Introduction
Microsoft 365 has long been a staple for businesses, students, and home users. But now, recent price hikes make many wonder if it’s still a good deal. Microsoft is raising subscription fees, and many users feel frustrated. The free version now has annoying ads, which adds to their disappointment. Limitations and interruptions can make it tough for users who rely on Office apps every day.
WPS Office offers a complete set of office tools. It has no subscription fees or annoying ads. This article looks at the Microsoft 365 price hike. It also covers the drawbacks of its free version. Also, it shows why WPS Office is a tough competitor. It offers premium features for free.
Microsoft 365 Price Increase: What’s New?
Microsoft 365 has a new pricing structure. This change affects both individuals and organizations. Below is a detailed comparison of the price changes for different plans:
Plan |
Previous Price |
New Price |
Microsoft 365 Personal |
$69.99/year |
$79.99/year |
Microsoft 365 Family |
$99.99/year |
$109.99/year |
Microsoft 365 Business Basic |
$6/user/month |
$7/user/month |
Microsoft 365 Business Standard |
$12.50/user/month |
$13.50/user/month |
Microsoft 365 Business Premium |
$22/user/month |
$23/user/month |
Businesses that operate on a large scale face bigger financial impacts. They have to pay for many licenses.
The new pricing structure forces many to reconsider their options. The Microsoft 365 Family plan has increased by 14%. Now, users pay $10 more each year for the same features. Businesses paying for multiple accounts experience a notable rise in expenses.
Stop Overpaying for Microsoft 365 – Try These Cost-Saving Tips
Stop Overpaying for Microsoft 365 – Try These Cost-Saving Tips to optimize your subscription. First, check your real needs. Many businesses spend too much on licenses and features they don’t use. Consider Microsoft 365 Business Basic if you don’t need advanced tools. Review your billing cycle; annual plans often cost less than monthly ones. Remove inactive users to free up licenses and avoid unnecessary charges. Take advantage of Microsoft 365 discounts, such as nonprofit, education, or volume pricing. Use shared mailboxes instead of assigning full licenses to reduce costs. Look at third-party options for email security or storage if they cost less. Conduct audits of your plan at set intervals to verify that you are paying only for what you truly use. These tips can help you cut costs and still enjoy the great tools of Microsoft 365.
The Downsides of Microsoft’s Free Version
Microsoft has a free version of its Office suite, but it has major drawbacks. One major frustration for users is ads. They interrupt workflows and cause distractions. Here are the key issues with the free version:
-
Ads in the Free Version
- Users often see banner ads and pop-ups when they work on documents, spreadsheets, or presentations.
- These ads break concentration and make the interface cluttered.
-
Limited Cloud Storage
- The free version offers 5GB of OneDrive storage. This fills up fast for users with large files.
- Google Drive offers 15GB for free, which makes Microsoft’s offer less competitive.
-
Feature Restrictions
- Some advanced features are behind a paywall. These include AI tools, premium templates, and collaboration options.
- Offline access is limited. This makes it hard for users without steady internet.
With these restrictions, the free version of Microsoft 365 is no longer a viable option for many. WPS Office is a great choice for a full, free office suite.
WPS Office: A Free and Powerful Alternative
WPS Office is a complete office suite. It’s a great choice to Microsoft 365. It provides strong tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Plus, you won’t face very costs or cessation. Here are some of the key offers that make WPS Office stand out:
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Word Processor (Alternative to Word)
- Offers rich text formatting, templates, and collaboration tools.
- Supports the DOCX format, ensuring compatibility with Microsoft Word.
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Spreadsheets (Alternative to Excel)
- Provides powerful data analysis, formulas, and chart creation.
- Completely compatible with XLSX files.
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Presentations (Alternative to PowerPoint)
- Includes professional templates, animations, and slide transitions.
- Functions without issues with PPTX files.
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Built-in PDF Editing
- Unlike Microsoft Office, WPS Office includes a free PDF editor.
- Allows users to create, annotate, and convert PDFs without more software.
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Cross-Platform Availability
- Free on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
- Sync across devices to assure continuous productivity.
Microsoft 365 vs. WPS Office: A Detailed Comparison
Here’s a Best Free Alternatives to Microsoft Office (2025 Edition). Below are the key features side by side:
Feature | Microsoft 365 (Free) | Microsoft 365 (Paid) | WPS Office (Free) |
Ads | Yes | No | No |
Subscription Required | No | Yes | No |
Word Processing | Basic Features | Advanced Features | Advanced Features |
Spreadsheets | Basic Features | Advanced Features | Advanced Features |
Presentations | Basic Features | Advanced Features | Advanced Features |
PDF Editing | No | No | Yes |
Cloud Storage | 5GB OneDrive | 1TB OneDrive | Varies (3rd-party integration) |
Offline Access | Limited | Yes | Yes |
WPS Office gives users a big advantage. It offers a complete suite with no ongoing costs or ads.
Why WPS Office is the Best Free Alternative
WPS Office is a wonderful free choice to Microsoft 365. Here’s why:
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No Subscription Fees
- WPS Office is free, saving users from expensive yearly subscriptions.
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Ad-Free Experience
- Unlike Microsoft’s free edition, WPS Office does not showing intrusive ads.
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User-Friendly Interface
- The design resembles Microsoft Office in detail, which makes the transition smooth.
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Fully Functional Features
- Offers everything from document creation to spreadsheet calculations and presentations without limitations.
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Works on Low-End Devices
- Designed to operate efficiently on older computers and mobile devices.
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Positive User Reviews
- Many users praise WPS Office for its simpleness, feature, and cost-effectiveness.
Conclusion
Many users are looking for alternatives because Microsoft 365 subscription costs are rising. The new ad-supported free version is also a factor. The extra cost and distractions from ads make Microsoft Office less appealing. This is especially true for students, home users, and small businesses.
WPS Office is the top free choice. It gives you a full suite with no ads or subscriptions. WPS Office is fully compatible with Microsoft formats. It also has built-in PDF editing and works on different platforms. Best of all, it’s free!
If you want to avoid Microsoft’s pricing and stay productive, WPS Office is the way to go. Try it today for a seamless, ad-free, and cost-effective experience.
