Microsoft 365 Business Plans: A Deep Dive into Options

Choosing the right Microsoft 365 business plan is critical for organisations looking to optimise productivity, integrate cloud services, and boost collaboration. Microsoft offers a structured tier of business plans tailored to the needs of small to mid-sized businesses. Whether you're a startup, a growing SME, or an established enterprise, understanding what each plan offers can save you time, money, and headaches down the line.

What is Microsoft 365 for Business?

Microsoft 365 for Business is a subscription-based service that provides access to all the essential productivity tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook, while offering cloud storage, advanced security, and device management. Designed for businesses with up to 300 users, these plans provide the flexibility and power today's hybrid workforce demands.

An Overview of the Microsoft 365 Business Plans

Microsoft currently offers the following business plans:

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic

• Microsoft 365 Business Standard

• Microsoft 365 Business Premium

• Microsoft 365 Apps for Business

1. Microsoft 365 Business Basic

This plan is perfect for businesses that primarily operate online and don’t require installed desktop versions of Office apps. It includes:

• Web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• 1 TB OneDrive cloud storage

• Microsoft Teams for chat and video conferencing

• Outlook (web only) with 50GB mailbox

• SharePoint and Exchange Online

Who it's for: Businesses that need basic collaboration tools with minimal local resource dependency.

2. Microsoft 365 Business Standard

This is the most popular option for growing businesses that require the full Office experience. It includes everything from the Business Basic plan, plus:

• Desktop versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

• Booking and MileIQ

• Access to Office on up to 5 devices per user

• Business-class email hosting

Who it's for: Ideal for businesses requiring complete Office applications on both desktop and mobile, with email hosting and scheduling tools.

3. Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Business Premium includes all features of Business Standard, plus advanced security and device management features:

• Microsoft Defender for Business

• Azure Information Protection

• Intune for mobile device and application management

• Advanced threat protection for emails and files

Who it's for: Companies with more stringent compliance requirements, hybrid workforces, or those handling sensitive information.

4. Microsoft 365 Apps for Business

This plan strips away collaboration tools to focus exclusively on Office apps, making it ideal for specific use-cases:

• Desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

• 1 TB OneDrive storage

• No Teams, Exchange, SharePoint, or other services

Who it's for: Businesses that need Office desktop apps but already use other tools for communication and collaboration.

Price Comparison of Microsoft 365 Business Plans

Below is a snapshot of current per-user monthly pricing (subject to change):

• Business Basic: £4.50/user/month

• Business Standard: £9.40/user/month

• Business Premium: £16.60/user/month

• Apps for Business: £7.90/user/month

These prices can vary, and volume licensing or annual commitments may offer discounted rates. It's always a good idea to consult with a Microsoft partner like Circuit Minds to ensure you're selecting the most cost-effective plan for your needs.

Key Differences Between the Plans

Feature	Business Basic	Business Standard	Business Premium	Apps for Business
Office Apps (Desktop)	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Microsoft Teams	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Email Hosting	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Advanced Security	No	No	Yes	No
Device Management	No	No	Yes	No

How to Choose the Right Microsoft 365 Business Plan

When deciding which Microsoft 365 business plan suits your organisation, consider the following key factors:

• Team size: Larger teams benefit from collaboration and security features found in Business Premium.

• Workstyle: If your team operates remotely, Teams and cloud-based services are essential.

• Compliance & cybersecurity: Businesses handling sensitive data should opt for Business Premium for its zero-trust security architecture.

• Software requirements: If desktop Office apps are a must, Basic won’t fit your needs.

• Integration: Do your current systems align well with Microsoft's tools, or will you need third-party integrations?

Final Thoughts

Every business is different, and Microsoft 365’s flexibility is part of what makes it such a popular choice. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling rapidly, selecting the right plan can enhance productivity, fortify your security, and support modern work requirements.

Need help choosing the best plan or deploying Microsoft 365 across your business? Circuit Minds specialises in Microsoft 365 consultation and deployment for small to medium organisations—making onboarding seamless and optimised for long-term success.

👉 Book a free consultation to learn how Circuit Minds can help you.