Please note: This alternative product is cheaper and does not require a subscription, only CHF 59.  Office 2024 for 5 users

Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 - Word, Excel, PowerPoint & OneNote as a one-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac

Some tasks simply work best with locally installed Office apps: a paper where the layout has to be just right, a budget you update every week, or a presentation that needs to run reliably even offline. Office Home & Student 2021 is made exactly for that: the classic Office applications as desktop versions - ready whenever you need them, at home or for studying.

In everyday use, this mainly means reliability and a clear routine: writing in Word, calculating in Excel, presenting in PowerPoint and collecting everything important in OneNote - without tool hopping and without subscription logic. Office 2021 is a one-time purchase and does not include Microsoft 365 services, such as subscription-based cloud services like OneDrive storage, nor does it include all cloud-based features.

If you are upgrading from Office Home & Student 2019: Office 2021 is the newer generation and brings noticeable updates - including modern collaboration features like co-authoring, new Excel functions such as XLOOKUP and LET, plus improvements in Word and PowerPoint.

When you buy Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 from SwissSoftware24, you receive your digital product quickly by e-mail, including the activation key and official download link, as well as a Swiss invoice suitable for accounting. In addition, you benefit from clear processes for private users and businesses, so activation and setup run smoothly.

What is Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021?

Office Home & Student 2021 is an Office suite for students and families who want to use the classic Office apps as desktop versions on one PC or Mac. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

What you get with Office Home & Student 2021

• Word 2021 for writing, formatting and printing
  
• Excel 2021 for spreadsheets, calculations, charts and analysis
  
• PowerPoint 2021 for presentations and slides
  
• OneNote for notes, study material and organisation
  Everything as a one-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac.
  

One-time purchase vs Microsoft 365 subscription

Office 2021 is a one-time purchase, not a subscription. It includes the desktop apps, but no Microsoft 365 services - and Microsoft points out that one-time purchases do not include an upgrade option to the next major version, so a later upgrade requires a new purchase.

What is new in Office 2021 compared with Office 2019?

Microsoft describes Office 2021 as the next step in its perpetual versions, with improvements in collaboration, usability and app functions.

Excel 2021 - practical improvements for spreadsheets

Excel 2021 introduces features such as co-authoring, Dynamic Arrays, XLOOKUP and LET - especially useful if you want to build large spreadsheets more clearly and maintain them more easily.

PowerPoint 2021 - better presenting and recording

PowerPoint 2021 adds features such as co-authoring, Ink Replay and improved slide show recording, which is especially noticeable for learning videos, lectures and remote presentations.

Word 2021 - a more modern interface

According to Microsoft, Word 2021 includes a visual refresh with a modernised start experience, updated ribbon tabs and clearer icons.

Support period - important for planning

Microsoft lists 13 October 2026 as the end of support for Office 2021. The apps will continue to work, but support and security updates will end.
For comparison: support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 ended on 14 October 2025.

System requirements

Windows

• Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11
  
• Processor: 1.1 GHz or faster, 2-core
  
• Memory (RAM): 4 GB
  
• Disk space: 4 GB available
  
• Internet connection: required for redemption and linking to the Microsoft account, activation and periodic activation checks
  

macOS

• Operating system: the three latest versions of macOS
  
• Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon
  
• Memory (RAM): 4 GB
  
• Disk space: 10 GB available
  
• Internet connection: required for redemption and linking, activation and periodic activation checks
  

Installation and activation (practical steps)

1. Sign in with the Microsoft account you want to use for Office and download Office from the account page.
   
2. Install Office on your PC or Mac
   
3. Activate it with the activation key you receive after purchase and make sure you have an internet connection available.
   
4. Allow updates so you stay up to date throughout the Office 2021 support period.
   

FAQ

Which apps are included in Office Home & Student 2021?

It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

On how many devices can I install it?

Microsoft describes Home & Student 2021 as a one-time purchase for 1 PC or 1 Mac.

Is this a subscription like Microsoft 365?

No. Office 2021 is a one-time purchase and does not include Microsoft 365 services.

Is Outlook included?

No. Outlook is part of Office Home & Business 2021, not Home & Student 2021.

Can I use it at home and for school?

Yes, Home & Student 2021 is positioned for home use as well as school and study use.

What does Office 2021 offer compared with Office 2019?

Office 2021 is the newer perpetual version and includes new Excel functions such as XLOOKUP, LET and Dynamic Arrays, as well as improvements in Word and PowerPoint.

When does support for Office 2021 end?

Microsoft lists 13 October 2026 as the end of support.

Do I need internet to use Office 2021?

Internet is required for redemption and linking to the Microsoft account, activation and periodic activation checks.

These alternatives might fit you even better

Microsoft 365 Single - if you want a subscription, which gives you the apps plus, depending on the plan, cloud storage, security features and cloud-based functions.

Office Home & Business 2021 - if you need Outlook as a desktop app.

Office Home 2024 - if you would rather choose the newer one-time purchase generation instead of 2021.

You can find more information about this product here.