Microsoft has started 2025 on the wrong foot. In less than three weeks, the company has already managed to get into several controversies, almost all related to the end of support for Windows 10 and the possible abandonment of millions of users to their fate. Now, the Redmond company has made another decision that will have a tail, because it will affect a large number of users of its subscription services.
Microsoft today confirmed the price increase for Microsoft 365 plansyour subscription service. Specifically, the Microsoft 365 Personal and Microsoft 365 Family plans can increase in price by up to 30 euros, depending on the plan and the frequency of payment. Specifically, the Personal plan now costs 10 euros per month, compared to the 7 euros per month it cost before; The annual plan now costs 99 euros per year, compared to 69 euros per year before. For its part, the Family plan now costs 13 euros per month, instead of 10 euros per month, and the annual plan now costs no less than 129 euros per year, an increase of 30 euros compared to the original price.
In all fairness, it must be said that these are not the most scandalous increases that we have seen in the technology sector in general, nor in office suite subscriptions in general. In addition, Microsoft has recalled that It has been 12 years without raising the price of your subscription, which was previously known as Office 365 and was the cheapest way to access Microsoft Word and other office apps, but which changed its name when it included access to services such as OneDrive and Microsoft Teams.
Despite all these additions over the years, Microsoft has maintained the price of its subscription, making it one of the best alternatives for users who want access to some of the best programs for Windows. However, that makes the decision to break that streak right now somewhat sad, especially since the reasons Microsoft gives won’t be to everyone’s liking.
And the great news about Microsoft 365 is that now all subscriptions have access to CopilotMicrosoft’s Artificial Intelligence based on GPT, the same model as ChatGPT. Microsoft says it has raised the price of the subscription “as a reflection of the innovation the company has included,” although that will likely be little comfort to many users.
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Until now, the Copilot integration in Microsoft 365 was only available in certain subscriptions aimed at companies, but now conventional users will also be able to use AI in programs such as Word, Excel and Outlook. However, this access is not unlimited, and users of Personal and Family subscriptions will only have 60 credits per month to use Copilot features in Microsoft 365 apps. Additionally, the Family plan limits the use of Copilot to only the primary user, while other members will not be able to use AI.
Perhaps aware that it may lose users due to this price increase, Microsoft has tried to calm things down by announcing that current subscribers They can be changed to new “classic plans” which are identical to the current ones and without access to Copilot. The company has also recalled the existence of a Basic Plan, which for 2 euros per month offers cloud storage, email and OneDrive security, but without the Office apps. Users with recurring billing will be able to switch to these plans or continue with the current one and pay more on the next billing.
