Security & Compliance
Whether you use your PC or laptop for work, personal use or entertainment, you will likely need some productivity tools at some point. And when you do, you will probably consider Microsoft 365 as an option.
Microsoft's suite of productivity offers high-quality features, but it can be hard to decide which version of the product suits your needs.
This is especially true if you want to buy Microsoft 365 for business use, where the choice can have more impact.
Microsoft 365 License Comparison
To make it easier for you, we've compared Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard and Premium to see how they differ - and to help you choose the right one. If you need more software device, we've also covered the best secure file hosting and key factors if you need to choose business antivirus software.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
Microsoft 365 Business Basic is the company's most affordable productivity suite. It has fewer features than the higher-end plans, but also a lower price:
Microsoft 365 License Cost
It's $6 per user per month in the US and £4.50 in the UK. These prices are based on an annual subscription purchase, and they exclude sales taxes.
This plan gives you access to various popular apps. You can use web, Android and iOS versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook, and you also get Exchange to use your own domain name for emails.
You can work together on documents and spreadsheets, and your files are saved and synced across all your devices with OneDrive and SharePoint.
If you prefer desktop versions of these apps, you can pay $8.25 or £7.90 for Microsoft 365 Apps for Business, which gives you downloadable office apps instead of web versions but without Teams.
The Basic tier also includes:
- 1 TB of cloud storage for each user
- Business-class email with 50 GB of space per mailbox
- Custom domain names and full calendar capabilities
- You can use Teams to schedule activities, track information with Lists, interact with customers through Bookings and get feedback with Forms.
Security is provided by Exchange Online Protection and Microsoft's software follows essential international and industry-standard security and privacy protocols. Admins can set up custom permissions and groups to limit access to sensitive data. The Basic product supports 300 users.
This is a good option for many small and medium-sized businesses, but the Basic tier does not have many advanced features.
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Microsoft 365 Licensing!
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
Exploring Microsoft Office 365 License options, Microsoft 365 Business Standard offers a versatile experience for $12.50 per user monthly in the US and £9.40 in the UK. Starting strong, Microsoft 365 Business Standard includes all features from the Basic tier, such as web apps, support for up to 300 users, and 1 TB of cloud storage for each user.
The product's higher Microsoft 365 License Cost is justified by several key enhancements:
- Allows the download and installation of desktop versions of Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote on PC or Mac.
- PC users gain additional access to Access and Publisher, with the option to install these applications on up to five devices.
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard enables users to conduct webinars.
Another significant aspect is the level of control over data that this subscription offers. Companies with their own domain can opt for an in-depth approach, requiring more technical expertise. Alternatively, businesses can use Microsoft 365 Business Standard with email account from various providers through a Simplified Sign-Up process, though this offers fewer advanced customization features.
Find out how to optimize and audit your Microsoft Office 365 tenant here!
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Elevating to Business Premium, Simplified Sign-Up is not available, but companies are expected to have their own domain and the capability to manage it. This tier includes all previously mentioned features plus extensive security and management tools from Azure and Intune.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium provides:
- Top-tier security against malware and ransomware
- Advanced email protection to guard against phishing
- The ability to regulate data sharing and access
- Comprehensive versatility for hybrid workforces, with wizards for security and access management, automatic app deployment
- Remote data wiping capabilities for security breaches or theft
Despite its robust feature set, Microsoft 365 Business Premium still supports a maximum of 300 users and comes in at a higher cost of $22 or £16.60 per user monthly.
Azure in Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Azure Active Directory (Azure AD): This is a cloud-based identity and access management service. It helps your employees securely access business apps from anywhere with conditional access and advanced multifactor authentication. Azure AD is included in Microsoft 365 for Business and is mainly used for user identity management, along with other features.
- Azure Information Protection: Part of Microsoft Purview, it allows you to encrypt emails, discover, classify, and label sensitive data. It helps prevent risky or unauthorized use of business data.
- Azure Defender: Activated as Microsoft Defender for Office 365, it guards against viruses, spam, unsafe attachments, suspicious links, and phishing attacks
Intune in Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Microsoft Intune: A cloud-based unified endpoint management solution that helps manage mobile devices, tablets, and computers. It applies security policies to protect work data on company-owned and employee devices and can remove business data from lost or stolen devices1.
- Cross-platform device management: Subscribers are licensed to use full Intune capabilities for iOS, Android, Mac, and other cross-platform device management.
- Endpoint protection: Through Microsoft Defender for Business and Intune, device protection policies are applied to devices grouped into categories for organized management.
These features ensure that businesses can maintain control over their devices and data, providing enterprise-grade security and management tools that are essential for modern, dynamic work environments. Whether your employees are working remotely or on-site, Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Azure and Intune offers a comprehensive solution for safeguarding your company’s digital assets.
Which Microsoft 365 Business License should you choose?
When choosing a Microsoft 365 License, consider the distinct differences among the top three tiers.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic is perfect for small businesses needing dependable web-based tools and corporate email.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard is ideal for those preferring downloadable software and more data control.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium suits businesses requiring detailed device management and enhanced security.
Your choice should align with your specific business needs. Microsoft 365 Business Basic for web productivity, Business Standard for software flexibility, and Business Premium for advanced security and email protection.
Why should you trust Datalink Networks with your licensing needs?
Choosing Datalink Networks as your licensing Microsoft partner offers several compelling benefits:
Expertise
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Modern Work, we demonstrate a high level of competence and expertise with Microsoft technologies.
Direct Microsoft Connection
With a direct line to Microsoft, we utilize our partnership to deliver outstanding service, expertise and support on hardware, software, and cloud migrations.
Discounted Microsoft Licensing
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