Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is Microsoft’s subscription platform for productivity, communication, collaboration, storage and business administration. It includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams and OneDrive, with availability depending on the selected plan.

The platform serves individuals, families, small and medium-sized businesses, enterprises, schools, government organizations and nonprofits. Business plans can include branded email, administrative controls, SharePoint, Teams, device management and security services.

Microsoft 365 evolved from Office 365. Office 365 launched globally on June 28, 2011. Microsoft began applying the Microsoft 365 brand to consumer and small-business subscriptions on April 21, 2020.

Microsoft 365 provides desktop, web and mobile versions of core Office applications. Word supports document creation, Excel supports spreadsheets and analysis, and PowerPoint supports presentations. Outlook combines email, calendars, contacts and tasks.

Teams provides chat, meetings, calling and collaborative workspaces on plans that include it. OneDrive provides personal file storage and sharing, while SharePoint supports team sites, document libraries and intranet-style content management.

Business plans include administrative controls through the Microsoft 365 admin center. Higher tiers add security, device management, threat protection, compliance controls and identity capabilities.

Power Apps and Power Automate provide low-code application and workflow capabilities in supported plans. Microsoft Graph exposes a unified API for accessing Microsoft 365 data and services, subject to authentication, permissions and licensing requirements.

Microsoft 365 includes AI features such as Editor, suggested replies, meeting transcription and Copilot experiences. Full Microsoft 365 Copilot access requires an eligible license or add-on, and availability varies by market and plan.

Microsoft 365 uses separate consumer, business and enterprise licensing. Prices below are publicly listed United States prices retrieved on September 3, 2026. Business prices shown are per user and billed yearly unless stated otherwise.

Microsoft states that selected business plans offer a one-month free trial. A credit card is required, and the subscription converts to paid billing unless canceled during the trial.

Pros: Microsoft 365 offers a broad application suite, strong cross-device support, mature collaboration tools, extensive administration, cloud storage and a large integration ecosystem. Its Microsoft Graph API supports custom applications and service integrations.

Cons: Plan selection and licensing can be difficult because features differ across consumer, business, enterprise, Teams, Copilot and security packages. Subscription costs can exceed the needs of light users. Some advanced capabilities require separate licenses, administration or technical configuration.

Google Workspace is the closest cloud-suite alternative, with Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, Meet and Chat. Zoho Workplace provides a lower-cost productivity and collaboration suite with integrated business applications.

WPS Office offers a more focused office productivity suite, while LibreOffice provides a free, locally installed alternative without Microsoft 365’s subscription-based cloud services. Apple iWork is another option for users primarily working within Apple’s device ecosystem.

What is included in Microsoft 365?
Included applications and services depend on the plan. Common components include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint and security or administration services.

Does Microsoft 365 have an API?
Yes. Microsoft Graph provides a unified REST API and client libraries for Microsoft 365, Windows and related Microsoft cloud services.

Does Microsoft 365 offer a free trial?
Yes. Microsoft lists one-month trials for selected consumer and business plans. Trial availability and terms vary by plan and market.

Which platforms support Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 supports web access through modern browsers, desktop applications on Windows and macOS, and mobile applications on Android, iOS and iPadOS. Linux users can access the web version through supported browsers, though some features may differ.

Can Microsoft 365 connect with third-party applications?
Yes. Integrations are available through Microsoft Graph, Microsoft Marketplace, Office and Teams add-ins, Power Platform connectors and partner applications. Specific capabilities depend on the application and license.

Who is Microsoft 365 best suited for?
It is suited to individuals, teams and organizations that need integrated documents, email, calendars, meetings, storage and administration. Organizations should compare plans carefully before purchasing.