While there are plenty of free alternatives out there, it’s hard to beat the Office genuine article when it comes to pure capability and features. Today you can get the full version of Microsoft Office 2021, the latest release that works as a stand-alone without a Microsoft 365 subscription, for just $99.99, a 33 percent discount off the usual $150 price. The Windows and Mac releases are on sale at Amazon as part of its spring event.
The Home and Student 2021 package for Office includes Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which can be installed or transferred on a single Windows 10 or 11 PC or a recent Mac computer. While this package lacks the full version of Outlook (a free version was included in a recent Windows update) and extra OneDrive storage, you don’t need to pay a monthly subscription. The package can be downloaded directly, no need to wait for a shipment.
At $99.99, it’s a $50 discount off what Microsoft is offering from its online store right now. And yes, despite the “2021” label, it’s the latest version of these applications. An Office 2024 update is coming sometime in the near future, and Microsoft says there will be a one-time purchase option as an alternative to a 365 subscription…but we have no idea how much it’ll cost when it arrives.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he's the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop "battlestation" in his off hours. Michael's previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he's covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he's always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.