Difference between Service and Traditional Software

This is primarily a discussion of service provider Microsoft.

Traditional Office software

Before Microsoft released Office 365 service, Office was sold as software. It is a one-time purchase, permanent use, no new features added, only patches. For example, Office 2003 was released in 2003, as long as the registration code is activated, it can be used for 20 years.

Office 365 service

Office 365 is defined as a service. It mainly provides OneDrive.com services and mail Outlook.com network services. If there are some problems or shutdown with these website services. Office 365 will become unusable.
In order for the normal use of 365 services, Microsoft must constantly invest money (server hardware replacement, bandwidth usage fees, electricity costs, etc.) to maintain its normal operation. That's why this service is charged annually on an ongoing basis, as Microsoft is also investing money on an annual basis.

2013, the first version of Office 365 service

 
In 2013, Microsoft launched the first version of Office 365 service when it launched Office 2013.
 
Office 365 is defined as a service, primarily a OneDrive.com-side service. At the same time, additional Office software is provided. Of course, the basic service does not provide Office desktop software, only the web version of the Office app.
 

2015, Office 365 service includes Office 2013 and Office 2016 Software

 
In 2015, Microsoft Office 2016 was released. As an excess, Office 365 service offers both Office 2013 and Office 2016 software downloads.
How and where to download and install 2013 version of Office 365?
 

 

2017, Office 365 was renamed Microsoft 365 Service and only Office 2016 is available

 
On January 4, 2017, Office 365 was renamed Microsoft 365 service. Only Office 2016 software downloads are available.
 

2018, Microsoft 365 Service includes only Office 2019 Software

 
On September 28, 2018, Office 2019 was released, and Microsoft 365 service is only available for download of Office 2019 software.
 

2021, Microsoft 365 Service includes only Office 2021 Software

 
On October 4, 2021, Office 2021 was released, and Microsoft 365 service is only available for Office 2021 software downloads.

2024, Microsoft 365 Service includes only Office 2024 Software

 
On October 1, 2024, Office 2024 was released, and Microsoft 365 service is only available for Office 2024 software downloads.
 

Microsoft 365 Service doesn't necessarily include Office desktop software

 
Microsoft 365 service doesn't necessarily include Office desktop software.
For example, Microsoft 365 Business Basic Service in the following image.
It only provides simple Web Office and Mobile Office apps.
Office software for Windows and Mac desktops is not available.

Office software for Windows and Mac desktops is not available for Microsoft 365 Business Basic service.