When selecting the right Microsoft Office suite for your business or personal use, it’s essential to understand the difference between Office 2016 Professional and Office 2016 Professional Plus. While they sound nearly identical, these two editions offer distinct features, capabilities, and target audiences.
In this detailed guide, we’ll compare both versions across several factors—features, pricing, use cases, licensing, and more—so you can make an informed purchase decision. Whether you’re a student, a small business owner, or part of a large enterprise, choosing the right suite impacts productivity and long-term value.
And if you’re ready to buy, consider this Office 2016 Pro link for a genuine and secure purchase.
Overview of Office 2016 Suites
Microsoft released several editions of Office 2016 to cater to different needs, from home use to enterprise deployments. Among the most popular versions are:
- Office 2016 Professional
- Office 2016 Professional Plus
Let’s break down what’s included in each and where the main differences lie.
What’s Included in Office 2016 Professional?
Office 2016 Professional is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses and power users who need a reliable set of tools without the extended collaboration features of the enterprise editions. It includes the core Office applications:
- Word 2016
- Excel 2016
- PowerPoint 2016
- Outlook 2016
- Publisher 2016
- Access 2016
- OneNote 2016
Key Features:
- One-time purchase with a perpetual license
- Works on a single Windows PC
- Full offline functionality
- No need for Office 365 subscription
- Excellent for individuals and small teams
This version is a great choice for users who don’t require enterprise-level IT integration or cloud collaboration.
What’s Included in Office 2016 Professional Plus?
Office 2016 Professional Plus is designed for enterprise environments where collaboration, data security, and network-based productivity are essential.
It includes everything in the Professional version plus two key additions:
- Skype for Business
- InfoPath 2016
Additional Features:
- Enhanced email and calendar management via Exchange Server integration
- Advanced data collection and form creation with InfoPath
- Real-time collaboration and communication through Skype for Business
- Group policy support and terminal server support
- Volume licensing support
It’s important to note that Office 2016 Professional Plus is typically distributed through volume licensing agreements, which means it’s more suited for larger organizations and not always available as a retail product.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Office 2016 Professional | Office 2016 Professional Plus |
| Word 2016 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Excel 2016 | ✔ | ✔ |
| PowerPoint 2016 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Outlook 2016 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Publisher 2016 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Access 2016 | ✔ | ✔ |
| OneNote 2016 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Skype for Business | ✘ | ✔ |
| InfoPath 2016 | ✘ | ✔ |
| Exchange Server Support | ✘ | ✔ |
| Volume Licensing Availability | Limited | Yes |
| Group Policy Management | ✘ | ✔ |
| Terminal Services Compatibility | ✘ | ✔ |
Licensing Differences
Office 2016 Professional:
- Licensed for retail sale
- Activated with a product key
- Installed on one PC
- Perpetual license (no recurring payments)
Office 2016 Professional Plus:
- Sold primarily via volume licensing
- Used by businesses and organizations with multiple devices
- Supports network deployment and group policies
- Also comes with a perpetual license, but managed centrally
If you’re looking for a personal or small business license, Office 2016 Pro is often the better, easier, and more accessible choice.
Target Audience: Who Should Use What?
Choose Office 2016 Professional if you:
- Are an individual or small business owner
- Only need the core Office applications
- Prefer a simple, one-time payment
- Don’t require enterprise IT management features
Choose Office 2016 Professional Plus if you:
- Are part of a large organization
- Need advanced security and collaboration tools
- Use Exchange Server or Skype for Business
- Deploy Office across multiple machines with centralized control
Installation and Setup
Office 2016 Professional:
- Installation is straightforward via a product key and setup file.
- Does not require an internet connection after activation.
- Suitable for offline environments.
Office 2016 Professional Plus:
- Often deployed via network using centralized deployment tools.
- Requires IT support for group policies and advanced settings.
- Designed for compatibility with enterprise infrastructure.
Update and Support Policy
Both versions fall under Microsoft’s Fixed Lifecycle Policy, which includes:
- Mainstream support: 5 years from the release date (ended in October 2020)
- Extended support: 5 additional years (ends in October 2025)
Even though mainstream support has ended, both versions will continue receiving security updates until 2025. However, some cloud-based features (like OneDrive sync) may degrade over time.
Cloud & Collaboration Capabilities
Office 2016 Professional:
- Minimal cloud integration
- Local file storage only
- No native real-time collaboration tools
Office 2016 Professional Plus:
- Skype for Business enables instant messaging and video conferencing
- Better integration with SharePoint and Exchange
- Supports real-time collaboration with additional enterprise services
Performance & System Requirements
Both editions require the same base hardware and operating system:
- OS: Windows 7 SP1 or later
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster, x86 or x64
- Memory: 2 GB RAM (32-bit) / 4 GB (64-bit)
- Hard Disk: 3 GB of available space
- Display: 1280 x 800 resolution
Performance will generally be the same, though Professional Plus may require more system resources if you use Skype for Business or Exchange integrations.
Pricing Comparison
Office 2016 Professional is more budget-friendly and can often be found through trusted resellers like Software Lizenz Express.
Office 2016 Professional Plus tends to be higher priced and less accessible due to its volume licensing nature. It is not typically available to general consumers without going through business licensing channels.
Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
| User Type | Recommended Edition |
| Home or Student Use | Office 2016 Professional |
| Freelancers or Consultants | Office 2016 Professional |
| Small Businesses | Office 2016 Professional |
| Mid-Size to Large Business | Office 2016 Professional Plus |
| IT Departments | Office 2016 Professional Plus |
| Organizations Using Exchange | Office 2016 Professional Plus |
For most users who don’t need centralized deployment, group policies, or enterprise communications, Office 2016 Pro is more than sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I install Office 2016 Professional on multiple devices?
No, the license for Office 2016 Professional is for a single PC only.
2. Is Office 2016 Professional Plus available as a retail product?
Not typically. It is usually distributed through volume licensing agreements for organizations.
3. Does Office 2016 Professional include Skype for Business?
No, Skype for Business is only included in Office 2016 Professional Plus.
4. Will I need an internet connection to use Office 2016?
Only for the initial activation. After that, you can use either version offline.
5. Is Office 2016 still supported by Microsoft?
Yes, extended support continues until October 2025, but mainstream support ended in 2020.
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