If all you need is Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for everyday things like letters, budgets, and presentations, you don’t have to pay Microsoft’s usual price. A site called StackSocial sells one-time Microsoft Office licences for a fraction of the cost — $19.97 for Windows, $54.97 for Mac — with no monthly subscription. The catch is honest and simple: these are slightly older versions of Office, not this year’s release. For almost everyone, that doesn’t matter. You still get the same Word, Excel, and PowerPoint you already know how to use.
Why not just buy Office from Microsoft?
Microsoft mainly wants you to sign up for Microsoft 365, a subscription that costs around $70 a year, every year, for as long as you use it. Microsoft does sell a one-time version too, but it isn’t cheap — often $150 or more. StackSocial sells that same kind of one-time licence, just an older edition, for a lot less. You pay once. You keep it for as long as your computer works.
Is StackSocial safe to buy from?
Yes. StackSocial has been selling software deals like this for over 15 years, is BBB accredited, and is an authorized Microsoft partner, which means the licences are genuine and not pirated. You’ve likely seen these same one-time-purchase Office deals featured by big names like Fox News, which use StackSocial the same way we do. As with any online purchase, buy directly from stacksocial.com rather than a link you’re not sure about.
Our pick for Windows: Office Professional Plus 2019
$19.97 (91% off the usual $229) — rated 4.6 stars from 705 reviews.
This gets you Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the rest of the classic Office apps, as a one-time purchase with no subscription. It works on Windows 10 and 11 (it won’t work on older versions like Windows 7 or 8).
Worth knowing: this licence is tied to your device, not your Microsoft account. If you buy a new computer down the line, you’ll need a new licence for that one too.
Get Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows on StackSocial →
Our pick for Mac: Office Home & Business 2021
$54.97 (74% off the usual $219) — rated 4.6 stars from over 4,000 reviews.
This one includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, a basic version of Teams, and a free version of OneNote. It works on the three most recent versions of macOS.
Worth knowing: this licence works the opposite way from the Windows one — it’s tied to your Microsoft account, not your specific Mac. You’ll also need to redeem your code within 7 days of buying it, so open that confirmation email right away.
Get Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac on StackSocial →
How to buy and set it up
- Go to StackSocial and choose the Windows or Mac version above.
- Pay once at checkout — there’s no subscription to remember to cancel later.
- Check your email. You’ll get a product key and instructions, usually within a few minutes.
- Follow the instructions in the email to download Office and enter your key.
If you bought the Mac version, remember to redeem your code within 7 days — don’t let that email sit unopened.
Worth knowing before you buy
These are older versions of Office, not the newest one Microsoft currently sells. If you specifically need a brand-new feature Microsoft just added, this isn’t the right choice for you. But if you just want to write letters, keep a budget in a spreadsheet, or put together a simple presentation, an older version of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint does exactly what the newest one does for those jobs.
A couple of other things worth knowing: support comes from StackSocial rather than a Microsoft help line, and everything is delivered by email — there’s no physical box or disc.
Common questions
Is it safe to buy Microsoft Office from StackSocial?
Yes. StackSocial has sold software deals like this for over 15 years, is BBB accredited, and is an authorized Microsoft partner. Just make sure you’re buying directly from stacksocial.com.
What’s the difference between this and Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 is a subscription — you pay every year to keep using it. A StackSocial licence is a one-time purchase — you pay once and keep using it for as long as your computer works.
Will I get the newest version of Office?
No. These are the 2019 (Windows) and 2021 (Mac) versions, not the newest 2024 release. For everyday tasks like documents, spreadsheets, and email, they do everything most people need.
Can I use one licence on more than one computer?
No. Each licence covers a single device.
What happens if I don’t redeem the Mac version right away?
You need to redeem your code within 7 days of buying it, so open the confirmation email as soon as it arrives.
Related reading: Windows 11 basics for seniors, The best Windows laptops for seniors, and Apple MacBook Neo: the best laptop for seniors.
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