What say you about Microsoft 365 Personal price increase?

TidBITS Talk
1

I got the following email from Microsoft:

Effective February 14, 2025, the price for Microsoft 365 Personal subscriptions will increase from USD 69.99* per year to USD 99.99* per year . To continue with the new price, no action is needed—your payment method on file will be automatically charged. To make changes to your subscription plan or turn off recurring billing, visit your Microsoft account at least two days before your next billing date.

Apparently you can switch to Microsoft 365 Personal Classic and continue at the same $69.99 price, but I don’t know for how long. The only difference appears to be Co-Pilot.

I’m not sure I get much out of Co-Pilot. How about others here?

2

My university has a subscription to Co-Pilot and I don’t find it particularly necessary. I’d say you can get by on the Classic sub.

1 Like
3

My subscription says I’ve used 1 out of 60 Co-Pilot credits this month, so I guess I’m not using it much either.

1 Like
4

I went ahead and switched to “Classic” to keep the same $69.99/year price. It says I can change the subscription later if I want. Thanks.

5

I’ve never used it. I have my Office privacy settings set to their maximum, so Copilot doesn’t even work for me - and I’m happy to leave it that way.

As for the pricing, it always pays to shop around. The last time I renewed my subscription, Costco’s pricing (with Copilot) came to a lower per-month price than Microsoft’s classic pricing (without Copilot). So I’ve paid for it, but I don’t use it.

And yes, Costco’s prior pricing was even better, so I’m still paying extra for it. But there’s no point in complaining. I’m just trying to get the best price at the time I need to renew.

6

Copilot is my go-to AI. I like that for $30 a year (atop the Office subscription) I can scratch my AI itch, instead of $20 a month for others.

1 Like
7

Apparently I can upgrade and add that option back whenever I want. I am also using ChatGPT (free version) instead of paying $20/month for it.

Are there similar CoPilot features? Can I upload images and get them edited? Upload Excel spreadsheets and get them analyzed, etc?

8

Apparently, after switching my subscription to classic, even before my July renewal, all access to copilot AI has been cut.

There are no credits at all.

I’m wondering if I should switch back to the regular subscription. But I’m not exactly sure what I would get out of the copilot AI. Are their AI illustrating features good? Is there a place to have conversations like I do with ChatGPT?