Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac vs Windows Comparison
If you’re deciding between Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac and Windows, you’ll notice both platforms share the core apps, but Windows keeps specific advanced tools to itself.
That difference matters even more if you’re looking at Office LTSC 2024 (Long-Term Servicing Channel), the perpetual license version that Brytesoft offers. Our edition is Windows-only and works just as well for individuals as it does for businesses or organizations. Whether you’re a freelancer, student, or home user who wants stability and long-term value, LTSC 2024 is worth a close look.
What is Office 2024?
Microsoft Office 2024 is the latest one-time purchase edition of Office. You pay once, install it, and own it forever—no monthly subscription, no constant interface changes.
It comes in two broad types:
- Office Home & Business / Home 2024 (Office Home 2024 and Office Home & Business 2024) – Designed for personal or small business use, each license allows installation on one PC or Mac.
- Office LTSC 2024 – Intended for long-term deployments, but also ideal for individuals who want a stable, feature-frozen Office suite without the need for internet-based activation every month.
Important: Brytesoft’s Office LTSC 2024 is only compatible with Windows 10 or 11. While Microsoft also makes a Mac LTSC edition, we sell and support only the Windows version.
Office 2024 vs Office LTSC 2024
| Feature | Office 2024 Home & Business/ Home | Office LTSC 2024 (Brytesoft, Windows-only) |
|---|---|---|
| License Type | One-time purchase, 1 device | One-time purchase, Windows PC only |
| OS Support | Windows 10/11 & the latest 3 macOS versions | Windows 10/11 only |
| Apps Included | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook* | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access |
| Publisher | Not included | Not included (retiring 2026) |
| Support Duration | Modern Lifecycle policy | 5 years mainstream (to Oct 2029) |
*Outlook only in Home & Business edition.
What You Get with Each Platform
Core Apps on Both Mac and Windows
- Word – Industry-standard word processor.
- Excel – Formulas, charts, pivot tables (Power Pivot on Windows only).
- PowerPoint – Professional presentations.
- Outlook – Email and calendar.
- OneNote – Flexible note-taking.
Windows-Only Extras in LTSC 2024
- Access – Powerful database tool (great for data tracking, inventory, and projects).
- Publisher – Not included in LTSC 2024 and is being retired in October 2026. The Publisher has been Windows-only for decades, and its features are now covered mainly by other Microsoft tools, such as Word, PowerPoint, and Designer.
- Full Add-in Support – COM/VSTO add-ins for legacy or custom tools.
Mac Limitations
- No Access.
- No COM/VSTO add-in support (web add-ins only).
- No Power Pivot/Data Model in Excel.
- Some automation and integration features are reduced.
Why LTSC 2024 Appeals to Individuals Too
Even though “LTSC” has a business-sounding name, it’s perfect for:
- Home users who want to buy once and use for years without forced updates.
- Freelancers who need a whole desktop Office with Access and advanced Excel tools.
- Students who work primarily on Windows laptops and want the most complete feature set.
- Part-time professionals or retirees who dislike subscription renewals.
Unlike subscription plans, LTSC 2024 doesn’t introduce surprise interface changes or move features around—it’s the same experience from day one until its end of support in 2029.
Add-ins, Automation, and Compatibility
- VBA Macros: Work on both Mac and Windows.
- COM/VSTO Add-ins: Windows-only, included in LTSC 2024, critical for specific custom tools.
- Office Web Add-ins: Run on both Mac and Windows.
- ActiveX Controls: Windows-only, disabled by default for security.
If you have older Excel files or industry-specific templates, the Windows LTSC edition is the safest choice.
Excel Power Features
- Windows (LTSC 2024) → Full Power Pivot and Data Model support, plus complete Power Query editing.
- Mac (Office 2024 Home & Business/ Home) → Limited Power Query and no Power Pivot/Data Model.
For serious data analysis, Windows remains the leading platform.
System Requirements
Windows (Brytesoft’s LTSC 2024)
- Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit or 32-bit installs.
- Some Windows Server versions are supported.
Mac (Office 2024 Home & Business/ Home)
- The latest three macOS versions.
- Support drops for the oldest OS when a new version of macOS is released.
Support Timelines
- Office 2024 Home & Business/ Home: Modern Lifecycle updates.
- Office LTSC 2024 (Brytesoft, Windows-only): Five years of mainstream support until October 9, 2029.
Which Should You Choose?
- Pick Windows + LTSC 2024 (Brytesoft) if you want the complete feature set, the stability of a fixed release, and Windows-only tools like Access and Power Pivot, whether you’re an individual or a business.
- Pick Mac + Office 2024 Home & Business/ Home if you want a simple, one-time-purchase Office suite for macOS without Windows-only extras.
Get the Windows-Only Office LTSC 2024 from Brytesoft
Whether you’re an individual, a freelancer, or running a large team, Brytesoft’s Office LTSC 2024 for Windows gives you the whole classic Office experience—no subscriptions, no surprises.
💻Get Office LTSC 2024 for Windows at Brytesoft
A Note on Copilot in Office vs Windows 11
While Microsoft Copilot is not included in Office 2024 or Office LTSC 2024, it is built into Windows 11, including Windows 11 Pro. With Windows 11, you can use Copilot for quick answers, AI-assisted writing, summarizing text, and more, all from your desktop.
Upgrade Tip: If you want Copilot integrated into your operating system experience, explore Brytesoft’s range of Windows 11 editions.
🪟Browse Windows 11 deals at Brytesoft
FAQs About Office 2024 Windows vs Mac
Does Brytesoft’s Office LTSC 2024 work on Mac?
No. Our LTSC 2024 is for Windows 10 and Windows 11 only and is not compatible with macOS. Microsoft does make a Mac LTSC, but we offer the Windows edition because it includes Access and full COM/VSTO add-in support, which Mac users don’t get.
Can individuals buy Office LTSC 2024 from Brytesoft?
Yes. LTSC 2024 isn’t just for companies—it’s ideal for home users, students, freelancers, and small business owners who want a one-time purchase, complete Windows feature set, and a stable five-year support cycle.
Is Access included in Mac versions of Office?
No. Microsoft Access is a Windows-only database app. It’s included with Office LTSC 2024 for Windows but is not available on any Mac version, including Microsoft 365 for Mac.
Will LTSC 2024 get new features?
No. LTSC 2024 is feature-frozen at release. It will receive security updates and bug fixes until October 9, 2029, but no new tools or AI features will be added.
Does Office 2024 include Copilot?
No. Copilot is not included in Office 2024 or Office LTSC 2024. However, Windows 11 (Home and Pro) has Copilot built into the OS for AI assistance on your desktop. For Copilot inside Office apps, you’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription with Copilot.
Is Publisher included in Office LTSC 2024?
No. Microsoft Publisher is not included in Office LTSC 2024 and is being retired entirely in October 2026. For basic design work, Microsoft suggests using Word, PowerPoint, or Designer.
