Compare Microsoft 365 Enterprise Licensing

Yes, we know what you're thinking: "Wait, there's more Enterprise Licensing?!" There is!! But this time it's Microsoft 365 (M365) Enterprise, not Office 365. We are still talking about Enterprise licensing, so the basic rules apply, but the M365 Enterprise licensing is a bit more of an "all inclusive" licensing option. That means that these users will get some of the a-la-carte options, including substantial security features, included within one license. If you want all, or most, of the M365 apps and capabilites for your users, then this might be the best option for you. Here's a quick comparison of what is offered:

Microsoft 365 E3 - $36/user/month

This license focuses on productivity apps and core security and compliance capabilities.

• Includes installed Office client apps on up to 5 PCs, 5 tablets and 5 mobile devices
• Includes email and calendar with Outlook and Exchange, and also includes Bookings
• Includes Teams for collaboration through chat, meetings, content and calling
• Includes all device and app management capabilities: Windows, Intune and Endpoint Manager, etc.
• Includes SharePoint, Yammer and Viva
• Complete files and content capability with OneDrive with 5 TB of initial storage, Lists, Forms, Visio and more
• Complete work management capabilities including Power Apps, Power Automate, Planner and more
• Identity and access management with Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 1
• Includes threat protection with Advanced Threat Analytics, MS Defender and Defender for Enpoint P1
• Information protection with data loss prevention for email and files, Windows Information Protection and Azure Information Protection P1
• Complete security management for further visibility into your cloud apps and services to help combat cyberthreats

Microsoft 365 E5 - $57/user/month

This license includes everything within the E3 as well as almost every other Mircosoft 365 capability. The E5 license puts an emphasis on advanced security, compliance, voice and analytical capabilities. Here are the additional items you get with M365 E5:

• Includes Power BI Pro
• Azure Active Directory Plan 2 - advanced identity protection and privileged identity management
• Full suite of threat protection
• Advanced Information Protection
• Advanced Compliance Management with automatic retention policies, records management, advanced eDiscovery and more

Microsoft 365 F3 - $8/user/month

This license, although in the M365 Enterprise license category, is a little different than the others. You could almost consider this a lighter version of M365 Enterprise designed for the frontline user who needs productivity apps and cloud services. Here are the differences from the E3 and E5:

• Includes Office for web and mobile apps only
• Includes a 2GB inbox size and 2GB of OneDrive storage
• SharePoint capabilities do not include site mailbox, personal sites or ability to create forms
• No advanced analytics
• Azure AD Premium P1 and Azure Information Protection P1
• Includes "light" version of Enterprise security capabilities (some features, but not all)

As we've discovered, there are so many different licensing options and features that you want to apply to your users for the best efficiency, and it can get overwhelming. That's why we are here! If you have any questions about what might be best for your org, reach out to us! We have a lot of experience with this licensing and are happy to suggest solutions based on the needs of the business.

Blog published June 17, 2022

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