Microsoft Office 2019 vs 2021 vs 2024: Which Version Should You Buy? [Complete Guide]

Quick Answer: For most users in 2025, Oficina 2021 offers the best value with modern features and Windows 11 support. Office 2024 is ideal for businesses needing cutting-edge features, while Oficina 2019 remains a budget-friendly option for basic needs.

Choosing the right version of Microsoft Office can be challenging with multiple options available. Each version offers different features, compatibility, and pricing. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Office 2019 vs 2021 vs 2024 to help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and budget.

Quick Comparison Table

Microsoft Office 2019: The Budget-Friendly Classic

Microsoft Office 2019 represents the last generation of Office designed primarily for Windows 10. Despite being older, it remains a solid choice for users who need reliable productivity tools without the latest bells and whistles.

Key Features of Office 2019

• Core Applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote
• Focus Mode: Distraction-free writing in Word
• Morph Transitions: Smooth animations in PowerPoint
• New Functions: CONCAT, TEXTJOIN, and IFS in Excel
• Improved Inking: Better digital pen support
• SVG Support: Insert and edit scalable vector graphics

Pros of Office 2019

• ✅ Most affordable option at MSBestKeys
• ✅ One-time purchase, no subscription needed
• ✅ Stable and well-tested
• ✅ Lower system requirements
• ✅ Perfect for basic office tasks

Cons of Office 2019

• ❌ No Windows 11 official support
• ❌ Support ending in October 2025
• ❌ Limited cloud features
• ❌ No AI-powered tools
• ❌ Missing latest collaboration features

Who Should Buy Office 2019?

Office 2019 is ideal for:

• Budget-conscious users
• Those with older computers
• Users who don’t need cloud features
• Small businesses with basic needs
• Students on a tight budget

Microsoft Office 2021: The Balanced Choice

Office 2021 strikes an excellent balance between modern features and traditional functionality. Released alongside Windows 11, it offers significant improvements over Office 2019 while maintaining the familiar one-time purchase model.

Key Features of Office 2021

• Windows 11 Optimized: Full support for Microsoft’s latest OS
• Dark Mode: Complete dark theme across all applications
• XLOOKUP Function: Revolutionary Excel formula replacing VLOOKUP
• Dynamic Arrays: Advanced Excel calculations
• Record & Playback: Create video presentations in PowerPoint
• Line Focus: Improved reading experience in Word
• Microsoft Search: Find content across all Office apps

Pros of Office 2021

• ✅ Windows 11 native support
• ✅ Modern interface with dark mode
• ✅ Improved performance and stability
• ✅ Better collaboration features
• ✅ Support until October 2026
• ✅ Available in bundle deals

Cons of Office 2021

• ❌ More expensive than Office 2019
• ❌ No AI copilot features
• ❌ Limited real-time collaboration
• ❌ No automatic updates to new features

Who Should Buy Office 2021?

Office 2021 is perfect for:

• Windows 11 users
• Professional users needing modern features
• Small to medium businesses
• Users wanting long-term support
• Those preferring one-time purchases over subscriptions

Microsoft Office 2024: The Latest Innovation

Office 2024 represents Microsoft’s latest standalone Office suite, incorporating AI technology and advanced features previously exclusive to Microsoft 365 subscribers.

Key Features of Office 2024

• AI Integration: Copilot features for content generation
• Seguridad mejorada: Advanced threat protection
• Improved Performance: Faster loading and processing
• New Outlook: Completely redesigned email client
• Advanced Analytics: AI-powered insights in Excel
• Smart Templates: AI-suggested document templates
• Extended Support: Updates until October 2029

Pros of Office 2024

• ✅ Latest features and innovations
• ✅ AI-powered productivity tools
• ✅ Longest support lifecycle
• ✅ Best performance optimization
• ✅ Enhanced security features

Cons of Office 2024

• ❌ Most expensive option
• ❌ Higher system requirements
• ❌ Some features require internet connection
• ❌ May be overkill for basic users

Who Should Buy Office 2024?

Office 2024 is ideal for:

• Power users and professionals
• Large businesses and enterprises
• Content creators and analysts
• Users wanting AI assistance
• Those needing longest support period

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Let’s dive deeper into how these versions compare across different applications:

Microsoft Word Comparison

Microsoft Excel Comparison

Microsoft PowerPoint Comparison

Pricing Comparison

Understanding the pricing differences is crucial for making the right choice. Here’s how they compare at MSBestKeys:

Individual Product Pricing

• Office 2019 Professional Plus: Most affordable option – Check current price
• Office 2021 Professional Plus: Mid-range pricing – Check current price
• Office 2024 Professional Plus: Premium pricing – Check current price

Bundle Deals for Better Value

Save money with these bundle options:

• Windows 10 Pro + Office 2019 Bundle – Best budget combo
• Windows 11 Pro + Office 2021 Bundle – Most popular choice

Special Editions

• Office 2019 Phone Activation – For special activation needs
• Oficina 2016 – Ultra-budget option for older systems

Requisitos del sistema

Before purchasing, ensure your system meets the requirements:

Office 2019 Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 version 1703 or later
• Procesador: 1.6 GHz dual-core
• RAM: 4 GB (64-bit), 2 GB (32-bit)
• Almacenamiento: 4 GB available space
• Mostrar: 1280 x 768 resolution

Office 2021 Requirements

• OS: Windows 10/11 (version 1809 or later)
• Procesador: 1.6 GHz dual-core
• RAM: 4 GB (64-bit), 2 GB (32-bit)
• Almacenamiento: 4 GB available space
• Mostrar: 1280 x 768 resolution
• Gráficos: DirectX 9 or later

Office 2024 Requirements

• OS: Windows 10/11 (latest versions)
• Procesador: 2.0 GHz dual-core or faster
• RAM: 8 GB recommended
• Almacenamiento: 10 GB available space
• Mostrar: 1280 x 768 minimum
• Internet: Required for AI features

Which Version Should You Choose?

Here’s our recommendation based on different user profiles:

Choose Office 2019 If:

• ✅ You’re on a tight budget
• ✅ You have an older Windows 10 PC
• ✅ You only need basic Office features
• ✅ You don’t need cloud integration
• ✅ You’re comfortable with older software

Choose Office 2021 If:

• ✅ You want the best value for money
• ✅ You’re using Windows 11
• ✅ You need modern features without subscription
• ✅ You want dark mode and better performance
• ✅ You need support until 2026

Choose Office 2024 If:

• ✅ You want cutting-edge features
• ✅ You need AI-powered tools
• ✅ You’re a power user or business
• ✅ You want the longest support period
• ✅ Budget is not a primary concern

Still Unsure? Consider These Factors:

Additional Considerations

Microsoft 365 vs Standalone Office

While this guide focuses on standalone versions, some users might wonder about Microsoft 365:

Standalone Office versions from MSBestKeys offer better long-term value for users who don’t need constant updates or cloud storage.

Language Support

All Office versions support multiple languages. You can change the display language after installation. Check Microsoft’s language pack guide for details.

Activation Methods

MSBestKeys offers different activation options:

• Online Activation: Standard method for most users
• Phone Activation: Available for special circumstances
• 24/7 Support: Help available for any activation issues

Preguntas frecuentes

Q: Can I upgrade from Office 2019 to 2021 or 2024?

A: There’s no direct upgrade path. You’ll need to:

1. Uninstall your current Office version
2. Purchase the new version from MSBestKeys
3. Install and activate with your new product key

Q: Will Office 2019 work on Windows 11?

A: While Office 2019 may run on Windows 11, it’s not officially supported. For Windows 11, we recommend Oficina 2021 or newer for optimal compatibility and performance.

Q: Do I need internet for these Office versions?

A: Internet requirements vary:

• Installation: Internet required for download and activation
• Daily Use: Office 2019/2021 work offline; Office 2024 needs internet for AI features
• Updates: Internet required for security updates

Q: Can I install Office on multiple computers?

A: Standard licenses are for one PC only. For multiple devices, consider:

• Purchasing multiple licenses with bulk discount
• Microsoft 365 subscription (covers 5 devices)
• Our bundle deals for additional savings

Q: What about Mac compatibility?

A: The versions discussed here are for Windows. Mac users need Office for Mac versions, which have different version numbers and features.

Q: Is Office 2016 still a viable option?

A: Oficina 2016 is still available at MSBestKeys for ultra-budget users, but support has ended. Only consider it for very basic needs on older systems.

Q: Can I mix Office versions (e.g., Word 2021 with Excel 2019)?

A: No, Office applications from different versions cannot be mixed on the same computer. You must use all applications from the same version.

Q: What happens when support ends?

A: When support ends:

• Office continues to work normally
• No more security updates (potential risk)
• No technical support from Microsoft
• Time to consider upgrading for security

Special Use Cases

For Project Management

Need project management tools? Consider adding:

• Microsoft Project 2019 – Professional project management
• Microsoft Project 2021 – Latest project management features

For Visual Design

Creating diagrams and flowcharts? Add:

• Microsoft Visio 2019 – Professional diagramming tool

For Complete Security

Protect your Office documents with:

• Avast Premium Security
• Seguridad de Internet de ESET

Making Your Purchase

Why Buy from MSBestKeys?

• ✅ Genuine Keys: 100% authentic Microsoft product keys
• ✅ Entrega inmediata: Keys delivered to email within minutes
• ✅ Lifetime Warranty: Keys guaranteed to work forever
• ✅ 24/7 Support: Help available anytime you need it
• ✅ Best Prices: Competitive pricing on all products

Installation Process

1. Purchase your chosen Office version from MSBestKeys
2. Receive product key via email instantly
3. Download Office from official Microsoft site
4. Install and activate with your product key
5. Contact our support if you need any help

Final Verdict

After comparing all three versions, here’s our final recommendation:

🏆 Best Overall: Microsoft Office 2021

Office 2021 wins for most users because it offers:

• Modern features without subscription fees
• Full Windows 11 compatibility
• Support until 2026
• Reasonable pricing
• Perfect balance of features and value

💰 Best Budget: Microsoft Office 2019

Still a solid choice for budget-conscious users who need basic Office functionality.

🚀 Best Features: Microsoft Office 2024

For power users and businesses needing cutting-edge AI features and longest support.

Last updated: June 30, 2025 | Prices subject to change

Additional Resources:

• Microsoft Office 2019 Official Page
• Microsoft Office 2021 Information
• Microsoft Office 2024 Information
• Microsoft 365 Blog for Latest Updates