It’s no secret that Microsoft 365 is a great productivity tool. However, the right plan isn’t always clear. Should you go with Microsoft 365 for Business or Microsoft 365 for Enterprise?
Choosing the right version depends on your business needs. Business and Enterprise plans share some similarities, but they have different features, pricing, and support options.
This blog post will explore the key differences between Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise plans to help you find the best fit for your business.
Security and Threat Protection
Data protection is more vital now than ever before, and every business wants to keep its data safe. If you are looking for the best version of Microsoft, you should know there’s a big difference in security features between the Business and Enterprise plans. Microsoft 365 Business comes with Advanced Threat Protection (ATP). This feature notifies IT administrators if users are receiving and engaging with malicious content. The Enterprise plan offers more, including Device Guard, App Locker, Enterprise Data Protection, Credential Guard, and Advanced Threat Analytics.
File Storage and Sharing
With each Microsoft 365 Business plan, you get 1TB of cloud storage via OneDrive. SharePoint and OneDrive ensure your files are easily accessible by syncing them across devices. The benefit is you can share files externally and set sharing permissions to manage security.
There are also differences at the Enterprise plan level. The F3 tier includes 2GB of OneDrive personal storage. The E3 and E5 plans provide 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage plus an additional 10GB per license. These plans also offer unlimited personal storage on OneDrive, external sharing capabilities, and sharing permissions for better security.
Customization Options
With Microsoft 365 Business, there are basic customization and integration options available. However, it’s more limited compared to the enterprise version. SMBs can use these features but might find limitations with extensive integrations and development.
Microsoft 365 Enterprise offers extensive customization and integration via Microsoft Graph APIs and the Power Platform. Users get the capability to build custom workflows, apps, and integrations tailored to their specific business needs.
Email and Calendar
Email capacities vary between Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise plans. Business users get a 50GB mailbox with access to Exchange for business-class email on desktops, phones, tablets, and the web. They can manage appointments with a shared calendar, including availability, scheduling, and reminders.
On the Enterprise plan, the E3 and E5 tiers offer a 100GB mailbox, email archiving, Microsoft Bookings, Outlook desktop client, and an online booking and scheduling app. The F3 tier comes with a 2GB mailbox but no integration for voicemail or Outlook.
Users
For businesses with 300+ users, the Enterprise plan is necessary. That’s because it accommodates more users and provides advanced features needed for larger organizations. Plus, if your business is growing and you’re adding new team members who need devices managed remotely, an Enterprise plan becomes essential.
Connectivity
As for connectivity, will employees always have access to a reliable and fast internet connection? If not, they may need desktop versions of Microsoft Apps. These are available in all tiers except Business Basic and Microsoft 365 Enterprise F3.
Access Management and Information Governance
Remote work is everywhere now, so you need to make sure only the right people get access. Microsoft 365 Enterprise Apps helps with this by offering:
- Self Service Password Reset
- Multi-factor Authentication
- Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics
- Advanced Security Reports
For information protection, the E5 plan offers the most advanced features. You get:
- Advanced Office Message Encryption
- Machine Learning-based sensitivity labels
- Endpoint DLP
In terms of information governance, users have various options for applying sensitivity labels. While all Enterprise plans include encryption, Machine Learning for specialized governance and Advanced Office Message Encryption are exclusive to E5.
Service Level Agreements
Service level agreements (SLAs) are different for Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise plans. These levels are based on what Microsoft has seen in customer demand. Global companies need more support, while smaller companies benefit from phone and online help.
In Microsoft 365 Business, the uptime SLA is 99.9%. This means the service should work at least 99.9% of the time. If Microsoft fails to meet this, customers might get service credits.
In Microsoft 365 Enterprise, the uptime SLA is also 99.9%. However, it comes with additional financially backed agreements for certain services. If these SLAs are not met, customers might get 25% to 100% of their monthly fees back as credits.
Microsoft 365 Licensing
The licensing of Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise plans differ significantly. Here’s a breakdown of the licenses and features:
Microsoft 365 Business
- Basic: $6 per user/month – web and mobile apps, email hosting, OneDrive storage.
- Standard: $12.50 per user/month – all Basic features plus Teams, SharePoint, and desktop apps.
- Premium: $22 per user/month – all Standard features plus advanced security and device management.
Microsoft 365 Enterprise
- E3: $36/month per user – all Business features plus Power Apps, Power BI, advanced security, and Dynamics 365 integration.
- E5: $57/month per user – all E3 features plus voice capabilities, advanced analytics, and additional compliance features.
Both plans require an annual commitment, with discounts available for larger user numbers.
Support
In Utah, IT support keeps businesses operating despite the technical glitches that arise. Microsoft 365 Business offers basic support options like phone and online support. Customers can buy extra support if needed.
Microsoft 365 Enterprise includes more advanced support, such as 24/7 phone support for critical issues and access to a dedicated support team.
The Best Plan for You
Choosing the right Microsoft 365 plan depends on your business size and needs. Evaluate how many users you have and the level of support you require.
If you run a small to medium-sized business, Microsoft 365 Business might be the best fit. It offers essential tools and basic support at a lower cost.
For larger organizations with complex needs, Microsoft 365 Enterprise may be the better choice. It provides advanced features, extensive customization, and robust support.
Consider your specific requirements and budget. Assess the features, security, and support options to choose the Microsoft 365 license that aligns with your business goals.
