Microsoft 365 Business Premium is Microsoft’s most complete plan for small and medium businesses. It bundles the familiar Office apps and Teams with a serious layer of security and device management, which is why it is often the best value plan for a business that takes data protection seriously. This guide explains what is included, roughly what it costs, and who it suits.
In short, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is Microsoft’s most complete plan for small and medium businesses, combining the Office apps with advanced security and device management. You can compare it on the Microsoft 365 for business site.
What is Microsoft 365 Business Premium?
Business Premium is one of the Microsoft 365 plans aimed at organisations up to 300 users. It includes everything in the Business Standard plan, the productivity side, and adds advanced security and device management on top. In short, it is the productivity suite plus the tools to keep your accounts, devices and data safe.
What is included?
- The Office apps: desktop and web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Email and calendars: business email hosted on Exchange with a 50GB mailbox.
- Teams: chat, calls and video meetings for the whole organisation.
- Cloud storage: 1TB of OneDrive per user, plus SharePoint for shared files.
- Advanced security: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 to guard against phishing and malware, plus threat protection.
- Device management: Microsoft Intune to secure and manage laptops and mobiles.
- Data protection: tools to control access, encrypt information and wipe lost devices.
What does Microsoft 365 Business Premium cost?
Business Premium is priced per user per month, typically on an annual commitment, and at the time of writing sits at around £18 to £19 per user per month. Microsoft adjusts pricing periodically, so always check the current figure, but as a rule Premium costs a few pounds more per user than Business Standard while adding the whole security and management layer, which is where its value lies.
Business Premium versus Standard
Business Standard gives you the apps, email and Teams. Business Premium adds Defender, Intune and data protection on top. If your business handles sensitive data, has staff working on the move, or wants to meet standards like Cyber Essentials, the extra security in Premium usually justifies the small price difference. If you only need the productivity apps and have security covered elsewhere, Standard may be enough.
Who is it best for?
- Businesses that want productivity and security in one plan.
- Teams with laptops and mobiles that need managing and protecting.
- Organisations handling customer or financial data.
- Anyone working towards Cyber Essentials or similar standards.
Getting the most from it
Business Premium is powerful, but the security features only protect you if they are set up properly. Multi-factor authentication, Defender policies and Intune all need configuring for your business rather than left at their defaults. That is where a good IT partner adds real value, turning the licence you are paying for into genuine protection. A free cyber security audit is a good way to check yours is configured well.
How ATS Connection can help
We license, set up and manage Microsoft 365 for businesses across West Sussex, configuring the security properly and supporting your team day to day as part of our managed IT support. Get a quote or call 01903 255 159.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium?
It includes the Office apps, business email, Teams, 1TB of OneDrive per user, plus advanced security through Microsoft Defender and device management through Intune, and data protection tools.
How much does Microsoft 365 Business Premium cost?
It is priced per user per month, usually on an annual plan, and at the time of writing is around £18 to £19 per user per month. Microsoft updates pricing periodically, so check the current figure.
What is the difference between Business Standard and Business Premium?
Standard gives you the apps, email and Teams. Premium adds advanced security (Defender), device management (Intune) and data protection, making it better for businesses handling sensitive data.
Is Microsoft 365 Business Premium worth it?
For most businesses handling important data or with staff working on the move, yes. The security and management tools usually justify the small price difference over Standard.
How many users can Business Premium support?
Microsoft 365 Business plans, including Business Premium, support up to 300 users. Larger organisations move to the Enterprise plans.