Looking back at the evolution of Microsoft Office over the past decade, the changes in its core suite's composition clearly reflect the major shift in work styles from "local computing" to "cloud collaboration." The key to understanding the programs included in each version lies in distinguishing between the one-time purchase "perpetual" versions and the annually subscribed Microsoft 365 service.

The Cornerstones of the Classic Era: Office 2010 & 2013

Office 2010 and 2013 represent the classic Office suites from the pre-cloud era. They provided users with a powerful and complete set of local productivity programs.

Both versions included seven core programs: Word for word processing, Excel for spreadsheets, PowerPoint for presentations, Outlook for email and scheduling, OneNote for digital note-taking, Publisher for desktop publishing, and Access for database management.

In terms of communication, they featured a built-in enterprise communication tool. In Office 2010, it was called Lync, which was upgraded and renamed to Skype for Business in Office 2013. This was a significant indicator that collaboration at the time still primarily occurred through a separate, local client.

It is important to note that both of these versions are now end-of-life and no longer supported by Microsoft, posing security risks if continued to be used.

Evolution in the Transitional Period: Office 2016 & 2019

Office 2016 and 2019 were the last two widely used one-time purchase versions. They inherited all the core programs of the classic suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access.

However, a significant change occurred with the collaboration tool. Office 2016 still included Skype for Business. But by Office 2019, this program was removed. This was not a reduction in capability, but a strong signal that Microsoft's collaboration focus had fully shifted to its new, cloud-based platform—Microsoft Teams. Office 2019 itself does not come with Teams, but it is designed to work alongside it.

These versions do not receive new feature updates after purchase, only security patches. Their functionality is essentially a "snapshot" of the features available in Microsoft 365 at the time of their release.

The Current One-Time Purchase Option: Office 2021

Office 2021 is the latest permanent license version that runs parallel to Microsoft 365. Its list of included programs is largely the same as Office 2019: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access.

It also does not include Skype for Business and does not come with Teams by default. It is aimed at users who need a modern, stable set of office software but prefer to avoid a subscription fee. Office 2021 receives security updates, but its features are frozen and will not include the new tools continuously added to Microsoft 365.

The Definition of Modern Productivity: Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is Microsoft's current flagship product and the de facto "Office 2024." It uses a subscription model, and its value extends far beyond the traditional desktop programs.

With a Microsoft 365 subscription, you first get all the familiar desktop programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access.

But the real difference lies in the addition of services. Microsoft Teams is deeply integrated as the central collaboration hub, replacing the role of the former Skype for Business. Users also receive a substantial amount of OneDrive cloud storage (typically 1TB or more), ensuring files can sync and be accessed across all devices. Furthermore, you have access to always-up-to-date web versions of the Office apps and fully-featured mobile applications.

Most importantly, Microsoft 365 users continuously receive new features and AI-powered tools (such as Copilot), allowing the suite to constantly evolve. Therefore, choosing Microsoft 365 is not just about choosing a set of programs; it is about choosing a continuously updated ecosystem.

Summary of Core Differences

• Program Composition: The core desktop program lineup has been remarkably consistent from 2010 to 2021 in the one-time purchase versions (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access). The main change has been the shift in collaboration tools from Lync/Skype for Business to the cloud-powered Teams.
• OneNote: It is worth noting that in recent default installations, OneNote has sometimes required a separate download, but it is seamlessly reintegrated within Microsoft 365.
• Access & Publisher: In business plans, these two programs are typically only included in the higher-tier suites.

In conclusion, if you want the most cutting-edge features, seamless cloud collaboration, and continuous value, Microsoft 365 is the definitive choice. If you only need a reliable set of core desktop programs for basic tasks and prefer a one-time purchase, then Office 2021 is the ideal option for you.