More and more companies want to purchase Office without the recurring costs of a subscription. Microsoft 365 offers many advantages, but not everyone wants to pay monthly fees. Fortunately, there is also an alternative: a one-time purchase of an Office license. This gives you full control over your licenses, fixed IT costs, and the possibility to use both older and newer versions.
A one-time Office license provides full control over your software, offers predictable IT costs, and is ideal for users who value long-term stability. Moreover, the latest versions, such as Office 2024 Standard, are fully available without a subscription.
One-time licenses: Office available without a subscription
The main advantage of a one-time Office license is that you pay only once and can then use the software indefinitely. Unlike Microsoft 365, which requires monthly or annual subscription fees, a one-time license allows you to keep full control over your IT budget. For businesses and self-employed professionals, this means there are no ongoing costs accumulating year after year. In the long term, this can be significantly more cost-effective than a subscription, especially when the software is used for several years.
Another important difference is that one-time licenses can be used fully offline. You do not need to rely on an internet connection to access Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook. This is particularly valuable for organizations working in secure environments or in locations where internet is not always reliable. Microsoft 365, on the other hand, is strongly focused on Cloud usage and collaboration through online services such as OneDrive and Teams, which may be less practical for those who primarily work locally.
In terms of security, a one-time Office license receives security updates and patches throughout the entire Microsoft support period. This ensures that your systems remain protected against new threats without the need for monthly payments. Microsoft 365 also receives ongoing functional updates, but this comes at the cost of continuous subscription fees.
The main disadvantage of one-time licenses is that you do not receive new features as soon as Microsoft releases them. With Microsoft 365, improvements and new collaboration options are added on a regular basis. This makes Microsoft 365 attractive for companies that rely heavily on intensive Cloud collaboration and always require the latest features. For organizations that prioritize stability, predictable costs, and long-term use, however, a one-time license is often the best choice.
Office 2024: the latest version without a subscription
In 2024, Microsoft released a new LTSC version that will continue to be supported for many years. The official end of support for Office 2024 LTSC has been set for October 9, 2029. This makes Office 2024 the most future-proof choice for organizations that want to invest in reliable software without subscription costs.
Office 2024 is available in various editions, including Home & Student, Home & Business, and Professional. At Softtrader, we focus exclusively on the business market and therefore offer Office 2024 Standard and Office 2024 Professional Plus. These are volume licenses, ideal for businesses and organizations, as we do not sell retail licenses.
The choice between Standard and Professional Plus depends on the needs of your organization. With Professional Plus, you choose the most comprehensive version, while Standard already provides a solid foundation for most business applications. If you want to benefit from the latest features and the longest support, Office 2024 is the best investment.
Office 2021: still a solid choice
Although Office 2024 is the newest and most future-proof version, Office 2021 remains a popular and reliable option. This LTSC version is officially supported by Microsoft until October 13, 2026, which means you are assured of updates and security support for several more years.
Office 2021 is also available in multiple editions, such as Home & Student, Home & Business, and Professional. Just like with Office 2024, Softtrader offers only business volume licenses: Office 2021 Standard and Office 2021 Professional Plus. These editions are particularly suitable for organizations that need stable and proven software at a competitive price.
For companies that want to save costs in the short term while still having a secure solution without subscription fees, Office 2021 remains an excellent choice. At the same time, it is important to keep the 2026 end-of-support date in mind and plan a timely transition to Office 2024.
Office 2019: no longer recommended
Although Office 2019 is still available, at Softtrader we no longer recommend this version for companies and organizations. The reason is that Microsoft’s support is approaching its end. This means that security updates and technical support will only be available for a limited time.
Once support fully ends, Office 2019 will no longer receive security patches. As a result, systems become vulnerable to cyberattacks, malware, and data breaches. For organizations handling confidential data, this can pose major risks in terms of both security and compliance with regulations such as GDPR.
In addition, compatibility problems arise. New software, applications, and integrations are increasingly designed only for more recent Office versions. This can lead to collaboration issues within teams and with external partners already using newer editions. Moreover, IT departments must invest more time and resources to keep outdated software running, increasing overall costs.
In short, continuing to use Office 2019 is not a sustainable choice. For a future-proof and secure solution, we recommend switching directly to Office 2021 or Office 2024, depending on the needs and planning of your organization. Both versions offer several more years of support and integrate seamlessly with modern IT environments.
Softtrader as your supplier
For both businesses and individuals, it is essential to purchase Office from a reliable source. At Softtrader, you will find pre-owned and legitimate Microsoft licenses, including both Office 2021 and the latest Office 2024. This guarantees that you receive a secure, fully supported license at a competitive price, without the risk of illegal keys or malware.
In short, buying Office without a subscription is a smart choice for anyone who wants full control over software costs and certainty about licensing. With a one-time purchase, you immediately have access to all necessary applications without recurring costs. For a safe and reliable purchase, Softtrader is the trusted partner.
FAQ
Is a pre-owned Office license legal in the EU?
Yes. Within the European Union, trading in used software licenses is fully legal, provided that the license was originally acquired lawfully within the EU and the first user no longer uses the software. The European Court of Justice has confirmed this. Softtrader supplies only legitimate, pre-owned licenses that comply with these requirements.
Which documents do I receive with my purchase (transfer declaration, invoice, origin)?
You receive the license document and the invoice. Together, these provide sufficient legal evidence in the event of an audit.
Does Office LTSC work without internet?
Yes. Office LTSC (2021 and 2024) can be used fully offline. Only the activation of the license requires an internet connection or a KMS connection within your network. After activation, the software runs without internet, which is ideal for secure environments.
Do I receive security updates, and for how long?
Yes. During Microsoft’s support period, you receive security updates and patches:
Office 2021 LTSC is supported until October 13, 2026
Office 2024 LTSC is supported until October 9, 2029
What are the system requirements and activation method?
Both Office 2021 and 2024 require Windows 10 or higher and a modern PC with at least 4 GB of RAM and 4 GB of free disk space. Softtrader supplies only volume licenses, suitable for business use. These are activated via MAK or KMS.
Can I upgrade to Office 2024 later?
You can switch from Office 2021 to Office 2024 at any time by purchasing a new license. This is not a free upgrade.
What is the difference between Standard and Professional Plus?
Office Standard: includes core applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Publisher.
Office Professional Plus: includes all Standard features, supplemented with Access, Teams, and advanced integration options. This edition is ideal for organizations with an extensive IT infrastructure.
Does this work with Exchange/SharePoint on-prem?
Yes. Both Office 2021 Standard/Professional Plus and Office 2024 Standard/Professional Plus support integration with on-premises servers such as Exchange and SharePoint.
How does an audit work, and how does Softtrader help?
During a software audit, an organization must demonstrate that its licenses have been legally acquired. Softtrader provides all required documentation, including the license document and invoice. This allows you to easily prove that your software is compliant.
