Microsoft 365 Business plans offer flexible solutions tailored to different business needs. The two most popular plans are Business Basic and Business Standard. While both offer essential tools for productivity and collaboration, there are key differences in features, pricing, and functionalities.
1. Core Features Comparison
The core functionality of each plan varies significantly:
- Business Basic: Includes web-based apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Access to email and collaboration tools such as Teams and OneDrive is also available.
- Business Standard: Includes everything in Business Basic, plus access to full desktop versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), offering more flexibility and functionality.
2. Office Apps and Collaboration Tools
The major difference between Microsoft 365 Business plans lies in the desktop applications:
- Business Basic: Access to online-only versions of Office apps like Word and Excel, with limited offline capabilities.
- Business Standard: Full desktop versions of Office apps, providing a complete Office suite for your employees. This plan also includes Teams for collaboration, email management, and OneDrive for file sharing.
3. Storage and File Management
Both plans offer cloud storage, but the specifics differ:
- Business Basic: Includes 1TB of OneDrive storage per user, with cloud-based file storage and sharing features.
- Business Standard: Also offers 1TB of OneDrive storage per user, but with the added benefit of syncing with the desktop Office apps for seamless document management.
4. Email and Communication Tools
Communication tools are essential for any business:
- Business Basic: Includes web-based email services through Outlook, but with limitations in advanced features like custom domain names.
- Business Standard: Provides full access to Exchange email with custom domain support, plus advanced security features.
5. Security and Compliance
Both plans provide solid security features, though Business Standard includes more advanced capabilities:
- Business Basic: Includes standard security features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and data loss prevention (DLP).
- Business Standard: Offers additional security features such as Microsoft Defender, compliance tools, and advanced DLP for greater protection of business data.
6. Pricing and Value
Pricing is a key factor for businesses deciding between these two plans:
- Business Basic: Priced at $6 per user/month, this plan offers essential cloud-based services for small businesses that don’t require full desktop Office apps.
- Business Standard: At $12.50 per user/month, this plan offers a complete set of Office apps, enhanced collaboration tools, and advanced security features.
Conclusion
Microsoft 365 Business plans offer different levels of service, and the best choice depends on your business’s needs:
- Business Basic is ideal for businesses that need essential tools like email, file storage, and web-based Office apps without the need for full desktop applications.
- Business Standard is perfect for businesses that require desktop Office apps, enhanced collaboration, and additional security features.
Need help choosing the right Microsoft 365 plan for your business?
Medha Cloud can assist you in selecting the best plan and setting it up for optimal productivity.
