Microsoft 365 Subscription Increase 2025 - almost 50% !!!

[raptalia]

I just received an email from Bill Gates telling me what I suspected would happen- in 2025 my annual Microsoft 365 subscription will increase from $109 to $156 per annum. Am I the only one who has this notice? I have looked on line and in Europe the increase appears to be 5%. Maybe I got some special introductory offer and the $109 subscription was a limited deal - who knows?

I guess one alternative is to revert back to purchasing the MS Office 2024 download for around $220. I have until September to make a decision. When I switched to 365 it occurred to me that this puts the consumer at the mercy of Microsoft as they can increase their annual fee to whatever they like and that is exactly what has happened.

 

[CURVE]

I received the same email this morning saying my subscription is going up from $109 to $159 next month, which is pretty steep considering it rose from $99 to $109 (IIRC) only a few years ago.

My issue is I've been using Microsoft for 30+ years both at home and work, so I don't know if there are any alternatives and learning a new system will be a pain in the butt, so I guess I'm stuck.

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

I use LibreOffice, it's open source and free.

It has a similar set of tools and easy to pick up and use.

 

[Rich Enuff]

I just received an email from Bill Gates telling me what I suspected would happen- in 2025 my annual Microsoft 365 subscription will increase from $109 to $156 per annum. Am I the only one who has this notice? I have looked on line and in Europe the increase appears to be 5%. Maybe I got some special introductory offer and the $109 subscription was a limited deal - who knows?

I guess one alternative is to revert back to purchasing the MS Office 2024 download for around $220. I have until September to make a decision. When I switched to 365 it occurred to me that this puts the consumer at the mercy of Microsoft as they can increase their annual fee to whatever they like and that is exactly what has happened.

In Australia they are increasing from $139 - $179, there is an option to use Microsoft 365 for free, but you just lose your storage and its web based only. If you can manage that, then go free.

 

[raptalia]

In Australia they are increasing from $139 - $179, there is an option to use Microsoft 365 for free, but you just lose your storage and its web based only. If you can manage that, then go free.

Interesting. It seems everyone has a different fee structure though. My fee has increased from $106 to $159 and in the EU the increase is only 5%. Thanks for the information about the free option, I did not realise such a thing was available and it would suit me as I can get by without cloud base storage etc. I will investigate.

I suspect the fee increase is to pay for Microsoft's adoption of AI based technology. I do not need or use Co Pilot so I feel I am paying for something I do not want. Thanks again RE.