Which Microsoft Office Version Should You Buy? (2026 Guide)
Last updated: 4 August 2026
Short answer: buy Office 2024 if you want a version that still receives security updates — it is supported until 9 October 2029. Buy Office 2021 for a lower price with support until 13 October 2026. Office 2019 and Office 2016 are cheaper still, but Microsoft stopped patching both on 14 October 2025.
That is the whole decision. The rest of this page shows the numbers behind it.
Office 2016 vs 2019 vs 2021 vs 2024: full comparison
| Office 2024 | Office 2021 | Office 2019 | Office 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | from $49 | from $39 | $35 | $35 |
| Supported until | 9 Oct 2029 | 13 Oct 2026 | 14 Oct 2025 (ended) | 14 Oct 2025 (ended) |
| Still gets security updates | Yes | Yes, until Oct 2026 | No | No |
| License | One-time purchase | One-time purchase | One-time purchase | One-time purchase |
| Copilot / AI | No (needs Microsoft 365) | No | No | No |
| Windows & Mac | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Long-term use on a main computer | A supported version at a lower price | A spare machine on a tight budget | The lowest entry price |
Source for all support dates: Microsoft’s product lifecycle documentation.
The factor that actually decides it
All four versions are one-time purchases. All four run Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. All four work on Windows and Mac. On features and licensing, the differences are small.
What separates them is the support window — how long Microsoft keeps issuing security fixes.
| Version | Security updates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Office 2024 | Until 9 Oct 2029 | Three more years of cover |
| Office 2021 | Until 13 Oct 2026 | Cover ends this year |
| Office 2019 | Ended 14 Oct 2025 | No longer patched |
| Office 2016 | Ended 14 Oct 2025 | No longer patched |
An unsupported version does not stop working. Office 2016 and 2019 still open, edit and print your files exactly as before. They simply receive no further security fixes, which matters on a computer connected to the internet and handling documents you care about.
What the price difference really buys
The spread between the cheapest and the most expensive version is $14: $35 for Office 2019 or 2016, $49 for Office 2024.
That $14 is the price of four extra years of security patches. Spread across the life of a computer, it is the cheapest part of the decision — which is why the support window, not the price tag, is what most buyers should weigh.
The exception is a machine where patches genuinely do not matter: a spare laptop, an offline workstation, a computer used for nothing sensitive. There, $35 buys a complete, fully functional Office suite, and paying more adds nothing you will use.
Which version fits your case
| Your situation | Recommended version | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Main computer, daily use, kept several years | Office 2024 | The only version still covered past 2026 |
| You want a supported version at the lowest price | Office 2021 | Cover until Oct 2026, $10 less than 2024 |
| Spare or secondary machine, light use | Office 2019 | Full suite at the lowest price |
| Offline machine, no sensitive documents | Office 2016 | Patches add nothing in this case |
| You want Copilot and features that keep arriving | Microsoft 365 | A subscription, not a one-time purchase |
If you are unsure, Office 2024 is the safe default: it is the only version whose support window outlasts the computer you are installing it on.
Frequently asked questions
Is Office 2021 still supported in 2026?
Yes, until 13 October 2026. After that date it stops receiving security updates, like Office 2019 and Office 2016 before it.
Does Office 2016 still work?
Yes. Office 2016 opens, edits and prints normally. Microsoft ended support on 14 October 2025, so it no longer receives security fixes, but the apps themselves keep running.
Is Copilot included in any of these versions?
No. Copilot requires a Microsoft 365 subscription. Office 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024 are all one-time purchases without AI features.
Do these versions work on Mac?
Yes. All four are available in Windows and Mac editions, so your platform does not decide the choice — price and support dates do.
Will Office 2024 get new features over time?
No. Like the versions before it, Office 2024 is a fixed release: it receives security updates, not new features. The apps you install today are the apps you will have in 2029.
What is the cheapest Office version?
Office 2019 and Office 2016, both at $35. Neither receives security updates any more.
Where to buy
Every license is delivered by email as a one-time purchase, for Windows or Mac.
Products in this article
Digital delivery by email · Secure payment by card, Apple Pay and Google Pay
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