Microsoft Word Price: Plans, Monthly Cost & Price History

Microsoft Word is sold in two ways. You can subscribe to Microsoft 365, which includes Word along with other Office apps and cloud storage, or you can buy Office Home 2024 once and keep that version. Which route costs less depends on how long you plan to use it and whether you want updates and cloud features.

The prices on this page come from Microsoft and were checked on Oct 13, 2026. They are US prices for individuals and families, not business plans. Microsoft changes pricing and bundles from time to time, so confirm the current price on microsoft.com before you buy.

Word is included in every Microsoft 365 plan listed here. Microsoft 365 Personal costs $9.99/mo. Microsoft 365 Family costs $12.99/mo. Microsoft 365 Premium costs $19.99/mo.

Which Microsoft 365 Plan Fits You

• Personal: Made for one person. According to Microsoft's comparison page, you can sign in on several devices at once.
• Family: Everything in Personal, shared across more people in your household. It makes sense when you would otherwise buy several Personal plans.
• Premium: Includes everything in Family, plus more advanced Copilot features. It is aimed at people who want the AI tools Microsoft bundles in at a higher price.

If you only need Word for documents, Personal covers it. Family tends to be worth it only when more than one person will use it.

Each plan can also be billed yearly. Personal costs $99.99/yr per year, Family costs $129.99/yr per year, and Premium costs $199.99/yr per year.

Paying yearly costs less than twelve monthly payments on every plan. The tradeoff is a bigger single payment, and you commit to the year. If you only need Word for a semester or a project, monthly billing may be the better fit even though it costs more per month.

If you would rather not subscribe, Microsoft sells Office Home 2024 as a one-time purchase for PC or Mac. It costs $179.99.

You pay once and keep that version of the apps, including Word. A one-time purchase does not come with the ongoing updates and cloud features of a subscription, and it does not carry over to a new computer or a new Office release automatically. Microsoft's own FAQ explains the difference between Office 2024 and Microsoft 365, so read it before deciding.

• Subscription: Lower upfront cost. You keep getting updates, but the cost continues for as long as you use it.
• One-time purchase: Higher upfront cost. You own that version, and there is no monthly bill.

A rough way to compare is to divide the one-time price by the yearly price of Personal. If you expect to use Word for many years on the same computer, the one-time purchase can come out ahead. If you want the newest features, extra storage, or multiple devices, a subscription may suit you better.

Microsoft also offers a free version of Word on the web with fewer features than the desktop app. Whether it covers your needs depends on how much formatting and offline work you do. Check Microsoft's site for what the free version includes.

• Taxes: Sales tax may be added at checkout depending on your state.
• Promotions: Introductory or trial offers can look cheaper than the regular price. Check when the regular rate begins.
• Where you buy: Retailers sometimes sell product keys or cards at different prices, but terms vary. Buying directly from Microsoft makes the plan easiest to verify.
• Education and work: Some schools and employers provide Microsoft 365 at no cost to you. Ask before paying.