Introduction
Having productivity applications on hand, like Microsoft Office 365, could increase the chances of employment for many. However, the increasing spending for Microsoft’s services, together with restrictions on its free version, pose a challenge to many. Luckily, there are other low-cost alternatives that come with high-end feature sets, and for carefree students, there exist ways to acquire Office 365 for free. This article will analyze Microsoft’s pricing increase, discuss reasons behind the problems for Microsoft’s competitors, and highlight why WPS Office offers a fantastic alternative.
Microsoft’s Price Increase: A Detailed Analysis
The company has made the public announcement of a price increase of as much as 20 percent for the subscriptions and billing of Office 365 and Microsoft 365 as of 2025. This change raises concerns for businesses and enterprise users fundamentally. However, there will still be consequences for individual users as well. Here are the most worrying issues associated with Microsoft price change:
Why Is Microsoft Increasing Prices?
Microsoft has stated continuous development, tools generated with AI, and better security as reasons for the price change. Due to the inclusion of AI assistant Microsoft Copilot, many plans have risen $30, making it more expensive for users than previously.
How Are Prices Increasing?
A recent report from USCloud shows that Microsoft has plans to increase prices on every aspect of its 365 suite. MarcoNet predicts an increase ranging from 10 to 20 percent across various plans. The general frustration many consumers display on Microsoft’s community forums showcases, the ever-growing, unreasonable prices and bundled features that aren’t helpful to consumers.
Bundling Features Masks Hidden Costs
Product Side talks about how Microsoft integrating AI features into its products causes customers to pay for more than what they need. Those who do not require Copilot still have to pay relentlessly high subscription fees, which leads to even more angered consumers. Consumer NZ argues that the subscribers don’t have to accept Microsoft’s pricing and can turn to many free and cheaper alternatives available for them.
Best Secret Ways For Job Seekers To Get Office 365 For Free
Unlike many job seekers who are complaining about Microsoft’s price spikes, there are several methods available that job seekers can utilize to get Office 365 free:
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Use Microsoft’s Office Suite Provided Online For Free
Microsoft provides a web-only version of Office 365 that does include everything, however, you can find free Word, PowerPoint, and Excel online.
Despite its pros, the free version has many cons, which are as follows;
- Restricted offline usage
- Mediocre features compared to the paid version
- Contains advertisements, as remarked by The Verge
Apart from that,
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Leverage a Scholar or Teacher Email
- As a student with an active .edu email, you are eligible for a complimentary Office 365 license.
- Some universities extend this benefit to graduates.
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Look For Educational Nonprofits or Job Skills Training
- Like the Workforce Development and other job skill training programs, non-profit organizations provide free Office 365 licenses for the unemployed.
- A few state-funded agencies also grant Microsoft tools for free to job seekers.
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Free Trials Offered By Microsoft
- You can take advantage of the free trial offered by Microsoft for a month if you are looking for a job and needing it for a short period of time.
- Recurrently, you can make several accounts to prolong the free trial time.
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Contact Your Prospective or Past Employer For Them Directly
- Give it to your prospective candidates. Some employers offer free Office 365 licenses during employment tests.
- While on a trial project or freelance project don’t be shy to ask for it.
Reasons Why WPS Office Might Be A Better Option
WPS Office is perfect for job hunters, especially now that Microsoft has raised its prices and has a free version that comes with ads. Here’s what’s great about WPS Office:
Free To Use Forever With No Expenses
WPS Office offers ad-free full offline use, unlike Microsft’s free version. WPS Office comes with:
- Writer, a Word alternative
- Spreadsheets, an Excel alternative
- Presentation, the PowerPoint alternative
Compatible with Microsoft Office Files
With WPS Office, editing and opening .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files is as easy as drag and drop. WPS office does not require any file conversion.
This feature will especially be beneficial to job seekers who need to send resumes, reports and presentations created on Microsoft Office.
Powerful Yet Lightweight
If you weigh WPS Office against Microsoft 365, you’ll find it to be far less resource-hungry, which makes it the better choice for users with older laptops and low-performance PCs.
WPS Cloud and Professional Templates
Documents can easily be stored in WPS’s free cloud storage. Templates for resumes and cover letters are available for job seekers.
No AI-Powered Cost Increases
WPS Office doesn’t bundle premium AI features, which means there isn’t an additional cost associated with them, unlike Microsoft. This allows users to have full control over their expenditures on premium features.
Conclusion
While Office 365 can still be accessed for free through certain tricks, WPS gives users a powerful, free, ad-free alternative. Microsoft keeps increasing prices, pushes their Copilot AI-powered service relentlessly, and makes it harder for job seekers to find a suitable solution. With WPS’s full compatibility with Microsoft files, free cloud storage, and stunning interface, WPS Office is ideal for anyone who wants to easily and quickly get work done on a budget.
For those looking for a long-term solution to an affordable office suite, WPS Office offers the best package for a Microsoft 365 copy. Instead of funding the exorbitant charges made for unnecessary AI features, get access to a professional suite that gives you all the functionality without the financial strain.
Take control of your job search today without putting a strain on your bank by downloading WPS Office!
