Microsoft 365 Plans Explained: SMB, Frontline Worker & Enterprise User

Are you considering using Microsoft 365 but unsure where to begin? Whether you’re a small business owner, a frontline worker, or part of a larger enterprise, Microsoft 365 offers a range of plans tailored to meet diverse needs. It’s designed to enhance productivity, collaboration, and team communication, enabling users to work smarter and more efficiently.

However, navigating the extensive selection of Microsoft 365 plans can be a significant challenge for organizations. From small and medium-sized business options to licenses for frontline workers and enterprises, Navigating the options to find the perfect match can be overwhelming for decision-makers.

In this blog, you will find:

✨ What Is Microsoft 365?

📌 Overview of Microsoft 365 Plans for Business

🏪 Comparing Microsoft 365 Plans for Small and Medium Businesses 

👩‍⚕️ Microsoft 365 Plans for Frontline Workers 

🏢 Microsoft 365 Plans for Enterprise Users 

❓FAQs on Microsoft 365 Plans

⏱ Achieve Optimal Efficiency with Your Business Applications

In this blog, we will explore the different subscription plans of Microsoft 365 and how you can select Microsoft plans according to your business needs. You will also learn about the features and tools that Microsoft 365 offers and how to make the most of them.  

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What Is Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 is an all-in-one platform that helps teams of all sizes stay connected and productive. It offers a simplified user experience, collaboration capabilities, and cloud-based accessibility, making it easier for employees to work from anywhere with improved productivity and seamless communication. Microsoft 365 includes a suite of security and compliance tools to ensure a cohesive work environment and create a modern workplace.

Microsoft 365 gives you the tools to empower teamwork, secure data, and simplify IT management with various features, including: 

• Office applications: Microsoft 365 includes a suite of Office applications, including the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and more. These apps enable users to create, share and collaborate on documents in real-time with colleagues and customers.

• Cloud-Based Services: Microsoft 365 also provides cloud-based services such as Exchange Online, Sharepoint Online, OneDrive for Business and Teams. These services offer a variety of features to help organizations collaborate more efficiently and increase productivity.

• Device Management: Microsoft 365 makes it easy to manage devices with the Microsoft Intune mobile device management service. This enables administrators to enroll devices, deploy applications, and configure settings across various devices.

• Advanced Security: Microsoft 365 helps organizations protect their data with advanced security features, including Windows Hello, Microsoft Advanced Threat Protection, and Azure Information Protection.

Microsoft 365 Plans for Business

The Microsoft 365 plans range from Business Basic to Enterprise E5, and the plan that best meets your needs depends on the size of your organization. The different plans offer a range of features to suit any business, such as Office applications, cloud storage, enterprise-grade security and compliance tools, data protection, and analytics.

Small and Medium Businesses: up to 300 users

✅ Microsoft 365 Business Basic includes Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, and Office apps (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

✅ Microsoft 365 Business Standard includes all the features of Microsoft 365 Business Basic, plus desktop versions of Office apps and additional tools like Microsoft Bookings and webinars.

✅ Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes all the features of Microsoft 365 Business Basic and Standard, plus advanced security features and device management tools such as Intune and Windows Autopilot.

☑️ Microsoft 365 Apps for Business only offers desktop versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user, and multi-device installation capabilities.

Frontline Workers: up to 300 users 

✅ Microsoft 365 F1 includes tools for communication and collaboration like Teams, SharePoint, and Yammer, but does not include Office apps.

✅ Microsoft 365 F3 includes all the features of Microsoft 365 F1, plus web and mobile versions of Office apps, and advanced security and compliance tools.

Enterprise Plans: Unlimited Number of Users

✅ Microsoft 365 E3 includes all the features of Microsoft 365 Business Premium, plus additional security and compliance tools such as Advanced Threat Protection and Azure Information Protection.

✅ Microsoft 365 E5 includes all the features of Microsoft 365 E3, plus advanced analytics, security, and compliance tools such as Power BI Pro and Cloud App Security.

Microsoft 365 Plans for Small and Medium Businesses 

Previously known as Office 365, Microsoft 365 provides an array of subscription plans, and selecting the appropriate one for your business can be challenging. To aid in your decision-making, let's compare the four primary plans and our recommendations.

✅ Price: $6.00 per user/month (annual subscription)

☑️ Features:

•  Web and Mobile Versions of Office Apps: It accesses web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for on-the-go productivity.

•  Custom business email with Outlook: It provides a professional email service with a custom domain name, enhancing your business’s credibility and brand identity.

•  1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user: Each user gets 1 TB of cloud storage, enabling secure file storage, sharing, and collaboration from anywhere.

•  Microsoft Teams for chat, calls, and collaboration: This facilitates chat, calls, and collaboration, making it easier for teams to communicate and work together in real-time.

•  24/7 phone and web support: It offers round-the-clock support to help resolve any issues quickly, ensuring minimal disruption to your business operations.

💡 Business Basic is ideal for small businesses needing essential tools!

2. Microsoft 365 Business Standard

✅ Price: $12.50 per user/month (annual subscription)

☑️ Features:

• All Features of Business Basic

• Desktop Versions of Office Apps: It offers fully installed desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, allowing for offline access and advanced features.

• Host Webinars: This enables hosting of webinars with attendee registration and reporting, making it easier to conduct virtual events and track participation.

• Collaborative Workspaces with Microsoft Loop: This provides a flexible canvas for teams to collaborate on projects, share ideas, and manage tasks in real time.

• Video Editing Tools with Clipchamp: It includes tools for creating and editing videos, which can be useful for marketing, training, and internal communications.

💡 Business Standard is your go-to solution for enhanced teamwork and heightened productivity within your business!

3. Microsoft 365 Business Premium

✅ Price: $22.00 per user/month (annual subscription)

☑️ Features:

• All Features of Business Standard

• Advanced Identity and Access Management: This provides advanced features for managing user identities and access, helping to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance.

• Enhanced Cyber Threat Protection: It offers advanced security features to protect against cyber threats, including malware, phishing, and ransomware.

• Enterprise-Grade Device and Endpoint Protection: It ensures that all devices and endpoints are secure, with features like mobile device management and endpoint detection and response.

• Sensitive Information Discovery and Protection: This helps identify and protect sensitive information across your organization, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

💡Business Premium is recommended for businesses requiring advanced security and management capabilities. 

4. Microsoft 365 Apps for Business

✅ Price: $8.25 per user/month (annual subscription)

☑️ Features:

• Desktop Versions of Office Apps: Includes fully installed desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, allowing for offline access and advanced features.

• 1 TB of OneDrive Cloud Storage: Each user gets 1 TB of cloud storage, enabling secure file storage, sharing, and collaboration from anywhere.

• 24/7 Phone and Web Support: Offers round-the-clock support to help resolve any issues quickly, ensuring minimal disruption to your business operations.

•No Email or Teams Services Included: This plan does not include email or Microsoft Teams services, making it suitable for businesses that already have these services or do not require them.

💡Apps for Business is a great choice for those who need the core Office apps without additional services.

Microsoft 365 Plans for Frontline Workers 

Front-line workers are people whose primary role is to work directly with customers or the general public, providing services, support, and selling products or workers involved in manufacturing and distributing products or services. 

Microsoft designed several Microsoft 365 plans for Frontline Workforce to allow them to easily access the services and applications they need to perform their daily tasks. To help you make an informed decision, let’s compare the two main plans: Microsoft 365 F1 and Microsoft 365 F3.

1. Microsoft 365 F1

✅ Price: $2.25 per user/month (annual subscription)

☑️ Features:

•  Communication: Provides access to the Teams calendar, allowing users to schedule and view meetings. However, it does not include mailbox rights, meaning users cannot send or receive emails.

•  Storage: Each user gets 2 GB of mailbox space, which is quite limited and suitable for basic communication needs.

•  Access: Users can access their emails and other services through Outlook on the web, ensuring they can stay connected from any device with internet access.

•  Viva Insights: Limited to features like Reflect, Headspace, Praise, Virtual Commute, and Microsoft To Do. These tools help with employee well-being and productivity but are less comprehensive than the full Viva suite.

💡 Microsoft 365 F1 is recommended for organizations with frontline workers needing basic communication tools and web-based access to essential apps.

2. Microsoft 365 F3

✅ Price: $8.00 per user/month (annual subscription)

☑️ Features:

•  Communication: Includes a full suite of communication tools such as meetings, chat, and calling through Microsoft Teams. This allows for more robust and versatile communication options.

•  Storage: It provides 2 GB of OneDrive storage per user, which is useful for securely storing and sharing files in the cloud.

•  Access: It comes with Windows Enterprise E3, which includes advanced security features, cloud management, and virtualization. These features ensure that devices are secure and can be managed remotely.

•  Viva Insights: It Includes the same features as F1 but also offers additional capabilities through a full Viva Learning license. This can help with employee training and development, making it a more comprehensive solution for workforce management.

💡Microsoft 365 F3 is recommended for organizations with frontline workers requiring comprehensive communication tools and advanced access features. 

Microsoft 365 Plans for Enterprise Users 

For Enterprise users, Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 provide the most comprehensive set of features for enterprise-level organizations. They are designed for larger businesses that need the most up-to-date features to stay productive in their roles. You can compare Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 with the prices and features that they provide and make an informed decision! 

1. Microsoft 365 E3

✅ Price: $32.00 per user/month (annual subscription)

☑️ Features:

• Office Apps: It provides desktop versions of essential Office applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. These apps are fully installed on your devices, allowing offline access and advanced features unavailable in the web versions.

• Email and Calendar: It offers business-class email with a 100 GB mailbox per user. Users can also create custom email domain addresses, enhancing professionalism and brand identity.

•  File Storage and Sharing: Users get 1 TB of OneDrive storage, enabling secure file storage and sharing. This is particularly useful for collaboration and accessing files from any device.

•  Collaboration and Communication: It includes Microsoft Teams, which supports chat, meetings, and collaboration. Teams integrates with other Office apps, making it a central hub for teamwork.

•  Security and Compliance: It provides basic security features such as data loss prevention (DLP) and information protection. These tools help safeguard sensitive information and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

•  Device and App Management: It allows for basic management of apps and devices using Microsoft Intune. This includes setting policies, deploying apps, and ensuring devices are secure and compliant.

💡  Microsoft 365 E3 is ideal for medium to large businesses needing essential productivity tools and basic security features.

2. Microsoft 365 E5

✅ Price: $57.00 per user/month (annual subscription)

☑️ Features:

•  All features of E3

• Advanced Security: It adds advanced threat protection with Microsoft Defender for Office 365, which helps protect against sophisticated threats like phishing and malware. It also includes Azure Active Directory Premium P2, offering advanced identity protection and access management.

• Analytics and Intelligence: This provides advanced analytics capabilities with Power BI Pro, enabling users to create interactive reports and dashboards. MyAnalytics offers insights into work patterns to help improve productivity and well-being.

• Compliance: Enhances compliance capabilities with tools like Advanced eDiscovery, which helps manage legal investigations and data requests. Customer Lockbox ensures that access to data is tightly controlled and monitored.

• Voice and Collaboration: Includes Microsoft Teams Phone with a calling plan, allowing users to make and receive calls directly in Teams. It also offers audio conferencing, making it easier to host meetings with external participants. Advanced collaboration tools further enhance teamwork and communication.

💡Microsoft 365 E5 is recommended for enterprises in highly regulated industries requiring advanced security, compliance, and analytics.

FAQs on Microsoft 365 Plans

Still not sure which plan to choose? Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Microsoft 365 plans to help clarify your options. Understanding these FAQs will help you choose the right Microsoft 365 plan for your needs..

1. What is the difference between Office 365 and Microsoft 365?

Office 365 is now Microsoft 365. Microsoft 365 encompasses all the features of Office 365, crafted to empower individuals and businesses to accomplish more. It offers innovative Office applications, intelligent cloud services, and top-tier security, enhancing productivity and protection. 

The following Office 365 plans for enterprise are still available:

▶️Office 365 E1  ($7.75 USD per user/month, No Teams included)

Office 365 E1 provides access to web and mobile versions of essential Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. With internet access, users can work on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations from any device, ensuring flexibility and productivity. However, it does not include desktop versions of these apps and Microsoft Teams, which might limit functionality for some users.

▶️Office 365 E3 ($20.75 USD per user/month, No Teams included)

Office 365 E3 includes fully installed desktop versions of Office apps in addition to web and mobile versions. This means users can work offline and access advanced features not available in the web versions, providing a more robust and versatile productivity experience. The plan also includes business-class email with a 100 GB mailbox and unlimited archive, ensuring ample storage for communication needs. 

▶️Office 365 E5 ($35.75 USD per user/month, No Teams included)

Office 365 E5 builds on the features of E3 by adding advanced security measures such as Microsoft Defender for Office 365, which protects against sophisticated threats like phishing and malware. It also includes Azure Active Directory Premium P2 for enhanced identity protection and access management. Additionally, E5 offers advanced analytics with Power BI Pro and comprehensive compliance tools like Advanced eDiscovery and Customer Lockbox, making it ideal for businesses that require top-tier security, compliance, and data insights.

2. Which is Better for Small and Medium Businesses: Office 365 E3 or Microsoft 365 Business Premium?

When selecting the best productivity suite for your small or medium-sized business (SMB), the choice often boils down to Office 365 E3 and Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Both plans offer a range of features designed to enhance productivity and security, but which is better for your business? Let’s dive into the details.

✅ Price Comparison

•  Office 365 E3: $20.75 USD per user/month

•  Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22.00 USD per user/month

✅ User Limit

•  Office 365 E3: Suitable for organizations of any size, with no user limit.

•  Microsoft 365 Business Premium: Designed specifically for businesses with up to 300 users.

✅ Feature Comparison

Both plans include essential productivity tools like Data Loss Protection (DLP), Exchange Online Archiving, and Office 365 Message Encryption. However, Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers additional tools that are particularly beneficial for SMBs:

•  Microsoft Defender for Office 365: Protects against malicious email attachments and links.

•  Azure Information Protection: Helps safeguard sensitive content.

•  Microsoft Intune: Manages devices and apps from the cloud.

•  End-of-Support Solutions: Provides Windows 7 and Office 2010 support, ensuring your older systems remain secure.

💡For most SMBs, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is ideal, with a balanced mix of productivity, security, and management tools. However, if you anticipate exceeding 300 users or need on-premises server rights and Windows 10 Enterprise E3 features.

3. Which License Should I Choose?

If you don’t have a Microsoft 365 license yet, this license decision tree will help you determine which license is the best fit for your organization’s needs. Book a meeting now to receive expert guidance in selecting the optimal Microsoft 365 license tailored to meet your organization's unique needs and maximize productivity.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Microsoft 365 plan for your organization is crucial for optimizing productivity, collaboration, and security. Each plan is designed to cater to different business needs, whether you are a small business owner, a frontline worker, or part of a large enterprise. By understanding the various options available—from the basic Microsoft 365 Business Basic to the comprehensive Microsoft 365 E5—you can make an informed decision that aligns with your organization's specific requirements and budget.

For expert guidance in selecting the best Microsoft 365 plan for your business, book a meeting with ProServeIT today. With extensive experience in high-demand Microsoft Cloud Solution areas, ProServeIT can help you navigate your digital transformation journey and maximize your Microsoft 365 investment.