OptiTier
Microsoft 365 Licensing: Which Plan Each Person Needs
Microsoft sells the same apps in a dozen bundles. Our plan-by-plan guides show what each one adds, and the license review matches them to your people.
What the License Review Checks
- Every assigned license against the person's last sign-in
- Accounts that left the business but still hold a paid seat
- People with two licenses that include the same apps
- Which plan each person's work calls for: Business Basic, Standard or Premium, E3 or E5, Exchange Online Plan 1 or Plan 2
- Your commitment term and renewal date, so changes take effect when they can
How It Works
You export read-only license and usage reports from the Microsoft 365 admin center, or give read-only access. The software sorts every seat, then a consultant walks you through the findings on a call. You or your IT provider make any change you choose.
Where the Plan Details Come From
Every comparison quotes Microsoft's own pages, such as the Office 365 plan options and Exchange Online limits in the service descriptions, with the date they were read.
Plan-vs-plan guides
Microsoft 365 licensing
Exchange Online Plan 1 vs Plan 2: Which Mailboxes Earn the $4-$8 Upgrade
Exchange Online Plan 1 vs Plan 2: what $4 more per user buys, which mailboxes need no license, and a 6-step checklist before you upgrade anyone.
Microsoft 365 licensing
Microsoft 365 Business Standard vs Premium: Same Apps, 4 Extra Tools
Business Premium keeps Standard's apps, seats and installs. It adds four tools: Defender, Intune, information protection and Conditional Access.
Microsoft 365 licensing
Power BI Pro vs Premium Per User: Which License Each Role Needs
Pro lists at $14, Premium Per User at $24 per user/month, paid yearly. Which roles actually need the $24 seat, and which Microsoft 365 plan already includes Power BI.
Ready When You Are
Tell us which job eats the most of your week, or how many Microsoft 365 seats you run. We reply by email to set up a 30-minute call.
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