Which is better: Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3?

Microsoft 365 comparison between Business Standard and Enterprise E3 reveals key differences in features, pricing, and scalability. Each plan serves different business needs, depending on company size, collaboration requirements, and security demands.

1. Microsoft 365 Comparison: Core Features

Both plans offer core Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. However, Enterprise E3 includes additional features that are geared towards larger organizations.

• Business Standard: Includes web-based and desktop Office apps.
• Enterprise E3: Offers full desktop apps and additional enterprise-level tools like SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and advanced security features.

2. Microsoft 365 Comparison: Security and Compliance

Enterprise E3 provides more advanced security features compared to Business Standard, including enhanced compliance tools, advanced threat protection, and legal hold capabilities for emails.

• Business Standard: Basic security, including multi-factor authentication.
• Enterprise E3: Advanced security features like Microsoft Defender and advanced compliance options for larger enterprises.

3. Microsoft 365 Comparison: Storage and File Management

Enterprise E3 offers additional storage and data management features. Both plans include 1TB of OneDrive storage, but Enterprise E3 provides more extensive data governance capabilities.

• Business Standard: 1TB of OneDrive storage.
• Enterprise E3: Enhanced file management and unlimited OneDrive storage after 1TB.

4. Microsoft 365 Comparison: Collaboration and Productivity Tools

For businesses that need extensive collaboration features, Enterprise E3 offers more robust tools compared to Business Standard, including more options for team communication and project management.

• Business Standard: Includes Microsoft Teams and Outlook for collaboration.
• Enterprise E3: Includes Teams, SharePoint, and advanced collaboration features that support larger teams.

5. Microsoft 365 Comparison: Pricing and Value

The pricing between these two plans differs significantly, with Enterprise E3 being priced higher but offering a much more comprehensive set of features designed for larger organizations.

• Business Standard: Costs around $12.50 per user per month.
• Enterprise E3: Priced at $36 per user per month, designed for businesses with more complex needs.

Conclusion

In this Microsoft 365 comparison, the choice between Business Standard and Enterprise E3 depends on the size of your business and your specific needs. Business Standard is great for small to medium-sized businesses that need basic tools and security, while Enterprise E3 is better for large organizations that require more robust security, compliance, and collaboration features.

Ready to choose the right Microsoft 365 plan for your business?
Medha Cloud can help you make an informed decision based on your specific business needs.