Saying Goodbye to Microsoft 365: Why I’m Switching to a One-Time Purchase

For months, I’ve been paying £5.99 a month for Microsoft 365 Personal. It wasn’t a huge amount, so I hadn’t bothered looking for alternatives. I had an unspoken agreement with various subscription services: if the monthly cost remained reasonable, I’d stick with them. However, a recent email announcing a price increase to £8.49 – a whopping 41% – on Valentine’s Day forced me to reconsider my Microsoft 365 subscription.

The Price Hike and the Principle of the Matter

Microsoft justifies the price increase by citing "rising costs and the need to continue delivering new innovations." This sounds like corporate jargon for funneling more money into AI development. Frankly, I still use the Office suite pretty much the same way I did 20 years ago. I’m not interested in subsidizing features I don’t need or use. The increased cost is one thing, but the underlying principle is another.

The core issue is my resentment towards the subscription model itself. Many people share this feeling. The shift from owning software outright to paying recurring fees is a tactic employed by many Big Tech companies, and I believe it ultimately makes our lives less convenient, not more so.

The Microsoft Ecosystem and Price Gouging

Microsoft likely knows that a price increase won’t drive away many customers. Microsoft 365 offers more than just the familiar Office apps. While many of these additional tools feel like filler to justify higher prices, many users are likely invested in the Microsoft ecosystem and reluctant to switch. This “hook and hike” strategy – getting customers hooked on a service and then raising prices – is an old, yet ethically questionable, business model.

Exploring Alternatives: Free and Affordable Options

I personally don’t use any of the extra services included in my Microsoft 365 subscription. This includes a mysterious "AI credit balance" I never knew existed. For the core Office tools themselves, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) offers a robust and completely free alternative. While Microsoft Office might have a few extra features I appreciate, they aren’t worth the inflated price.

Fortunately, there are still ways to obtain Microsoft Office without a monthly subscription. You can purchase a one-time license for a perpetual version. I’ve decided to go this route, opting for Microsoft Office Professional 2021.

Microsoft Office Professional 2021: A Cost-Effective Solution

A great deal I found on the TechDeals page offers Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for just $59.97. [Link: https://deals.androidauthority.com/sales/microsoft-office-professional-2021-for-windows-lifetime-license-5] (Note: This link and price might change, it’s best to check the website for the latest information.)

This is a slightly older version of Office, but the core functionality hasn’t changed drastically. For a long-time user like myself, it includes everything I need. The AI features are irrelevant to my workflow.

Key Features of Microsoft Office Professional 2021:

• Word: The classic word processor for creating and editing documents.
• Excel: The spreadsheet program for data analysis and calculations.
• PowerPoint: The presentation software for creating compelling slides.
• Outlook: (Depending on the specific version and license.) Email client and personal information management tool.
• Other applications: Other potentially included apps may vary depending on the specific version. Always check the details before purchasing.

Important Note: This is a single license, installable on only one Windows PC. If you plan to upgrade your computer soon, buying this might not be the best option. Keep your hardware upgrade schedule in mind. For Apple users, similar options including Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 are available, though usually at a slightly higher price point.

The Final Decision: One-Time Purchase vs Subscription

For me, choosing the one-time purchase of Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is a clear win financially. Compared to the steadily increasing cost of the Microsoft 365 subscription, this license will quickly pay for itself within a few months.

It’s a farewell — for now — to Microsoft 365’s monthly charges. I’m happy to provide Microsoft with a one-time payment, but it will be a final payment rather than a continuing subscription. I’m choosing to keep my money and gain more control over my software expenses in the future.