Office 2021 vs Office 2019: A Comprehensive Comparison
Office 2021 and Office 2019 are two popular productivity suites developed by Microsoft. Both of these suites offer a wide range of tools for creating and editing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, as well as for managing emails and tasks.
In this article, we will compare Office 2021 and Office 2019 in terms of their features, pricing, and system requirements. We will also discuss the key differences between the two versions and help you decide which one is the best fit for you.
Features
One of the main differences between Office 2021 and Office 2019 is the availability of new features. While Office 2019 only received minor updates and improvements, Office 2021 introduces several new features and enhancements.
Some of the new features in Office 2021 include:
- Improved inking: Office 2021 introduces new ink effects, such as rainbow, galaxy, and gold, as well as improved ink-to-text and ink-to-shape recognition.
- Enhanced data analysis: Office 2021 introduces new data analysis and visualization tools, such as the new dynamic arrays and XLOOKUP functions in Excel, and new data types and data integration capabilities in Access.
- Improved security: Office 2021 includes new security features, such as passwordless authentication and data loss prevention (DLP) for OneDrive, as well as improved protection against phishing and ransomware attacks.
- Enhanced collaboration: Office 2021 introduces new collaboration features, such as the ability to co-author documents in real-time, as well as new integration with Microsoft Teams and other communication and collaboration platforms.
Pricing
Another important factor to consider when choosing between Office 2021 and Office 2019 is the pricing. Office 2021 is available as a one-time purchase or as a subscription through Microsoft 365. The one-time purchase option costs $149.99 for the Home & Student version, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, and $229.99 for the Home & Business version, which also includes Outlook.
On the other hand, Office 2019 is only available as a one-time purchase and costs $149.99 for the Home & Student version and $249.99 for the Home & Business version. It’s important to note that Office 2019 does not include any additional updates or new features after the initial release, while Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 subscribers receive regular updates and access to new features.
System Requirements
Another important consideration when choosing between Office 2021 and Office 2019 is the system requirements. Both versions have similar system requirements, but there are some slight differences that you should be aware of.
Office 2021 requires a computer with at least a 1.6 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended), and 6 GB of free hard drive space. It is compatible with Windows 10 and macOS 11 (Big Sur) and can be installed on up to five devices.
Office 2019 has similar system requirements, but it is only compatible with Windows 10 and macOS 10.14 (Mojave). It can also be installed on up to five devices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Office 2021 and Office 2019 are both excellent productivity suites that offer a wide range of tools for creating and editing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, as well as for managing emails and tasks. While Office 2021 introduces several new features and enhancements, such as improved inking, enhanced data analysis, improved security, and enhanced collaboration, Office 2019 is a more budget-friendly option that includes the basic tools and features.
Ultimately, the choice between Office 2021 and Office 2019 depends on your budget
