A Comprehensive Comparison: Microsoft 365 Business Standard vs. Microsoft 365 Business Premium
In the modern digital age, businesses rely on powerful tools to improve productivity, collaboration, and security. Microsoft has established itself as a leading provider of business solutions, offering a range of plans under the Microsoft 365 suite that cater to organizations of all sizes. Two of the most popular plans are Microsoft 365 business standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium. For businesses seeking to enhance their digital infrastructure, understanding the differences between these two plans is essential for making the right decision. In this blog, we’ll dive into the key features, pricing, and benefits of both plans, with a specific focus on which option is best suited for your business needs.
What is Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based suite of productivity tools that includes familiar applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as powerful cloud services such as OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint. These tools are designed to help businesses improve collaboration, communication, and efficiency.
Choosing between Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 business premium depends on the unique requirements of your organization, such as the need for advanced security features, remote work capabilities, and specific collaboration tools.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
Microsoft 365 Business Standard is one of the most popular plans for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It offers a comprehensive set of tools that empower employees to work from anywhere, collaborate effectively, and access essential apps and services both online and offline.
Key Features of Microsoft 365 Business Standard
- Desktop and Web Versions of Office Applications One of the major advantages of the Business Standard plan is that it includes both web-based and desktop versions of Microsoft’s core applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. This flexibility ensures that your employees can work seamlessly across devices, whether in the office or on the go.
- Microsoft Teams for Communication and Collaboration Microsoft Teams is a powerful communication and collaboration tool included in the Business Standard plan. It combines video conferencing, messaging, and file sharing into a single platform, making it easier for teams to stay connected, even when working remotely. With the increasing demand for remote work solutions, Teams is an essential tool for modern businesses.
- 1TB of OneDrive Cloud Storage Each user gets 1TB of cloud storage through OneDrive, allowing them to securely store, share, and collaborate on files in real-time. This feature enhances teamwork by ensuring that everyone has access to the latest version of documents and can co-author files with ease.
- Business-Class Email with Exchange Microsoft 365 Business Standard also includes business-class email with Exchange, providing each user with a 50GB mailbox and the ability to send attachments up to 150MB. You can use a custom domain for your business email, adding a professional touch to your communications.
- SharePoint for Document Management SharePoint is another key tool included in the Business Standard plan. It allows businesses to create internal websites for sharing documents, collaborating on projects, and managing workflows. It’s especially useful for organizations that need a centralized platform to store and manage information.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
For businesses that require more advanced features, especially in terms of security and device management, Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers a robust solution. In addition to everything provided in the Business Standard plan, Business Premium comes with advanced security features and device management tools that help protect sensitive business data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
Key Features of Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Advanced Threat Protection One of the standout features of Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the inclusion of advanced security tools such as Microsoft Defender and Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection. These tools help protect your business from sophisticated cyber threats, including phishing attacks, malware, and ransomware. This level of protection is essential for businesses handling sensitive data or operating in highly regulated industries.
- Azure Information Protection Azure Information Protection is another critical security feature available in the Business Premium plan. It helps businesses classify and protect sensitive data by applying labels to documents and emails. These labels control who can access certain information and how it can be shared, providing an extra layer of protection for confidential business data.
- Intune for Device Management Microsoft 365 Business Premium also includes Microsoft Intune, a powerful tool for managing devices across your organization. With Intune, you can remotely configure security policies, ensure that devices meet compliance requirements, and wipe data from lost or stolen devices. This feature is particularly useful for businesses with a remote workforce or for those that provide employees with mobile devices.
- Conditional Access and Identity Protection To further enhance security, Business Premium offers conditional access and identity protection features through Azure Active Directory. These tools allow businesses to set specific conditions for accessing company resources, such as requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) or blocking access from certain geographical locations.
- Windows Virtual Desktop For businesses that require remote work solutions, Business Premium also includes Windows Virtual Desktop. This service allows employees to access their desktop environment and applications from anywhere, providing a seamless remote work experience.
Comparing Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium
While both Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium offer essential tools for productivity and collaboration, the primary difference between the two plans lies in their security and device management features.
Which Plan is Right for Your Business?
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard is ideal for businesses that need access to essential productivity tools and collaboration features but do not require advanced security or device management. This plan is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective solution to enhance workflow and communication.
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the better option for organizations that handle sensitive data, operate in regulated industries, or have a large remote workforce. Its advanced security features and device management capabilities make it ideal for businesses that need to ensure compliance and protect against cyber threats.
Pricing Considerations
The pricing for both plans is competitive, with Microsoft 365 Business Standard generally being more affordable. However, businesses should carefully consider their security needs and the potential cost of a data breach or cyber attack. Investing in Microsoft 365 Business Premium may seem more expensive initially, but the additional security and device management features can provide long-term savings by preventing costly security incidents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium are both powerful solutions designed to meet the needs of modern businesses. While the Business Standard plan offers a comprehensive set of productivity tools for small to medium-sized businesses, the Business Premium plan provides additional security and device management features that are essential for organizations handling sensitive data or operating in highly regulated industries.
Choosing between the two plans ultimately depends on your business’s specific needs and priorities. If you require robust security, device management, and compliance features, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the clear choice. However, if your business is focused primarily on collaboration and productivity without the need for advanced security features, Microsoft 365 Business Standard offers excellent value for money.
To learn more about these plans and choose the best option for your business, visit Cloud Galaxy.