Microsoft Office Licence in India: Which Version Should You Actually Buy?
Buying Microsoft Office in India is more confusing than it should be, mostly because Microsoft sells the same applications under several very different licensing models. Get the model wrong and you either overpay every year or end up with a key that stops working. Here is how to choose.
The two models, in plain language
Microsoft 365 – a subscription
You pay every month or year. In return you always have the current version, cloud storage is included, and you can install across several devices. Stop paying and the apps drop to read-only.
Office one-time licence – a perpetual licence
You pay once and keep that version indefinitely. It never updates to the next major release, there is no cloud storage bundled, and it is generally tied to one device. For a lot of Indian home and student users this is the better economic choice.
Which one should you buy?
| Your situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Single laptop, documents and spreadsheets only | One-time Office licence |
| Multiple devices, need cloud storage and collaboration | Microsoft 365 |
| Small business with a team | Microsoft 365 Business |
| Student who mostly writes and presents | One-time licence, or check for a campus programme first |
| You need the newest features as they ship | Microsoft 365 |
The practical test: if you would keep paying for five years, add it up. Five years of subscription usually costs several times a one-time licence. If you only need Word, Excel and PowerPoint on one machine, the perpetual licence is the cheaper answer by a wide margin.
Current options at SubsHub
- MS Office Pro Plus for Windows – from Rs 1,500. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and the rest of the Pro Plus set.
- MS Office Home and Business for Mac – from Rs 2,499. The Mac equivalent, licensed for Mac hardware.
- Windows 11 Pro licence key – from Rs 599.
- Windows 10 Pro licence key – from Rs 499.
Everything sits on our software licences page.
Licence types – the part people get caught out by
This matters more than the price, so read it before buying from anyone:
- Retail licence – transferable to a new machine. The most flexible.
- OEM licence – permanently tied to the device it was first activated on. Cheaper, but it dies with the laptop.
- Volume licence – issued to organisations. Not intended for individual resale.
- Subscription – active only while you keep paying.
Any seller who will not tell you which type you are buying is a seller to avoid. Ask before you pay.
How to check your Office licence is genuine
- Open any Office app and go to File, then Account. It should show an activated product with a licence type.
- On Windows, run the Command Prompt as administrator and check the activation status of your Windows key separately – Office and Windows are licensed independently.
- Keep your invoice. If you ever need Microsoft support, proof of purchase is what they ask for.
- Be suspicious of any key priced far below everything else on the market. Volume keys resold to individuals get deactivated in bulk.
Free alternatives worth knowing about
Before you buy anything: Office on the web is free with a Microsoft account and handles basic documents fine. Google Workspace is free for personal use. LibreOffice is free and open source. If your needs are light, you may not need a licence at all. Buy Office when you need full desktop features, offline reliability or strict file-format fidelity with clients.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Microsoft Office licence cost in India?
It depends on the version and licence type. At SubsHub, MS Office Pro Plus for Windows starts at Rs 1,500 and Home and Business for Mac at Rs 2,499.
Is a one-time Office licence better than Microsoft 365?
For a single device with basic document needs, yes – it is cheaper over any period longer than a couple of years. Microsoft 365 is better if you need multiple devices, cloud storage and continuous updates.
Can I transfer my Office licence to a new laptop?
Retail licences can usually be transferred. OEM licences cannot – they stay tied to the original device. Confirm the licence type before buying.
How do I know if my Office licence is genuine?
Check File, then Account inside any Office app for an activated product and licence type, and keep your invoice as proof of purchase.
Do I get an invoice?
Yes. Ask support and we will issue one – useful if you are claiming the software as a business expense.
[…] Know your licence type. Retail, OEM or subscription — it changes what is possible. The differences are in which Microsoft Office licence to buy in India. […]