Office 2019, Office 2021 and Office 2024 are Microsoft's three perpetual versions of the Office suite: a one-time purchase, with no subscription. But which one should you choose in 2026? This guide compares the three licenses (apps, modernity, support lifetime) and points you to the right one for your profile. For a version-by-version overview, see the Office 2019 vs 2021 vs 2024 hub.
Three perpetual licenses, one purchase
All three editions share the same principle: you pay once and use the suite indefinitely on your PC, with no monthly fees. They all include the desktop apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and depending on the edition Access and Publisher). Once activated, they work offline and rely on no online service.
None of the three includes Copilot or the continuous generative AI of Microsoft 365: those features stay tied to the subscription. So choosing between 2019, 2021 and 2024 is not about AI, but about two concrete criteria detailed below.
The two criteria that really matter
1. Support lifetime
This is the most important point. A perpetual license stays usable even after its support ends, but it then no longer receives security updates. Office 2019 reached end of support in October 2025, Office 2021 is covered until October 2026, and Office 2024 until October 2029. The more recent the version, the further you push back the security-update deadline.
2. How modern the applications are
Each version freezes the applications at a point in time. Office 2024 offers the most recent versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, with new features (notably in spreadsheets) missing from earlier editions. Office 2021 sits in the middle, and Office 2019 is the oldest. For everyday office work, all three are enough; if you use the latest functions, 2024 has the edge.
Comparison table: Office 2019 vs 2021 vs 2024
| Criterion | Office 2019 | Office 2021 | Office 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook |
| App modernity | Oldest | In between | Most recent |
| End of support | October 2025 (ended) | October 2026 | October 2029 |
| Price positioning | Most affordable | In between | Newest |
| Compatibility | Windows 10 and 11 | Windows 10 and 11 | Windows 10 and 11 |
Office 2024: who is it for?
Office 2024 is the most recent version and the one with the longest support, guaranteed until October 2029. It is the default choice if you want to invest once and stay covered for as long as possible, with the most up-to-date applications.
- Freelancers and small businesses that keep their machines for years
- Demanding home users who want the most future-proof version
- Anyone who prioritises longevity and long-term security
See the Office 2024 Professional Plus page for details and activation.
Office 2021: who is it for?
Office 2021 remains a solid compromise: recent applications and support guaranteed until October 2026. It is a sensible option if your budget is tighter and you do not need the very latest version, keeping in mind that its support ends earlier than Office 2024.
- A mid-range budget, with no need for the very latest features
- Refreshing a fairly recent set of machines
- Standard office use over a few years
See the Office 2021 Professional Plus page.
Office 2019: who is it for?
Office 2019 is the most affordable, but let us be honest: its support ended in October 2025. It no longer receives security updates. It only makes sense in specific cases:
- A very small budget, on a secondary, low-exposure machine
- Compatibility with an existing setup or existing files
- An offline backup machine or very occasional use
For a main, long-lasting setup, Office 2021 or 2024 is a better pick. See the Office 2019 Professional Plus page.
Conclusion: which version should you choose?
In short: Office 2024 by default (the most modern, supported until 2029), Office 2021 if budget comes first (a good compromise until 2026), and Office 2019 only for a specific case, bearing in mind that its support has ended. The simple rule: start from Office 2024, and only step down to 2021 or 2019 if a specific constraint (budget, compatibility) justifies it. To compare in even more detail, see the Office 2019 vs 2021 vs 2024 hub.