Dear respected Lyndon LeMoire,
Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.
As per your description, the Microsoft Business Basic subscription typically includes the online versions of the Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), but does not include the desktop versions of these apps. If you previously had desktop apps installed on your Mac through a university-provided subscription, once that subscription expires or is no longer active, you typically would not be able to use the previously downloaded desktop apps with a Business Basic license.
To continue using the desktop versions of the apps, you would need a subscription that covers the desktop apps, such as Microsoft 365 Business Standard or a standalone Office suite purchase. With Business Basic, you can still use the online versions of the apps.
In short, with Business Basic, you can only use the web. To continue using the desktop apps, you'd need a subscription that includes the desktop versions of Office apps.
Appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Waqas Muhammad
Videos
Dear respected Lyndon LeMoire,
Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.
As per your description, the Microsoft Business Basic subscription typically includes the online versions of the Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), but does not include the desktop versions of these apps. If you previously had desktop apps installed on your Mac through a university-provided subscription, once that subscription expires or is no longer active, you typically would not be able to use the previously downloaded desktop apps with a Business Basic license.
To continue using the desktop versions of the apps, you would need a subscription that covers the desktop apps, such as Microsoft 365 Business Standard or a standalone Office suite purchase. With Business Basic, you can still use the online versions of the apps.
In short, with Business Basic, you can only use the web. To continue using the desktop apps, you'd need a subscription that includes the desktop versions of Office apps.
Appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Waqas Muhammad
Hi respected Lyndon LeMoire,
I'm writing a follow up this case, and I haven’t received any information from you, may I know have you checked above reply? Feel free to post back if you need further assistance.
Have a good day and stay safe
Sincerely,
Waqas Muhammad
Great question! I’d be happy to clarify the differences between Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Apps for Business, as well as their multi-device usage policies.
Multi-Device Usage:
Yes, both plans allow you to install Microsoft apps on up to 5 devices per user, including PCs, Macs, tablets, and mobile phones.
You can sign in on multiple devices simultaneously, but active usage policies may apply (e.g., concurrent editing in OneDrive).
Key Differences:
| Feature | Microsoft 365 Business Standard | Microsoft 365 Apps for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Core Office Apps | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access (PC only), Publisher (PC only) | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access (PC only), Publisher (PC only) |
| Email Hosting (Outlook + Exchange) | Yes (50GB mailbox) | No |
| Business Tools (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.) | Yes | No |
| Web & Mobile Versions | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Versions | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Security & Business Features | Yes | No |
| Target Audience | Businesses needing email & collaboration tools | Businesses needing Office apps only |
Which One Should You Choose?
- If you need professional email (Outlook + Exchange) and collaboration tools like Teams & SharePoint, go with Microsoft 365 Business Standard.
- If you only need Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) without email hosting, then Microsoft 365 Apps for Business is a more cost-effective choice.
Hello Saumya Setia
Good morning and thanks for posting Microsoft community. I read your thread and got some background information about your script. It seems you need clarification on Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Apps for Business; let me help you to clarify this:
Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Apps for Business **** Both Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Apps for Business allow you to use a single subscription on up to five mobile devices, five tablets, and five PCs or Macs per user
Here are the key differences between the two plans:
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard:
- Includes desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote (plus Access and Publisher for PC only).
- Offers hosted email with a 50 GB mailbox and custom email domain.
- Provides a hub for teamwork with Microsoft Teams.
- Includes 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user.
- Offers around-the-clock phone and web support from Microsoft.
- Includes additional apps like Microsoft Clipchamp for video creation
- Microsoft 365 Apps for Business:
- Includes desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Provides 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user.
- Offers around-the-clock phone and web support from Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Business Standard combines powerful desktop, web, and mobile versions of apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and additional apps such as Clipchamp, along with the same services as those in Business Basic.
If this information was helpful, we also invite you to submit your feedback and vote for the answer so that others can find it more easily.
If there is anything we can do or if you have any other concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we're here to support you in any way we can.
Your kind understanding is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely
Shajia Afrin | Community Moderator
Hi,
I've take over a small company using Office 365. right now each user have a Microsoft 365 Apps for business + Exchange (Plan 1).
I don't understand why they choose these 2 licences over Microsoft 365 Business Standard ?
Except for the email and Microsoft Teams, what is the difference between Microsoft 365 Apps for business and Microsoft 365 Business Standard
I really tried Googling it, but it only redirects me to the same seller-lingo which tells everything and the contrary of everything. Also every license name has been reshuffled recently, so most articles about O365 licensing are obsolete by today.
Anybody using Business BASIC licenses? Are you allowed to use the DESKTOP version of Outlook, or are you stuck to the Web/Mobile version?
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Use Microsoft 365 apps for the web, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.