In a world where productivity tools like Microsoft 365 have become almost synonymous with office work, one would assume that their utility and value are universally accepted. After all, Microsoft Office has been around longer than most of us have been typing. However, a recent article highlights why sticking with Microsoft 365 may not make sense for everyone anymore. Let’s dissect the reasoning and dive into the details to help you decide whether that annual subscription really deserves its spot in your budget.
What’s the issue here? For a lot of users, the subscription includes tools they don't need. Unless you're knee-deep in pivot tables, managing advanced databases, or running macros by the dozen, you’re essentially overpaying for features you don’t use. Some folks prefer the older "one-and-done" licensing system that feels, dare we say... tangible? Microsoft does still offer standalone Office licenses in the form of Office 2021, which lets you pay once for a perpetual license, but those don’t get regular updates like the subscription model does.
Now, $100 per year may not seem like much—but multiply that by a decade and you’re staring at four figures spent on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Small wonder people are hunting for cheaper alternatives.
Does that strike a chord? Tools like Google Docs or even Notepad might already handle the basics, like writing memos or creating quick to-do lists. Google Workspace offers something close to what Microsoft does but often for free—yes, there’s a premium model, but the base tier is completely usable at $0. Beyond that, simpler and free Office clones like WPS Office, LibreOffice, and OnlyOffice are worth exploring.
The writer also sheds light on how Microsoft's value might be dipping further with app discontinuations—such as Microsoft Publisher, which has been a key staple for niche users. The Microsoft gravy train isn't immune to maintenance cuts, which diminishes the suite's value for users who aren't benefiting from a full roster of apps.
Comparisons to competitors like Google Drive are inevitable here: for $9.99 per month, Google One packages offer 2TB of storage, doubling Microsoft’s size allocation. Alternatives like Dropbox, Box, or even iCloud might also serve specific users better. And if you're old school, external hard drives or Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems can provide an affordable, subscription-free solution for big backups and archival needs.
Microsoft’s limit of 1TB storage per user—even on family accounts—means you can't pool storage for more flexibility. Unless you're a heavy cloud user, you might find yourself squinting at your OneDrive folder and wondering why you’re paying for all that unused space.
On the other hand, there’s LibreOffice, which is an open-source classic and continues to evolve without any subscription strings attached. Alternatives like SoftMaker FreeOffice and WPS Office offer robust Word/Excel-like experiences while staying nimble and up-to-date with modern formats.
These tools aren't just knockoffs, either. They’ve matured to the point where the average student or professional handling relatively straightforward needs might not even notice Microsoft’s absence. Realistically, the audience who truly "needs" Microsoft 365's advanced feature set is shrinking.
However, Microsoft's entrenched enterprise-grade value can still justify its premium cost for professional environments. If you’re feeling that itch of subscription fatigue, though, the rebellion begins with just one click: Cancel.
Consider alternatives, crunch those spreadsheets elsewhere, and float your docs on different clouds. The productivity landscape is vast, and, as it turns out, Microsoft is no longer the center of the universe. Welcome aboard the age of freedom and choice in productivity tools!
Source: XDA 4 reasons why I'm not renewing my Microsoft 365 subscription
1. The Subscription Model: Death by a Thousand Monthly Payments
The first—and perhaps most relatable—reason for opting out of Microsoft 365 is a frustration with the subscription model. Microsoft transitioned many of its iconic Office tools to a subscription-based Microsoft 365 platform, which forces users to pay annually or monthly just to use these products. While some users appreciate the continuous updates and cloud features, others can't stomach these recurring costs when compared to perpetual licenses.What’s the issue here? For a lot of users, the subscription includes tools they don't need. Unless you're knee-deep in pivot tables, managing advanced databases, or running macros by the dozen, you’re essentially overpaying for features you don’t use. Some folks prefer the older "one-and-done" licensing system that feels, dare we say... tangible? Microsoft does still offer standalone Office licenses in the form of Office 2021, which lets you pay once for a perpetual license, but those don’t get regular updates like the subscription model does.
Now, $100 per year may not seem like much—but multiply that by a decade and you’re staring at four figures spent on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Small wonder people are hunting for cheaper alternatives.
2. Low Usage: Paying for What's Rarely Used
The article writer admits something worth pondering: how often are most of us actually using the full range of Microsoft 365 apps? They tracked their own habits and realized the Office tools hardly played a significant role in day-to-day life. Outside of the occasional use of Excel or Word for simple tasks (such as tracking benchmarks or filling out templates), these advanced features were left idle.Does that strike a chord? Tools like Google Docs or even Notepad might already handle the basics, like writing memos or creating quick to-do lists. Google Workspace offers something close to what Microsoft does but often for free—yes, there’s a premium model, but the base tier is completely usable at $0. Beyond that, simpler and free Office clones like WPS Office, LibreOffice, and OnlyOffice are worth exploring.
The writer also sheds light on how Microsoft's value might be dipping further with app discontinuations—such as Microsoft Publisher, which has been a key staple for niche users. The Microsoft gravy train isn't immune to maintenance cuts, which diminishes the suite's value for users who aren't benefiting from a full roster of apps.
3. OneDrive Woes: More Cloud Than You Need?
For a long time, Microsoft has dangled 1TB of OneDrive storage as a major carrot in its Microsoft 365 package. And hey, 1TB sounds awesome—until you realize not everyone needs that much cloud storage. The writer points out they’re comfortably sitting below 10% of their OneDrive storage cap, easily managing with the free 5GB tier. Long-time OneDrive users (luckier ones who’ve snagged bonus storage promotions) are even enjoying up to 40GB of free storage, further mitigating the need for premium subscriptions.Comparisons to competitors like Google Drive are inevitable here: for $9.99 per month, Google One packages offer 2TB of storage, doubling Microsoft’s size allocation. Alternatives like Dropbox, Box, or even iCloud might also serve specific users better. And if you're old school, external hard drives or Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems can provide an affordable, subscription-free solution for big backups and archival needs.
Microsoft’s limit of 1TB storage per user—even on family accounts—means you can't pool storage for more flexibility. Unless you're a heavy cloud user, you might find yourself squinting at your OneDrive folder and wondering why you’re paying for all that unused space.
4. Free Alternatives: Breaking the Monopoly
Perhaps the most compelling argument here is that free (or cheaper) alternatives have vastly improved. OnlyOffice earns high praise in the article for offering great cross-platform compatibility and real-time document collaboration. You can store files in the cloud (2GB free) or skip online storage altogether for standalone app use. Need to move files between devices seamlessly? That’s a box checked for many free apps too.On the other hand, there’s LibreOffice, which is an open-source classic and continues to evolve without any subscription strings attached. Alternatives like SoftMaker FreeOffice and WPS Office offer robust Word/Excel-like experiences while staying nimble and up-to-date with modern formats.
These tools aren't just knockoffs, either. They’ve matured to the point where the average student or professional handling relatively straightforward needs might not even notice Microsoft’s absence. Realistically, the audience who truly "needs" Microsoft 365's advanced feature set is shrinking.
Who Still Needs Microsoft 365?
Before anyone jumps to cancel their subscriptions entirely, let’s exercise some balance. Microsoft 365 still dominates certain spheres for valid reasons:- Business Environments: Enterprise-grade tools like Access, PowerQuery, and deep SharePoint integration make Microsoft 365 essential for advanced workflows.
- Power Users: If you're an Excel ninja crafting charts, automating workflows with macros, or embedding Power BI dashboards, you're precisely Microsoft’s target market.
- Cross-Compatibility: Working across teams that need seamless file formatting? Microsoft is virtually hassle-free there compared to alternatives.
Final Thoughts: Should You Press Cancel?
Does Microsoft 365 deserve your subscription renewal in 2024 and beyond? For many casual users—students, freelancers, or small-business owners—the answer might increasingly become "no." The rise of free and competitively-priced alternatives has made this once-essential suite feel bloated and, frankly, overpriced for light usage.However, Microsoft's entrenched enterprise-grade value can still justify its premium cost for professional environments. If you’re feeling that itch of subscription fatigue, though, the rebellion begins with just one click: Cancel.
Consider alternatives, crunch those spreadsheets elsewhere, and float your docs on different clouds. The productivity landscape is vast, and, as it turns out, Microsoft is no longer the center of the universe. Welcome aboard the age of freedom and choice in productivity tools!
Source: XDA 4 reasons why I'm not renewing my Microsoft 365 subscription