There was a lot of expectation for the next release of Microsoft Office 2024, which arrives to succeed the previous version of 2021. And also many doubts. Luckily, the users' fears have not been fulfilled and it is now definitive: we will be able buy Office 2024 without depending on a subscription.
The truth is that it has been a pleasant surprise. Many users and specialized bloggers have not hesitated to publicly thank Redmond for this decision. Because what was to be expected was not precisely that. In fact, Until very recently, Microsoft's official policy was just the opposite: "encourage" its users to make subscriptions, reducing the hitherto free services to a minimum.
The situation that had been reached was the following: since the appearance of Office 365 (later renamed Microsoft 365), all efforts were focused on promoting this new product, praising its virtues and indisputable advantages. Its offer consisted of a set of computer programs annual subscription, always accessible in the cloud from the web or any mobile device.
Little by little, The Microsoft Office office suite was relegated to a secondary position. Compared to what Office/Microsoft 365 offered, it was a much less agile and more uncomfortable option to handle. That's why it stopped being promoted. Nor should we overlook the existence of a powerful economic motivation: Microsoft obtains many more benefits with annual subscriptions than with the old model of one-time payment for the use of the license.
What is the reason for this turn then? A possible explanation is that they have realized that, faced with the obligation to pay, the number of users who have chosen other non-paid alternatives has not stopped growing in recent years. We are referring to those who have opted for options such as OpenOffice o libreoffice. Users who have turned their backs on Microsoft Office and deliberately disregarded the benefits of Microsoft 365.
This will be Office 2024
So, contrary to what most people thought, Microsoft Office 2024 will soon be released without a subscription, to be used in perpetuity by paying a one-time license fee. But, What will this new office suite be like? Will it be an attractive enough option to coexist with Microsoft 365?
For now, we know what Microsoft has already confirmed in this regard: it will be launched this year (there is still no exact date), it will be aimed at users in the business world and will have a support service of up to five years. However, the most important thing is that It will not be a subscription service. The single payment model for perpetual license per device is recovered.
A look at the Preview version
Some users have been able to access the Preview version of Microsoft Office 2024 through a product key that allows its activation. They are beta users who, today, are testing all its features and collaborating with Microsoft to finish fine-tuning the suite before its official launch. Thanks to them we have some images with which we can get a small idea of what its final appearance will be:
Features and new functions
We still know very little about the characteristics of the new Office 2024. It seems certain that It will be available for Windows 10, Windows 11 and macOS, with both 32 and 64 bit versions. The package will include all the programs we know and use regularly (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook...) with the most recent updates.
Logic dictates that, when Office 2024 is definitively launched, the features and functions of this software will be somewhat limited compared to what we will be able to find in Microsoft 365. For example, it will certainly not offer artificial intelligence functions such as Copilot and others. The proposal remains the same: whoever wants to have more can always pay for the subscription.
However, it is great news to be able to have this payment option per license, despite everything. Also for Microsoft it is an interesting solution, since it allows you to "fish" for users from both profiles. If there are those who resist switching to 365 and paying by subscription, at least don't switch to the competition and stay with Office 2024 without a subscription.
Subscription vs Perpetual License
It's not that one option is better than the other. They are simply two different models, each with its advantages and weaknesses. Perpetual software licenses and subscription licenses are the two solutions commonly used to distribute software to users.
- Intellectual: The perpetual license allows you to use the software indefinitely with a single payment, while the subscription model is more like a rental.
- Updates: Programs purchased by purchasing a perpetual license are at risk of becoming outdated, while subscriptions are permanently updated.
- Price: Paying for the license is much more expensive than the subscription, although it all depends on the length of time the subscription period is going to be extended.