We all realize that nothing is really free in today's world, yet we all look for free stuff all the time. Well, maybe we were partially wrong when we said "nothing is free," because you can get a free, or at least a cheaper copy of PowerPoint and Microsoft Office. When we say free or cheap, we do not refer to bootlegged copies, but genuine, original software. Here are some options for you to get a free or cheaper copy of Microsoft Office:
Get a Trial Copy of Microsoft Office
You can install and run this trial version for 30 days almost like a full copy. If you are doing a project that's going to be over in a small duration, such as a month, then, this is a great option. Of course, that is not the intent behind a free trial. Microsoft rightfully assumes that you will like the product after the trial period is over, and will buy a licensed copy. Trial copies are available for both the Windows and Mac versions of Microsoft Office (both as part of the Microsoft 365 trial).
Microsoft Office (part of Microsoft 365) 30 Days Trial
Do you just want a trial version of Microsoft Office without signing up for an Office 365 subscription? Yes, that’s still possible although Microsoft has sort of hidden this option in some corner of their TechNet site. Yes, this page is still for Office 2013 for Windows! This is a standalone version that you can download and install on your computer – also compared to the 30 day trial of Office 365, this one is a full 60 day trial. No such luck for Office for Mac users though – looks like the only way to get a trial of that version is through a trial of Office 365 Home.
Apparently, Microsoft has provided an option to extend the trial period of Microsoft Office to 180 days. The utility to extend the license is included within the Office trial installation, and does require bringing up the Command Prompt window, but you can also do it through third party tools. Note that this is not a crack but a legal option provided by Microsoft to extend your trial period.
Explore Microsoft for the Web
Microsoft provides a free copy of the PowerPoint for the Web, a web based version of PowerPoint to anyone who has a Microsoft account. Similar web versions are available for Word, Excel, Outlook and OneNote. If you have a Hotmail, Live, Passport, or XBox account, then you already have a Microsoft account. Just head to the OneDrive site, and you can use this free, web version of PowerPoint and other Microsoft programs. These web versions are fairly limited in their capabilities than their full desktop counterparts, but for most people, they work well. One caveat though is that you need to be connected online all the time.
PowerPoint and all other Office programs for the Web have some extra features up its sleeve that you may want to use even if you have a desktop version of the program. It lets you collaborate on a presentation, document, or spreadsheet so that more than one person can edit the same file at a time. Also, you can embed your PowerPoint presentations on any web site using OneDrive embed options. Additionally, you can share your PowerPoint slides on social sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Best of all, Microsoft Office for the Web uses the same file formats as the desktop version. So, the same presentations, documents, and spreadsheets can be edited on both platforms.
Consider Home and Student Versions
Microsoft provides Office in a Home and Student version that's cheaper than the regular version. Fairly often, you can get a copy of this version for around $150, and you can get even better deals typically during Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales. The license allows installation on one computer. Microsoft does limit the use of the Home and Student version to non-commercial activities. According to Microsoft, the Home and Student version "cannot be used for any commercial, nonprofit, or revenue-generating activities, by schools or academic institutions, or by any government organization."
Office for Windows: Home and Student
Office for Mac: Home and Student
Get Education Versions
In addition to the Home and Student version of Office retail products, Microsoft offers education versions of Office 365 subscriptions. In many cases, these versions are available for free as long as you are enrolled in an eligible educational institution. These subscription versions also get you Microsoft Teams and additional classroom tools.
For more information on both these offerings, you will find brief descriptions in our Microsoft 365 or Perpetual Office? page.
Additionally, Microsoft also provides Office 365 Nonprofit that will get your qualified nonprofit organization a free of discounted license for Office 365.
Free Software from Microsoft
Microsoft offers free software as part of its BizSpark, WebsiteSpark, and DreamSpark initiatives -- in addition, they also have a Microsoft Faculty Connection program. You can check if you are eligible from this site:
Microsoft: Free Development Resources
Previous Version from eBay or Garage Sales
Auction sites such as eBay often sell older, used copies of Microsoft Office at a substantial discount. We suggest that you try and get a copy that is newer than Office XP (2002). Also, if you can, there are good deals available for Office 2007 for Windows, and Office 2008 for Mac. Do check if any of these older versions are compatible with newer operating systems like Windows 7 (or newer) or Mac OS X 10.6 (or newer).
Also if you buy from a garage sale, make sure that the product has not been activated. If activation fails, you can always call up Microsoft's activation phone support. Even better, try and get a shrink wrapped copy of an older version. Many users buy software that they never open, and these end up in auction sites and garage sales after a few years!