Microsoft 365 Personal Review: Is the Yearly Plan Still Worth It?
Part of The Remote Work Travel Guide: Set Up an Office Anywhere
What we liked
- Full desktop Office apps
- 1TB OneDrive included
- Works across Windows, Mac and mobile
What we didn't
- Annual price has crept up
- Copilot extras vary by plan
- One user only
Quick take
I bought Microsoft 365 Personal on the yearly plan. For full Word and Excel plus 1TB of cloud storage, it’s still a solid deal.
Where to get it: Microsoft 365 Personal on the official site (typically about $100 a year on the annual plan).
What it is
One person gets the desktop and mobile Office apps, Outlook, 1TB of OneDrive and Microsoft’s AI features where included.
Where it fits in remote work
Clients still send Word documents and Excel models. Having the real apps avoids formatting surprises, and OneDrive backs up work while you move between countries.
“Use the tools your clients use. It saves a lot of awkward fixes.”
Reggie R.
How it compares
- Google Workspace. Browser-first, great for collaboration.
- LibreOffice. Free, formatting differences.
- Microsoft 365 Family. Up to six people.
Backing up work while traveling
Cloud backup plus a fast flash drive covers you if Wi-Fi fails. Storage-heavy users may prefer Google AI Pro’s 5TB.
Price and value
Expect to pay about $100 a year on the annual plan, though prices on the official site move often, so check the current listing before buying. Excellent value for what it does: still the best value for serious Word and Excel users.
How I scored it
The 4.5-out-of-5 score combines my own use with what buyers report across retailers, weighed on value, build quality and how well it fits a travel and remote-work life. Read the full method on the editorial policy page.
3 tips to get the most out of it
- Always pay yearly.
- Turn on OneDrive folder backup.
- Review your subscriptions every quarter. Cancel what you didn’t use.
FAQ
How much is it?
About $100 a year on the annual plan.
How many users?
One.
Does it include storage?
1TB of OneDrive.
Who it’s for (and who should skip it)
Good for heavy Office users. Skip it if Google Docs covers you. Planning more than this one purchase? Start with the Remote Work Travel Guide for the full portable office setup.
Bottom line
Still the best value for serious Word and Excel users.
Our experience, in combination with what others say.
