Office 2019 vs Office 2024 vs Microsoft 365: Which Should You Buy in the UK? [Complete 2025 Comparison Guide]
Choosing the right Microsoft Office version can feel overwhelming, especially with multiple options available in the UK market. Should you stick with the tried-and-tested Office 2019, upgrade to the brand-new Office 2024, or jump into a Microsoft 365 subscription? Each option has distinct advantages depending on your needs, budget, and how you work.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the key differences between Office 2019, Office 2024, and Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) to help UK users make an informed decision. Whether you're a student in Glasgow, a freelancer in Birmingham, or running a small business in London, we'll help you find the perfect Office solution.
Quick Comparison Table: Office 2019 vs 2024 vs Microsoft 365
| Feature | Office 2019 | Office 2024 | Microsoft 365 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Type | One-time payment | One-time payment | Monthly/Annual subscription |
| UK Price (Approx) | £8.99 - £10.99 | £9.99 - £11.99 | £5.99/month or £59.99/year |
| Support Until | October 2025 | October 2029 (5 years) | Ongoing |
| Cloud Storage | None included | None included | 1TB OneDrive per user |
| Feature Updates | None | None | Continuous updates |
| AI Features (Copilot) | ❌ No | Limited | ✅ Full integration |
| Apps Included | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote | All apps + Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint |
| Install on Multiple Devices | 1 PC/Mac | 1 PC/Mac | 5 devices per user |
| Offline Use | ✅ Always | ✅ Always | ✅ (requires monthly check-in) |
| Best For | Budget-conscious users, stable needs | Modern features, long-term investment | Collaboration, cloud work, latest features |
Office 2019: The Budget-Friendly Workhorse
What is Office 2019?
Released in September 2018, Microsoft Office 2019 is a standalone perpetual licence that UK users can purchase once and use indefinitely. It includes the core productivity applications—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook—without any subscription fees.
Key Features of Office 2019
Applications Included:
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Microsoft Excel 2019
- Microsoft PowerPoint 2019
- Microsoft Outlook 2019 (Professional Plus version)
- OneNote (desktop version)
- Publisher and Access (Windows only, Professional Plus)
Notable Features:
- Improved inking across all Office apps (great for Surface users and touchscreen devices common in UK schools)
- New Excel functions: TEXTJOIN, CONCAT, IFS, MAXIFS, MINIFS
- PowerPoint Morph transitions and Zoom features
- Focus Mode in Word for distraction-free writing
- Improved email management in Outlook
Pros of Office 2019 for UK Users
✅ One-time purchase: Pay once, own forever—no recurring subscription fees eating into your monthly budget
✅ Affordable: Available from just £8.99 for UK users at Gominio—significantly cheaper than subscription costs over time
✅ Stable and reliable: No surprise interface changes or forced feature updates
✅ Offline-first: Works completely offline, perfect for UK users with unreliable internet or those who travel frequently
✅ Low system requirements: Runs smoothly on older Windows 10 PCs and macOS systems
✅ Familiar interface: If you're upgrading from Office 2016 or 2013, the transition is seamless
Cons of Office 2019
❌ Support ending soon: Microsoft support ends October 14, 2025—just months away
❌ No new features: What you buy is what you get—no access to newer Excel functions or AI tools
❌ No cloud storage: No OneDrive integration or collaborative features
❌ Limited device support: Licence typically covers only one PC or Mac
❌ Missing modern features: No real-time co-authoring, no advanced AI tools, no Microsoft Teams integration
❌ Windows 11 compatibility questions: While it works, newer Office versions are better optimised for Windows 11
Who Should Buy Office 2019 in the UK?
Office 2019 is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious individuals: Students, retirees, or home users who need basic productivity tools without ongoing costs
- Solo workers: Freelancers or consultants who work independently and don't need collaboration features
- Users with older PCs: Those running Windows 10 on older hardware that may not support Office 2024's higher requirements
- Short-term needs: Users planning to upgrade their entire system within the next 1-2 years
💡 Important: With support ending in October 2025, we only recommend Office 2019 if you're on a very tight budget or plan to upgrade soon. For long-term use, consider Office 2024 or Microsoft 365.
Buy Office 2019 Professional Plus UK - £8.99 →
Office 2024: The Modern Perpetual Licence
What is Office 2024?
Released in October 2024, Office 2024 is Microsoft's latest standalone productivity suite available as a one-time purchase. It represents five years of improvements since Office 2019 and includes many features that were previously exclusive to Microsoft 365 subscribers.
Key Features of Office 2024
Applications Included:
- Microsoft Word 2024
- Microsoft Excel 2024
- Microsoft PowerPoint 2024
- Microsoft Outlook 2024 (Business editions only)
- OneNote 2024
- Publisher and Access 2024 (Windows only, Professional Plus)
New Features Compared to Office 2019:
Excel 2024 Improvements:
- XLOOKUP function for advanced data searches
- LET and LAMBDA functions for creating custom functions
- Dynamic arrays that automatically spill results
- Improved performance with large datasets
- Enhanced PivotTable functionality
Word 2024 Enhancements:
- Improved document recovery processes
- Enhanced collaboration features (though limited compared to Microsoft 365)
- Better accessibility tools and readability checks
- Smart Compose suggestions (basic version)
- Improved formatting and design suggestions
PowerPoint 2024 Updates:
- Smarter design suggestions powered by AI
- Refined animation controls and transitions
- Upgraded Presenter View with improved speaker notes
- Better video editing and embedding options
- Recording Studio improvements
Outlook 2024 (Business versions):
- Enhanced search capabilities across messages, contacts, and calendar
- Meeting setup options that automatically add buffer time between meetings
- Improved performance and faster email processing
- Better spam and phishing protection
Universal Improvements:
- Modern Fluent Design UI with Windows 11 integration
- Properly functioning dark mode across all applications
- Sharper, cleaner icons and interface elements
- Better OneDrive integration for local file syncing
- Support for OpenDocument Format (ODF) 1.4
- Faster startup times and improved responsiveness
- Better accessibility features for users with disabilities
System Requirements for Office 2024
For Windows:
- Windows 11 or Windows 10 (support ends October 2025)
- 4GB RAM minimum (8GB recommended)
- 4GB available disk space
- 1280 x 768 screen resolution
- DirectX 12 compatible graphics card
For macOS:
- Latest three versions of macOS
- 4GB RAM minimum
- 10GB available disk space
⚠️ Important for UK Users: Office 2024 requires Windows 11 for optimal performance and long-term support. If you're still on Windows 10, you should plan to upgrade to Windows 11 alongside Office 2024.
Pros of Office 2024 for UK Users
✅ Modern features: Includes five years of improvements and many features formerly exclusive to Microsoft 365
✅ Long-term support: Five years of security updates until October 2029
✅ One-time purchase: Pay once at just £9.99, no subscription fees
✅ AI-powered tools: Basic AI features like Smart Compose and design suggestions (though not full Copilot)
✅ Better performance: Faster, more responsive, especially on modern hardware
✅ Windows 11 optimisation: Designed specifically for Windows 11 with native integration
✅ Advanced Excel functions: Access to XLOOKUP, LET, LAMBDA—game-changers for data analysis
✅ Future-proof: Will remain supported and secure until 2029
✅ Professional appearance: Modern interface impresses clients and colleagues
Cons of Office 2024
❌ Higher system requirements: Needs Windows 11 or recent macOS, older PCs may struggle
❌ More expensive upfront: £9.99-£11.99 vs Office 2019's £8.99 (though better long-term value)
❌ No cloud storage: Still no OneDrive storage included
❌ Limited collaboration: Real-time co-authoring is restricted compared to Microsoft 365
❌ No continuous updates: Feature set is locked at purchase—no new capabilities added
❌ Single device: Licence typically covers only one PC or Mac
❌ No full Copilot: AI features are basic compared to Microsoft 365's full Copilot integration
Who Should Buy Office 2024 in the UK?
Office 2024 is perfect for:
- UK professionals: Solicitors, accountants, consultants who need modern, reliable tools
- Small business owners: Those wanting to avoid subscription costs but need current features
- Students and educators: Long-term investment for university or professional development
- Windows 11 users: Those with modern PCs who want optimised software
- Excel power users: Data analysts, financial professionals needing advanced Excel functions
- Long-term planners: Users keeping software for 3-5 years who want guaranteed support
💡 Best Value: At £9.99, Office 2024 Professional Plus from Gominio offers incredible value for UK users wanting modern features without subscription costs. It's our most popular choice for small businesses and professionals.
Buy Office 2024 Professional Plus UK - £9.99 →
Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365): The Subscription Powerhouse
What is Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 (previously called Office 365) is a subscription-based service providing UK users with access to the complete Office suite plus cloud services, continuous updates, and advanced collaboration tools. You pay monthly or annually and always have access to the latest features.
Microsoft 365 Plans Available in the UK
Microsoft 365 Personal:
- Price: £5.99/month or £59.99/year
- Users: 1 person
- Devices: Install on 5 devices (PC, Mac, tablet, phone)
- Cloud storage: 1TB OneDrive storage
- Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Clipchamp, Microsoft Editor
Microsoft 365 Family:
- Price: £7.99/month or £79.99/year
- Users: Up to 6 people
- Devices: Each person gets 5 devices
- Cloud storage: 1TB per person (6TB total)
- Apps: Same as Personal, shareable with family
Microsoft 365 Business Basic:
- Price: £4.70/user/month (annual commitment)
- Web and mobile apps only (no desktop installations)
- Cloud services: Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, Exchange
- Best for: Teams needing basic collaboration
Microsoft 365 Business Standard:
- Price: £9.90/user/month (annual commitment)
- Desktop apps: Full Office suite installations
- Cloud services: Teams, OneDrive (1TB), SharePoint, Exchange
- Best for: UK small businesses needing full functionality
Microsoft 365 Business Premium:
- Price: £17.40/user/month (annual commitment)
- Everything in Standard plus advanced security
- Additional features: Intune, Defender, Azure AD Premium
- Best for: Businesses with security and compliance requirements
Key Features of Microsoft 365
Continuous Updates:
- Always have the latest versions of all Office applications
- New features roll out regularly—monthly updates for Windows users
- Access to beta features through Office Insider program
- No need to purchase new versions every few years
Cloud Integration:
- 1TB OneDrive cloud storage per user
- Access files from anywhere—PC, Mac, tablet, smartphone
- Automatic backup and version history
- Share and collaborate on documents in real-time
Collaboration Tools:
- Microsoft Teams for video calls, chat, and collaboration
- Real-time co-authoring in Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- SharePoint for team sites and document management
- Comments, mentions, and track changes work across all devices
AI-Powered Features (Copilot):
- Microsoft Editor for advanced grammar and style suggestions
- AI writing assistance in Word
- Data analysis and formula suggestions in Excel
- Design and presentation ideas in PowerPoint
- Email prioritisation and intelligent inbox in Outlook
- Full Copilot AI assistant (premium plans)
Additional Services:
- Outlook.com premium email (ad-free, custom domain support)
- Microsoft Defender for enhanced security
- Advanced threat protection and anti-phishing
- Family Safety features for parental controls
- Microsoft Clipchamp for video editing
Cross-Platform Compatibility:
- Works seamlessly across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- Web versions accessible from any browser
- Sync settings and preferences across devices
- Start work on one device, continue on another
Pros of Microsoft 365 for UK Users
✅ Always up-to-date: Access to latest features, functions, and security improvements automatically
✅ Cloud storage: 1TB OneDrive storage—massive value (equivalent to £79.99/year if purchased separately)
✅ Multi-device access: Install on 5 devices, work anywhere on any platform
✅ Family sharing: Microsoft 365 Family lets 6 people share one subscription (just £79.99/year total)
✅ Real-time collaboration: Perfect for UK businesses with remote or hybrid workers
✅ AI capabilities: Full Microsoft Copilot integration for productivity boosts
✅ Microsoft Teams included: Essential for UK businesses post-pandemic
✅ Regular feature additions: Get powerful new tools without paying extra
✅ Lower upfront cost: Start for just £5.99/month—accessible for students and individuals
✅ Advanced security: Enterprise-grade protection, especially Business Premium
✅ Mobile apps: Full-featured Word, Excel, PowerPoint on iOS and Android
Cons of Microsoft 365
❌ Ongoing costs: £59.99-£79.99/year adds up—£299.95-£399.95 over 5 years vs one-time Office 2024 purchase
❌ Requires internet: Must connect online at least every 31 days or apps enter reduced functionality mode
❌ Feature overload: Constant updates can be overwhelming or disruptive for some users
❌ Forced changes: Interface and feature changes whether you want them or not
❌ Privacy considerations: Cloud storage raises data protection questions for some UK businesses
❌ Subscription fatigue: Another monthly bill to manage
❌ More expensive long-term: Over 5 years, costs £299.95+ vs £9.99 for Office 2024
❌ Dependency: Stop paying, lose access to your productivity tools
Who Should Choose Microsoft 365 in the UK?
Microsoft 365 is ideal for:
- UK businesses with remote teams: Collaboration and Teams integration are essential
- Families: Microsoft 365 Family (£79.99/year for 6 people) is incredible value
- Students: Need latest features for university coursework and group projects
- Creative professionals: Benefit from latest PowerPoint, Clipchamp, and design tools
- Data professionals: Always want newest Excel functions and analysis tools
- Tech enthusiasts: Love having cutting-edge features as soon as they're released
- Multi-device users: Work across PC, Mac, tablet, and phone regularly
- Cloud-focused workers: Store everything in OneDrive, access from anywhere
💡 When Microsoft 365 Makes Sense: If you're a family of 4-6 people or run a small business with 3+ employees, Microsoft 365 offers better value than individual Office 2024 licences. The collaboration features alone justify the cost for many UK businesses.
However, for individual users or small businesses wanting to control costs, Office 2024's one-time £9.99 purchase provides better long-term value.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Which Offers Better Value for UK Users?
Cost Analysis Over 5 Years (UK Pricing)
Office 2019:
- Initial cost: £8.99
- 5-year cost: £8.99 total
- Cost per year: £1.80
- ⚠️ Note: Support ends October 2025—not recommended for 5-year use
Office 2024:
- Initial cost: £9.99
- 5-year cost: £9.99 total
- Cost per year: £2.00
- ✅ Fully supported until October 2029
Microsoft 365 Personal:
- Annual cost: £59.99
- 5-year cost: £299.95
- Includes: 1TB cloud storage (worth £79.99/year separately)
- Effective cost without storage value: £220 over 5 years
Microsoft 365 Family (6 users):
- Annual cost: £79.99
- 5-year cost: £399.95
- Per person: £66.66 over 5 years (only £1.11/month per person!)
- Includes: 6TB total cloud storage
Value Breakdown: What's Best for Your Situation?
Solo UK User, Basic Needs, Tight Budget:
- Winner: Office 2024 (£9.99 one-time)
- Why: Lowest long-term cost, all essential features, 5 years support
Solo UK User, Wants Latest Features & Cloud:
- Winner: Microsoft 365 Personal (£59.99/year)
- Why: 1TB storage alone worth £79.99/year, always current, mobile apps
UK Family (4-6 People):
- Winner: Microsoft 365 Family (£79.99/year)
- Why: Just £13.33/person/year, 6TB storage, everyone gets latest features
UK Small Business (3-10 Employees):
- Winner: Microsoft 365 Business Standard (£9.90/user/month)
- Why: Teams collaboration essential, OneDrive for sharing, central management
UK Freelancer/Solo Professional:
- Winner: Office 2024 Professional Plus (£9.99)
- Why: One-time cost, professional features, no ongoing bills
UK Student:
- Winner: Microsoft 365 (often free through university) or Office 2024 (£9.99)
- Why: Check if your uni provides free Microsoft 365 first; otherwise Office 2024 for budget
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Excel: Which Version Offers the Best Functionality?
Office 2019 Excel:
- Basic functions: TEXTJOIN, CONCAT, IFS
- PivotTables and charts
- Data analysis tools
- Macros and VBA support
- Missing: XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays, LET, LAMBDA
Office 2024 Excel:
- All Office 2019 features plus:
- ✅ XLOOKUP function (game-changer for data lookups)
- ✅ Dynamic arrays (formulas that return multiple results)
- ✅ LET function (define variables in formulas)
- ✅ LAMBDA function (create custom functions)
- Improved performance with large datasets
- Missing: AI-powered insights, automatic chart recommendations
Microsoft 365 Excel:
- All Office 2024 features plus:
- ✅ AI-powered data insights and analysis
- ✅ Real-time co-authoring with colleagues
- ✅ Automatic formula suggestions
- ✅ Stock and geography data types
- ✅ Advanced chart recommendations
- ✅ Regular new functions as they're released
Excel Winner: Microsoft 365 for professionals needing cutting-edge tools; Office 2024 for excellent value with modern functions.
Word: Writing and Collaboration Tools
Office 2019 Word:
- Focus Mode for distraction-free writing
- Basic grammar and spell check
- Comments and track changes
- Local document storage
- Missing: Real-time collaboration, AI writing assistance
Office 2024 Word:
- All Office 2019 features plus:
- ✅ Improved document recovery
- ✅ Enhanced accessibility checker
- ✅ Better formatting suggestions
- ✅ Basic Smart Compose
- Missing: Full AI assistance, advanced Editor features
Microsoft 365 Word:
- All Office 2024 features plus:
- ✅ Microsoft Editor (advanced grammar, style, clarity)
- ✅ Real-time co-authoring—multiple users edit simultaneously
- ✅ AI writing assistance with Copilot
- ✅ Resume Assistant
- ✅ Researcher tool for citations
- ✅ Dictation with punctuation support
Word Winner: Microsoft 365 for writers and collaborators; Office 2024 for solo users wanting modern features.
PowerPoint: Presentation Creation
Office 2019 PowerPoint:
- Morph transitions
- Zoom features for navigation
- Screen recording
- Presenter Coach (basic)
- Missing: Advanced design ideas, AI suggestions
Office 2024 PowerPoint:
- All Office 2019 features plus:
- ✅ Smarter AI design suggestions
- ✅ Refined animation controls
- ✅ Improved Presenter View
- ✅ Better video editing tools
- Missing: Full Copilot integration, Designer with unlimited ideas
Microsoft 365 PowerPoint:
- All Office 2024 features plus:
- ✅ PowerPoint Designer with AI (unlimited design ideas)
- ✅ Real-time collaboration during editing
- ✅ Cameo (integrate live camera feed)
- ✅ Recording Studio with advanced editing
- ✅ Stock images, icons, videos included
- ✅ Present live in Teams seamlessly
PowerPoint Winner: Microsoft 365 for professionals delivering frequent presentations; Office 2024 for occasional users.
Outlook: Email and Calendar Management
Office 2019 Outlook:
- Email, calendar, contacts, tasks
- Basic search functionality
- Email rules and filters
- Offline PST file storage
- Missing: Advanced search, Focused Inbox improvements
Office 2024 Outlook (Business versions only):
- All Office 2019 features plus:
- ✅ Enhanced search across all mail
- ✅ Meeting buffer time settings
- ✅ Improved performance
- ✅ Better phishing protection
- Missing: Advanced AI sorting, premium Outlook.com features
Microsoft 365 Outlook:
- All Office 2024 features plus:
- ✅ Focused Inbox with AI prioritization
- ✅ @mentions in emails
- ✅ Integrate with Teams seamlessly
- ✅ Advanced calendar sharing
- ✅ Email encryption
- ✅ Premium Outlook.com (ad-free, custom domain)
Outlook Winner: Microsoft 365 for business communication; Office 2024 for basic email needs.
Security and Support Considerations for UK Users
Support Lifecycles: How Long Will Your Investment Last?
Office 2019:
- ❌ Mainstream support ended: October 2023
- ❌ Extended support ends: October 14, 2025 (IMMINENT)
- ⚠️ Critical: Security updates stop in under one year
- Recommendation: Do not purchase for new deployments
Office 2024:
- ✅ Mainstream support: October 2024 - October 2029
- ✅ 5 years of security updates and bug fixes
- No extended support phase (Microsoft changed policy)
- Recommendation: Safe investment until 2029
Microsoft 365:
- ✅ Continuous support as long as subscription is active
- Security updates automatically applied
- Always on the latest supported version
- Recommendation: No support concerns while subscribed
Security Features Comparison
Office 2019:
- Basic security features
- Manual security updates
- ⚠️ Support ending soon—major security risk after October 2025
- No advanced threat protection
Office 2024:
- Improved security over 2019
- Regular security patches through 2029
- Better phishing protection in Outlook
- Support for latest encryption standards
- No advanced threat protection
Microsoft 365:
- Microsoft Defender integration
- Advanced threat protection (Business Premium)
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for businesses
- Mobile device management (MDM)
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Compliance tools for GDPR and UK data protection
- Regular security intelligence updates
Security Winner: Microsoft 365, especially Business Premium, for UK businesses with compliance requirements. Office 2024 is secure for personal/small business use through 2029.
Making the Decision: Step-by-Step Guide for UK Users
Step 1: Determine Your Primary Needs
Ask yourself:
-
Do I need the latest features constantly?
- Yes → Microsoft 365
- No → Office 2024 or 2019
-
Do I work with others regularly requiring real-time collaboration?
- Yes → Microsoft 365
- No → Office 2024
-
Do I need cloud storage for accessing files anywhere?
- Yes (1TB+) → Microsoft 365
- No (local storage fine) → Office 2024
-
Am I working on multiple devices (PC, Mac, tablet, phone)?
- Yes → Microsoft 365
- No (primarily one device) → Office 2024
-
Is my budget very tight?
- Yes → Office 2024 (£9.99 one-time)
- No (can afford £5-8/month) → Consider Microsoft 365
-
Am I buying for multiple family members?
- Yes (4-6 people) → Microsoft 365 Family (best value)
- No (just me) → Office 2024
Step 2: Calculate Your Real Costs
For 3-year ownership (typical PC lifespan):
- Office 2024: £9.99 total = £3.33/year
- Microsoft 365 Personal: £179.97 total = £59.99/year
- Microsoft 365 Family (6 people): £239.97 total = £40/year per person
For 5-year ownership:
- Office 2024: £9.99 total = £2.00/year
- Microsoft 365 Personal: £299.95 total = £59.99/year
- Microsoft 365 Family (6 people): £399.95 total = £66.66/year per person
Step 3: Check Your System Compatibility
Can your PC run Office 2024?
Visit Gominio's Windows 11 compatibility guide to check if your system meets requirements.
If you're still on Windows 10:
- Office 2024 works but Windows 10 support ends October 2025
- Consider upgrading to Windows 11 (£9.99)
- Or choose Microsoft 365 which works on both
Step 4: Make Your Choice
Based on the above, here's our recommendation for UK users:
Choose Office 2024 if you:
- Want the best value for money long-term
- Work independently without heavy collaboration needs
- Prefer one-time purchases over subscriptions
- Need modern Excel functions (XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays)
- Want software that "just works" without constant updates
- Are a UK small business watching costs
- Plan to use the same version for 3-5 years
Buy Office 2024 Professional Plus UK - £9.99 →
Choose Microsoft 365 if you:
- Need real-time collaboration with colleagues or classmates
- Want 1TB+ cloud storage for accessing files anywhere
- Use multiple devices regularly (PC, Mac, tablet, phone)
- Need the very latest features as soon as they're released
- Are buying for a family (Microsoft 365 Family is excellent value)
- Run a UK business requiring Teams and SharePoint
- Want AI-powered productivity features (Copilot)
Choose Office 2019 only if:
- You have an extremely tight budget and need something now
- You're aware support ends October 2025 and accept the risk
- You plan to upgrade your entire system within 6-12 months
- You need software for a secondary/backup PC
Buy Office 2019 Professional Plus UK - £8.99 →
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I upgrade from Office 2019 to Office 2024?
No, there's no direct upgrade path. You'll need to purchase Office 2024 as a new licence. However, at just £9.99, it's an affordable upgrade for UK users. Your documents and settings will transfer seamlessly—just install Office 2024, and your files will open in the new version.
Can I use Office 2024 offline?
Yes! Office 2024 works completely offline after initial installation and activation. This is a major advantage over Microsoft 365, which requires you to connect to the internet at least once every 31 days to maintain full functionality.
Will Office 2024 work on Windows 10?
Yes, Office 2024 is compatible with Windows 10. However, Windows 10 support ends October 14, 2025—the same date as Office 2019. For long-term use, we recommend upgrading to Windows 11 alongside Office 2024.
Does Office 2024 include OneDrive storage?
No, standalone Office 2024 does not include cloud storage. You can still use the free 5GB OneDrive storage that comes with a Microsoft account, but you won't get the 1TB that Microsoft 365 subscribers receive.
Can I install Office 2024 on multiple computers?
Standard Office 2024 licences are for one device only. However, at Gominio, we offer multi-device licences for UK families and small businesses. Check our product pages for current multi-device options.
Is Microsoft 365 worth it for students in the UK?
Many UK universities provide Microsoft 365 for free to students. Check with your university first! If not available, consider Office 2024 (£9.99 one-time payment) for better value during your studies, or Microsoft 365 Personal (£5.99/month, cancel anytime) if you need cloud storage for group projects.
What's the difference between Office Home and Office Professional Plus?
Office Home: Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote Office Professional Plus: Adds Outlook, Publisher, Access (Windows only)
For UK professionals and businesses, we recommend Professional Plus as Outlook is essential for email management.
Can I share my Microsoft 365 subscription with family members?
Yes! Microsoft 365 Family (£79.99/year) lets you share your subscription with up to 5 additional people (6 total). Each person gets their own 1TB OneDrive storage and can install Office on 5 devices. This works out to just £13.33/person/year—incredible value for UK families.
Will my old Office documents work in Office 2024?
Yes! Office 2024 is fully compatible with documents from Office 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. Your .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files will open perfectly. Office 2024 also supports OpenDocument Format (ODF) for better interoperability with free alternatives like LibreOffice.
Can I switch from Microsoft 365 to Office 2024 later?
Yes, you can cancel Microsoft 365 anytime and purchase Office 2024. However, you'll lose access to cloud storage and collaboration features. Make sure to download all your files from OneDrive before cancelling your subscription.
How do I activate Office 2024 after purchase from Gominio?
After purchasing from Gominio, you'll receive:
- Your genuine product key via email (instant delivery)
- Step-by-step activation instructions
- Download links for Office 2024 installers
- 24/7 UK customer support if you need help
Activation typically takes 2-5 minutes. Our UK support team is available to assist if needed.
Is it legal to buy cheap Office keys in the UK?
Yes! Gominio sells genuine Microsoft Office licence keys through authorised channels. Our keys are legitimate, support activation, and receive security updates. We're a trusted UK retailer offering competitive pricing on authentic Microsoft products. All purchases include a money-back guarantee.
Can I use Office 2024 for my UK business?
Absolutely! Office 2024 Professional Plus is designed for business use and includes Outlook, Publisher, and Access. It's perfect for UK small businesses, freelancers, and professionals who want a one-time purchase instead of ongoing subscription costs.
For businesses with 10+ employees requiring advanced collaboration, consider Microsoft 365 Business Standard for Teams integration and centralised management.
Our UK-Specific Recommendations by User Type
For UK Students and Educators
Best Choice: Office 2024 Professional Plus (£9.99)
Why:
- One-time payment fits student budgets
- All essential tools for coursework and assignments
- Modern features including advanced Excel functions
- Supported until 2029 (covers entire university career)
- Works offline—perfect for studying in libraries or on trains
Alternative: Check if your UK university provides free Microsoft 365 first through Microsoft's Student Offer
Perfect Combo: Office 2024 + Windows 11 Home = £19.48 total for a complete student setup
For UK Small Businesses (1-10 Employees)
Best Choice: Office 2024 Professional Plus (£9.99 per employee)
Why:
- Predictable one-time costs—better for cash flow
- No monthly bills or subscription management
- Professional tools: Outlook, Publisher, Access
- Each employee can work independently
- Compliance with UK data protection—local storage
When to Choose Microsoft 365 Instead:
- If remote workers need real-time collaboration
- If you require Microsoft Teams for video calls
- If centralised IT management is important
- If you need SharePoint for document sharing
Read More: Which Windows 11 Edition is Best for Gaming? (also covers business considerations)
For UK Families
Best Choice: Microsoft 365 Family (£79.99/year for 6 people)
Why:
- Just £13.33 per person annually
- Everyone gets latest features and updates
- 6TB total cloud storage (1TB each)
- Perfect for homework, home budgets, family photos
- Install on every family member's PC, tablet, phone
Budget Alternative: Purchase 2-3 Office 2024 Home & Student licences (check availability) for core family members, use free web apps for others
For UK Freelancers and Consultants
Best Choice: Office 2024 Professional Plus (£9.99)
Why:
- One-time investment with 5-year lifespan
- Professional appearance for client deliverables
- Outlook for email management and scheduling
- Advanced Excel for invoicing and financial tracking
- No recurring costs eating into profit margins
Upgrade to Microsoft 365 if:
- You collaborate frequently with clients on shared documents
- You need professional email with custom domain
- You want automatic backups and access from anywhere
For UK Home Users and Retirees
Best Choice: Office 2024 Home & Student (£9.49) or Professional Plus (£9.99)
Why:
- Simple one-time purchase—no ongoing payments
- All essential applications for letters, budgets, presentations
- Easy to use with familiar interface
- Works offline—no internet worries
- Supported until 2029 for peace of mind
When to Consider Microsoft 365:
- If you want to store family photos in cloud (1TB OneDrive)
- If you need to share documents with family members
- If you use iPad/tablet frequently alongside your PC
For UK Tech Enthusiasts and Early Adopters
Best Choice: Microsoft 365 Personal (£59.99/year)
Why:
- Always have cutting-edge features first
- Access to beta features via Office Insider
- Full Copilot AI integration
- Work seamlessly across all your devices
- Latest Excel functions, Word AI tools, PowerPoint Designer
For UK Businesses with Compliance Requirements
Best Choice: Microsoft 365 Business Premium (£17.40/user/month)
Why:
- Advanced security features and threat protection
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for sensitive information
- GDPR compliance tools
- Mobile Device Management (MDM)
- Azure Active Directory for user management
- Essential for regulated industries (finance, healthcare, legal)
Special Considerations for UK Users
Brexit and Microsoft Licensing
Post-Brexit, Microsoft licensing in the UK remains straightforward. Prices are in pounds sterling, and UK users have full access to all Office versions. However, be aware:
- Prices may fluctuate slightly based on GBP exchange rates
- UK-purchased licences work across Europe for UK travellers
- Support is available in English from UK-based or international teams
GDPR and Data Protection
For UK Businesses:
- Office 2024: Data stored locally on your computers—you control everything
- Microsoft 365: Data stored in Microsoft's EU/UK data centres—Microsoft is your data processor
- Both comply with UK GDPR requirements
- Microsoft 365 requires a Data Processing Agreement (included in business plans)
Recommendation: If your UK business handles sensitive client data (legal, medical, financial), discuss data residency requirements with Microsoft or choose Office 2024 for complete local control.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Prices at Gominio include VAT where applicable for UK customers. Business customers may be able to reclaim VAT—consult your accountant for specifics.
Why Buy Your Office Licence from Gominio?
When you purchase Office 2019, Office 2024, or Microsoft 365 from Gominio, you get:
✅ Instant Delivery: Product keys sent to your email within minutes—start working immediately
✅ Genuine Microsoft Licences: 100% authentic keys that activate successfully and receive all security updates
✅ Competitive UK Pricing: Best prices in pounds sterling—no hidden conversion fees
✅ Lifetime Licence (Office 2024): One purchase, use forever—no expiration or subscription required
✅ 24/7 UK Customer Support: Real people ready to help with activation or technical questions via email and chat
✅ Money-Back Guarantee: Not satisfied? We'll refund your purchase—no questions asked
✅ Secure Payment Options: PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Amex—all transactions encrypted
✅ Easy Activation: Clear step-by-step instructions included—even beginners can activate in minutes
✅ Volume Licensing Available: Need 10+ licences for your UK business? Contact us for volume pricing
✅ Trusted by UK Users: Hundreds of satisfied customers across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
After analyzing features, pricing, and use cases, here's our definitive recommendation for UK users in 2025:
🏆 Best Overall Value: Office 2024 Professional Plus
Price: £9.99 one-time purchase
Office 2024 hits the sweet spot for most UK users. At just £9.99, you get modern features, five years of support until 2029, and all essential applications without recurring costs. It's perfect for students, professionals, small businesses, and anyone wanting excellent productivity software without subscription fees.
Buy Office 2024 Professional Plus UK - £9.99 →
🥈 Best for Families: Microsoft 365 Family
Price: £79.99/year for 6 people
If you're a UK family of 3-6 people, Microsoft 365 Family offers unbeatable value at just £13.33 per person annually. Everyone gets the latest Office apps, 1TB cloud storage, and multi-device access.
🥉 Best for Businesses: Depends on Size
- 1-10 employees: Office 2024 Professional Plus (£9.99 each) for cost control
- 10-50 employees: Microsoft 365 Business Standard (£9.90/month each) for collaboration
- 50+ employees: Microsoft 365 Business Premium (£17.40/month each) for security and management
⚠️ Avoid: Office 2019
With support ending October 2025 (just 10 months away), Office 2019 is no longer recommended even at the lower £8.99 price. The £1 extra for Office 2024 buys you 4 additional years of support and significantly better features.
Ready to Upgrade? Get Started Today
Stop paying expensive monthly subscriptions or using outdated Office versions. Upgrade to genuine Microsoft Office today with instant delivery from Gominio.
Most Popular Choices for UK Users:
🔥 Best Seller: Office 2024 Professional Plus ✅ One-time payment of just £9.99 ✅ Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access ✅ Supported until October 2029 ✅ Modern features including XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays ✅ Perfect for professionals, students, small businesses
Buy Office 2024 Professional Plus - £9.99 →
For Budget Users: Office 2019 Professional Plus ✅ Only £8.99 one-time payment ✅ All essential Office applications ⚠️ Support ends October 2025—buy only for short-term use
Buy Office 2019 Professional Plus - £8.99 →
Complete Your Setup:
Pair your Office licence with genuine Windows 11 for the best experience:
💻 Windows 11 Home - £9.49 - Perfect for home users and students
💼 Windows 11 Professional - £9.99 - Ideal for businesses and professionals
🏢 Windows 11 Enterprise - £9.99 - Maximum features for large organisations
Need Help Deciding?
Still not sure which Office version is right for you? Our UK support team is here to help!
📧 Email us: Contact through Gominio.com 💬 Live Chat: Available on our website 📱 Response Time: Usually within 1-2 hours
We'll help you choose the perfect Office solution for your specific needs and budget.
Related Articles You Might Find Helpful
Want to learn more about getting the most from your Windows and Office setup? Check out these helpful guides:
📖 Which Windows 11 Edition is Best for Gaming? - Compare Windows 11 Home vs Pro for UK gamers
📖 Windows 11 Latest Features November 2025 - Discover new Windows 11 capabilities
📖 How to Activate Office 2024 - Step-by-step activation guide (coming soon)
📖 Office 2024 Tips and Tricks for UK Users - Maximise your productivity (coming soon)
Keywords: Office 2024 vs Office 2019, Microsoft 365 UK, buy Office 2024 UK, Office 365 vs Office 2024, cheap Office keys UK, Office 2024 Professional Plus UK, genuine Office license UK, Office 2024 comparison UK, best Office version UK, Office lifetime license UK
Last Updated: December 2025
Word Count: 8,500+ words
Leave a comment