Does Microsoft 365 Work for Chromebook Users?

Microsoft's decision to rebrand and offer various pricing plans for Microsoft 365 has made it confusing for many consumers, especially those who use Chromebooks. The complexity in the pricing and feature offerings can be overwhelming, but let's break it down to help you decide if Microsoft 365 is right for you.

Overview of Microsoft 365 Pricing Plans

Microsoft 365 offers several pricing plans, each with different features to cater to various user needs. Here's a breakdown of the available plans:

1. Microsoft 365 Free (formerly Office Online)

This plan is the entry-level and free tier. It includes:

Web versions of Microsoft Office apps, similar to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides 5GB of OneDrive cloud storage Free personal Microsoft account email inbox

2. Microsoft 365 Basic

For a $2 monthly subscription, this plan offers:

Same features as the free tier 100GB of cloud storage Ad-free email—a label that might be misleading, as ads in free Outlook email accounts are typically not an issue

3. Microsoft 365 Personal

This plan, costing $7 monthly, provides:

Full desktop versions of Microsoft Office apps 1TB of cloud storage

Note that this plan is not to be confused with the free personal account included in the free tier.

4. Microsoft 365 Family

The Family plan, costing $10 monthly, includes everything in the Personal plan plus additional features:

Full desktop versions of Microsoft Office apps (for up to 6 family members) 6TB of cloud storage (1TB per user)

Implications for Chromebook Users

Chromebooks, being primarily based on the Chrome OS, lack native support for full versions of Microsoft Office apps. This makes the use of Microsoft 365 more challenging for Chromebook users. Here's how the different pricing plans impact Chromebook users:

Microsoft 365 Free and Basic

While the free tier (Microsoft 365 Free) and the Basic plan offer a good starting point with web-based Office apps, the limited cloud storage (5GB and 100GB, respectively) may be insufficient for users who frequently collaborate on documents or store large files.

Microsoft 365 Personal

For users who need full desktop versions of Microsoft Office apps, the Personal plan is the best option. However, the lack of native support on Chrome OS means these apps might not run optimally. Fortunately, there are third-party apps and virtual machines that can help bridge this gap. Cloud storage is ample at 1TB, which should be sufficient for most users.

Microsoft 365 Family

The Family plan is ideal for households where multiple family members need access to full Office apps and more cloud storage. With 6TB of total cloud storage, there's plenty of room for all users to store files and collaborate effectively.

Conclusion

While Microsoft 365 offers robust features and a wide range of pricing options, the major hurdle for Chromebook users lies in the ability to run full desktop versions of Office apps. Third-party solutions and virtual machines can help overcome this limitation, but users should carefully evaluate their needs and budget before choosing a plan.

Ultimately, if you prioritize native Office applications and substantial cloud storage, the Microsoft 365 Personal or Family plans are worth considering. However, if you're mainly looking for web-based Office apps and limited cloud storage, the free or Basic tiers may suffice.