Microsoft Office for Mac
Microsoft Office for Mac comes in two main flavours: a subscription through Microsoft 365 or a one-time purchase of Office 2024. Both run natively on macOS, both include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and both are genuinely good. The question is which makes more sense for how you actually work. This guide breaks down the differences so you can make a straightforward call.
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What Both Versions Include
Regardless of whether you choose Microsoft 365 or Office 2024, you get the core Office applications for Mac: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Both versions run as full desktop applications, not browser-based tools. They open and save in standard Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) and are compatible with files created on Windows.
Mac compatibility is solid across both. Microsoft has maintained feature parity between its Windows and Mac apps for years, and the most recent versions have narrowed the remaining gaps considerably.
Microsoft 365 vs Office 2024: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Microsoft 365 Personal | Microsoft 365 Family | Office 2024 (one-time) | |
| Price | ~$70/year | ~$100/year | ~$150 one-time |
| Mac compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Users | 1 | Up to 6 | 1 |
| OneDrive storage | 1 TB | 1 TB per person | None included |
| Always up to date | Yes | Yes | No (fixed version) |
| Copilot AI | Yes (with subscription) | Yes (with subscription) | No |
| Long-term cost (3 years) | ~$210 | ~$300 | ~$150 |
| Our take: If you use Office regularly, the long-term maths usually favours the one-time purchase past year two. If you want cloud storage, always-current features, and access across multiple Macs or mixed devices, Microsoft 365 is worth the subscription. |
Microsoft 365 for Mac: What You Get with a Subscription
Microsoft 365 Personal covers one user. Microsoft 365 Family covers up to six users, each with their own account and 1 TB of OneDrive storage. Both include:
Always-updated apps. When Microsoft ships new features, subscription users get them automatically. The Office apps stay current without you having to buy a new version.
OneDrive integration. Documents save to OneDrive by default, which means they sync across devices and are accessible from any browser. Handy if you switch between a Mac at home and a Windows machine at work.
Mobile apps. Your subscription covers the Office apps on iOS and Android at full functionality.
Microsoft Copilot. AI-assisted features in Word, Excel, and Outlook are available to Microsoft 365 subscribers.
| Note: Microsoft 365 pricing is set in USD and may vary by region. Always check the current price on microsoft.com before purchasing. |
Office 2024 for Mac: What You Get with a One-Time Purchase
Office 2024 is a perpetual licence. You pay once and own it. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote for Mac. There are no recurring fees. For a deeper look at what this version includes, see our Office 2024 overview.
The trade-off is that Office 2024 will not receive new features after launch. It will get security updates for its supported lifespan (usually five years), but the feature set is fixed. If Microsoft releases new capabilities to Word or Excel in 2025 or 2026, those will not come to Office 2024.
There is no OneDrive storage included. You can still save to OneDrive manually, but you do not get the 1 TB that comes with a subscription.
Who Should Choose Microsoft 365 for Mac?
Microsoft 365 makes sense if you collaborate with others regularly and use real-time co-authoring in Word or Excel. It also suits people who use Office across multiple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad, or a Windows machine at work) and anyone who wants the storage and automatic updates without thinking about it.
The Family plan is particularly strong value if two or more people in your household use Office. At around $100 per year split across six users, the per-person cost drops to less than $17 per year.
Who Should Choose Office 2024 for Mac?
Office 2024 is the right choice if your needs are straightforward and predictable. If you write documents, build spreadsheets, and put together presentations and have no interest in cloud storage or AI features, there is no practical reason to pay for a subscription.
It is also the better option for people who do not like ongoing subscriptions or who work in environments without reliable internet access. The app works fully offline with no account login required after activation.
FAQs
Can I use Office for Mac without an internet connection?
Yes. Both Microsoft 365 and Office 2024 work offline. Microsoft 365 does require an internet connection for the initial installation and occasional licence verification, but the apps themselves work fully offline.
Is Office for Mac the same as Office for Windows?
They are very close. The core features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are the same. A small number of Windows-only features remain (mainly enterprise or developer tools), but for day-to-day use the Mac version is equivalent.
Can I share Office 2024 with another person?
No. Office 2024 for Mac is a single-user licence. If you want to cover multiple people, either buy separate licences or use Microsoft 365 Family, which covers up to six users at a significantly lower per-person cost.
What happens if I stop paying for Microsoft 365?
The apps switch to a reduced functionality mode. You can still open and read files, but editing is locked until you resubscribe. Your OneDrive files remain accessible but storage shrinks back to the free 5 GB limit. Your files are not deleted.
