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Office 2019 vs 2021: Is Upgrading Worth It?
Oct
If you’re using Office 2019 and considering whether it’s worth upgrading to Office 2021, you’re probably asking yourself: what’s new in the latest version, and does it justify the cost? Microsoft Office is essential for many users, but with the arrival of Office 2021, there are significant enhancements in features, performance, and overall value. In this blog post, we’ll provide a comprehensive Office 2019 vs 2021 features comparison, helping you decide whether to stick with Office 2019 or make the jump to Office 2021.
We’ll explore the key differences in features, performance improvements, pricing, and compatibility. By the end of this guide, you’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision about which version of Office is right for you.
Office 2019 vs 2021: Key Features Comparison
When it comes to Office 2019 and Office 2021, many features are the same. However, Microsoft has introduced several new and upgraded features in Office 2021 that make it more suitable for modern productivity needs, especially in collaboration, data analysis, and user experience. Let’s take a deep dive into the differences.
Collaboration Features
Office 2021 is designed to work seamlessly with Microsoft Teams and introduces real-time collaboration features for users working on documents together, making it an excellent choice for remote teams. Office 2019, while useful, lacks this enhanced collaboration functionality.
- Office 2019: Basic sharing capabilities but no real-time collaboration tools.
- Office 2021: Enhanced collaboration through Microsoft Teams integration and real-time document editing with co-authors.
Excel Enhancements
One of the most notable improvements in Office 2021 is in Excel. New functions such as XLOOKUP, LET, and Dynamic Arrays make it easier for users to manage and analyze data.
- Office 2019: Does not support new Excel functions like XLOOKUP or LET, making data analysis less efficient for advanced users.
- Office 2021: New Excel functions and improved data manipulation capabilities, enhancing productivity for users who rely on data analysis.
Performance and Speed
Microsoft has optimized Office 2021 for modern hardware and operating systems, especially for users running Windows 11. As a result, Office 2021 performs better in terms of speed, load times, and resource efficiency.
- Office 2019: Stable and reliable but not optimized for Windows 11 or the latest hardware.
- Office 2021: Faster performance, better integration with Windows 11, and optimized for new devices.
User Interface and Design
Office 2021 introduces a refreshed user interface that is more aligned with Windows 11’s clean and modern design. This offers a more visually consistent experience when using the latest Microsoft ecosystem.
- Office 2019: Classic design, functional but slightly outdated compared to newer UI trends.
- Office 2021: Updated, cleaner design with simplified ribbon icons and better integration with Windows 11.
Dark Mode
For those who prefer working with dark themes to reduce eye strain, Office 2021 offers a more refined and complete dark mode experience compared to Office 2019.
- Office 2019: Limited dark mode support, and only certain elements of the interface can be darkened.
- Office 2021: Enhanced dark mode with more comprehensive coverage, including the canvas (document background) itself.
Security and Updates
Security is a crucial factor when considering software upgrades. Office 2021 includes improved security features and longer-term support compared to Office 2019.
- Office 2019: Security updates will only be provided until October 2025.
- Office 2021: Offers longer support with more frequent updates, making it a better choice for those who prioritize security.
Office 2019 vs 2021: Side-by-Side Comparison Table
To help you easily compare both versions, here’s a summary of the key differences between Office 2019 vs 2021 features comparison:
| Feature | Office 2019 | Office 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Collaboration | Basic sharing, no real-time collaboration | Real-time collaboration, Teams integration |
| Excel Functions | No XLOOKUP, LET, or Dynamic Arrays | Includes XLOOKUP, LET, Dynamic Arrays |
| Performance | Stable but slower on modern hardware | Optimized for Windows 11, faster performance |
| User Interface | Classic, slightly outdated design | Refreshed, modern UI with Windows 11 alignment |
| Dark Mode | Limited dark mode coverage | Full dark mode, including document background |
| Security and Support | Updates until October 2025 | Longer support with improved security features |
| Price | One-time purchase, cheaper initially | Slightly higher cost, but longer-term value |
What’s New in Office 2021?
Aside from the key feature differences, let’s take a closer look at some of the standout improvements Office 2021 brings to the table.
1. XLOOKUP and LET Functions in Excel
For users who rely on Excel for data management and analysis, the new XLOOKUP function is a game-changer. XLOOKUP simplifies the process of finding data in a table, making it easier and faster to extract the necessary information. The LET function allows you to name intermediate calculations, which can simplify formulas and improve performance for larger datasets.
2. Improved Inking Tools
For users with touch-screen devices, Office 2021 offers improved inking functionality. You can now create and personalize annotations more easily with the enhanced Draw tab. This makes it easier to create diagrams, highlight text, or make notes during presentations.
3. Real-Time Collaboration
Office 2021 takes collaboration to the next level with real-time co-authoring. This means multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously, seeing changes as they happen. With the integration of Microsoft Teams, it’s easier to communicate and collaborate, making Office 2021 a great choice for remote work environments.
4. New Outlook Features
Outlook in Office 2021 also gets a few handy upgrades. The Translator tool now supports more languages, and you can compose emails with confidence thanks to the improved Microsoft Editor integration, which helps catch grammar and spelling mistakes.
5. Visual Refresh and Enhanced Accessibility
In addition to the new dark mode enhancements, Office 2021 offers a visual refresh that matches the style of Windows 11. This update also includes more accessibility features, such as improved contrast settings and easier-to-read icons.
Performance: How Office 2021 Takes Advantage of Modern Hardware
If you’re using newer hardware or have upgraded to Windows 11, you’ll likely see significant performance improvements by upgrading to Office 2021. Microsoft has optimized Office 2021 for modern hardware, meaning that tasks such as opening files, working with large datasets, or switching between applications are faster and smoother compared to Office 2019.
For example, Office 2021 utilizes the full power of multi-core processors, SSDs, and high-resolution displays, making it ideal for users who demand high performance in their daily work.
Cost and Value: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
One of the most important factors when deciding whether to upgrade from Office 2019 to Office 2021 is cost. Since both versions are perpetual licenses (one-time purchases), there is no automatic upgrade path—you’ll need to purchase a new license for Office 2021.
Price Comparison
| Version | Price |
|---|---|
| Office 2019 Home & Student | $149.99 |
| Office 2021 Home & Student | $149.99 |
| Office 2019 Home & Business | $249.99 |
| Office 2021 Home & Business | $249.99 |
The prices for Office 2019 and 2021 are roughly the same for both the Home & Student and Home & Business versions. However, when you consider the added features, performance improvements, and extended support, Office 2021 offers better long-term value, especially if you rely on advanced features like real-time collaboration or Excel functions.
Should You Upgrade to Office 2021?
Now that we’ve explored the differences in Office 2019 vs 2021 features comparison, you may still be asking, “Is upgrading worth it?” Here are some things to consider:
Reasons to Upgrade
- You Need the Latest Features: If you use Excel extensively or require enhanced collaboration tools for remote work, Office 2021 is a clear winner.
- You Want Better Performance: Users with modern hardware or Windows 11 will experience faster performance and smoother operation with Office 2021.
- You Prefer Long-Term Security and Support: Office 2021 provides longer support and security updates, which could be critical if you plan to use the software for several more years.
Reasons to Stick with Office 2019
- Your Needs Are Basic: If you only use Office for basic tasks like word processing or simple spreadsheet creation, and you don’t need advanced features, Office 2019 may still meet your needs.
- You Want to Save Money: Since there’s no free upgrade path, you’ll need to purchase a new license for Office 2021. If cost is a significant factor, you may want to stick with Office 2019 until support ends.
Final Thoughts: Office 2019 vs 2021 Features Comparison
In the battle of Office 2019 vs 2021 features comparison, Office 2021 emerges as the clear choice for users who need the latest features, better performance, and long-term support. However, for those who are content with the features in Office 2019 and don’t need the latest updates, sticking with Office 2019 is a perfectly viable option.
Ultimately, the decision to upgrade depends on your specific needs and whether the new features and improvements in Office 2021 align with your workflow. If you decide that the new features in Office 2021 are worth the investment, making the switch will undoubtedly boost your productivity.
