terms of use)

Great deal: pay less for your Microsoft Office 365 package with a shared subscription

If you pay for Microsoft 365 Family and don't use all the seats, the logic is simple:

• you keep an official subscription
• you split the cost between several people (within the agreed sharing arrangement)

That's exactly the point of co-subscription:

• the holder retains control over the subscription
• co-subscribers pay their monthly share
• management is cleaner than "transfers between friends"

👉 In Spliiit, the goal is to enable you to:

• or offer an available seat on your Microsoft 365 Family
• either join an existing seat, instead of paying for a full subscription alone

(Important: Microsoft regulates sharing via the family group. These conditions must be respected.)

How to cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription (without any unpleasant surprises)

If you want to cancel your subscription to avoid automatic renewal:

1. Sign in to the Microsoft account that paid for the subscription.
2. Go to Subscriptions / Services and subscriptions
3. Click Manage
4. Select Cancel and follow the steps.

💡 Microsoft often distinguishes between:

• cancellation (stop the next payment)
• reimbursement (subject to eligibility, not guaranteed)

Microsoft 365 or a one-time purchase of Office: which should you choose?

Choose Microsoft 365 (subscription) if:

• You want OneDrive + multi-device sync
• you like continuous updates
• you have multiple users (Family)

Choose Office "one-time purchase" if:

• you don't want a subscription
• you use Office in a simple way (Word/Excel/PowerPoint) without needing the cloud
• you keep the same version for several years

FAQ – 365 Office Subscription

What is the best Office 365 subscription?

For most people:

• Single if you are alone
• Family if you have at least 2 users (best cost per person)

Are Microsoft 365 and Office 365 the same thing?

Office 365 is the old name still used by many. Today, the consumer range is called Microsoft 365.

Can Microsoft 365 be shared with someone else?

Yes, with Microsoft 365 Family, up to 6 people in total, via the Microsoft family group.

Are Word and Excel included in Microsoft 365?

Yes: Word, Excel, PowerPoint (and often Outlook/OneNote) are among the main apps included in a Microsoft 365 subscription.

How do I cancel my Microsoft 365 subscription?

From your Microsoft account, go to the subscriptions section, then "Manage" → "Cancel" to stop the renewal.

Key points to remember

• “365 Office subscription”= Microsoft 365, the subscription that combines Office + cloud.
• The best way to reduce your bill is to choose the right plan (often Family) and optimize sharing within the framework provided.
• If you want to pay less without doing any DIY, a shared subscription allows you to split the cost rather than bear it alone.