Both Office 2021 and Office 2024 are one-time purchases. You pay once and own the software. There is no monthly fee and no subscription. So the real question is simple. Which version gives you better value in 2026?
Here is the short answer first.
For most buyers today, Office 2024 is the smarter choice. The reason is support. Office 2021 stops getting security updates in October 2026. Office 2024 stays supported until October 2029. Buying Office 2021 now means buying software that loses updates within months.
That said, Office 2021 still makes sense in a few cases. We explain both below.
What the two versions share
Before the differences, it helps to see what is the same. Both versions are built on the same idea.
- One-time payment. You buy once. You do not pay every month like Microsoft 365.
- You own it. The licence does not expire. It works as long as your PC is compatible.
- Works offline. After activation, you do not need the internet to use Word or Excel.
- Same core apps. Both include Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. The Professional Plus edition adds more.
- Security updates only. Neither version gets new features after you buy. Microsoft adds features only to the subscription.
Neither version includes Copilot AI. That tool is part of Microsoft 365 only. So do not buy a perpetual licence expecting built-in AI.
The key differences
| Office 2021 | Office 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | October 2021 | October 2024 |
| Support ends | October 2026 | October 2029 |
| Licence type | One-time, perpetual | One-time, perpetual |
| Core apps | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook | Same, with updates |
| Excel functions | Solid set | Newer functions added |
| Performance | Good | Faster on heavy files |
| Dark mode & interface | Basic | Refined |
| Copilot AI | No | No |
| Price at keys-shop | ₹399 | ₹699 |
The one factor that decides it: support
This is the part most buyers miss. Microsoft gives perpetual Office about five years of support. After that, no more security patches.
Office 2021 reaches that end on 13 October 2026. The apps will still open after that date. But they will not get security fixes. That leaves your PC more open to risks, especially with email attachments and downloaded files.
Office 2024 runs until October 2029. So it gives you roughly three more years of safe, updated use.
If you are buying in 2026, this matters a lot. Paying for Office 2021 today is like buying a phone that stops getting updates next year. It works, but the clock is already running.
Who should buy Office 2024
Office 2024 is the right pick for most people. Choose it if you:
- Want the longest support runway (until 2029).
- Use Excel heavily and want the newer functions.
- Work with large files and want better speed.
- Plan to keep this Office install for years.
- Simply want the latest one-time version available.
For a home office in Pune, a student in Delhi, or a small shop in Jaipur, this is the safe, future-ready choice.
Buy Office 2024 Professional Plus →
Who should still buy Office 2021
Office 2021 is not a bad product. It is simply older. Pick it only if you:
- Want the lowest possible price and the gap is large.
- Have a specific tool or macro that you have tested on 2021.
- Need it for a short-term PC you will replace before 2026 ends.
- Run older hardware that you are not worried about long-term.
If none of these apply to you, Office 2024 is the better spend.
Buy Office 2021 Professional Plus →
What about Office 2019 or 2016?
Skip them. Both reached end of support in October 2025. They no longer get security updates. Office 2021 and 2024 are the only perpetual versions still supported. So your real choice is only between these two.
Price in India
Microsoft sells these suites at a high retail price. A genuine Professional Plus licence from a store can cost several thousand rupees more than you need to pay.
At keys-shop.in you get a genuine product key at a far lower price:
- Office 2021 Professional Plus — ₹399
- Office 2024 Professional Plus — ₹699
Both are lifetime keys for one PC. Delivery is instant after payment. Activation help is included if you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Office 2024 worth it over Office 2021?
For most buyers, yes. Office 2024 is supported until 2029, while Office 2021 support ends in October 2026. You also get newer Excel functions and better speed.
Is Office 2021 still good to buy in 2026?
It works fine, but its support ends in October 2026. After that there are no security updates. Buy it only if the price gap is large or you need it short-term.
Do Office 2021 and 2024 include Copilot AI?
No. Copilot is part of the Microsoft 365 subscription only. Neither one-time version includes it.
Can I open Office 2024 files in Office 2021?
Mostly yes. The common formats work in both. A few new features, like some Excel functions, may not show correctly in the older version.
Is it a one-time payment or a subscription?
Both Office 2021 and Office 2024 are one-time payments. You own the licence and pay nothing monthly. Microsoft 365 is the subscription option.
Which version do you recommend?
Office 2024 for most people, because of the longer support and newer features. Office 2021 only if you want the cheapest option for short-term use.
