Apart from pricing, 365 Business and the more expensive 365 ProPlus are essentially the same at first glance. However, there are some subtle differences that one should be aware of before making a decision, the most important being:
- 365 ProPlus includes Microsoft Access; 365 Business does not (Access can only be run on a PC and not a Mac).
- 365 Business has a limit of 300 users in a single account; 365 ProPlus has no limit on number of users.
That said, both options can:
- Install the latest version of Office on up to five computers for each user
- Install and use the Office applications on iOS, Android and Windows mobile devices
Other 365 offers include these offers as part of their final offer:
- 365 Business is bundled in with the Office 365 Business Premium plan.
- 365 ProPlus is bundled in with the Office 365 E3 and E4 plans.
Other, less significant differences include:
- 365 ProPlus includes powerful Excel features (Compare, Inquire, Power Pivot, Power View); 365 Business doesn’t.
- 365 ProPlus includes InfoPath Designer which is used to design, distribute, complete and submit electronic forms and can be used in conjunction with SharePoint Online; 365 Business does not.
- 365 ProPlus allows the ability to run Microsoft Office on virtual desktops; Office 365 Business does not.
- 365 ProPlus can block cloud-based file storage through a registry edit; 365 Business cannot.
- 365 ProPlus has Group Policy support; 365 Business does not.
- Office 365 ProPlus supports Exchange Online and SharePoint Online Archiving and Compliance; 365 Business does not.
- 365 ProPlus supports Information Rights Management (and therefore Azure Rights Management); 365 Business does not.
So the long and the short is, 365 ProPlus is an enterprise offering; 365 Business is a retail offer. Both can be coupled with other 365 offers to make for an interesting and flexible mix of products and services.