To maximize the value of a Microsoft 365 package, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re paying for. Microsoft 365 enterprise subscription plans cater to different sizes and types of organizations. Each plan offers a different balance of functionality, security, and cost, making it essential to understand your organization’s specific needs and goals to get the optimal plan. Here’s a general guide on which plans are better for different types and sizes of organizations.
Microsoft 365 E1
Best For: E1 is ideal for small organizations seeking affordable, cloud-based productivity tools for primarily mobile frontline workers with basic needs.
Features: E1 includes web-based apps such as Excel and Outlook, integrated with cloud services like OneDrive. It enables productivity from anywhere and provides email, file storage, and sharing capabilities. It provides basic security and compliance features. Microsoft 365 desktop apps are not included in this plan.
Microsoft 365 E3
Best For: E3 is tailored for medium and large organizations requiring robust productivity, security, and compliance. It is ideal for remote workers who rely on the full Office application suite.
Features: E3 includes everything in E1, plus additional apps, services, and file storage, including:
- The full suite of Office applications across devices.
- Audioconferencing
- Enhanced security and compliance capabilities
- Advanced identity and access management through Microsoft Entra Plan 1.
With E3, you get Windows 10 or 11 Enterprise Edition with antimalware and device-based conditional access capabilities provided by Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1.
Microsoft 365 E5
Best For: E5 is best for large organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, ad legal that require the highest level of security, compliance, and analytics along with advanced communication tools.
Features: E5 includes everything in E3 plus:
- leading-edge security and threat intelligence
- Advanced compliance and reporting
- Enhanced identity protection through Microsoft Entra Plan2.
- Power BI for analytics
- Communication tools, including Teams Phone and audio-conferencing features
E5 includes a more advanced version of Windows Enterprise with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2.
Microsoft 365 F3
Best For: F3 is designed specifically for frontline workers, offering a balance between essential productivity tools, mobility, and affordability.
Features: F3 provides access to the web and mobile versions of Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint rather than the full desktop versions. F3 includes essential collaboration tools like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, enabling frontline workers to communicate and share information easily.
Microsoft 365 plans are priced per user per month based on annual subscriptions that renew automatically. You can add various applications to a plan with additional licensing. For example, Power BI is not included by default in the E1 or E3 plans but can be added separately through a Power BI subscription.
While this article provides an overview of Microsoft 365 enterprise subscription plans, you shouldn’t make business decisions based solely on this outline. Microsoft frequently updates its subscription plans, adding new features or adjusting pricing, making it difficult to keep up with the latest options. Licensing terms and conditions, including renewal processes, upgrade paths, and potential penalties for changes, add another layer of complexity.
Call us if you need help navigating the intricacies of Microsoft 365 enterprise subscription plans and tailoring the right plan to your organizational requirements. Cerium Networks is a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Modern Work and for Security. Through our nearly 25-year collaborative relationship with Microsoft, Cerium has developed a depth of expertise in Microsoft products and services. Cerium Networks Microsoft 365 experts can help you assess your productivity, security, compliance, and communication requirements to find a subscription plan that perfectly aligns with your needs and budget.
Need help choosing the right Microsoft 365 plan for your business? Contact us today to get expert advice and tailor a subscription plan that perfectly aligns with your organizational needs and budget.
