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.
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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.
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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

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/office365 › difference between microsoft 365 apps for business and microsoft 365 business standard
r/Office365 on Reddit: Difference between Microsoft 365 Apps for business and Microsoft 365 Business Standard
August 21, 2023 -

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

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Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-ca › microsoft-365 › enterprise › microsoft-365-apps-for-enterprise-product
Buy Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise | Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 Apps for business is available for businesses with up to 300 users, whereas Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise is available for an unlimited number of users. Microsoft 365 includes apps like Word and Excel, OneDrive cloud storage, and services like Exchange Online and SharePoint Online.
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Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-us › licensing › product-licensing › microsoft-365-apps
Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft Licensing Resources
Microsoft 365 Apps for business ... number of users. Office 365 E plans include apps like Word and Excel (E3/E5 only), OneDrive cloud storage, and services like Teams, Exchange Online, and SharePoint Online....
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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › office › what-is-microsoft-365-for-business-56e60c2b-1929-4a04-bd9b-ff5b844364f3
What is Microsoft 365 for business? - Microsoft Support
Depending on your subscription plan, the benefits of your Microsoft 365 for business subscription may include: The latest versions of Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
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Hungerford
hungerford.tech › home
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business? | Hungerford Technologies | MSP
March 10, 2025 - With Apps for business, you also get 1 TB (terabyte) of personal storage with OneDrive and the ability to add Copilot for Microsoft 365 as an add-on. It’s important to note that while Apps for business does include the desktop version of Outlook, it doesn’t come with email.
Address   2910 Lucerne Dr SE, 49546, Grand Rapids
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Virtosoftware
virtosoftware.com › home › blog › enterprise › microsoft 365 business plans explained: compare and choose
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: Complete Overview
April 28, 2025 - Streamline business processes with advanced automation and custom workflows. ... Craft alerts, reminders, or notifications for any user or group, with options for email, SMS, or Clickatell. ... Manage tasks visually with swimlanes, prioritization, and real-time updates. ... Create desktop-optimized forms with advanced customization, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript support. View All Web Parts [18] ... Access all VirtoSoftware apps for Microsoft 365 in one comprehensive package.
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Intelice Solutions
intelice.com › home › what is microsoft 365 apps for enterprise?
What is Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise? - Intelice Solutions
February 22, 2024 - These services include SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and more. With these services, you can store and share files, collaborate on documents in real-time, and communicate with your team members no matter where they are.
Find elsewhere
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Newstar
newstar.cloud › home › microsoft 365 apps for business
Microsoft 365 Apps for business - Newstar.Cloud
July 16, 2024 - Microsoft 365 Apps for business For PC, Mac, iOS, and Android Get desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (plus Access and Publisher for PC only).
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Genesis Technologies
genesis-technologies.com › products › microsoft-365-apps-for-business-annual-subscription-license
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business Annual Subscription License | Technology Solutions for Small Business
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business Annual Subscription License
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business Annual Subscription License Microsoft 365 Apps for Business - do your best work with fully installed Office applications across your devices plus online file storage and sharing. Best for businesses that need Office applications plus cloud file storage and sharing. Business email, and other online services are not included. With Microsoft Office 365 Business, familiar tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are available where and when you need them. Collaboration simplified. Since your files are stored online, you can share
Price   US$99.60
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Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-ca › microsoft-365 › business › compare-all-microsoft-365-business-products
Microsoft 365 Business Plans and Pricing | Microsoft 365
Advanced collaboration tools: For plans with Microsoft Teams, access enhanced features such as meeting recordings, transcription, and team workspaces optimized for business collaboration. Business apps: Run your business with tools such as Microsoft Bookings for appointment scheduling.
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O365CloudExperts
o365cloudexperts.com › home › microsoft 365 apps for business plan
Microsoft 365 Apps for business Plan | O365CloudExperts
September 13, 2023 - Microsoft 365 Apps for business makes it real easy for you to format information in Excel files. It features tools that recognize and remember the types of data inputs as your specific pattern. This results in quick auto completion of the cells. Full, installed Office across devices including PCs, Laptops, Macs, Windows tablets, iPad and Android tablets, and Smartphones.
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Syskit
syskit.com › blog › the-microsoft-365-apps-decision-business-or-enterprise
Decision: Microsoft 365 Apps For Business Or Enterprise
November 13, 2024 - Let’s start by comparing the Microsoft 365 Apps we have access to in each of those options. Remember that Microsoft 365 Apps suite used to be called Office and it includes apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more.
Address   Krste Pavletića 1, 10000, Zagreb
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Codecreators
codecreators.ca › home › navigating microsoft 365 apps for enterprise: features, pricing & benefits
Navigating Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise: Features, Pricing & Benefits | Code Creators
December 25, 2024 - Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise ... tools. This suite includes popular applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and Teams....
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Microsoft Business Licenses
365cloudstore.com › 365 cloud store › products › business › microsoft 365 apps for business monthly subscription
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business Monthly Subscription
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business - Monthly Payment - Monthly Commitment Subscription License
Buy Microsoft 365 Apps for Business no commitment monthly subscription under the CSP Program with 24/7 admin support from Microsoft certified experts
Price   US$9.96
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Dellenny
dellenny.com › home › introduction to microsoft 365 apps for business and enterprise
Introduction to Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Enterprise
November 3, 2025 - The Business edition is designed primarily for small and medium-sized organizations (SMBs). It includes all the essential desktop apps — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote — along with 1 TB of cloud storage via OneDrive.
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MyChoiceSoftware
mychoicesoftware.com › pages › microsoft-office-365-business
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business MyChoiceSoftware.com | MyChoiceSoftware.com
... Each user receives one terabyte of personal cloud storage on OneDrive for Business that lets you access your documents anywhere there's an internet connection. This license includes a full year of phone and web support. Microsoft 365 Apps ...
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › microsoft-365 › admin › setup › signup--apps-business
Sign up for Microsoft 365 Apps for business - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn
You can add a business domain at any point to access the rest of the functionality of your Apps for business subscription, including: Bookings appointment scheduling and Meeting recordings ...
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IONOS
ionos.ca › digital guide › e-mail › technical matters › office 365 business packages
How to pick the right Microsoft 365 for Business plan - IONOS CA
October 30, 2023 - Included in all four business plans are Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive applications. All information in this article is correct as of August 2023. The difference between Office plans for individuals and those for SMBs is what you get with them.
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Spidergroup
spidergroup.com › blog › apps-included-with-microsoft-365
What Apps are Included with Microsoft 365
With the Microsoft 365 for Business package, you can also create your own custom email domain. Publisher is great if you're not a designer but need to quickly create a visual document for your clients.