Microsoft Office on Mac covers two distinct options: desktop applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint installed on your drive) and web versions accessed through a browser. Only the web versions are free with a basic Microsoft account. The desktop applications require either a Microsoft 365 subscription or the purchase of a perpetual licence such as Office 2024 LTSC. Understanding this distinction helps you avoid starting an installation that ends with an activation screen.
Free Office on Mac: what the web version actually includes
The term “free” as applied to Office refers exclusively to the Word, Excel and PowerPoint web apps. They run in Safari, Chrome or Firefox, with nothing to install on your Mac.
To access them, simply create a free Microsoft account and visit the Microsoft 365 online platform. Documents are created and saved directly to OneDrive, which includes a limited 5 GB of storage.
This option comes with some practical limitations. An internet connection is required to open or edit a file. Some advanced features (Excel macros, complex page layouts in Word, custom transitions in PowerPoint) are unavailable.
For everyday office tasks, the web version covers document writing, basic spreadsheets and simple presentations. For a detailed guide on how to download Office for Mac with all available options, it’s worth reviewing the full process before choosing between the web version and the desktop app.
Office desktop apps on macOS: perpetual licence or subscription
Office apps installed on a Mac are available under two licence models. The right choice depends on your budget and how often you expect to receive updates.
Office 2024 LTSC perpetual licence
Office 2024 LTSC for Mac is a one-time purchase. The licence includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, with no recurring subscription. Feature updates are fixed at the version you purchase: only security fixes are released during the support period.
This model suits users who don’t need the latest features added each month. Enter the 25-character key at office.com/setup after signing in with a Microsoft account.
Microsoft 365 subscription
A Microsoft 365 subscription provides access to the same desktop apps, plus Outlook, expanded OneDrive storage and ongoing feature updates. The subscription renews monthly or annually. If payments stop, the apps switch to read-only mode.
macOS compatibility and security updates
Installing Office doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive future updates. Microsoft only supports the three most recent major versions of macOS. Since September 2025, new updates to Office apps require macOS Sonoma or later.
On an older system, apps that are already installed will continue to work. They will no longer receive any updates, including security fixes. This is often overlooked when installing Office on a Mac that’s a few years old.
Before starting the download, check which version of macOS is installed (Apple menu, “About This Mac”) to anticipate this issue. If your Mac is stuck on a version earlier than Sonoma and can’t be updated, Office will install, but without protection against future vulnerabilities.
Step-by-step guide to installing Office on Mac
The process varies depending on whether the licence is already linked to a Microsoft account. Here’s the standard process for a new licence or an active Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Sign in at office.com/setup with the Microsoft account linked to the licence. For a Microsoft 365 subscription, go directly to the “My Account” page in the Microsoft 365 portal.
- For a perpetual licence, enter the 25-character key received by email to link it to your account.
- Click the download button to get the .pkg file, the installer for macOS.
- Double-click the downloaded .pkg file and follow the installation assistant to complete the process.
- Open one of the apps (Word, Excel) and sign in with the same Microsoft account to complete activation.
If macOS displays a warning blocking the .pkg file from opening, go to System Settings, then Privacy & Security, to allow the installation manually.
Free alternatives you can actually install on Mac
Besides the Office web version, there are two options for working offline at no cost.
Apple’s iWork suite (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) comes preinstalled on every Mac. It opens and exports .docx, .xlsx and .pptx files. Page layout compatibility isn’t perfect for heavily formatted documents, but it’s good enough for most personal use.
LibreOffice, a free and open-source office suite, includes Writer, Calc and Impress. It works offline and supports Microsoft Office formats. Its interface differs considerably from Word or Excel, so it takes some time to get used to.
Neither alternative requires an online account, subscription or activation key. They’re the only truly free options you can use offline on a Mac.
The choice between Microsoft’s free web version, a perpetual licence, a subscription or an alternative suite comes down to one simple question: do you need to work offline with Word and Excel’s advanced features? If not, the web version combined with iWork covers most office tasks without spending a cent.
