Microsoft 365 Business vs Enterprise: Which plan is right for your business?
Microsoft 365 is a comprehensive suite of cloud-based tools that offer a range of features for businesses of all sizes. The platform has two popular plans: Business and Enterprise. Both plans have their unique features and target specific business sizes. In this blog post, we’ll compare these two plans across different categories to help you choose the best one for your business.
Company Size
The first difference between these two plans is the target company size. Microsoft 365 Business is designed for small and medium-sized businesses with 300 or fewer employees, while Microsoft 365 Enterprise is intended for larger organizations with more than 300 employees. If you have a smaller business, the Business plan is a great fit. But if you have a larger organization, the Enterprise plan is more suitable.
Security
Both plans offer security features, but the Enterprise plan provides more advanced options for larger businesses. Enterprise includes Microsoft Purview Insider Risk Management, which allows organizations to detect, investigate, and take action on malicious and inadvertent activities. It also includes Microsoft Defender for protection against sophisticated attacks. While the Business plan offers basic security features, the Enterprise plan provides more advanced and customized options for larger businesses.
Applications
The two plans offer different sets of applications. Microsoft 365 Business includes the core Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It also includes Teams, Bookings, Forms, Lists, Planner, and SharePoint. The Enterprise plan includes all of those applications in addition to Power Apps, and Power Automate. If you only need core apps and a few extra tools, the Business plan is a great fit. But if you need more advanced applications like Power Automate, the Enterprise plan is more suitable.
Communication
Both plans offer communication tools, but the Enterprise plan includes more advanced options such as audio conferencing for up to 1,000 attendees and Microsoft Teams Audio Conferencing. It also includes features for call control and PBX capabilities in the cloud with Microsoft Teams. While the Business plan offers basic communication tools, the Enterprise plan provides more advanced options for larger businesses.
Collaboration
The collaboration tools available in both plans are similar. Both include features for co-authoring and editing, real-time messaging, and screen-sharing. Both the Business and the Enterprise plan offers more advanced options such as collaborative task management in Microsoft Planner and the ability to create team sites in SharePoint.
Support
Both plans offer technical support, but the Enterprise plan provides more advanced options for larger businesses. It includes access to Microsoft Purview eDiscovery, Microsoft Purview Audit, and Microsoft Purview Records Management for legal compliance and archiving needs. It also includes Information Rights Management to restrict access to sensitive business information. While the Business plan offers extensive support, the Enterprise plan provides more advanced options for larger businesses.
Price
The price for Microsoft 365 Business starts at $7.70 per user per month, while the Enterprise plan starts at $12.80 per user per month. If you have a larger business, the Enterprise plan may be more expensive.
Both Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise offer valuable features for businesses. The main differences lie in the target company size, security options, application offerings, communication and collaboration tools, support, and price.
Ultimately, the best plan for your business will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you have a smaller business with basic needs, the Business plan is a great fit. But if you have a larger business with more advanced needs, the Enterprise plan is more suitable.
