Always avoid "too-good-to-be-true" deals on auction sites for "lifetime keys"—these are often volume licenses that Microsoft can deactivate later. Stick to authorized retailers.

If you hate subscriptions and just want to "own" the software, this is the classic way to buy it.

: This is a single-use license for one PC or Mac. It includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint but does not include cloud storage or future feature updates. You can find it at retailers like Amazon or Best Buy.

: You pay once and can use it for as long as the version is supported, without any recurring fees. 3. Buy Word as a Standalone App