MS Office Student vs. MS Office Professional: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Harlon Moss || Updated on October 20, 2023
MS Office Student is a version tailored for academic use; MS Office Professional offers advanced features for businesses.
Key Differences
MS Office Student and MS Office Professional are two variations of Microsoft Office, each targeting different user demographics. MS Office Student is primarily designed for students and educators. It provides essential tools necessary for academic assignments, projects, and tasks. On the other hand, MS Office Professional is crafted with business professionals in mind, ensuring they have advanced tools to manage, report, and present data seamlessly.
MS Office Student often comes at a discounted price or even for free for qualifying students and educational institutions. This version aims to make digital learning accessible and efficient. MS Office Professional, conversely, is priced higher, reflecting the broader range of tools and advanced functionalities it encompasses, which are essential for professionals.
The applications included in MS Office Student usually cover the basics: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. These applications aid in creating documents, presentations, and simple data management. In contrast, MS Office Professional goes a step further, including applications like Publisher, Access, and often Outlook, focusing on email management, database creation, and desktop publishing.
It's crucial for users to assess their needs when choosing between MS Office Student and MS Office Professional. While the former is optimal for academic requirements, the latter proves invaluable for businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals who require a more comprehensive suite of tools.
Comparison Chart
Primary Users
Students and educators
Business professionals
ADVERTISEMENT
Cost
Often discounted or free for qualifying students
Priced higher due to advanced functionalities
Basic Applications
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote
Includes all student apps plus Publisher, Access, Outlook
Purpose
Academic assignments and projects
Business tasks, reports, presentations, database creation
Availability of Advanced Tools
Limited to basic academic needs
Comprehensive for professional tasks
MS Office Student and MS Office Professional Definitions
MS Office Student
A version of Microsoft Office for academic users.
She got MS Office Student at a discounted rate for her college assignments.
ADVERTISEMENT
MS Office Professional
Comprehensive toolkit for business tasks.
MS Office Professional was the team's choice for their startup's operations.
MS Office Student
Tailored software for educational tasks.
With MS Office Student, he could complete his thesis efficiently.
MS Office Professional
Ensures seamless management, reporting, and presentations.
With MS Office Professional, he could handle every business challenge efficiently.
MS Office Student
Microsoft's suite for students and educators.
The school provided MS Office Student to all its pupils for e-learning.
MS Office Professional
Advanced software suite for professionals.
As an entrepreneur, he found MS Office Professional indispensable.
MS Office Student
Digital toolkit for academic purposes.
Their professor recommended using MS Office Student for the group task.
MS Office Professional
Contains tools like Publisher, Access, and Outlook.
She used MS Office Professional's Access tool for her client database.
MS Office Student
Contains essential tools for classroom and assignments.
MS Office Student was her go-to for every project presentation.
MS Office Professional
Microsoft Office's version for business functionalities.
The company upgraded to MS Office Professional for better data management.
FAQs
Can students get MS Office Student at a discount?
Yes, MS Office Student is often available at discounted rates or even free for qualifying students.
Is MS Office Student limited in its tools?
MS Office Student is tailored for academic needs, so it focuses on essential academic tools.
Who is the primary target for MS Office Student?
MS Office Student is primarily designed for students and educators.
Why is MS Office Professional priced higher?
MS Office Professional offers a broader range of advanced tools essential for business professionals, hence its higher price.
What is the main focus of MS Office Professional?
MS Office Professional focuses on business functionalities with advanced tools.
Can I install both versions on the same computer?
It's possible but might lead to software conflicts. It's advisable to use one version at a time.
Are both versions available for Mac users?
Yes, both MS Office Student and MS Office Professional are available for Windows and Mac users.
Is there a trial version for MS Office Professional?
Microsoft often offers trial versions, but availability might vary. It's best to check the official website.
Is customer support available for both versions?
Yes, Microsoft provides customer support for both MS Office Student and MS Office Professional.
Which version is suitable for entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurs, requiring comprehensive tools, would benefit more from MS Office Professional.
Can educators also use MS Office Professional?
Yes, while educators can use MS Office Professional, they might find MS Office Student more aligned with academic needs.
Which version contains OneNote?
Both versions, MS Office Student and MS Office Professional, include OneNote.
Can MS Office Student handle basic business tasks?
Yes, MS Office Student can handle basic tasks, but for advanced business functionalities, MS Office Professional is recommended.
Which version is more popular among students?
MS Office Student is more popular among students due to its academic focus and often discounted rates.
Does MS Office Professional include applications like Access and Publisher?
Yes, MS Office Professional typically includes Access, Publisher, and often Outlook.
Which version is optimal for data management?
MS Office Professional, with tools like Access, is more optimal for advanced data management.
Can I upgrade from MS Office Student to MS Office Professional?
Yes, users can typically upgrade from MS Office Student to MS Office Professional.
Which version is better for presentations?
Both versions include PowerPoint for presentations, but MS Office Professional might offer more advanced features.
Is there a difference in update frequency between the two versions?
Updates are generally rolled out by Microsoft based on the overall Office suite and not specifically based on versions.
Do both versions support cloud integration?
Yes, both MS Office Student and MS Office Professional support cloud integration, allowing users to store and access files online.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
