Advertisement

Softonic review

Joe Wainer
Joe WainerUpdated 3 months ago

A powerful office suite

Microsoft Office is a premium productivity software created by Microsoft. First released in 1990, the office suite has received several updates over the years. The latest, Office 2021, comes packed with new features and a seamless design. It focuses on efficiency, collaboration, and offline access. It also contains all necessary tools like PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. 

Microsoft Office 2021 download offers an enhanced experience without a steep learning curve. You can use the productivity suite by purchasing its license for lifetime access to its tools and features. Compared to alternatives like Microsoft Office 365, LibreOffice, and WPS Office, Office 2021 is a good option for students, small businesses, and freelancers. 

What can users expect from Microsoft Office 2021?

Over the years, Microsoft has released several versions of Office—each tailored to the budget and requirements of users. Office 2021, the latest in the series, is no different. It is a software suite that competes well with alternative programs and provides users with various apps to create Word documents, presentations, spreadsheets, emails, and more.

Does Microsoft Office 2021 have a simple interface?

One of the things that you will notice when you first launch any office app is that it is in line with the design of Windows 11. The productivity suite has a far more straightforward layout than any previous Microsoft Office version. It features a neutral color scheme and well-rounded corners to enhance users' experience. It also offers customization features such as updated ribbons and support for Dark Mode.

The software comes with a new design for tabs and incorporates additional tools seamlessly. It also makes it easier for users to set up meetings and check schedules without hassle. All in all, you can expect a minimalistic layout with user-friendly tabs, icons, and functions.

What are the key features of Microsoft Office?

Office 2021 is quite similar to its predecessors but has a few necessary additions. The Microsoft Office download includes Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. With offline access, these apps make up the core of the productivity suite. The new feature that has been added is the collaboration function, which is powered by OneDrive and was previously only available with a subscription to Microsoft 365.

Enhanced collaboration and communication tools have been implemented, featuring real-time co-authoring, contemporary commenting collaboration, and visibility into document contributors. These capabilities are available across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for a seamless experience. Additionally, this office suite includes a dynamic array formula in Excel, allowing a single formula to yield results across multiple cells. The suite also integrates the XLOOKUP function, enabling the location of items within a table or row range. XLOOKUP can search through arrays and retrieve the item associated with the first matching result found.

Besides offline access and collaboration tools, MS Office 2021 integrates with Microsoft Teams. While this function is already available to Windows 11 users, it’s an excellent addition for Windows 10 users. Thanks to the seamless integration of Teams with Office, users can chat, video call, and send private messages to colleagues and friends without any hassle. However, despite offering numerous valuable and excellent features, some are challenging to locate within the menus, causing inconvenience for certain users.

If you are setting up a new laptop with Windows 11, opt for MS Office 2021. This is because the office suite comes with further improvements and updates. However, if you already have a subscription to Office 2016 or Office 2019, there aren’t many new features. Microsoft also doesn’t offer any reduced-price upgrades to subscribed users. 

Is Microsoft Office 2021 available for free?

Microsoft Office 2021 is a suite of applications you can download and own forever, provided you pay the licensing fee. Once that’s done, you can access Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more apps. If you opt for the business version, you will also get access to the email application Outlook. 

After purchasing the latest version, Office 2021, you can install all the apps with the suite on one computer. You can then continue using these apps until the end of the life cycle, usually five to six years. However, you cannot upgrade to the next version during this period. Once the lifecycle ends, you will have to pay for a new license

Regardless, once you purchase the perpetual version of Office download, you will get complete access to productivity applications. In addition to this, you don’t need an internet connection to use the productivity suite. The latest MS Office download is available in four versions: Office Home and Student, Office Professional, Office Home and Business, and Office LTSC. 

Since MS Office 2021 offers a perpetual license, you can use the tool without worrying about recurring payments. Once downloaded, you can use the apps anytime, anywhere. Thanks to this functionality, Office 2021 remains within budget for education purposes, small businesses, employees, and freelancers. 

What’s the difference between Microsoft Office 365 and Office 2021?

The key difference between Office 365 and Office 2021 is the payment model. Microsoft 365 is an enhanced productivity tool available as SaaS or software-as-a-service. This means that users who wish to use the applications available within the Office 365 environment have to pay a regular fee. With Office 2021, you only have to pay once and get lifetime access. You also don’t need an internet connection to use the productivity suite. 

If you opt for Office 2021 latest version, you will be opting for a cheaper option in the long run. The recurring payments of Office 365 can bend your budget. However, you should note that once you purchase the license for Office 2021, you can no longer get access to any new set of features -- you will have to wait for the next version of Microsoft Office and purchase the license again. 

The counterpart, Microsoft Office 365, keeps everything current. You pay a monthly or yearly subscription and get access to all the applications and tools available in the suite. This also includes all updates that come along during that period. Considering this, Office 365 is better suited to large businesses and enterprises. However, users who wish to access a productivity suite for their personal or educational needs will benefit from Office 2021.

How long will Microsoft support Office 2021?

Microsoft Office 2021 is a powerful and feature-rich productivity suite that has been widely adopted by businesses and individuals alike. However, like all software, it has a limited support lifespan. Microsoft has announced that Office 2021 will reach the end of its support lifecycle on October 13, 2026.

Prior to the end of support, Microsoft will provide security updates and bug fixes for Office 2021 during the mainstream support phase, which began on October 5, 2021, and will end on October 13, 2023. During this time, Microsoft will also offer extended support, which includes paid support options, for an additional three years, ending on October 13, 2026.

It's important to note that while Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Office 2021 during the extended support phase, they may not release new features or functionality for the software during this time. Additionally, Microsoft may prioritize security updates for newer versions of Office, meaning that fixes for vulnerabilities in Office 2021 may take longer to be released.

After October 13, 2026, Microsoft will no longer provide support for Office 2021. This means that users who continue to rely on the software may be exposed to security risks and may not have access to the latest features and functionality.

To avoid these risks and ensure that you have access to the latest features, security updates, and bug fixes, it's recommended that you upgrade to a newer version of Office, such as Microsoft 365, before October 13, 2026. Microsoft 365 offers a range of plans that cater to different needs and budgets, and it includes a range of applications, including Word, Excel, and other Microsoft programs. 

Should I download Office 2021?

Microsoft Office, the latest installment of the premium productivity software, offers a streamlined design and enhanced features. With a focus on efficiency, collaboration, and offline access, it includes familiar tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Notable additions include improved collaboration tools, a simplified interface, and integration with Microsoft Teams. The perpetual license model makes it a cost-effective choice for individuals, students, and small businesses compared to the subscription-based Office 365, ensuring lifetime access without recurring payments. 

PROS

  • Offers offline access to applications
  • Comes with a perpetual license
  • Includes collaboration functions
  • Has a minimalistic layout
  • One-time payment
  • Dynamic array formula and XLOOKUP functionality

CONS

  • Menu navigation challenges

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages



User reviews about Microsoft Office

  • Venkata Bharath

    by Venkata Bharath

    Microsoft Office is a family of client and server software and services developed by Microsoft. Initially the term for an office suite—a bundled set o More

  • Kb. Parekh

    by Kb. Parekh

    easy to use makes life good …………………………..bfdgdbghdgfsfdsfshsfbfdgsfdgsfdgsfgsfgsfgsfdghgfhd More

  • Ahmed Yasser El-essawy

    by Ahmed Yasser El-essawy

    I can't download Microsoft Office 365 office, you need to sign for buying first, That's why I hate it

  • John Samuel

    by John Samuel

    iofnvinfivnfijnji ijdnijnvmijndmpi9m fnm 9m9 n umfvijfdlijv bdfijnvifun

  • nabz

    by nabz

    There are so many features every time I use powerpoint and it is very easy to access, download or convert video and can send to any site.

  • wubante Demissie

    by wubante Demissie

    availability is good and easy to use every day any things every day usebility


Advertisement

Explore More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws. Softonic may receive a referral fee if you click or buy any of the products featured here.