If you don’t want to pay for an ongoing Microsoft 365 subscription but still need the full desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, you can still buy Microsoft Office for Mac as a one-time purchase in 2026. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Office vs Microsoft 365 vs Copilot
Firstly, it’s important to understand the current Microsoft Office lineup as Microsoft has done a series of re-brandings, which can be a bit confusing.
Microsoft’s productivity suite is now broadly branded as Microsoft 365, with Copilot as an AI-powered feature layer inside those apps.
- Microsoft 365 is the subscription service (cloud + desktop apps + updates).
- Microsoft 365 Copilot is an add-on or built-in AI assistant (depending on plan) that generates text, analyzes data, and helps create presentations.
- Microsoft is increasingly branding Microsoft 365 around Copilot, although Copilot availability varies by plan and region.
Despite this confusion, the good news is that if you don’t need Copilot or cloud extras, you can still buy a perpetual license of the Mac desktop apps.
Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac (Perpetual License)
On October 1st 2024, Microsoft released Office 2024 for Mac as a standalone product that you purchase once with no recurring fees.
Even though we’re now in 2026, this is the latest one-time purchase edition of Office for macOS. There are two editions available:
| Edition | Price (Microsoft Store) | What’s Included | License Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Home & Student 2024 for Mac | $149.99 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote | 1 Mac |
| Office Home & Business 2024 for Mac | $249.99 | Everything above plus Outlook and rights for commercial use | 1 Mac |
Note: Prices are similar in the U.K. (£119.99 / £249.99). Discounts often appear on Amazon or other online resellers.
Key Features
- One-time purchase with no subscription required.
- Works on Apple Silicon (M-series) and Intel Macs.
- Requires macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Sequoia or Tahoe.
- Updates for security and bug fixes only (no ongoing feature upgrades beyond the 2024 release).
What’s Not Included
The Mac perpetual versions do not include:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot AI features.
- Cloud perks like 1 TB OneDrive storage or Teams Premium.
- Windows-only apps such as Publisher, Access, Project, or Visio.
If you later decide you want Copilot or cloud syncing, you’d need to move to a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Where to Buy It
- Microsoft Store – Full retail pricing but guaranteed legitimacy.
- Amazon / Trusted Retailers – Often 10–20% cheaper for digital downloads (instant license key) although you may find these are frequently out of stock.
- Authorized Deal Sites (e.g., StackCommerce) – Periodic “lifetime license” offers for Office 2024 or older versions (although we recommend checking closely what this includes).
Choosing Between Microsoft 365 and Office 2024
| Feature | Microsoft 365 (Subscription) | Office 2024 (One-Time) |
|---|---|---|
| Price** | $99.99/year Personal / Family, $129.99/year | $149.99 – $249.99 one time |
| Apps | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams, Access (PC), Publisher (PC) | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook* |
| Updates | Continuous new features & Copilot | Security updates only |
| Storage | 1 TB OneDrive per user | None |
| AI Copilot | Included (if licensed) | Not included |
- *Outlook included only in the Home & Business edition.
- **Pricing varies by region and whether Copilot features are included.
Tip: If you share a Microsoft 365 Family plan ($129.99/year for up to 6 people), it works out to about $21.66 per person per year – cheaper long-term than buying Office 2024 if you have a full group.
Summary
- Buy Office 2024 if you want a one-time purchase, own-your-license model, and can live without Copilot or ongoing feature updates.
- Subscribe to Microsoft 365 if you want cloud syncing, regular updates, and Copilot AI – or if you can split a Family plan to reduce costs.
So as you can see, you can still get the full desktop Office experience in 2025 – whether you prefer to pay once or keep up with Microsoft’s AI-powered future.
Alternatives To Microsoft Office For Mac
If after reading this you don’t want to buy Office For Mac then you could consider using an alternative.
We’ve looked at the best Microsoft Office For Mac alternatives many of which can open and edit Microsoft Office files.
However, it’s important to be aware that they may not always preserve complex formatting as accurately as Microsoft Office or offer the same level of integration with it.
If you’re dealing with Office files on a regular basis, we recommend biting the bullet and either buying Microsoft Office For Mac or getting a Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still buy Microsoft Office for Mac as a one-time purchase?
Yes. Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac is available as a one-time purchase with no subscription. It includes the full desktop versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, with Outlook included in the Home & Business edition.
What’s the difference between Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac and Microsoft 365?
The main difference is the payment model and updates:
- Office 2024 for Mac is a one-time purchase that receives security updates only.
- Microsoft 365 is a subscription that includes ongoing feature updates, cloud services, and optional Copilot AI features.
Microsoft 365 also includes OneDrive storage and access across multiple devices.
Does Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac include Copilot?
No. Microsoft Copilot is not available in Office 2024 for Mac. Copilot requires a Microsoft 365 subscription and an internet connection.
Does Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac include Outlook?
Outlook is only included in Office Home & Business 2024 for Mac.
The Home & Student edition does not include Outlook.
Is Microsoft Teams included with Office 2024 for Mac?
No. Microsoft Teams is not included with any one-time purchase version of Office for Mac. Teams is available as a separate free app or as part of Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Does Office 2024 for Mac include OneDrive storage?
No. Office 2024 for Mac does not include OneDrive cloud storage. OneDrive storage is included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Does Microsoft Office for Mac work on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac runs natively on Apple Silicon (M-series) Macs, as well as Intel-based Macs, and is compatible with recent supported versions of macOS.
Can I use Microsoft Office for Mac in a web browser?
Office 2024 for Mac does not include premium web features. However, you can still access free web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with a Microsoft account, though these have limited functionality compared to the desktop apps.
Is Microsoft 365 better value than Office 2024 for Mac?
For most users, yes – especially if you:
- Want regular feature updates
- Need cloud storage
- Use multiple devices
- Want access to Copilot AI features
However, if you prefer a one-time purchase and only use Office occasionally, Office 2024 for Mac can be better value long-term.
Can I upgrade Office 2024 for Mac later?
There is no upgrade path from Office 2024 to future versions. If Microsoft releases a newer perpetual version, it would need to be purchased separately.
Are Access, Visio, or Publisher available on Mac?
No. Microsoft Access, Visio, Publisher, and Project remain Windows-only, even with Microsoft 365. Mac users must use alternatives or web-based versions where available.
Are there free alternatives to Microsoft Office for Mac?
Yes. Popular free alternatives include:
- Apple iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)
- Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
These can open and edit Office files, but complex formatting may not always be preserved.
Should businesses use Office 2024 or Microsoft 365?
Most businesses are better suited to Microsoft 365, as it includes collaboration tools, cloud storage, security features, and optional Copilot AI. Office 2024 is better suited to individuals or organizations that require a fixed, offline-friendly setup.