Microsoft Office 2024 vs Office 2021: Which Should You Choose?
The short answer: for most people purchasing a perpetual version of Microsoft Office in 2026, Office 2024 is the more future-facing choice. Support for Office 2021 ends on 13 October 2026, while Office LTSC 2024 is supported until 9 October 2029.
Both are non-subscription Office releases, but the included applications and licence terms depend on the exact edition purchased. Office 2021 may still appeal to users who temporarily need Microsoft Publisher, although Publisher itself is also reaching end of support in October 2026. Neither Office 2024 nor Office 2021 includes the integrated Copilot features available with qualifying Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Office 2024 vs Office 2021 at a glance
| Feature | Office 2024 | Office 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Payment model | Perpetual, non-subscription release | Perpetual, non-subscription release |
| End of support | 9 October 2029 for Office LTSC 2024 | 13 October 2026 |
| Copilot included | No | No |
| Microsoft Publisher | Not included | Included with certain editions, including Professional Plus |
| Microsoft Access | Included with Professional Plus | Included with Professional Plus |
| Ongoing new features | No major feature upgrades after release | No major feature upgrades after release |
| Best suited to | Users who want the newer perpetual release and longer remaining support | Users with a specific short-term need for Office 2021 or Publisher |
The support deadline is the most important difference
Microsoft has confirmed that support for Office 2021 ends on 13 October 2026. There will be no extension and no extended security update programme.
Office 2021 applications will not suddenly stop opening after that date. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook should continue to function, but Microsoft will stop providing technical support, bug fixes and security fixes for newly discovered vulnerabilities.
Office LTSC 2024 is supported until 9 October 2029. That gives it approximately three years more official support than Office 2021.
For somebody buying a perpetual Office licence in 2026 and intending to use it for several years, that longer support period is a more important practical difference than minor changes to the interface.
Does Office 2024 or Office 2021 include Copilot AI?
No. Office 2024 and Office 2021 are perpetual, non-subscription releases and do not include the integrated Copilot features available with qualifying Microsoft 365 plans.
Microsoft 365 Personal, Family and Premium subscriptions now include varying levels of Copilot access for the subscription owner. Business access depends on the Microsoft 365 plan, organisational settings and the licences assigned to each user.
If integrated AI assistance in Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook is important to you, check the current Microsoft 365 Copilot allowances before purchasing a one-time Office edition.
What does Office 2024 offer that Office 2021 does not?
A longer period of official support
Office 2024's main practical advantage is its longer support window. Office LTSC 2024 is supported until October 2029, while Office 2021 reaches end of support in October 2026.
Newer application features
Office 2024 introduces additional features across its applications. Depending on the application and edition, these include new Excel functions, accessibility improvements, session recovery in Word and updated presentation and recording tools in PowerPoint.
The changes are useful, but users moving from Office 2021 should expect a familiar Office experience rather than a completely redesigned suite.
A more current interface
Office 2024 uses a refreshed visual design intended to fit more closely with Windows 11. Menus, toolbars and the overall application structure remain familiar to existing Office users.
What does Office 2021 still have that Office 2024 does not?
Microsoft Publisher
Office 2021 Professional Plus includes Microsoft Publisher, whereas Publisher is not included with Office LTSC 2024 Professional Plus.
This may make Office 2021 useful in the short term for customers who still work with Publisher files. However, Microsoft is retiring Publisher in October 2026, so it should not be treated as a long-term reason to remain with Office 2021.
Microsoft recommends preparing for Publisher's retirement by converting important publications into formats such as PDF and considering alternatives such as Word or PowerPoint for future projects.
Which applications are included?
The applications supplied depend on the exact Office edition. Always check the individual product listing before purchasing.
Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024
Microsoft lists the following core applications for Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft Publisher is not included with Office LTSC 2024.
Office 2021 Professional Plus
Office 2021 Professional Plus includes the principal Office applications together with Access, OneNote and Microsoft Publisher.
Application availability can differ between Home, Home & Business, Standard and Professional Plus editions, so do not assume that every Office 2021 or Office 2024 package includes the same programs.
System requirements: is there a major difference?
The minimum hardware requirements for Office LTSC 2024 are relatively modest. Microsoft specifies:
- A 1.1GHz or faster two-core processor
- 4GB of RAM
- Approximately 4GB of available disk space
- A display resolution of at least 1280 × 768
Operating-system support requires more consideration. Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025. Office may continue to install or run on certain Windows 10 systems, but using Office on an unsupported operating system can create security, reliability and support limitations.
For the safest supported setup in 2026, Windows 11 is the recommended Windows environment. Before purchasing, check the compatibility information on the exact Office product page and confirm which version of Windows is installed on the computer.
One-time purchase versus Microsoft 365
Office 2024 and Office 2021 are available as perpetual, non-subscription releases. This means there is no monthly or annual subscription charge for the licensed version.
Unlike Microsoft 365, a perpetual Office release does not include the same combination of ongoing feature additions, cloud-storage allowances, multi-device subscription benefits and integrated Copilot features.
The permitted number of devices, activation method and any transfer rights depend on the exact product and licence supplied. Check the individual product description rather than assuming that every Office 2021 or Office 2024 licence has identical terms.
Which version should you buy?
Choose Office 2024 when:
- You want the newer perpetual Office release.
- You want official support extending into 2029.
- You do not require Microsoft Publisher.
- You want Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and, with Professional Plus, Access.
- You prefer a one-time purchase rather than a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Browse all Microsoft Office 2024 editions
Consider Office 2021 when:
- You have a specific requirement for Office 2021 compatibility.
- You temporarily need Microsoft Publisher.
- You understand that Office 2021 support ends on 13 October 2026.
- You have a plan for replacing Publisher or moving to a supported Office version.
Our recommendation
For most people purchasing today, Office 2024 is the better long-term choice. It provides a newer release and approximately three additional years of Microsoft support compared with Office 2021.
Office 2021 remains useful for specific compatibility requirements, particularly where Publisher is still needed. However, both Office 2021 and Publisher reach end of support in October 2026, so purchasing it now should be considered a short-term solution rather than a long-term upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
Is Office 2024 better than Office 2021?
For most new purchases in 2026, Office 2024 is the better long-term option because it is supported until October 2029. Office 2021 reaches end of support on 13 October 2026.
Does Office 2024 include Copilot AI?
No. The perpetual Office 2024 release does not include the integrated Copilot features available with qualifying Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Does Office 2021 include Copilot?
No. Office 2021 is also a perpetual, non-subscription release and does not include integrated Microsoft 365 Copilot features.
Why is Publisher not included with Office 2024?
Microsoft Publisher is not included with Office LTSC 2024 because Microsoft is retiring Publisher in October 2026. Publisher remains included with certain Office 2021 editions, but it will no longer receive support after its retirement date.
What happens to Office 2021 after October 2026?
Office 2021 applications should continue to function, but Microsoft will stop providing security updates, bug fixes and technical support after 13 October 2026.
Can Office 2024 and Office 2021 be installed together?
Installing different perpetual Office versions on the same computer is not normally recommended and can cause installation, update or activation conflicts. Remove the previous Office installation before installing a replacement unless your specific deployment documentation states otherwise.
Can I install Office 2024 or Office 2021 on more than one PC?
The Ecokeys products linked in this guide are supplied for one compatible PC unless the individual listing states otherwise. Other Microsoft licence types may have different installation or transfer terms, so check the exact product description before purchasing.
Will Office 2021 stop working in October 2026?
No. End of support does not normally disable the installed applications. The important change is that Microsoft will stop issuing technical support, bug fixes and security updates.
Should I choose Office 2024 or Microsoft 365?
Choose Office 2024 if you prefer a perpetual release with no recurring subscription charge and do not need ongoing feature additions, bundled cloud services or integrated Copilot access. Consider Microsoft 365 when multi-device use, cloud storage, continuous feature updates and Copilot tools are important.
