Microsoft 365 Business plans are designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Below is a detailed comparison of the available plans: Business Basic, Business Standard, Business Premium, and Apps for Business.
? Detailed Feature Comparison
Category | Business Basic | Business Standard | Business Premium | Apps for Business |
Core Office Apps | Web & mobile versions only | Desktop + Web + Mobile | Desktop + Web + Mobile | Desktop + Web + Mobile |
Outlook (Desktop) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Word, Excel, PowerPoint (Desktop) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Access & Publisher (PC only) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Office Mobile Apps | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Exchange Online (Business Email) | ✅ 50 GB mailbox | ✅ 50 GB mailbox | ✅ 50 GB mailbox + Archiving & Hold | ❌ |
Custom Email Domain | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Outlook Web Access (OWA) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
OneDrive for Business | ✅ 1 TB/user | ✅ 1 TB/user | ✅ 1 TB/user | ✅ 1 TB/user |
SharePoint Online | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Microsoft Teams (Chat, Meetings, Calls) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Microsoft Loop, Planner, To Do, Forms, Whiteboard | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Microsoft Lists | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Bookings | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Webinars in Teams | ✅ (Basic) | ✅ (Enhanced) | ✅ (Enhanced + Security) | ❌ |
Yammer/Community | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Microsoft Stream (Video Sharing) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Desktop Outlook Integration | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Offline Work (Desktop Apps) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Collaboration on Documents | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Email Archiving & Litigation Hold | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Security & Compliance | Basic | Standard | Advanced (DLP-lite, Defender, Conditional Access) | Basic |
Microsoft Defender for Business (Endpoint Security) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Microsoft Intune (MDM & MAM) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Windows Autopilot (Device Setup) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Azure AD Premium (P1 subset) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (Limited features like Conditional Access, Identity Protection) | ❌ |
Information Protection (Labels, Encryption) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (basic) | ❌ |
Threat Protection (Email & Device) | ❌ (EOP Included) | ❌ (EOP Included) | ✅ | ❌ |
Maximum Users | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 |
Support & Uptime SLA | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
? Plan Summaries
? Microsoft 365 Business Basic
- Best for organizations needing cloud services only (email, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint).
- No desktop apps.
- Affordable entry-level option.
? Microsoft 365 Business Standard
- Everything in Basic plus desktop apps.
- Best for businesses that need full Office desktop apps along with collaboration services.
? Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Everything in Standard plus advanced security & device management.
- Includes Intune, Defender for Business, Conditional Access, email archiving, litigation hold.
- Best for businesses needing enhanced security & compliance.
? Microsoft 365 Apps for Business
- Desktop apps + OneDrive only.
- No email, Teams, or SharePoint.
- Best for businesses who only need the Office suite without collaboration tools.
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article