Review: Is Microsoft 365 Still Worth It for Personal Use?
Remember the old days? If you wanted to type a letter or make a spreadsheet, you went to a store, bought a box with a CD inside, and paid a one-time fee of $150 or more. You installed “Microsoft Office,” and it lived on your computer forever.
Those days are gone. The world has moved to subscriptions. Now, Microsoft wants you to pay them a monthly or yearly fee for something called Microsoft 365.
For many people, adding another monthly bill feels annoying. We already pay for Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime. So, the big question in 2025 is simple: Is Microsoft 365 actually worth the money? Or should you just stick to free tools like Google Docs?
In this review, we will break down exactly what you get, how much it costs, and whether it is a smart financial decision for you and your family.
What Exactly is Microsoft 365?
First, let’s clear up the confusion. Microsoft changed the name a few years ago. It used to be called “Office 365.” Now, it is “Microsoft 365.”
When you subscribe, you are not just buying a word processor. You are buying into an ecosystem. Here is the main bundle you get:
- Premium Apps: You get the full, installed versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook on your PC, Mac, and phone.
- Cloud Storage: This is the big one. You get 1 TB (1,000 GB) of OneDrive cloud storage.
- Security: You get Microsoft Defender for identity protection and device security.
- Extras: Video editing tools (Clipchamp), advanced grammar checking (Microsoft Editor), and ad-free email.
It is important to know that this is a “cloud-first” service. It is designed to sync your files across your laptop, your tablet, and your phone automatically.
The Pricing: Breaking Down the Cost
To decide if it is worth it, we have to look at the price tag. Microsoft generally offers two main plans for home users:
1. Microsoft 365 Personal
- Cost: Approximately $69.99 per year (or $6.99/month).
- For: 1 person.
- Storage: 1 TB of OneDrive storage.
- Devices: You can sign in on up to 5 devices at once.
2. Microsoft 365 Family (The “Secret” Value)
- Cost: Approximately $99.99 per year (or $9.99/month).
- For: Up to 6 people.
- Storage: 6 TB total (1 TB for each person).
- Devices: Each person can use it on 5 devices.
The Math: If you buy the Family plan and share it with just one other person, it is already cheaper than the Personal plan. If you share it with five other family members or friends, the cost drops to about $16 per person, per year.
The Apps: Are They Still the Kings?
There are many free alternatives today, but Microsoft’s core apps are still the standard for the world. Let’s look at how they perform in 2025.
Microsoft Word
Word is still the best writing app, period. While Google Docs is great for quick notes, Word handles big documents better. If you are writing a book, a thesis, or a resume with complex formatting, Word is necessary. The “Editor” feature has also improved. It doesn’t just check spelling; it checks your tone and clarity, acting like a digital writing coach.
Microsoft Excel
For 90% of people, Google Sheets is “good enough.” But for the other 10% who love data, Excel is unbeatable. It is faster, handles more rows of data without crashing, and has better charts. If you work in finance or run a small business, you need Excel.
Microsoft PowerPoint
PowerPoint used to be boring, but the new “Designer” feature is amazing. You drop a few photos and some text onto a slide, and the AI automatically generates professional layouts for you. It makes regular people look like graphic designers.
The Hidden Gem: OneDrive Storage
This is the part of the review that usually changes people’s minds. Forget about Word and Excel for a moment. Let’s talk about Cloud Storage.
In 2025, our phones are full of high-quality photos and 4K videos. We need a place to back them up.
- Apple iCloud charges about $9.99/month for 2TB.
- Google One charges about $9.99/month for 2TB.
Microsoft 365 Personal gives you 1TB for $6.99/month, plus you get all the Office apps included.
Microsoft 365 Family is an even crazier deal. You get 6TB of total storage for $9.99/month. There is almost no other company offering 6,000 GB of storage for ten dollars.
If you are already paying for Dropbox or iCloud storage, switching to Microsoft 365 might actually save you money, and you get the Office apps as a free bonus.
The “Personal Vault” Feature
OneDrive also includes a feature called “Personal Vault.” This is a special folder inside your cloud storage that requires a second step to unlock (like a fingerprint, face scan, or a code sent to your phone). It is the perfect place to store digital copies of your passport, tax returns, and insurance papers.
The “New” Additions: Defender and Clipchamp
Microsoft knows that people don’t just type documents anymore. They have added new tools to sweeten the deal.
Microsoft Defender
In the past, Defender was just a simple antivirus. Now, it is a security dashboard for your whole family. You can install the Defender app on your iPhone or Android. It warns you about dangerous links and can even monitor the dark web to see if your identity has been stolen. For parents, it acts as a central hub to see the security status of their kids’ devices.
Clipchamp
Video is everywhere. Clipchamp is Microsoft’s video editor. It is surprisingly easy to use. If you need to make a quick video for Instagram, YouTube, or a school project, it is much easier than learning professional software like Adobe Premiere. It comes with templates, stock audio, and filters included in your subscription.
The Competition: Why Not Use Google?
We cannot write this review without mentioning the biggest rival: Google Workspace (Google Docs, Sheets, Drive).
Google’s tools are free. You just need a Gmail account. For many people, “free” is the only price that matters.
Where Google Wins:
- Collaboration: If you need three people to type in the same document at the same time, Google Docs still feels slightly smoother and faster than Word.
- Simplicity: There is nothing to install. It just works in your web browser.
Where Microsoft Wins:
- Offline Work: Google Docs is painful to use without the internet. Microsoft apps live on your hard drive. You can write on a plane, in a cabin, or during an internet outage with zero issues.
- Formatting: Have you ever opened a Microsoft Word file in Google Docs and seen the pictures jump to the wrong place? Compatibility is a big issue. If your school or job uses Word, using Google Docs can cause formatting headaches.
Who Is Microsoft 365 For?
After testing the features and crunching the numbers, here is the breakdown of who should buy it and who should skip it.
1. The Family Manager (BUY IT)
If you have a partner and kids, the Family Plan is a no-brainer. You get 6TB of storage to backup everyone’s iPhone/Android photos automatically. You get identity protection for everyone. And everyone gets their own private Office apps. It is the best value in tech.
2. The College Student (CHECK FIRST)
You definitely need Office for school. However, do not buy it yet. Most universities give Microsoft 365 to students for free. Check with your school’s IT department. If they don’t provide it, the Personal plan is necessary for your papers.
3. The Freelancer / Solopreneur (BUY IT)
If you run a business, you cannot risk losing your data. The 1TB OneDrive backup and the professional look of Word documents are essential. Plus, the Excel features are necessary for tracking your taxes and expenses.
4. The “Casual” User (SKIP IT)
If you only write a letter once a year to your grandma, or you only need to make a simple budget list, do not pay $70 a year. Use Google Docs or the free web version of Office Online. They are free and will do exactly what you need.
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
In 2025, Microsoft 365 is absolutely worth it, but mostly for the storage.
If you look at it just as “paying for Word,” it seems expensive. But if you look at it as “buying a massive, secure hard drive in the cloud that also comes with the world’s best productivity software,” it is a bargain.
The Smart Move: Don’t buy the Personal plan if you can avoid it. Find a friend, a sibling, or a roommate and split the cost of the Family Plan. For less than the price of one coffee a month per person, you get enterprise-grade software and enough storage to keep every photo you ever take safe forever.
Microsoft has successfully shifted from being a “software company” to being a “peace of mind” company. You are paying for the safety of your files and the ability to work from anywhere, on any device. For most of us, that peace of mind is worth the price of admission.
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