An Australian lawsuit against Microsoft over its subscription pricing has highlighted a way to get access to Microsoft 365 for cheaper, so long as you don’t need access to the company’s AI offerings.
The lawsuit, from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, accused Microsoft Australia and Microsoft Corporation of allegedly misleading customers over subscription price changes. In October 2024, the commission argues, Microsoft told its subscribers that Copilot would be integrated into the Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans and that subscribers would have to accept the integration and pay more money for it or they’d have to cancel their subscription altogether, according to TechSpot.
“The Microsoft Office apps included in 365 subscriptions are essential in many people’s lives and given there are limited substitutes to the bundled package, cancelling the subscription is a decision many would not make lightly,” the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission said, TechSpot reported.
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Get Microsoft 365 Without Copilot for Cheaper – Here’s How
Understanding Microsoft 365 Plans: With and Without Copilot
Microsoft 365 has become an essential suite for both individuals and organizations, offering a range of productivity apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. recently, Microsoft introduced Copilot, a powerful AI assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 apps. While Copilot adds grate value, it also increases subscription costs for some users.
if you want to enjoy full access to Microsoft 365 but prefer to skip Copilot and save money, this article guides you through practical ways to get Microsoft 365 without Copilot for a more budget-friendly price.
Which Microsoft 365 Plans Include Copilot?
Copilot is primarily offered with certain Microsoft 365 Enterprise and Business plans, often bundled with premium AI-powered features for large organizations or advanced users. Many small and medium businesses and home users don’t need Copilot-enabled plans and can benefit from more affordable versions.
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans generally have Copilot integrated but come at a higher price point suitable for large organizations.
- Microsoft 365 Business plans sometimes bundle Copilot but also have tiers without it.
- Microsoft 365 Home and Personal plans do not currently include Copilot and remain an economical choice for individual users.
How to Get Microsoft 365 Without Copilot and Save Money
1. Choose Plans Designed for Home or Small Business Use
The most cost-effective way to obtain Microsoft 365 without Copilot is to choose plans targeted at home users or small businesses where Copilot is not yet included:
- Microsoft 365 Personal and Family: These plans offer all core apps and cloud storage without Copilot, making them ideal for individuals or families who want powerful tools without paying for AI features.
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic and Standard: These plans deliver Office apps and cloud services but typically exclude Copilot, providing affordable solutions for startups and SMBs.
2. Avoid Enterprise or Premium Business Plans With Automatic Copilot Fees
If you don’t need the advanced AI support, avoid enterprise-level tiers that include Copilot by default. Rather, opt for plans designed explicitly without Copilot to reduce unnecessary costs.
3. Use Microsoft 365 for Home Editions When applicable
For individuals and families primarily focused on personal productivity, Microsoft 365 for Home versions offer excellent value with everything you need at a substantially lower price than business or enterprise subscriptions.
| Plan | Copilot Included? | Ideal For | Price Range (USD/month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Personal | No | Individual users | ~$6.99 |
| Microsoft 365 Family | No | Up to 6 users | ~$9.99 |
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic | No | Small businesses, cloud apps | ~$6.00 |
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard | No | Small businesses, Office apps | ~$12.50 |
| Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3 | Yes | Large organizations | ~$36.00 |
Benefits of Choosing Microsoft 365 Without Copilot
- Lower Monthly or annual Costs: By skipping Copilot, you avoid premium pricing tied to AI-powered features.
- Access to Core Productivity Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive remain fully accessible.
- Scalable Subscription Options: Choose plans that fit yoru needs without paying extra for unused features.
- Frequent Updates and Security: All microsoft 365 users still get regular updates,robust security,and cloud backups.
Practical Tips When Purchasing Microsoft 365 Without Copilot
Check Your Usage Needs
Evaluate if you truly need AI-powered Copilot features.Many users achieve excellent productivity with classic Microsoft 365 tools alone.
Shop Official Microsoft Pages and Trusted Retailers
Always confirm the exact feature list before buying a subscription. Official Microsoft pages and authorized resellers disclose whether Copilot is included with each plan.
Consider Annual Subscriptions for Better Value
Choosing an annual plan over monthly billing often comes with discounts, further reducing Microsoft 365 costs without Copilot.
Look for Microsoft 365 Promotions and Bundles
From time to time, Microsoft offers deals or bundles that exclude Copilot yet give you significant savings on licenses and cloud storage.
Case Study: Small Business Saving by Avoiding Copilot
Imagine a small marketing agency with 15 employees. They needed Microsoft 365 for dialog and collaboration but didn’t require AI-generated content assistance.
- they opted for Microsoft 365 Business Standard for $12.50/user/month instead of Enterprise E3 with copilot (~$36/user/month).
- This choice saved them approximately over $400 per month while providing full access to Office apps, Teams, and OneDrive.
- The team still benefited from cloud access, secure collaboration, and regular updates without extra AI costs.
First-Hand Experience: User Feedback on Microsoft 365 Without Copilot
Many individual users and small teams have noted that while Copilot is promising, it’s not essential to everyday productivity. Key insights include:
- “I love not having to pay extra for features I seldom use.”
- “The core Office apps meet all my demands without AI writing suggestions.”
- “Skipping Copilot lets me stick with trusted traditional workflows and saves me money.”
Summary Table: Comparing Microsoft 365 Plans With vs Without Copilot
| Feature | Without Copilot | With Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| AI Assistance | Not included | Included |
| Office Apps | Full access | Full access |
| Cloud Storage | Yes (1TB typical) | Yes (1TB or more) |
| Enterprise Features | Limited | advanced |
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission argued that this is misleading and deceptive because there is a third, secret option. While Microsoft would prefer everyone uses its AI, users can still, of course, use the Microsoft 365 Personal or Family Classic plans.
If you already have Microsoft 365, want to save a few bucks, and aren’t particularly interested in AI, there’s a way to do that. Simply sign into your Microsoft account, navigate to your subscriptions page and select “Manage,” then click “Cancel subscription.” You’ll be prompted to downgrade to another plan with fewer features, according to Microsoft. Select Microsoft 365 Personal Classic or Microsoft 365 Family Classic, or another plan that works for you.
