Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
Microsoft 365 Business Basic is the entry-level plan designed for small businesses that need essential communication and collaboration tools without the full suite of desktop applications. This plan includes web and mobile versions of Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint but does not offer downloadable desktop versions. Business Basic is ideal for businesses that rely heavily on cloud-based work and need robust email services, with each user getting a 50 GB mailbox and custom email domains via Exchange. It also provides access to Microsoft Teams for video conferencing and chat, SharePoint for file storage and collaboration, and OneDrive with 1 TB of cloud storage per user. However, this plan lacks advanced security features and desktop app installations, making it most suitable for businesses that operate primarily online.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the most comprehensive plan, designed for businesses that need all the features of Business Standard along with advanced security, device management, and data protection capabilities. It includes everything from Business Standard—full desktop apps, cloud storage, and collaboration tools—but adds crucial security features like Microsoft Intune for mobile device management, Azure Information Protection for data classification and encryption, and Conditional Access to control access to sensitive information. This plan also offers enhanced threat protection through Microsoft Defender, providing safeguards against phishing, malware, and other sophisticated cyber threats. Business Premium is ideal for businesses that require high-level security and compliance features to protect their data, devices, and users.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
Microsoft 365 Business Standard builds upon the Business Basic plan by including full desktop versions of Office apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Publisher (PC only). This plan is ideal for businesses that require comprehensive productivity tools and offline access to applications. It includes everything in Business Basic, such as Exchange-based email, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, but with added flexibility. Users can download and install Office apps on up to five devices per user, making it perfect for employees who need powerful tools for document creation, editing, and collaboration. While it offers robust productivity features, it does not include advanced security and device management options, which may be necessary for businesses with higher security requirements.