Microsoft 365 is a suite of productivity and collaboration tools that can greatly benefit businesses of all sizes. Among other benefits, probably the most significant is the productivity that comes with its ability to work in a BYOD – bring your own device – environment, with tablets and and other devices, offering the ability to collaborate both within and outside of your organization and be productive on any device.
When it comes to choosing the right version of Microsoft 365 for your business, there are two main options to consider: Microsoft 365 for Business vs. Enterprise.
While both versions of Office share some similarities, they are designed to meet different needs and come with different features, pricing models, and support options.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the key differences between Microsoft 365 Business vs. Enterprise plans, to help you determine which one is the right fit for your business.
Microsoft 365 Business vs. Enterprise: A Closer Look
Did you know that over 92% of companies now use cloud-based services as a way to streamline productivity, achieve advanced threat protection, and safely exchange online information?
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When it comes to choosing between Microsoft 365 Enterprise vs. Business, however, it’s important to take a look at the main differences between the two so you know that you’re getting the solution that best meets your organization’s needs.
It’s also important to consider other alternatives outside of Microsoft. For instance, Microsoft’s Business Class suite of products serves as a robust competitor to Google Workspaces. When determining what solution best meets your needs, you’ll want to consider:
1. Features and Capabilities
The first and most obvious difference between Microsoft 365 Enterprise vs. Business is their features and capabilities.
Microsoft 365 for Business is designed to meet the needs of small to medium-sized businesses with up to 300 users. It includes a range of essential productivity and collaboration tools, such as:
- Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote
- Microsoft Outlook for email and calendaring
- Microsoft Teams for chat, meetings, and collaboration
- SharePoint for document management and collaboration with specific plans
- OneDrive for cloud storage (used by approximately 85% of Fortune 500 companies)
Microsoft 365 for Business also comes with various security features, such as Microsoft advanced threat analytics device management, and data protection.
How do Microsoft 365 apps for Business vs. Enterprise compare?
Whereas 365 Business is designed for smaller organizations with up to 300 users, Microsoft 365 Enterprise is designed for larger organizations with more complex needs.
At the higher tiers, it includes all the features and capabilities of Microsoft 365 for Business, as well as additional tools and services designed to meet the needs of larger enterprises. These include:
- Power BI for data analytics and visualization
- Power Apps for creating custom business apps
- Integration with Dynamics 365 for Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Enterprise Mobility + Security for advanced security and management of devices and data
At the lower tiers, we have significantly reduced costs and support for front line employees who work purely on mobile devices. In weighing out the differences between Microsoft 365 apps for Enterprise vs. Business, it’s important to note that Microsoft 365 Enterprise also includes advanced compliance and data governance capabilities, such as eDiscovery, archiving, and legal hold, to help enterprises meet their regulatory and legal obligations.
Check out these additional resources to learn more about the difference between Microsoft 365 apps for Business vs. Enterprise.
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2. Pricing Model
Another key difference between Microsoft 365 Business vs. Microsoft 365 Enterprise is their pricing model.
Microsoft 365 for Business is available in three different plans, each with its own pricing and features:
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6 per user per month, includes web and mobile versions of Microsoft apps, email hosting, and OneDrive storage.
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 per user per month, includes all Basic features plus desktop versions of Microsoft apps, Teams, and SharePoint.
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium: Office 365 business premium is $22 per user per month, includes all Standard features plus advanced security and device management capabilities.
(Pricing at time of writing)
All of these plans require an annual commitment and offer discounts for businesses with larger numbers of users.For companies with seasonality, we can purchase monthly terms for greater flexibility at a slightly higher cost.
Watch Out: Did You Know That Microsoft Won’t Bundle Teams with Office in the Future? |
So how do Microsoft 365 Business vs. Enterprise compare in terms of pricing/plans?
Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans are available in two different versions, Microsoft Office 365 E3 and E5, each with its own pricing and features:
- Microsoft 365 E3: $36 per user per month, includes all Microsoft 365 for Business features plus Power BI, Power Apps including Power Bi-Pro, integration with Dynamics 365, and advanced security and compliance capabilities.
- Microsoft 365 E5: $57 per user per month, includes all E3 features plus advanced analytics, voice capabilities, and additional security and compliance capabilities.
(Pricing at time of writing)
Both of these plans require an annual commitment and offer discounts for businesses with larger numbers of users.
In comparing Microsoft 365 for Business vs. Enterprise, it is clear that 365 Enterprise plans are significantly more expensive than 365 Business, but they also include more features and capabilities that may be necessary for enterprises.
Having Trouble Deciding Which is Right for You?Let the Technology Experts Help You Decide – and Leverage Competitive Pricing! |
3. Support and Service Level Agreements
The service level agreements (SLAs) for Microsoft 365 Business vs. Enterprise plans differ in a few key ways. These service levels are aligned to what Microsoft has experienced with customer demand. Global companies need a certain level of support, whereas smaller companies need the value of the phone and online support.
Firstly, the uptime SLA for Microsoft 365 Business is 99.9%, which means that the service should be available and functioning for at least 99.9% of the time. If Microsoft fails to meet this SLA, customers may be eligible for service credits.
For Microsoft 365 Enterprise, the uptime SLA is also 99.9%, but it also comes with an additional financially backed service level agreement for certain services. This means that if Microsoft fails to meet the SLA for those services, customers may be eligible for a service credit of 25% to 100% of their monthly service fees.
In addition to the uptime SLA, both Microsoft 365 Business and Microsoft 365 Enterprise offer support options to customers.
Microsoft 365 Business comes with basic support options, such as phone and online support, and customers can purchase additional support options for an extra fee.
Microsoft 365 Enterprise, on the other hand, comes with more advanced support options, including 24/7 phone support for critical issues, and access to a dedicated support team.
Check out this graph to compare the key SLA differences between Microsoft 365 Business vs. Enterprise.
Microsoft 365 Business vs. Microsoft 365 Enterprise SLAs | |
Microsoft 365 Business | Microsoft 365 Enterprise |
99.99% uptime guarantee | 99.99% uptime guarantee |
Eligible for service credits if uptime guarantee is not met | Eligible for 25% to 100% of monthly service fees if uptime guarantee is not met |
Basic phone and online support | 24/7 phone support |
Additional support is not included | Access to a dedicated support team |
No financially backed guarantees aside from uptime guarantee | Additional financially backed service level guarantees for other services |
Microsoft 365 Business vs. Enterprise Plans: Which Is Right For You?
In taking a look at the differences between Microsoft 365 Business vs. Enterprise, it becomes evident that there is no one size fits all solution for any organization.
It all comes down to choosing the solution that best fits your needs.
While there are differences between Microsoft 365 apps for Enterprise vs. business, as well as different pricing structures and SLA guarantees to consider, Buchanan is here to help you understand which version will bring the highest degree of value to your core business operations.
With 30+ years in business and a 100% satisfaction guarantee as provided in our SLA agreements, you’ll ensure you’re in good hands to make growth-driving technology decisions – get in touch today to get started.
