Buying guide
· 5 min read· Updated 2026-04-22Microsoft 365 Family vs Personal
M365 Personal covers one user. Family covers six and includes 6 TB of pooled OneDrive. The math, the catches and which you should buy.
- Microsoft 365
- Comparison
When Family is the obvious pick
If two or more people in your household will use Office, mail or OneDrive, Family is cheaper per user from day one.
- Personal (1 user)€69
- Family ÷ 2 users€50 · still cheaper than Personal
- Family ÷ 4 users€25
- Family ÷ 6 users€17
Family fine print most people miss
The 6 'users' must be in 6 different Microsoft accounts. They don't have to be related to you and don't have to live with you — you simply send invites.
Storage is per user, not pooled — each gets their own 1 TB silo. Files can be shared between members but quotas don't combine.
- · Up to 6 Microsoft accounts (any country).
- · Each user gets full Word/Excel/PPT/Outlook on 5 devices.
- · Each user gets 1 TB OneDrive (6 TB total).
- · Each user gets 60 Skype minutes/month (legacy).
- · Family Safety controls included.
When Personal still wins
Truly solo users on a one-PC budget — Personal saves you €30/year and avoids any risk of the family slots going unused.
Personal vs Family
Pros
- Cheapest M365 entry
- 1 TB OneDrive
- All M365 apps + Copilot Chat
Cons
- No second-user slot
- Same per-user features at higher €/seat than Family
Frequently asked questions
- Can I split Family with friends?
- Yes. Microsoft's terms allow up to 6 accounts in any combination. Many users split the €99 fee across friends.
- What happens if the family organiser leaves?
- All 5 invited members lose access at renewal. They can transfer their files out of OneDrive in the 30-day grace period.
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