Microsoft Office remains the backbone of productivity in both personal and professional environments. With each new release, Microsoft refines its software to match the evolving needs of businesses and individuals. Among the many editions of Office 2021 available, two stand out as the most commonly chosen for volume licensing: Office 2021 Standard and Office 2021 Professional Plus.
Although they may seem similar at a glance, these editions cater to different user groups with distinct needs and come with unique sets of features, applications, and capabilities. If you’re considering upgrading or deploying Office 2021 in your organization, this detailed guide will help you decide which edition suits your requirements best.
What Is Microsoft Office 2021?
Office 2021 is the latest standalone release of the Microsoft Office productivity suite. It does not require a Microsoft 365 subscription and offers a one-time purchase for perpetual use. Designed for users who want access to the latest features without cloud dependency, Office 2021 brings improved design, enhanced performance, and deeper collaboration tools.
It includes refreshed versions of core applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, along with feature parity with many Microsoft 365 capabilities (though not all).
Two of the most widely used variants—Standard and Professional Plus—are geared toward different users. Let’s explore how they differ.
Core Difference: Who Is Each Edition For?
| Edition | Target Audience |
| Office 2021 Standard | Small businesses, educational institutions |
| Office 2021 Pro Plus | Large enterprises, government, corporate users |
The Standard edition is suitable for everyday productivity needs, such as word processing, email, presentations, and desktop publishing. On the other hand, Professional Plus is built with enterprise-level capabilities like advanced data analysis, database management, and integrated communication tools.
Application Comparison
| Application | Office 2021 Standard | Office 2021 Professional Plus |
| Word | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Excel | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| PowerPoint | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Outlook | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| OneNote | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Publisher | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Access | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Skype for Business | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Microsoft Teams (Basic) | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Key Differences:
- Microsoft Access: Only available in Professional Plus. Crucial for database creation and management.
- Skype for Business: Included only in Professional Plus, useful for enterprise-grade communication.
- Publisher and OneNote: Available in both versions for desktop publishing and digital note-taking.
Licensing Models
| Feature | Standard Edition | Professional Plus |
| Volume Licensing | Yes | Yes |
| Retail Availability | No | No |
| Office Deployment Tool (ODT) | Supported | Supported |
| Activation | KMS or MAK | KMS or MAK |
Both editions are not available as retail packages, meaning individual consumers typically don’t access them through normal sales channels. Instead, these editions are intended for volume licensing environments.
Feature and Capability Comparison
While both editions offer powerful productivity tools, Professional Plus stands apart with enterprise-grade features.
1. Access 2021 – Exclusive to Pro Plus
Microsoft Access is a powerful tool for managing databases and building business applications with minimal coding. This is essential for industries like finance, logistics, and healthcare that depend on structured data systems.
2. Skype for Business – Pro Plus Exclusive
Although Microsoft Teams is replacing Skype for Business, many organizations still rely on it for legacy compatibility and secure communication workflows.
3. Enhanced Outlook Features in Pro Plus
Professional Plus users benefit from features such as:
- Dynamic Exchange support
- Archiving policies
- Unified Messaging
- Enhanced security features for enterprise communication
4. Excel Advanced Capabilities
Both editions benefit from new Excel features like:
- Dynamic arrays
- XLOOKUP function
- LET function
- Improved Power Query and Power Pivot
But Professional Plus allows integration with more extensive data systems and supports additional enterprise-level add-ins and tools.
Microsoft Teams Integration
Both Office 2021 Standard and Pro Plus now include Microsoft Teams Basic. However, this is not the full Microsoft Teams service available to Microsoft 365 users.
- You can install and use Teams Basic for chat and video calls.
- It lacks full cloud-based collaboration features tied to Microsoft 365.
Professional Plus still allows better integration with enterprise Active Directory environments.
Security and Compliance
| Security Feature | Standard | Pro Plus |
| IRM (Information Rights Mgmt) | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Archiving & Retention Policies | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Integration with Exchange Server | Limited | Full |
Professional Plus is built for organizations that handle sensitive data and require strict regulatory compliance and auditing capability. If your organization deals with legal, medical, or financial data, Pro Plus offers significant advantages.
Deployment and IT Management
Both versions support deployment via:
- Office Deployment Tool (ODT)
- Group Policy
- Configuration Manager
- KMS or MAK activation
But Professional Plus integrates more deeply with enterprise-level tools like:
- Exchange Server
- SharePoint Server
- Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager
This makes Pro Plus the preferred choice for system admins and IT departments handling large-scale rollouts.
Performance & UI Enhancements in Both Editions
Regardless of the edition, Office 2021 brings a refreshed user experience:
- Fluent UI design for all apps
- Better support for high-DPI displays
- Native support for dark mode
- Faster startup and improved stability
- AutoSave (with connected OneDrive)
These improvements ensure that both editions feel modern and smooth, whether used in a local or networked environment.
Use Case Scenarios
Office 2021 Standard: Best For
- Small offices with basic document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs
- Schools or academic departments not requiring Access
- Businesses needing only essential Office applications
- Organizations without complex data or communication workflows
Office 2021 Professional Plus: Best For
- Enterprises requiring Access databases
- Companies with Skype for Business infrastructure
- Institutions needing advanced security compliance
- IT-driven environments using centralized deployment tools
Pricing Considerations
As both versions are available through volume licensing, pricing depends on the number of users, licensing agreements, and reseller terms. However, in general:
- Office 2021 Standard is more cost-effective for small organizations.
- Office 2021 Pro Plus carries a higher cost but includes mission-critical tools like Access and enterprise security.
Summary: Which One Should You Choose?
| Need | Go With |
| Basic productivity suite | Office 2021 Standard |
| Full application set + Access | Office 2021 Professional Plus |
| Database and app creation | Professional Plus |
| Lower licensing cost | Standard |
| Enterprise-level security | Professional Plus |
| Unified Messaging & Skype | Professional Plus |
If you’re a small or medium-sized organization focused on essential tasks—documents, presentations, spreadsheets—Office 2021 Standard is more than sufficient. However, if your workflow involves data-driven systems, compliance, and enterprise-grade communication, Office 2021 Professional Plus is the better investment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I upgrade from Office 2021 Standard to Professional Plus?
No. Microsoft does not offer an upgrade path between these editions. You must purchase a new license for Professional Plus.
2. Is Access available in Office 2021 Standard?
No. Microsoft Access is only included in the Professional Plus edition.
3. Is Microsoft Teams included in both versions?
Yes, both come with Microsoft Teams Basic. Full Teams capabilities require a Microsoft 365 subscription.
4. Can I use these editions for personal use?
Technically yes, but these editions are meant for volume licensing. If you’re a single user, retail versions like Office Home & Business may be better suited.
5. Do both editions receive updates?
Yes. Both receive security and feature updates, but no major new features will be added after release. Updates are limited to bug fixes and security patches.
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