Apps for Business vs Apps for Enterprise Compared

Andrew Lucas

Apps for Business vs Apps for Enterprise Compared

Microsoft offers two subscription plans, Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, each tailored to meet the specific needs of different organizations. In this article, we will compare these two plans in terms of features, capabilities, security, and management control to help you choose the right solution for your business.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business is a subscription plan specifically designed for small to medium-sized organizations. It offers a comprehensive suite of Office apps that includes Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, allowing users to work efficiently and enhance productivity.

One of the standout features of Microsoft 365 Apps for Business is the access to fully installed desktop versions of these Office apps. This means users can utilize the familiar and powerful features of the Office suite on their computers, enabling them to create, edit, and collaborate on documents seamlessly.

To further enhance collaboration, Microsoft 365 Apps for Business provides users with 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user. This ample storage space allows for efficient file sharing and storage, ensuring that important documents are accessible from anywhere and at any time.

Another advantage of Microsoft 365 Apps for Business is its flexibility in terms of device usage. Users can install and use the fully equipped Office apps on up to five mobile devices, five tablets, and five PCs or Macs per user. This allows for a smooth transition between different devices, ensuring continuous productivity and workflow.

Furthermore, Microsoft 365 Apps for Business offers monthly updates that automatically install the latest features and capabilities. This ensures that users have access to the most up-to-date versions of the Office apps, maximizing productivity and keeping pace with technological advancements.

Additionally, Microsoft 365 Apps for Business includes Microsoft Sway, a digital storytelling tool that enables users to create and share interactive reports and presentations. This feature enhances the creative and dynamic aspects of document creation, allowing for engaging and visually compelling content.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise

Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise is designed to meet the needs of larger organizations, providing a comprehensive suite of Office apps and additional benefits. This subscription plan includes Microsoft Teams, a collaboration platform that facilitates chat, online meetings, and real-time collaboration.

While the Teams service is not fully included, users in the organization with Azure Active Directory (AAD) can still access an exploratory experience of Teams, enhancing communication and teamwork.

In addition to the Office apps and collaboration features, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise offers enterprise-grade security and compliance features. This ensures that organizations have adequate protection and control over their data and resources. Fine-grained controls for deployment and management allow IT administrators to efficiently manage devices and applications within the organization, ensuring a secure and controlled environment.

Furthermore, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise provides features such as sensitivity labels and identity and access management, enhancing security and compliance measures. With support for an unlimited number of users within the organization, this subscription plan is especially suitable for larger enterprises with higher levels of IT control requirements.

Feature Comparison

When comparing Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Apps for Enterprise, it is important to examine their respective features to determine which plan best suits your organization’s needs. Both plans offer access to the core Office apps, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Both also provide the ability to store and share files using OneDrive cloud storage. However, Apps for Enterprise goes beyond these core features and includes valuable additions such as Microsoft Teams and enterprise-grade security and compliance capabilities.

  • Microsoft Teams: Unlike Microsoft 365 Apps for Business, Apps for Enterprise includes Microsoft Teams, a powerful collaboration platform that enables chat, online meetings, and real-time collaboration. This feature enhances communication and productivity within your organization.
  • Enterprise-Grade Security and Compliance: Apps for Enterprise offers advanced security and compliance features, including fine-grained controls for deployment and management, device and app management, sensitivity labels, and identity and access management. These features provide organizations with the necessary tools to maintain a secure and compliant environment.

Another key difference between the two plans is user scalability. While Microsoft 365 Apps for Business supports a maximum of 300 users, Apps for Enterprise is available for an unlimited number of users within the same organization. This makes Apps for Enterprise a more flexible option for larger organizations with expanding user bases.

Considering these feature differences, organizations should carefully evaluate their collaboration, security, and scalability requirements when choosing between Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Apps for Enterprise.

Security and Compliance

When it comes to ensuring the security and compliance of your organization, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise offers a more comprehensive set of advanced features compared to Microsoft 365 Apps for Business. With Apps for Enterprise, you get access to enterprise-grade security and compliance capabilities that provide the necessary control and protection for your business.

Features for Security and Compliance

Apps for Enterprise includes fine-grained controls for deployment and management, allowing you to have granular control over how your organization’s apps and devices are used. It also provides robust device and app management features to ensure that your data remains secure across all devices.

In addition, Apps for Enterprise offers sensitivity labels, which allow you to classify and protect sensitive information. This feature helps you maintain compliance with industry regulations and protect your organization’s confidential data.

Identity and access management is another key aspect of security and compliance, and Apps for Enterprise has you covered in this area as well. It provides tools and features that enable you to easily manage user access and identities, ensuring that only authorized individuals have the appropriate level of access to your organization’s resources.

Recommended for Strict Security and Compliance

While both Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Apps for Enterprise offer security measures, Apps for Enterprise is more suitable for organizations with strict security and compliance requirements. Its advanced features and controls provide the foundation needed to build a robust and secure environment for your business.

For organizations that handle sensitive data, deal with strict regulatory requirements, or have a higher level of IT control, choosing Apps for Enterprise is the recommended option. It offers enhanced security and compliance capabilities, giving you peace of mind knowing that your organization is protected.

Pricing and Scalability

When considering the right subscription plan for your organization, pricing and scalability are crucial factors to take into account. Microsoft 365 Apps for Business is specifically designed for small to medium-sized organizations, offering a cost-effective solution. This plan provides support for up to 300 users, making it ideal for businesses with a limited number of employees.

On the other hand, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise caters to larger enterprises and offers scalability to accommodate the growth potential of your organization. With Apps for Enterprise, there is no limit to the number of users within the same organization, providing the flexibility and scalability required for larger businesses.

It’s important to note that the pricing for both plans can vary depending on the number of users and specific organizational requirements. To make an informed decision, organizations should consider their size, projected growth, and budgetary constraints when choosing the right plan that aligns with their needs and goals.

Choosing the Right Subscription

When it comes to choosing the right subscription between Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, organizations need to carefully consider their specific needs and requirements.

If the organization is small to medium-sized, and doesn’t have strict security and compliance demands, Microsoft 365 Apps for Business is a suitable and cost-effective option. It provides access to essential Office apps and offers collaboration and productivity features along with 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user.

However, for larger enterprises with advanced security requirements and a higher level of IT control, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise is the recommended choice. In addition to all the features offered by Microsoft 365 Apps for Business, Apps for Enterprise includes Microsoft Teams, a robust collaboration platform, and enterprise-grade security and compliance capabilities. These features allow organizations to enhance collaboration, ensure data protection, and meet regulatory requirements effectively.

By assessing their organization’s size, security needs, collaboration requirements, and budget, businesses can make an informed decision and select the subscription plan that aligns with their goals and objectives.

Andrew Lucas