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Is Microsoft 365 Worth It in 2026? Our Honest Verdict
Enterprise Standard
Microsoft 365: Still the enterprise standard for a reason.
Rating★ 4.5/5
Starting price$6/user/mo (Business Basic)
Best forEnterprises and teams needing desktop Of
CategoryCloud Storage & Collaboration
Who Microsoft 365 Is Worth It For
- ✓Enterprises and teams needing desktop Office apps
- ✓Desktop apps are still best-in-class
- ✓Excel has no real competitor
- ✓Copilot AI is powerful
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- ✕Not ideal for startups on a budget who can use google workspace
- ✕More expensive than Google Workspace
- ✕Can feel bloated
- ✕Teams UX divides opinion
Is Microsoft 365 Pricing Fair?
| Tier | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | Free web apps (limited) |
| Starter | $6/user/mo (Business Basic) |
| Pro | $12.50/user/mo (Business Standard) |
| Enterprise | $22/user/mo (Business Premium) |
Pricing verified March 2026.
How Microsoft 365 Compares
| Microsoft 365 | Capacities | Miro | Excalidraw | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $6/user/mo (Business Basic) | $8.99/mo | $8/member/mo | Free |
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.7 |
| Verdict | Recommended | Best Collaborative Whiteboard | Best Free Whiteboard | |
| Free Tier |
AICores Verdict on Microsoft 365
Still the enterprise standard for a reason. Excel is irreplaceable, Teams has won the enterprise chat war, and Copilot AI is genuinely impressive. If your clients use it, you should too.
AICores Editorial Review
Reviewed by AICores Editorial Team
Last updated: May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microsoft 365 worth the money?▼
Still the enterprise standard for a reason. Excel is irreplaceable, Teams has won the enterprise chat war, and Copilot AI is genuinely impressive. If your clients use it, you should too.
Is there a free version of Microsoft 365?▼
Yes, Microsoft 365 offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $6/user/mo (Business Basic) and include additional features and capacity.
What are the best alternatives to Microsoft 365?▼
Capacities, Miro, Excalidraw are the top alternatives. Capacities is best for knowledge workers who want their notes naturally organized by information type and has a 4.7 star rating.
Who should NOT use Microsoft 365?▼
Microsoft 365 is not ideal for startups on a budget who can use google workspace. Common drawbacks include: More expensive than Google Workspace. Can feel bloated.
Compare Microsoft 365 head-to-head
See how Microsoft 365 stacks up against the top alternatives.
Microsoft 365 vs Capacities→