Side-by-side comparison of Business Basic, Standard, and Premium licences — features, storage, security, and per-user pricing.
Selecting the right Microsoft 365 licence tier can save UK businesses significant costs while ensuring staff have the tools they need. This side-by-side comparison breaks down Business Basic, Business Standard, and Business Premium licences across features, cloud storage allocation, security capabilities, and per-user pricing. It helps you make an informed decision and avoid overspending on features your organisation does not require.
Business owners, IT managers, and procurement teams at UK businesses choosing or reviewing their Microsoft 365 licence tier to optimise cost and functionality.
Business Basic gives web and mobile versions of Office apps plus Exchange, Teams, and SharePoint, typically priced around £5-£6 per user per month. Business Standard adds the fully installed desktop versions of Word, Excel, and Outlook, typically costing around £11-£12 per user per month. Most UK SMEs with desktop-based staff choose Standard.
UK pricing in 2026 typically ranges from around £5 per user per month for Business Basic, £11-£12 for Business Standard, and £19-£21 for Business Premium, which adds advanced security and device management. Annual commitment plans are usually slightly cheaper than paying monthly, and charity or education discounts can sometimes apply.
Business Premium adds Microsoft Defender for Business, conditional access, device management via Intune, and information protection that Basic and Standard lack. Most UK SMEs handling sensitive client data, operating in regulated sectors, or supporting remote and hybrid staff typically benefit from the additional security controls, even at the higher per-user cost.
Start by mapping which staff need full desktop apps versus web-only access, then layer in security requirements such as advanced threat protection or device management. This comparison guide breaks down storage, features, and per-user pricing side by side so you can match tiers to roles rather than licensing everyone the same way.
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