Microsoft 365 Business Standard - Features, what is included?

M365 Business Standard features

M365 Business Standard plan includes Office 365 Web Apps and Desktop-Apps (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Publisher, Access) plus Microsoft Teams, Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive 1TB etc. see feature table.

A user with a licence can use the functionality of M365 Business Standard on up to 15 devices (5 desktops, 5 tablets and 5 smartphones).

Microsoft 365 Web Apps ↺

Microsoft 365 Web Apps provide browser-based access to core productivity tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. They run entirely in a web browser and do not require any software installation on the device.

Web Apps allow users to create, view, edit, and share documents from anywhere, using any modern device with an internet connection. Multiple users can work on the same file at the same time, with changes saved automatically in the cloud via OneDrive or SharePoint.

Compared to desktop apps, Web Apps offer a simplified feature set focused on everyday tasks and collaboration. Advanced functions, complex formatting, macros, and offline usage are limited or not available. Web Apps are ideal for basic document work, shared editing, and scenarios where local software installation is not required.

Microsoft 365 Desktop Apps ↺

Microsoft 365 Desktop Apps are fully installed applications that run locally on a Windows or macOS device. They include the complete versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, and may also include Access and Publisher on Windows, depending on the licence.

Desktop Apps provide the full feature set of Microsoft Office, including advanced formatting, complex formulas, macros (VBA), add-ins, offline access, and high-performance handling of large files. Users can continue working even without an internet connection, with changes syncing once they are back online.

These apps are designed for power users and professional workloads. Licences that include Desktop Apps typically allow installation on multiple devices per user, making them suitable for organizations that need full functionality and maximum productivity.

Microsoft Teams ↺

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that brings chat, meetings, calling, and file sharing into one place. It helps teams stay connected and work together in real time, whether they are in the office or working remotely. Users can chat one-to-one or in groups, share files, and collaborate directly on documents without switching apps.

Teams also supports online meetings with video, audio, screensharing, and live captions. Channels keep conversations and files organized by topic or project, making it easy to find information later. Microsoft Teams integrates closely with Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint, as well as many third-party tools.

Overall, Microsoft Teams simplifies communication and teamwork, reduces email overload, and helps organizations work more efficiently.

Exchange Online ↺

Exchange Online is a cloud-based email and calendar service for business communication. It provides users with professional email hosting, shared calendars, contacts, and tasks that are accessible from anywhere. Mailboxes are protected with built-in security features such as spam and malware filtering, data loss prevention, and encryption.

Exchange Online supports large mailboxes, automatic updates, and high availability without the need to manage on-premises servers. It integrates seamlessly with Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and mobile devices, enabling reliable and secure email communication for organizations of all sizes.

SharePoint Online ↺

SharePoint Online is a web-based platform for storing, organizing, and sharing information across an organization. It is commonly used to create internal websites (intranets), team sites, and document libraries. Teams can securely store files, control access, and work together on content in real time.

SharePoint helps keep information structured by using folders, metadata, and search, making it easy to find documents and company resources. Version history ensures changes can be tracked and restored when needed.

It also supports collaboration through shared pages, news posts, and integration with Microsoft Teams and OneDrive. SharePoint Online is ideal for managing company knowledge, processes, and shared documents in a secure and centralized way.

OneDrive 1 TB ↺

OneDrive for Business is a personal cloud storage service for work files. It allows users to store, access, and sync their documents securely from any device, whether they are in the office, at home, or on the go. Files can be worked on offline and automatically synced once a connection is available.

Users can easily share files or folders with colleagues or external partners and control permissions such as view or edit access. OneDrive includes version history and data protection features to help prevent data loss.

It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and Teams, enabling real-time collaboration. OneDrive for Business gives each user a secure place for their work files while supporting flexible and modern working styles.

Multi-Factor Authentication ↺

Multi-Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of security to user sign-ins by requiring more than just a password. In addition to something the user knows, MFA uses something the user has or is, such as a mobile app approval, SMS code, hardware token, or biometric verification.

By blocking unauthorized access even when passwords are compromised, MFA significantly reduces the risk of identity-based attacks. It can be applied selectively using security policies and works seamlessly with Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365 services.

Exchange Online Archiving 50 GB ↺

Exchange Online Archiving provides cloud-based archiving for email to help organizations meet compliance and retention requirements. It automatically moves older mailbox data into an archive mailbox while keeping it searchable and accessible.

The service supports retention policies, legal hold, eDiscovery, and long-term data preservation without the need for on-premises archive servers. Exchange Online Archiving helps reduce mailbox size while ensuring important email data remains available and compliant.