Office Standard vs Professional Plus (2021 and 2024): which apps are included?
Standard and Professional Plus share the same Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. The difference is a few extra apps, mainly Access, and that changed between 2021 and 2024.
Updated 7 October 202601Apps included, side by side
| App | Standard 2021 | Professional Plus 2021 | Standard 2024 | Professional Plus 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Outlook | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OneNote | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Publisher | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Access (databases) | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Skype for Business | No | Yes | No | No |
Microsoft dropped Publisher from the 2024 versions because it is being retired. Teams isn't included in any of them; it's a free separate download.
02Are Word and Excel any different?
No. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook are exactly the same programs in both editions, with the same features. You only notice the difference if you need Access (or, in 2021, Skype for Business).
03What "LTSC" means
LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is Microsoft's name for these one-time-purchase versions for businesses. They get security updates for about five years but no new features, unlike Microsoft 365, which is a subscription that keeps changing. See Office 2024 vs Microsoft 365.
04Which one should you choose?
- You use Access databases, or simply want every app: Professional Plus.
- You only need Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook: both editions work. We sell Professional Plus, which includes everything in Standard plus Access.
- 2024 or 2021? Office 2021 reached end of support in October 2026, so Office 2024 Professional Plus is the better buy (see Office 2024 vs 2021).
05Installing and activating
Professional Plus activates with a product key, no Microsoft account needed: see how to install Office without a Microsoft account.
