
Office 2016 is a one-time download, unlike its subscription-based counterpart. With Office 365, you’ll always have the latest version of Microsoft Office, without the hassle of purchasing new software. It’s one big investment after another, which makes the subscription-based model more economically reliable, efficient, and easy to budget around. The problem here is that several years might pass and you’ll eventually have to upgrade to a more recent version of the software, like Office 2018–which can be another major expense in itself. For example, if you downloaded today, you would get Microsoft Office 2016. The traditional Office suite gives you the most recent version at the time of your download.

When purchased through Microsoft, Office 365 can provide users with a discount when paying for 12 months ahead of time, allowing for even more cost savings. This is a staple of software as a service, and it applies to Office 365. Small monthly payments fit into budgets much better than big up-front costs. Here are three reasons why it’s beneficial to choose Office 365 over the more traditional Office suite. Yet, there are a few other notable differences between the two.

Users and business professionals in 2022 need to know that Office 365 is a subscription-based model, while the traditional Office 2016 suite is a one-time purchase. Note: You may be asked to chose which account to use.Even if you already have Microsoft Office, did you know that there are multiple ways to use Office which could potentially save you money? It’s the difference between using the traditional Office apps, versus the subscription-based model provided by Office 365. Go to and sign into the Princeton Federation Services with your Princeton University email address (as in your and your University password. You can download and install the latest, full-version of MS Office 365 ProPlus on up to five of your personal devices (computers, tablets or phones) with Windows, MacOS iOS or Android operating systems.

Microsoft is making the Office suite available to higher education at no charge. Princeton University faculty, staff and students can install Office 365 ProPlus on their macOS or Windows computers, tablets and smartphones.
