---
title: "Microsoft 365 for companies: which plan to choose"
url: https://www.hqsolutions.ro/en/guides/which-microsoft-365-plan-to-choose/
lang: en
site: HQ
---

> How to choose the right Microsoft 365 tier for your business: from email and Office apps to managed security and data-loss prevention.

# Microsoft 365 for companies: which plan to choose

Microsoft 365 subscriptions are often sold by marketing names, but the right choice starts with how your team actually works. Needs vary: some companies require basic communication and storage, while others rely entirely on Office applications or strict security protocols. Our offering simplifies this: a single operational model with 5 transparent tiers, where each level adds Microsoft 365 capabilities over the same IT support foundation. We break down the options and their published prices so you can decide which tier aligns with your budget and workflow.

## Email, storage, and Teams

The foundation of every package is the User Desk tier, at €25 per user, per month. This covers essential technical support and IT administration, ideal for companies operating outside the Microsoft ecosystem. Every higher tier retains this foundation and adds Microsoft 365 licensing. Support quality remains identical; you only pay for the software you use.

The first productivity layer is the Essentials tier, at €30 per user, per month. It includes Microsoft 365 Business Basic (email, storage, Teams). For many teams, this fully covers their communication needs, adding €5 to the operational base.

If documents circulate heavily and employees require locally installed Office applications, basic communication is no longer sufficient. This is where the next tier becomes necessary.

> €25 per user/month for the base operations. €30 with the first layer: email, storage, and Teams.

## The Office apps on every PC

For companies where document creation drives operations, the team needs the Office suite installed on every workstation. This requirement is met by Microsoft 365 Business Standard, included in the Office tier at €35 per user, per month.

Choosing between Essentials and Office is purely pragmatic. If advanced editing is a daily task, installed applications are a performance necessity. If workflows rely strictly on communication, Essentials is optimal, and the €5 difference represents direct savings.

> €35 per user/month for locally installed Office apps. The difference from Essentials is €5.

## Managed security and endpoint protection

Once a company processes sensitive data or utilizes remote teams, data protection becomes the priority. These scenarios require endpoint protection and active security management. The Security tier, at €45 per user, per month, includes Microsoft 365 Business Premium to fully cover this layer.

This level is dictated by risk exposure, not company size. If your contracts demand strict security guarantees, managed protection is mandatory. We take on the technical responsibility for your security as a core part of the subscription.

> €45 per user/month for managed security and endpoint protection.

## Data-loss prevention (DLP)

The final tier is designed for organizations managing large data volumes or operating in highly regulated sectors. The critical requirement here is organization-wide Data Loss Prevention. The Enterprise tier, utilizing Microsoft 365 E3, ensures this compliance at €55 per user, per month.

This package is justified when manual data tracking becomes impossible. For most SMEs, the previous layers are entirely sufficient.

Selecting a subscription shouldn't rely on guesswork. Our free audit evaluates your infrastructure, current licenses, and actual workflows to deliver a clear, documented recommendation. The report stays yours, whatever you decide.

> €55 per user/month for the Enterprise tier (Microsoft 365 E3) and data-loss prevention.