Why Users are Choosing Microsoft Office Professional 2021 Over Microsoft 365

The digital office revolution has long been dominated by Microsoft 365, Microsoft's subscription-based productivity suite that offers tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. But as the software subscription craze grows, it seems the tide may be turning: a notable shift is emerging, with users ditching Microsoft 365 for a non-subscription alternative—Microsoft Office Professional 2021. And here's the kicker—it's available as a one-time purchase with a lifetime license. No recurring fees. No strings attached. Just download, install, and own it forever. Let’s dig into why this trend has Microsoft 365 looking over its shoulder.

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The Not-So-Subtle Subscription Fatigue​

Imagine this: You wake up one day and start tallying all the subscriptions nibbling at your monthly budget—video streaming services, music platforms, cloud storage, gym memberships, grocery delivery, and, of course, software like Microsoft 365. The promise of "low monthly payments" suddenly doesn’t feel so appealing when you’re on the hook for $6 here, $15 there, and $70 somewhere else.
Microsoft 365, while undeniably powerful, asks Windows users to pay ongoing fees to access the same suite of apps that a lifetime license offers—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. For home users or freelancers who primarily rely on Word processing or spreadsheets, the added features and cloud connectivity of 365 may feel excessive (or unneeded).
Enter Microsoft Office Professional 2021. This edition comes with all the classics—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and additional tools like Publisher and Access—and doesn’t require you to fork over your hard-earned cash month after month. For those looking to regain financial control and simplify their digital footprint, this is a satisfying "enough is enough" moment.

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What Do You Actually Get with Microsoft Office Professional 2021?​

Calling it "Microsoft Office Pro" might sound old-school, but make no mistake—what you’re getting is an entirely modernized suite of productivity tools that don’t need an active internet connection or perpetual payment plan to function. Let’s break this down:

• Word – The word processor we all love (and sometimes hate). Create documents, reports, and even the dreaded essay.
• Excel – Your go-to for spreadsheets, whether you're budgeting or crunching sales data.
• PowerPoint – The presentation giant (not to mention the hero of awkward office meetings everywhere).
• Outlook – Manage your emails without relying on web-based interfaces.
• OneNote – A note-taking sidekick for capturing your ideas and sketches.
• Access – Build databases without being a professional developer.
• Publisher – For those who still make flyers, brochures, or newsletters.

The best part? This isn’t a watered-down version of Office 365. Outside of specific cloud-based extras like OneDrive's built-in integration or the fancy AI tools in Excel, this is a full-featured set of apps, polished and reliable for anyone using a capable Windows PC.

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A Killer Deal That’s Fueling the Shift​

One clear reason many are abandoning Microsoft 365 is the financial allure of Office Professional 2021. Priced at just $59.97 for a lifetime license (a major markdown from its regular $219 cost), this is a deal that’s tough to ignore. With the average Microsoft 365 Personal subscription priced at $70 per year, what you save with the lifetime license stacks up fast:

• After one year, you’re already saving over $10.
• After three years, you’ve saved more than $150.
• After ten years, well … who knows where inflation will have taken subscription prices, but you're free and clear here.

The only gotcha? This license can only be installed on one machine. While this feels limiting, many users find this trade-off acceptable when they likely only use Office on their primary PC.

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What Are the Alternatives for Non-Subscription Enthusiasts?​

Of course, Microsoft isn’t the only fish in the productivity sea. If your pockets are tight—or you just don’t like relying on proprietary software—there are several alternatives worth exploring. Some of them are even free! Here are a few names you might’ve heard:

• LibreOffice – A free and open-source option with remarkable compatibility with Office file types.
• Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) – Free for personal use and extremely popular for collaboration and cloud-based work.
• WPS Office – A lightweight suite that’s tried to mimic Office's UI while offering free and paid tiers.

However, these alternatives often come with compromises. If you're deeply entrenched in Microsoft’s ecosystem or require business-grade polish and performance, these alternatives might trip you up—or outright frustrate professionals accustomed to the seamless flow of Microsoft apps.

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Microsoft 365's Counterargument: Features and Cloud Services​

Now, it wouldn’t be fair to bury Microsoft 365 without mentioning what keeps it firmly planted as a market leader. The subscription model exists for a reason, and Microsoft has heavily invested in making it attractive for both personal and workplace use. A few perks of Microsoft 365:

• Always Updated: Your apps are perpetually kept at the cutting edge with updates, cloud-based features, and AI-driven tools like real-time translations or advanced grammar checks.
• Multiple Devices: One subscription usually covers several devices, including phones and tablets—not just your PC.
• Cloud Storage: You get 1TB of OneDrive storage per user, which mitigates concerns about running out of space or losing files.
• Collaboration: With Teams and cloud integration baked in, working with others remotely becomes frictionless.

It’s safe to say that for businesses, Microsoft 365 is still king. But for home users who don’t need the cloud or those allergic to "autosaving at $70/year," lifetime licenses might be the antidote.

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Is Lifetime Licensing the Future?​

The resurgence of lifetime licenses shows a growing desire to wrest control back from endless subscription models. Look, there’s nothing inherently wrong with subscriptions—they offer tremendous flexibility and innovation—but not everything needs to be rented. Products like Microsoft Office Pro 2021 let users pay once and focus on the software, not the billing cycle. Only time will tell if Microsoft leans more heavily into one-time payments to compete—or leans harder into subscription-based exclusives to protect its subscription crown.
So, are you sticking with Microsoft 365, or are you ready to say goodbye to subscription fatigue? How will this impact the productivity landscape in the years ahead? Share your thoughts in the forum!

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Source: PCWorld More and more are leaving Microsoft 365 for this non-subscription alternative