Industries nowadays are trying to find better and more powerful tools to automate simplify, and boost their productivity. And with the launch of AI platforms, things are changing even faster. Microsoft is a leader in providing these tools to a variety of customers.
However, selecting the right productivity suite is critical for driving growth, optimizing collaboration, and safeguarding sensitive business data. Microsoft 365 offers several versatile plans tailored for organizations of various sizes. Among the various plans available, Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Microsoft 365 E3 are two popular choices.
But in the comparison of Microsoft 365 Business Premium vs. E3 which one is the right choice for your company? Well, that’s what this blog is all about. This in-depth guide will provide a technical comparison between Microsoft 365 Business Premium and E3, outlining the key differences in features, pricing, security, and scalability. By the end of this blog, you will have a clearer understanding of which plan best suits your business needs. So let’s start.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium vs. E3: Understanding Your Business Needs
Before diving into the details of Business Premium and E3, it’s important to assess your business requirements based on key factors such as user size, security needs, and IT management resources. Consider the following:
- How many users are in your organization?
- Do you need advanced compliance, security, or device management tools?
- What is your budget for productivity and IT solutions?
- How many users are in your organization?
Assessing your organization’s size, security posture, and financial resources will help in determining whether a cost-effective SMB solution or an enterprise-grade suite is more suitable.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium: A Cost-Effective Solution for SMBs
Overview
Microsoft 365 Business Premium is specifically designed for small-to-medium businesses (SMBs). It provides an affordable yet feature-rich productivity suite, combining essential Office apps with enhanced security and device management capabilities. Business Premium strikes a balance between functionality and cost, making it ideal for organizations with fewer than 300 employees.
Key Features
- User Capacity: Supports up to 300 users, making it an ideal solution for SMBs.
- Applications: Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and more.
- Security: It features basic data loss prevention (DLP), Microsoft Defender for Business, and Microsoft Purview for compliance.
- Device Management: Offers intuitive device and user management through a simplified admin console, ideal for businesses with limited IT resources.
- User Capacity: Supports up to 300 users, making it an ideal solution for SMBs.
Advantages
- Price Point: At $22 per user/month, it’s an affordable solution with enterprise-grade features for SMBs.
- Security: Enhanced security capabilities, including Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 and Defender for Endpoint, providing comprehensive protection against phishing and malware attacks.
- Ease of Use: The simplified admin center makes it easy to manage users and devices without the need for extensive IT expertise.
- Price Point: At $22 per user/month, it’s an affordable solution with enterprise-grade features for SMBs.
Use Case Example
Consider a small law firm with 150 employees. They need robust collaboration tools, data security, and cost-effective solutions. By adopting Business Premium, they benefit from Teams for meetings, SharePoint for document management, and Defender for Endpoint to safeguard client data, all at a reasonable price.
Microsoft 365 E3: A Comprehensive Suite for Enterprises
Overview
Microsoft 365 E3 is a comprehensive suite tailored for large enterprises that require advanced security, compliance, and device management. E3 includes all the features of Business Premium but adds more enterprise-grade tools and broader scalability.
Key Features
- User Capacity: Unlike Business Premium, E3 supports unlimited users, making it suitable for larger enterprises.
- Applications: In addition to core Office apps, E3 offers tools like Microsoft Publisher, Access, and Power BI Pro.
- Security & Compliance: Features advanced DLP, eDiscovery, Windows 10 Enterprise licensing, and mobile device management with Microsoft Intune.
- Storage: Comes with 100 GB mailbox storage per user and unlimited OneDrive storage.
- User Capacity: Unlike Business Premium, E3 supports unlimited users, making it suitable for larger enterprises.
Advantages
- Scalability: Ideal for organizations that need to scale beyond 300 users and require advanced IT infrastructure.
- Compliance: Includes eDiscovery for legal and compliance teams, enabling data retention, content search, and holds for legal matters.
- Advanced IT Control: Greater control over device management with Microsoft Intune and Windows 10 Enterprise features.
- Scalability: Ideal for organizations that need to scale beyond 300 users and require advanced IT infrastructure.
Use Case Example
A multinational corporation with 5000 employees might require E3 for its global operations. They need advanced compliance tools, such as eDiscovery, and granular IT control across different regions, making E3 the perfect fit for their enterprise-scale requirements.
Side-by-Side Feature Comparison: Business Premium vs. E3
| Feature | Business Premium | E3 |
| User Capacity | Up to 300 Users | Unlimited Users |
| Applications | Core Office Apps | Includes additional enterprise tools like Power BI Pro |
| Email & Storage | 50 GB mailbox, 1 TB OneDrive | 100 GB mailbox, Unlimited OneDrive |
| Security | Basic DLP, Microsoft Defender | Advanced DLP, Advanced Threat Protection |
| Device Management | Simplified Admin Console | Advanced MDM with Intune |
| Pricing | $22/user/month | $36/user/month |
Support / Compatibility:
E3 offers Windows 11 support for a period of 36 months, whereas Business Premium provides support for only 24 months.
Regarding Office OS compatibility, E3 supports Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and the latest three versions of macOS. In contrast, Business Premium lacks Windows Server compatibility and only supports the two most recent versions of macOS.
Applications and Productivity Tools
Both plans include essential Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive for Business. However, Microsoft 365 E3 offers a few extras:
- Business Premium: Provides access to core Office apps, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams. It includes the Microsoft Bookings tool for appointment scheduling and the basic Microsoft Defender for Business.
- E3: Offers the same core apps but adds Publisher (Windows PC only) and Access (Windows PC only). It also includes Power BI Pro, a business analytics tool not available in Business Premium.
- Business Premium: Provides access to core Office apps, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams. It includes the Microsoft Bookings tool for appointment scheduling and the basic Microsoft Defender for Business.
Security and Compliance Features
When it comes to security, both plans offer robust features, but E3 takes it a notch higher:
- Business Premium:
- Basic Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Protects sensitive information and prevents its unintentional sharing.
- Microsoft Defender for Business: Provides essential threat protection for devices.
- Conditional Access: Enforces basic security policies for device access.
- Basic Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Protects sensitive information and prevents its unintentional sharing.
- E3:
- Advanced Data Loss Prevention: Enables more comprehensive policies for managing sensitive data.
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: Offers enterprise-grade endpoint security.
- Advanced Threat Protection: Includes features like Office 365 Message Encryption and Anti-Malware.
- eDiscovery and Compliance: Allows for advanced compliance solutions, including audit logs and mailbox hold, which are crucial for businesses dealing with sensitive information or regulatory compliance.
- Advanced Data Loss Prevention: Enables more comprehensive policies for managing sensitive data.
- Business Premium:
Mobile Device Management
With the increase in remote work and mobile device usage, managing devices securely is paramount:
- Business Premium: Provides basic device management with Microsoft Intune, enabling administrators to enforce security policies, perform remote device wiping, and configure device settings.
- E3: Offers Advanced Mobile Device Management through Microsoft Endpoint Manager, which includes more granular control and capabilities such as managing on-premises devices, conditional access, and compliance policies.
- Business Premium: Provides basic device management with Microsoft Intune, enabling administrators to enforce security policies, perform remote device wiping, and configure device settings.
Management and Administration
The difference in administrative capabilities is another crucial factor:
- Business Premium: Features a simplified admin center, suitable for SMBs with limited IT support. It provides user-friendly management of devices, security policies, and licenses.
- E3: Designed for experienced IT teams, it allows for more granular control over user access, security, and compliance settings. E3 includes Group Policy, Active Directory, and Self-Service Password Reset for on-premises users.
- Business Premium: Features a simplified admin center, suitable for SMBs with limited IT support. It provides user-friendly management of devices, security policies, and licenses.
Licensing and Upgrade Options
Both Microsoft 365 Business Premium and E3 come with flexible licensing and upgrade options:
- Licensing: Business Premium licenses are designed for organizations with up to 300 users, while E3 licenses support unlimited users, making them more scalable for growing enterprises.
- Upgrades: Businesses using Business Premium can upgrade to E3 or even E5 (which offers additional security and compliance tools) as their needs evolve. Upgrading is straightforward through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, allowing organizations to adapt without service interruptions.
- Licensing: Business Premium licenses are designed for organizations with up to 300 users, while E3 licenses support unlimited users, making them more scalable for growing enterprises.
Choosing the right plan should take into account not just your immediate needs, but also your growth trajectory. Investing in E3 may make sense for larger companies that anticipate rapid growth and increasing IT complexity.
Comparison with Competitors
When choosing a productivity suite, it’s essential to consider alternatives like Google Workspace and Zoho Workplace:
- Google Workspace: While it offers robust collaboration tools (Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft 365’s integration with Office applications and its comprehensive security suite often make it the preferred choice for businesses that require a balance of productivity and compliance.
- Zoho Workplace: A cost-effective option with a range of office tools, but it lacks the advanced security and compliance features present in Microsoft 365 E3.
- Google Workspace: While it offers robust collaboration tools (Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft 365’s integration with Office applications and its comprehensive security suite often make it the preferred choice for businesses that require a balance of productivity and compliance.
Microsoft 365 stands out with its combination of familiar productivity tools, extensive security features, and robust cloud services.
The Role of Al Rafay Consulting in Your Microsoft 365 Journey
Choosing the right Microsoft 365 plan can be complex, especially when considering migration, compliance, and security. A trusted Microsoft partner can provide expert guidance, ensuring a smooth transition and maximizing your investment.
Ready to empower your business with the right Microsoft 365 plan? Contact us today for expert Microsoft 365 consulting services and support!
