Yes, you can buy Microsoft Office once and own it outright

Microsoft sells Office in two ways: as a subscription you pay for every month, and as a one-time purchase you own permanently. The one-time purchase version is called Office 2024 (or Office 2021 if you buy older stock). You pay once, install it on your computer, and use it as long as that computer runs — no monthly fees, no renewal notices, no internet connection required to open your documents.

The catch is that Microsoft makes the subscription version (Microsoft 365) easier to find and cheaper to start with. The one-time purchase costs more upfront but saves money if you keep the same computer for five years or longer. Both versions do the same job: Word for documents, Excel for spreadsheets, PowerPoint for presentations, Outlook for email.

Key Takeaways

  • Office 2024 is a one-time purchase that costs between $160 and $250 depending on which programs you need, and you own it permanently on that computer.
  • Microsoft 365 is a subscription that costs $7 to $20 per month and includes automatic updates, cloud storage, and the ability to install on multiple devices.
  • One-time Office purchases do not receive new features or security updates after a few years, so older versions eventually become outdated.
  • You can buy Office 2024 directly from Microsoft's website or from retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, but you have to search for it because Microsoft promotes 365 more heavily.

What you get with a one-time Office purchase

When you buy Office 2024 as a one-time purchase, you receive a license key that activates the software on one computer. That license stays with that computer — you cannot move it to a new machine later without buying a new license. The software includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook (or a smaller set if you buy the Home version, which excludes Outlook and Access).

You own the license outright, which means you can use it as long as the computer runs and the software still works. There is no expiration date, no monthly bill, and no requirement to stay connected to the internet. However, Microsoft stops releasing security updates and bug fixes for older versions after a few years. Office 2021 stopped receiving updates in October 2023. Office 2024 will likely follow the same pattern, with support ending around 2026 or 2027.

How the cost compares over time

Office 2024 costs roughly $160 for the Home version (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or $250 for the Home and Business version (adds Outlook and Access). You pay once and that is your total cost for as long as you use that computer.

Microsoft 365 costs $7 per month for the basic version (web-only, limited features) or $20 per month for the full desktop version. Over five years, that adds up to $420 to $1,200 depending on which plan you choose. If you keep the same computer for longer than five years, the one-time purchase saves money. If you upgrade computers every three years, the subscription often costs less because you do not have to buy a new license.

The subscription also includes 1 TB of cloud storage (OneDrive) and the ability to install on up to five devices at once. The one-time purchase includes no cloud storage and works on only one computer. If you need to use Office on a laptop and a desktop, the subscription is cheaper than buying two separate licenses.

Where to buy Office 2024

You can buy Office 2024 directly from Microsoft's website by going to microsoft.com/office and selecting the Home or Home and Business version. You can also find it at Best Buy, Amazon, Costco, and other retailers that sell software. The price is the same everywhere — Microsoft sets the retail price at $160 or $250.

When you buy, you receive a product key (a code like XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX) either by email or printed on the box. You use that key to read Office from Microsoft's website and set up it on your computer. The read is free; the key is what you pay for. Keep the key somewhere safe — you will need it if you reinstall Office or if Microsoft asks you to prove you own a license.

What you cannot do with a one-time purchase

You cannot move the license to a different computer. If you buy a new laptop, you have to buy a new Office license for it. You cannot share the license with family members or roommates — one license, one computer. If you try to use the same key on two computers at once, Microsoft's set up system will block the second one.

You also do not receive new features. When Microsoft releases Office 2025 (expected in late 2024 or 2025), your Office 2024 will not automatically update to it. You would have to buy Office 2025 separately if you want the new features. With Microsoft 365, you get new features automatically as soon as Microsoft releases them.

When a one-time purchase makes sense

Buy Office 2024 if you plan to keep the same computer for at least five years, use Office on only one device, and do not need the latest features as soon as they come out. It also makes sense if you want to avoid monthly bills or do not have reliable internet access — Office 2024 works offline without any problems.

Buy Microsoft 365 if you use multiple devices (laptop, desktop, tablet), want automatic updates and new features, need cloud storage, or plan to upgrade your computer every few years. The subscription is also better if you share a household and want multiple people to have their own Office installations.

Older versions and secondhand keys

You may see older versions like Office 2019 or Office 2021 for sale secondhand or from discount retailers. These are legitimate one-time purchases, but they are older and will stop receiving security updates sooner. Office 2021 support ended in October 2023, which means Microsoft no longer fixes security problems in it. If you buy an older version, you are accepting the risk that hackers could find and exploit vulnerabilities that Microsoft will not patch.

Be cautious with extremely cheap keys sold online — some are resold licenses from other people, and Microsoft may deactivate them if the original owner reports the key as stolen. Buying directly from Microsoft or a major retailer protects you because you get a new, unused key with a receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Office 2024 on a Mac?

Yes. Office 2024 for Mac exists and costs the same as the Windows version. The license is separate — a Windows key will not work on a Mac, and vice versa. If you use both a Windows computer and a Mac, you need two licenses.

What happens if I stop paying for Microsoft 365?

Your subscription ends and you lose access to Office. You can still view and print documents you created, but you cannot edit them. If you restart the subscription later, your documents become editable again. With a one-time purchase, you keep using Office forever as long as you do not uninstall it.

Is there a free version of Microsoft Office?

Microsoft offers free web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint through Office.com if you have a Microsoft account. They work in your browser and save to OneDrive automatically. The desktop versions (the programs you install on your computer) are not free — you either buy them once or subscribe.

Can I use Office 2024 on a work computer?

Only if your employer allows it. Most companies provide Office through their own Microsoft 365 subscription or a volume license agreement. Installing personal software on a work computer usually violates company policy. Check with your IT department before installing anything.

Will Office 2024 work in 10 years?

Probably, but with caveats. The software itself will run as long as Windows or macOS supports it. However, Microsoft will stop releasing security updates, so it will become increasingly vulnerable to new threats. For long-term use, you would eventually need to upgrade to a newer version or switch to Microsoft 365.