Microsoft 365 Business Basic vs Standard vs Premium: which plan do you need?
Business Basic, Standard or Premium? A clear comparison of Microsoft 365 plans for Melbourne business — features, security and which to pick.
Three plans, very different protection. Here is how to pick without overpaying or under-protecting.
Microsoft 365's business plans look similar on the pricing page, but the differences — especially around security — are significant. Choosing wrong means either paying for features you will not use or, more dangerously, missing the security you need.
The three plans at a glance
Business Basic
the web and mobile versions of the Office apps, plus email, Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint. No installed desktop apps. The entry point.
Business Standard
everything in Basic, plus the full installed desktop apps (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and webinar/booking tools.
Business Premium
everything in Standard, plus a serious layer of security and device management: Microsoft Defender for Business, Intune device management, conditional access and information protection.
The difference that actually matters: security
For most businesses, the real decision is Standard versus Premium — and it comes down to security. Premium adds the tools that defend against the attacks that actually hit SMBs: advanced threat protection, the ability to manage and secure devices, conditional access that checks who and where a login comes from, and the means to wipe a lost laptop remotely. For a business holding any sensitive or client data, those are not luxuries.
Which plan should you choose?
Business Basic
suits very light users who work mostly in a browser and do not need installed apps. Rarely the right fit for a whole business.
Business Standard
fine for businesses that genuinely have separate, robust security tooling already. For most, it leaves a security gap.
Business Premium
the right choice for the majority of Melbourne SMBs, because it bundles the security and device management you would otherwise have to buy separately, usually at higher total cost.
Our rule of thumb: unless you have a specific reason not to, Premium is the sensible default. We help businesses choose and configure the right plan on our Microsoft 365 page.
A note on Copilot
If you are considering Microsoft 365 Copilot, note it is an add-on that builds on these plans. Getting your plan and data hygiene right first is essential before adding AI — see our guide to Microsoft Copilot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Premium?
Premium adds security and device management — Microsoft Defender for Business, Intune, conditional access and information protection — on top of everything in Standard.
Which Microsoft 365 plan is best for small business?
For most, Business Premium, because it bundles security that would otherwise cost more bought separately. Standard suits businesses with robust separate security tooling.
Does Business Basic include the desktop apps?
No. Basic includes web and mobile versions only. For installed Word, Excel and Outlook, you need Standard or Premium.
Do I need Premium to use Copilot?
Copilot is a separate add-on that works on top of qualifying plans. Premium also ensures your data and security are ready for AI.
Get the right plan, configured properly
We will assess what your team actually uses and set up the right plan, secured correctly. Call 1300 053 948 or book a free review.
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