Microsoft 365 has become a go-to solution for organisations of all sizes, offering a suite of applications and services designed to improve efficiency. However, with multiple plans available, choosing the right one for your business can be challenging.

Two of the most popular plans are Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium. While both offer an impressive array of tools, they cater to different business needs. In this blog, we’ll break down their features, compare their benefits, and help you decide which is best suited for your organisation.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: An Overview

Microsoft 365 Business Standard is designed for small to medium-sized businesses that require essential productivity and collaboration tools without advanced security or device management features. It includes access to Microsoft Office apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher (PC only), and Access (PC only). It also offers a professional email service with a 50GB mailbox, Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration, 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage, and SharePoint for secure file sharing.

Additionally, Business Standard includes business applications like Microsoft Forms, Lists, and Bookings. This plan is ideal for businesses looking for an affordable yet comprehensive productivity suite without advanced security features.

Microsoft 365 Business Premium: An Overview

Microsoft 365 Business Premium builds on the Business Standard plan by incorporating advanced security and device management capabilities. In addition to all the features of Business Standard, Business Premium includes Microsoft Defender for Office 365, which provides protection against phishing, malware, and ransomware. It also offers advanced threat protection using AI-driven security measures and conditional access policies to regulate sign-in security.

Furthermore, Business Premium includes Intune for mobile device and application management, Azure Information Protection for data classification and encryption, and Windows Autopilot for simplified device deployment. It also provides enhanced identity and access management with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) for secure access to Microsoft applications.

This plan is designed for businesses that prioritise security, compliance, and device management alongside productivity tools.

Key Differences: Business Standard vs Business Premium

While both plans offer excellent productivity tools, the main differences lie in security and device management. Business Standard provides essential Office applications and collaboration tools but lacks advanced security measures. On the other hand, Business Premium includes high-level security protections, threat detection, and device management features that are critical for businesses handling sensitive data or operating in industries with compliance requirements.

Businesses that primarily operate in a controlled and secure environment may find Business Standard sufficient. However, organisations dealing with remote work, cybersecurity threats, or regulatory compliance will benefit significantly from the added protections in Business Premium.

Which Plan is Right for Your Business?

Choose Microsoft 365 Business Standard if:

• You need essential productivity and collaboration tools.
• Your business has minimal security and compliance requirements.
• You are looking for a cost-effective solution without advanced security features.
• Your team primarily works in a secure, controlled environment.

Choose Microsoft 365 Business Premium if:

• You require robust security against cyber threats like phishing and ransomware.
• Your organisation handles sensitive or regulated data that requires compliance measures.
• You need mobile device and application management for remote work.
• Your business has a distributed workforce that requires enhanced identity protection.

Cost Consideration

The pricing for each plan varies, and it’s essential to factor in your budget when making a decision. While Business Standard is more affordable, Business Premium offers significant value with its additional security and management tools. If your business is scaling and facing increasing cybersecurity threats, the extra cost of Business Premium may be a worthwhile investment.

Conclusion

Selecting between Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Business Premium depends on your organisation’s needs, security concerns, and budget. Business Standard is perfect for companies that need core Microsoft apps and collaboration tools without advanced security. On the other hand, Business Premium is the best choice for businesses that require enterprise-grade security, device management, and compliance features.

If you’re still unsure about which plan suits your business, our IT experts can help. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and find the ideal Microsoft 365 solution for your organisation!