Individuals are likely acquainted with Microsoft's prominent collection of productivity software, Microsoft 365.  

It encompasses widely recognized applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as lesser-known products including Outlook, OneNote, and OneDrive.

For a considerable duration, Microsoft Office has served as the established benchmark for productivity software, a position it continues to hold. Nevertheless, there have been notable shifts within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem

Microsoft has shifted its focus away from standalone products and toward a subscription-based pricing model centered around Microsoft 365. This strategic move reflects Microsoft's vision for Microsoft 365 as a cohesive ecosystem, designed to provide a comprehensive digital workplace solution for businesses. With Microsoft 365, organizations gain access to a wide range of integrated applications and services, including communication tools, cloud storage, backup, syncing capabilities, and productivity apps. This holistic approach streamlines workflows, enhances collaboration, and empowers businesses to operate efficiently in the digital age.

Within this extensive analysis, we investigate the comprehensive aspects of the suite's primary platforms and engage in a discourse on the potential benefits of investing in Microsoft 365 for your organization's operational needs.

In our evaluation, we believe it to be the best office software, but if you’re not convinced, you might want to check out our guide to the best alternatives to Microsoft 365.

Microsoft 365: Plans and pricing

Microsoft 365 pricing is straightforward, and there are several options for businesses. Here’s a concise overview of the Microsoft 365 business plans and their pricing:

The lowest plan is Microsoft 365 Business Basic which has a cost of $6.00 user/month with an annual subscription. It includes web and mobile versions of Office apps, 1 TB of cloud storage, and Microsoft Teams.

Moving up is the Microsoft 365 Business Standard which comes in at $12.50 user/month with an annual subscription. This plan includes everything in Business Basic, plus desktop versions of Office apps and additional tools like Microsoft Loop and Clipchamp.

At the top of the tiers is Microsoft 365 Business Premium at $22.00 user/month with an annual subscription. It offers advanced security, device management, and more, on top of all features in Business Standard.

Also, there is the Microsoft 365 Apps for business which runs $8.25 user/month with an annual subscription. This plan provides desktop versions of Office apps and 1 TB of cloud storage.

Also note that all plans come with the option to try free for one month.

Microsoft 365: Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is arguably the most widely recognized of the Microsoft 365 platforms and is considered by many to be the quintessential word processing application

Over the course of time, Microsoft Word has consistently been recognized as one of the premier applications for writing across a wide range of genres. The software's extensive array of functionalities, encompassing a broad spectrum of templates, ensures versatility for users. Furthermore, its stellar performance and reliability align with expectations for a product developed by Microsoft. In essence, for individuals seeking to compose or modify text-based documents, Microsoft Word offers a comprehensive suite of capabilities that cater to diverse requirements.

The platform offers unparalleled collaboration and review capabilities, rendering it an optimal solution for teamwork within organizations, particularly when integrated with OneDrive and the comprehensive Microsoft 365 suite. Multiple individuals are empowered to co-author documents, access historical iterations of files, monitor changes, and provide real-time feedback to collaborators. OneDrive facilitates the seamless distribution of links to colleagues, ensuring the allocation of appropriate permission levels within a Word document. 

Another notable strength of Word lies in its robust sharing and exporting capabilities. Users are empowered to export documents into a diverse range of file formats, encompassing OpenDocument Text (.odt), Portable Document Format (PDF), and Microsoft Word Format (.docx). Each of these formats enjoys widespread support, significantly reducing the likelihood of encountering compatibility issues. This feature sets Word apart from competitors such as Apple Pages, which has consistently faced challenges in ensuring seamless compatibility.

While a comprehensive listing of all of Word's extraordinary capabilities is beyond the scope of this document, several notable features include the integration of speech-to-text, automatic translation, and the immersive reader mode. The inclusion of three-dimensional graphics further distinguishes Microsoft Word from its competitors. 

While the platform does have some annotation and drawing functionalities, Word operates most effectively in the context of text-based projects. Should you seek to engage your creative side, Microsoft OneNote would be a more suitable option to explore. 

Microsoft Word applications are accessible across a multitude of platforms, encompassing Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Despite its optimal functionality being realized on desktops and iPads, its mobile applications offer utility for making necessary last-minute revisions to documents while in transit or for promptly recording significant ideas.

For an in-depth analysis of the platform's advantages and disadvantages, explore our recently revamped Microsoft Word review. 

Microsoft 365: Microsoft OneNote

OneNote, a digital notebook application developed by Microsoft, has been specifically designed to accommodate the note-taking requirements of both academic individuals and professionals. While its user interface presents an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and the software boasts a remarkable array of functionalities, it has not achieved the same level of popularity as other platforms such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Nevertheless, OneNote has secured a dedicated user base among students and academic professionals. It is our belief that OneNote ranks among the most effective note-taking platforms available, and we assert that it is underutilized within business and organizational contexts.

One of OneNote's primary strengths lies in its robust organizational capabilities. The software employs a hierarchical structure, wherein top-level parent categories are termed "notebooks." Within each notebook, users can create sections and subsequently individual pages. Our extensive experience with various note-taking applications has led us to conclude that OneNote is the most proficient solution for maintaining the organization and coherence of one's thoughts and ideas.

Another noteworthy strength of OneNote is its seamless integration with Microsoft OneDrive, ensuring that users have access to their notes, sketches, and brainstorming sessions across all their devices. This integration is facilitated through the utilization of cloud synchronization technology. The availability of the software on various operating systems, including iOS, macOS, iPadOS, Windows, and Android, further eliminates any potential obstacles to file accessibility. Additionally, a web-based application is provided for note-taking while on the move.

OneNote also excels in facilitating the sharing of notes with colleagues or clients. The software allows users to invite others to view and edit notebooks, irrespective of whether they possess a Microsoft 365 subscription. Furthermore, it provides the capability to export specific pages in PDF format, which is particularly useful for attaching notes to emails in Microsoft Outlook.

The user interface of OneNote is both aesthetically appealing and feature-rich. It empowers users to engage in a wide range of activities, such as writing and highlighting text, sketching freehand, inserting images, graphs, stickers, and equations, and even incorporating audio clips into their notes. These functionalities, along with numerous others that cannot be mentioned due to space constraints, contribute to OneNote's status as one of the most powerful note-taking applications available in the present year.

Our comprehensive OneNote review explores in detail the reasons why OneNote stands out as an exceptional tool, and it provides insights into how organizations can harness its potential within their operations.

Microsoft 365: Microsoft Excel

The mere mention of Microsoft Excel can elicit a range of emotions, from enthusiasm to apprehension. Nevertheless, we believe that Excel should not be perceived as a daunting tool. Its user-friendliness and capabilities may surpass initial expectations. With just a few hours of dedicated training, individuals can acquire the confidence necessary to create and utilize advanced spreadsheets effectively.

Microsoft Excel offers a vast capacity, allowing users to work with over 17 billion cells in a single spreadsheet, significantly exceeding the 5 million cells available in Google Sheets. This immense computational power makes Excel an ideal choice for large organizations with extensive databases seeking a robust solution.

Furthermore, Excel boasts an extensive library of functions, currently exceeding 475, which provide users with versatile data manipulation and visualization capabilities. These functions enable the extraction of rich insights from data. Additionally, experienced users can create and implement their own macro functions using VBA code, extending the functionality of Excel even further.

Compatibility is not a concern with Microsoft Excel, as it is available on various operating systems. Users can conveniently export their spreadsheets in multiple formats, including Microsoft (.xlsx), OpenDocument Spreadsheets (.ods), and Portable Document Format (.pdf). It is also possible to access Excel documents on alternative platforms such as Google Drive.

While Excel offers numerous advantages, it is not without limitations. Despite the recent introduction of co-authoring functionality, this aspect remains a notable area for improvement. Real-time collaboration requires all users to possess a Microsoft 365 subscription and the latest version of Excel, which may hinder collaboration with external parties. However, when co-authoring is feasible, it is reliable, responsive, and immensely beneficial.

Read our full in-depth Microsoft Excel review.

Microsoft 365: Microsoft OneDrive

Cloud storage has exploded in popularity in recent years, and OneDrive is Microsoft’s entrant in this fiercely competitive market. It is among the best cloud storage platforms for both consumers and businesses.  

The platform provides a secure repository for critical data and documents. Its user-friendly interface simplifies navigation and utilization. It offers thumbnail previews for various file formats, while the intelligent AI search capabilities facilitate efficient retrieval of desired information.

OneDrive's true distinction lies in its comprehensive integration with all other Microsoft 365 applications. This seamless integration transforms Microsoft 365 into a comprehensive ecosystem of digital productivity, surpassing the limitations of individual applications.

Firstly, OneDrive prioritizes security. All files are encrypted during transmission and when stored, making it more secure than many competitors. Even in the event of data theft or interception, the encrypted nature of the files renders them indecipherable.

Microsoft elevates security even further with the introduction of Personal Vault, a sub-folder that provides end-to-end encryption for highly sensitive files. This ensures that no one, including Microsoft, can access or decrypt this data.

Administrators have the ability to enhance account security by implementing two-factor authentication and mandating periodic password changes for employees. This advanced security architecture instills confidence in businesses of all sizes to entrust their essential documents and files to OneDrive.

Furthermore, OneDrive is characterized by its ease of access and utilization. Reliable apps are available for various devices, complemented by a responsive and well-designed web app. This web app ranks among the most impressive cloud storage web apps in our evaluation.

The platform seamlessly integrates with all other Microsoft 365 applications. It serves as the default save location, facilitating real-time collaboration among colleagues. As changes are made on one device, they are simultaneously reflected on all connected devices. This functionality elevates OneDrive beyond a mere cloud storage platform, positioning it as a cloud-syncing platform.

Collaboration is further enhanced through the sharing of files and folders using customized links. These shared items are organized within a dedicated folder on the OneDrive home screen of both users. This feature makes Microsoft 365 an ideal solution for organizations that emphasize team-based work.

If you want to know more, read our full in-depth OneDrive review.

Microsoft 365: Microsoft PowerPoint

For over two decades, PowerPoint has been instrumental in assisting individuals from elementary school children to Fortune 500 executives in creating compelling and engaging presentations. Our conviction remains that it stands as the optimal platform for presentation creation, and we shall elucidate the reasons behind this assertion.

PowerPoint proffers a plethora of tools designed to stimulate inspiration. The most notable among these is Microsoft's comprehensive collection of templates, which are provided at no cost to Microsoft 365 subscribers. Additionally, corporate personnel have access to the presentation coaching tool, which furnishes advice and feedback concerning the pace and style of their presentations.

Another potent feature, also available in Microsoft Word, is the capability to insert and manipulate three-dimensional images. Three-dimensional files can be rotated, inverted, or tilted to maximize their utility within a presentation. This distinguishes PowerPoint from the vast majority of its competitors.

As with other Microsoft 365 applications, users are empowered to collaborate and provide feedback in real-time. Integration with OneDrive renders it an ideal solution for designing and managing presentations within a business context.

However, it is imperative to acknowledge a limitation: collaboration on PowerPoint is feasible solely through the web-based application, precluding the desktop and mobile versions of the software. This constitutes a relatively significant limitation and is somewhat disappointing considering the platform's exceptional performance in all other categories.

If you’re itching to know more about the platform, our Microsoft PowerPoint review was recently updated and explains everything you need to know about the software.

Microsoft 365: Microsoft Teams

Teams, the newest addition to the Microsoft suite, is arguably the most significant. In essence, Teams amalgamates audio and visual conferencing capabilities akin to Skype with workplace communication tools similar to Slack. It serves as a centralized platform for coordination and communication, integral to business efficiency in an increasingly remote work environment.

Like OneDrive, Teams is designed to act as a cohesive element, integrating various applications and features of Microsoft 365. It leverages cloud-based technology to facilitate collaborative, real-time work across multiple platforms.

The video conferencing capabilities of Microsoft Teams are substantial, enabling employees to organize and conduct individual conversations or company-wide meetings. Furthermore, it accommodates webinars and information sessions with up to 10,000 participants. During calls, participants benefit from features such as screen sharing, call recording, live captions, background blur technology, and chat functionalities.

Alongside video conferencing, communication channels allow users to engage in group discussions focused on specific topics, such as project-based teams, company-wide announcements, or social events. This approach ensures that conversations remain relevant, enabling employees to compartmentalize and streamline their communications.

There’s so much to know about Microsoft Teams that we couldn’t list it all here. However, our in-depth Teams review does the job for us. 

Microsoft 365: Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook, a key component of the Microsoft suite, has been instrumental in assisting users in organizing their emails for several decades. Although it may not possess the same level of popularity as Google's Gmail or Apple's Mail, we posit that it is one of the most effective email clients available, particularly for individuals who utilize other Microsoft 365 applications.

Spam and malware blockers are incorporated into the software, which is a standard feature of most email clients. Businesses can also leverage group inboxes, which facilitate the sending and receiving of emails from a single email address by multiple employees.

One feature that we find particularly advantageous is the categorization of emails into distinct folders: the focused inbox and the other inbox. The focused inbox collates messages that the platform's algorithms deem to be of particular importance or urgency, enabling employees to prioritize and respond to the most critical emails promptly.

Moreover, Outlook has been meticulously designed to seamlessly integrate with other Microsoft 365 applications. Consequently, for those seeking a straightforward, integrated, and responsive email client, Microsoft 365 is a highly recommended option.

Read our full Microsoft Outlook review.

Microsoft 365: Support

Concerning customer support, Microsoft excels in the industry. Notably, even with its consumer plans, the company consistently exhibits promptness in responding while also displaying diligence in troubleshooting issues. In our experience, when using the online chat window to contact the company, we received a response and answer to our question within just a few minutes.

Although some applications provide users with the ability to access support directly through the application, we recommend utilizing the Microsoft support website. This comprehensive resource includes how-to guides, video tutorials, and community forums, offering solutions to virtually all potential issues. In our evaluation, it is the most effective online support center encountered in this software category, with a considerable emphasis on business-specific advice and assistance.

Businesses can also contact Microsoft through telephone and online chat, with premium plans offering an understandably more timely and responsive service. Moreover, Microsoft's knowledgeable technicians and cybersecurity experts are available as part of the advanced cyberthreat detection services included in premium plans.

Microsoft 365: Final verdict

We firmly believe that the digital ecosystem of Microsoft Office 365 Business is the optimal office software available, and we trust that you will concur.

This office suite adroitly combines multifaceted document creation and productivity applications, such as Word, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Excel, with the potent capabilities of cloud technology in OneDrive. Furthermore, it is imperative to highlight Microsoft Teams, the definitive all-in-one digital communications platform designed to ensure that your employees operate with the utmost efficiency.

We have also meticulously outlined the several subscription options available to businesses. There is an appropriate plan for every organization, irrespective of size, whether it be a compact team of five individuals, a multi-location workforce comprising fifty employees, or a vast enterprise encompassing hundreds or even thousands of personnel.

We list the best Microsoft Office alternatives.

Mozilla Firefox was introduced in 2004 and hit 100 million downloads in less than a year after launch. However, things began to go downhill for it after Google Chrome was launched and heavily promoted in lieu of Firefox.

Still the default web browser on virtually all Linux distros, Firefox, at one point, had over 350 million users. But its market share has now dropped significantly, pushing it to the fourth spot behind Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

Although Chrome might have gained immense popularity, the speed and security provided by Firefox remain unbeatable to date.

If you’re looking for a privacy-friendly browser that’s lightweight and kind on your system, read on till the end, as we believe Firefox might just be the best browser for you.

Mozilla Firefox: Features

Firefox has been proven to use less memory than Chrome, for a majority of users. When using multiple apps along with Firefox, they won't lag or freeze, which is a common problem with other slow browsers.

Firefox uses the bare minimum memory so that it works fine without slowing down the entire system. It also automatically blocks ad trackers and third-party cookies from collecting your personal data.

Like most other popular browsers, Firefox also has its own built-in password manager.

As you create a new account on a website, it’ll ask whether you want to save its credentials or not. If you do, the next time you log into that account, it’ll give you the option to autofill the password on your behalf.

Firefox offers much more security and privacy than any other browser. There’s the Private Browsing mode that deletes your history and cookies after every browsing session. Each time you close the tab, all links that could trace back to your searches will be erased automatically.

While many other browsers let you bookmark your favorite websites, Firefox goes a step ahead and lets you create separate folders. You can customize the names and categorize similar links into the same folder. This way, you’ll save a lot of space, plus it'll be much easier to look for the bookmarked page.

You can also pin tabs in Firefox to keep your favorite and often visited websites, like email, always open. The browser will also notify you when the content of a pinned tab is updated, for instance, when you get a new email.

Firefox's built-in language translator lets you translate the web pages in the results into 100 different international languages of your choice — a truly global browser that erases language barriers.

Firefox also has a built-in screenshot tool that gives you several options for capturing a web page. Using this feature you can save the entire page, including the sections that aren’t visible without scrolling.

It also includes the Pocket app by default. You can use it to save content as you browse the web and access it later, even when offline.

Like some of its peers, Firefox also has a PDF reader that’s good enough to eradicate the need for having a dedicated app, for most users.

Most web browsers can pop out videos into their own individual floating windows, thanks to a feature called Picture-in-Picture mode. However, Firefox’s implementation offers more functionality than many of its peers. You can turn it on by clicking the Picture-in-Picture button when you hover over a video.

Firefox is indeed a highly functional and powerful web browser, but there’s always room to improve, right? That’s why it lets you add extensions to the default browser to make your life easier.

Mozilla Firefox: Privacy

We cannot emphasize enough that Firefox is one of the most secure and privacy-friendly browsers out there.

Even on its FAQ page about privacy, you’ll see that it has addressed the issue and stated that Firefox neither sells your data nor buys it from other parties. It wants you to have a truly authentic and unbiased browsing experience.

On top of that, while other popular browsers such as Chrome are swimming in privacy violation lawsuits, Firefox has hardly ever landed in any such scandal.

If you’re still unsure about how safe it is, you can use its Private Browsing mode, which automatically wipes off every trace of your browsing session once you close the tabs.

Firefox also has a Forget functionality that you can use to wipe your recent browser activity. When used, the “Forget” button can help you quickly delete the last five minutes, two hours, or 24 hours of activity.

Security advocates will also appreciate the fact that Firefox automatically tries to upgrade any images, audio and video content from HTTP to HTTPS if they are embedded within an HTTPS page. If they do not support HTTPS, they will no longer load.

Firefox users on MacOS and Windows can also tweak Firefox to ask for a device sign in, such as your operating system password, fingerprint, face or voice login, every time you access and fill in stored passwords.

Mozilla Firefox: Ease of use

One of the most important features of a good browser is a simple user interface so that everyone, regardless of their technical expertise, can use it. Thankfully, Firefox flairs quite well in that department.

The design of the main page is a lot like Chrome. It has the search bar in the center of the page, and the tabs are lined up horizontally at the top, which makes the first few steps simpler.

Firefox also offers a high level of customization. You can, for instance, change the appearance, layout, and functionality of the browser with lots of themes and add-ons. While this is possible with other browsers as well, the ability is implemented more extensively in Firefox.

In the same vein, while not as large as Chrome's extension store, Firefox still has a wide variety of extensions available for added functionality.

New users will also appreciate Firefox’s strong default privacy features that’ll help them stay safe straight out of the box. Firefox is also hailed for being one of the first browsers to rope in accessibility features.

Mozilla Firefox: Competitors

Firefox might not be as popular as Chrome or Edge, but it certainly stands out with a few unique features under its belt.

For example, it's one of the few browsers that automatically blocks trackers from collecting your personal data. At a time when the market leader, Chrome, is accused of selling consumer data, Firefox is your best bet for safety.

Also, compared to Chrome, Firefox takes much less memory space, which in turn, helps it run faster. On top of that, using Firefox does not affect the speed or performance of any other apps you might be running simultaneously.

Firefox not only uses the Google Safe Browsing database but also automatically blocks pop-ups. You can also add more extensions to keep away ads and trackers. Since these things are known to hide malicious links, blocking them will also reduce your overall vulnerability.

On the downside though, unlike some of its peers like Opera and Edge, Firefox does not have a built-in VPN. Similarly, its AI assistant, Orbit, is also available as an extension, and isn’t part of the browser.

Mozilla Firefox: Final verdict

Firefox, one of the best web browsers in the industry for a long time, is certainly a great choice for any internet user. It comes with a diverse range of features, beats popular peers like Chrome and Safari in terms of privacy, is easy to use, and is also lightning-quick.

Plus, it doesn't ask for too much space either, so you don't have to think twice before installing it. What's more, Firefox also has multiple customization options — whether you want to stick to the default theme or experiment with a thousand other themes, the choice is yours.

Also check out our roundup of the best anonymous browsers.

Edge is Microsoft’s latest web browser, and it looks its best when you use it as it was intended to be used: by running Bing, which is Microsoft’s search engine.

Microsoft Edge is undoubtedly the second-biggest fish in the pond, as of now. But it offers virtually everything users need to put up a tough fight to its long-time competitor, Google Chrome.

After dragging its feet with Internet Explorer, Edge is Microsoft’s best answer to the competition. It has all the features and enhancements users expect from a modern web browser. Windows users swear by Edge’s speeds and performance improvements. With the introduction of AI-powered functionalities on Edge, the user experience is way more personalized than before.

For the ones looking for a reliable browser that comes with security, user data privacy, and an easy user interface, Edge is a great choice. If you want to know more about the browser and how it can make a difference to your online experience, read on!

Microsoft Edge: Features

Microsoft Edge offers one of the fastest browsing experiences in the industry, thanks to its performance features such as “Sleep Tabs”. Thanks to this feature, Edge will put the tabs that haven't been used in a while to sleep, opening up more space and power for your CPU and RAM so that they can take on the active tabs.

Edge is also one of the quickest browsers as far as launching is concerned. That’s because it uses a special feature called “Startup Boost.”

Whether you’re opening the browser from the main menu, taskbar, or a link, the Edge window will open up almost instantly, whereas Opera and Safari usually take a lot longer.

So if you’re in a hurry to look up something or open a link, Edge won't stand in your way. This feature is available on all current versions of Windows.

Edge is highly battery-efficient. Microsoft is constantly working to optimize energy usage so that Edge can function on minimal battery power.

Current tests show that Edge’s efficiency mode helps you save up to 25% of your battery life. Features like putting your tabs to sleep further contribute to it. Even for your active tabs, Edge uses a rather tiny portion of the battery to keep them running in the background.

With Edge’s Clarity Boost protocol, all the visuals on your screen look much clearer and life-like. For avid gamers or movie enthusiasts, this feature is a huge win. Currently, this feature is available on devices running Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Speaking of gaming, if you’re looking for a browser that’s masterfully crafted for gamers, Edge is a must-try. With its “Efficiency mode”, Edge keeps your PC running fast and smooth even when you’re playing a demanding game.

The Efficiency mode is turned on by default. But if you want to turn it off, go to “Settings,” click on “More,” select “System & Performance” and turn off the “Improve your PC gaming experience with efficiency mode” setting. However, if you’re keen on getting the best browser performance, we don't recommend turning it off. After all, it's not going to take up any extra power or space.

When comparing Microsoft Edge and Chrome for gaming performance, most benchmarks favor Edge primarily due to its integration with the Windows operating system. This is even true for machines with less powerful hardware since the browser tends to use less system resources than its peers.

Also of note are Edge’s AI features, primarily the “Copilot” functionality. When enabled by clicking its icon, you can interact with Copilot using natural language. You can ask it to summarize the content of a page, ask questions about the content of a web page, and more. Copilot can also help you compose social media posts and emails.

Microsoft Edge: Privacy

Microsoft Edge comes equipped with several privacy-enhancing features. For starters the browser ships with three Tracking Prevention mechanisms to block trackers from tracking your movement through the web.

By default, the browser uses the Balanced Mode where it blocks trackers from websites you haven’t yet visited. If you are truly paranoid about tracking, you can toggle the Strict Mode, which will block a majority of the trackers, but could potentially degrade the browsing experience on some websites.

Some users prefer to use the Strict Mode of tracking when using the browser’s InPrivate browsing mode. This is similar to the Incognito mode in other browsers, and prevents the browser from storing any browsing history, or cookies.

Additionally, you can also choose to clear all cookies and block all or certain websites from saving cookies during browsing sessions. Remember however that while this does enhance your privacy, it can also potentially prevent some webpages from displaying correctly.

The browser’s headline privacy protection feature is the “Defender Smartscreen”. It helps you stay away from malicious websites and can also block phishing and malware attacks.

Edge also includes 5 GB of free VPN data protection that renews every month. The protection obscures your location and IP address, and kicks in automatically when you connect to an open Wi-Fi network or visit a non-HTTPS secured website.

Talking of visiting insecure websites, you can use Edge’s “Enhanced Security Mode” that automatically applies stricter security settings on unfamiliar sites. The opt-in feature isn’t enabled by default, but will adapt to your browsing habits once you toggle it.

The browser also includes a Password Monitor that alerts you if any of your saved passwords have been exposed in a data breach anywhere.

Microsoft Edge: Ease of use

If you’re not a fan of complex browsing applications, you’ll certainly appreciate Edge’s simple interface. The biggest advantage here is that Edge comes pre-installed on most devices running Windows 10 and 11. This means that you won't have to go through the hassle of downloading and setting up a new browser.

Once you open the browser, you’ll have everything you’ll need at your fingertips. Granted, at first, it might be a little overwhelming because there are too many options, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

You can also ask Edge to display Vertical tabs. This is a space saving functionality that puts tabs on the left side of the screen instead of across the top.

You can also use the browser in the “Immersive Reader” mode that makes the text easier to read by removing all distracting elements from the webpage. There’s also the AI-powered “Read aloud” feature that helps you listen to the content on a webpage in multiple languages. You can control the pace of the speech, and even the voice accent.

There’s also the Collections feature using which you can collate webpages, images, text snippets, and more from different websites into a single location. This comes in handy when you’re researching on the web for a holiday, or planning an event.

Microsoft Edge: The competition

Edge and Google Chrome are the two most popular browsers, and although they share a lot of similarities, many people consider Edge to be easier to use.

This is primarily because of features like vertical tabs, Collections, Immersive Reader, and a whole gamut of AI-powered functionalities. Edge has also been designed to be familiar to Windows users with a similar design philosophy, giving it an advantage over its peers.

What’s more, Edge is also faster than Google Chrome. When it was initially launched, Microsoft claimed that it was 112% faster than Chrome. While we cannot confirm that exact number, tests run by Avast show that Edge is faster than Chrome, Opera, Firefox, and many other popular browsers.

It's also the default browser for Windows, unlike others like Opera or Mozilla Firefox, which have to be downloaded and installed separately.

That said, Opera does outperform Edge in some parameters, particularly VPN. While Edge's VPN has a limited monthly data allowance and automatically connects to the nearest location, Opera bundles a more flexible free VPN with no data cap. Another potential downside is that Edge doesn’t offer as vast a selection of extensions as Google Chrome.

However, in short, if we consider its ease of use, speed, features, and overall performance, Edge is by and large at-par, if not ahead, of most of its competitors.

Microsoft Edge: Final verdict

Considering all the reviews, facts, and results from our own evaluation, we find Microsoft Edge to be a good browser and certainly worth your time.

Thanks to its beginner-friendly yet uncompromising nature, it's the perfect browser for people who aren't-tech savvy. Another point to consider here is that it’s the default browser for Windows, so you won't have to put any effort into setting it up.

As the cherry on top, the Edge browser is battery plus internet usage efficient. For people who are constantly on their laptops/computers, a power and data-saving browser is a must-have. No matter how many tabs you have running at any given moment, Edge will always minimize power usage.

We've listed the best business VPN.

Macrium Reflect is the product of Paramount Software UK Ltd (trading as Macrium Software), a British software company, as its name suggests. It was founded over two decades ago and is currently based in Manchester.

Macrium released the first version of Reflect in 2006 and the most recent update in 2024. The software enables users of Windows-powered PCs or servers to create data backups and retrieve them when needed.  

It's a multi-lingual backup software available in over a dozen languages, helping it maintain its position as one of Windows users' most popular backup utilities globally.

We've also highlighted the best disk cloning software right now.

Plans & pricing

We’ve tested Macrium Reflect Workstation, which provides one of the broadest range of features we’ve seen from a backup tool.

Elsewhere, Macrium Reflect is available in Server, Server Plus and Technician variants for businesses of all sizes alongside Macrium Reflect Home.

Macrium Reflect Workstation costs $78 for a one-year, one-PC licence, and the price rises to $162 per device if you buy a lifetime licence – a reasonable upgrade if you use this app for several years.

The Server options cost more than those Workstation products, with prices rising beyond $200 and $400 for Server and Server Plus one-year packages and almost doubling for lifetime options.

Thankfully, home and smaller business users can buy Macrium Reflect Home, which costs $50 for a one-year licence and $80 for a lifetime deal.

Across the board, these prices are comparable with rival tools, like those from EaseUS and Acronis, so there are no reasons to raise eyebrows.

Macrium Reflect: Features

There’s no shortage of features in Macrium Reflect. Users can backup or clone entire disks or operating systems, or their own selection of files and folders, and you’re also able to create backup templates, schedule them all and deploy full, differential or incremental backups.

Thankfully, Macrium also includes some templates to get you started with extensive backups on varying schedules.

Delve into the backup creation wizard and you can edit the source folders, choose any PC-connected destination, and even specify alternative backups if your preferred choice isn’t available due to a hardware or power failure.

There are a variety of compression, file size and password protection choices, encryption is available, and you can automatically verify your backups, set rules and commands for backups and receive emails and notifications about the status of your operations.

Scheduling options are extensive, restoration is easy, and Macrium users can also create bootable and rescue media and use Macrium Image Guardian to protect against ransomware.

It’s one of the most comprehensive set of backup options we’ve seen, and commercial and enterprise users can deploy a central console to manage backups across a whole suite of machines.

You get even more if you switch to one of the Workstation, Server or Technician products, too.

You can create live images of Windows operating systems boot backups in virtual machines, and some versions even have ReFS support, Windows Server backup and restore, Exchange and SQL backup and PC snapshots.

It’s a tremendous array of features, and Macrium doesn’t skimp on the data, either – open the app and you’ll get the full rundown of your disks and drives, their status, free space and file systems.

The only downside here is the lack of cloud backups. This is by design – Macrium reckons that cloud backups can often be impractical and not as safe as offline or local backup – it could drive customers away if they consider cloud options a vital addition to their backup tool.

Interface & Use

While that’s great for anyone who likes ample information when using a backup tool, it can make Macrium a little intimidating for beginners. Boot the app and you’re overwhelmed with information about your drives and destinations, and it’s hard to initially see how you even start creating backups.

There are certainly apps that look cleaner and less advanced, although a smaller set of features usually accompanies those interfaces.

Get your head around the app, though, and it’s pretty straightforward: operations and options on the left-hand side, information about your drives in the middle, and a pop-up wizard to guide you through the backup process.

Macrium pairs its advanced interface with impressive pace. We tested our latest slate of backup apps with a 42GB document folder, a 2.5GB spreadsheet folder, a 162GB folder of media and an 82GB file that mixes all of those file types. We backed them up to three different SSDs to weed out any inconsistency.

Its document backup time of 3 minutes and 46 seconds was excellent, and only ten seconds shy of our leading tool from EaseUS – and its media backup average of 7 minutes and 40 seconds was another second-place result out of nearly twenty backup tools.

Its Excel average of just over eight minutes is middling, and its mixed media result of nearly sixteen minutes is good rather than great.

Overall, though, it’s a great bill of health when it comes to performance. Macrium Reflect was one of the fastest backup apps we’ve tested, and only slips behind EaseUS for consistent speed.

Support

Macrium offers direct technical support to paid users through email and telephone. Every license includes one year of technical support, and you can renew it for a fee every ensuing year. 

Macrium aims to respond to business users within 12 hours and to home users within 24 hours, and there are US, UK and European phone lines for business users.

Elsewhere, there’s a knowledge base and a busy forum, and premium support options are available for businesses who wish to pay extra.

It’s a solid slate of support options that should resolve most issues relatively quickly, which is essential for enterprise users who need to solve mission-critical problems.

The competition

Macrium’s lack of cloud options are its biggest fault, so if that’s important to you then we recommend Acronis Cyber Protect and EaseUS Todo Backup, as they include cloud options alongside the usual array of local backup destinations  

Final verdict

Put aside the lack of cloud ability, though, and there’s loads to like in Macrium Reflect. It’s absolutely packed with features, its pricing is competitive, and it’s one of the fastest backup tools out there.

The interface can certainly be intimidating, and some business users simply won’t need the level of granularity available from this app, but Macrium Reflect is a top-tier bit of backup software.

QuickBooks is an instantly recognizable name in the world of accountancy and bookkeeping. It’s owned by Intuit, which also has other options for small business owners and large ones too, with a diverse portfolio that includes TurboTax, Mint and Proconnect.

QuickBooks also comes in numerous different varieties, from desktop editions through to the hugely popular Online edition.

There are also regular updates to the QuickBooks portfolio of products, with the UK getting a raft of new features to help users keep abreast of tax and other regulatory changes such as MTD. There's an income tax estimator tool, improved tagging and a beefed up employee portal for larger businesses.

Professional accountants have new tools, including a month-end review tool. QuickBooks is, essentially, always evolving. There's a new QuickBooks Business Account digital payment option aimed at small business owners now too.

So, depending on your requirements, you can choose from QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Self-Employed, QuickBooks Online Advanced, QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Premier and QuickBooks Enterprise. However, it is possible to create a custom package using the help of the QuickBooks team if you need a more bespoke option.

• Want to try QuickBooks? Check out the website here

QuickBooks: Pricing

With such a wide variety of QuickBooks options you’ll find that pricing is similarly expansive and there are often deals to be had too. For example, we've seen deals of 70% for three months, and even up to 90% for six months.

Customers and business owners of all sizes are catered for, starting with the £10+VAT/month Sole Trader plan and £16+VAT/month Simple Start plans.

Larger businesses will more than likely need to upgrade to Essentials (£33+VAT/month), Plus (£47+VAT per month) or Advanced (£115+VAT per month).

Although there's no free plan, there are options to save. For example, you could take out one of QuickBooks' seasonal offers that often give a number of months at a heavily discounted price, or you can sacrifice the longer-term offer by signing up to a month-long trial, after which you'll begin to pay the full price.

Still, to have the option of a whole month's trial is excellent news, and it should give business owners time to fully migrate any data into the MTD-compliant system and tweak settings – many other competitors in this space offer a 14-day trial, if at all.

Features

QuickBooks: Features

QuickBooks covers all the basics across all plans, and because there are no free options, you won't be faced with a highly limited tier.

For example, all subscriptions come with invoice and estimate support, customized reporting and cash flow insights.

You can also capture receipts via the camera on the smartphone, which can then be easily linked to capturing expenses like mileage tracking It also integrates easily with other apps, including PayPal.

In light of changing regulations within the industry both in the UK and globally, QuickBooks will now estimate quarterly taxes, but beware that lower-tier plans lack any advanced invoicing like recurring invoices and project/time tracking.

The higher you go, the more you unlock, beginning with HMRC VAT submissions and multi-user support to employee time tracking and stock tracking.

There's also a payroll add-on for middle tiers and above if you're running a larger business, plus support for multiple users.

QuickBooks: Performance

Gone are the days of tracking income and expenses locally on spreadsheets, and QuickBooks knows this because its platform is a fully fledged SaaS offering – everything runs through the cloud (securely), which means real-time data syncing and multi-device support.

So far we can report strong stability and responsive workflows, but it's worth noting that lower-tier versions are more lightweight so there's less to go wrong in the first place.

QuickBooks: Ease of Use

The QuickBooks Online subscription plans have an advantage that they will work on any platform via the browser, and also have integration with the iOS and Android apps for use on a smartphone or tablet.

For those that prefer the downloadable software, it works for both the Windows and macOS, but unfortunately there is no mobile app support.

We love how intuitive the user interface is – new users can take advantage of a pretty simple onboarding process, and there shouldn't be too much of a learning curve when getting used to this particular platform. Unless you want to explore deeper (which you can do when you're ready), the out-of-the-box experience is simple enough for self-employed individuals who might not have as much accounting experience.

Having the backing of one of the industry's giants – Intuit – also means it's one of the first to get more advanced features, including AI which makes analyzing data and creating custom workflows easier.

QuickBooks: Support

Support has been improved for QuickBooks and it now has a wealth of different options to choose from if you're in need of help.

This includes an online help hub, with lots of documentation, videos and other training resources. There's also a blog, a vibrant community and lots of social media too.

Depending on your package level, you might also have access to a professional advisor. All tiers get free customer support and free onboarding, too, which goes some way towards bridging the gap between non-human software and a fully human accountant.

QuickBooks: Final Verdict

For a small business without a dedicated accounting department, or even a sole accountant, QuickBooks offers an attractive solution to managing the finances because it's both simple to use and packed with powerful financial features.

The fundamental bookkeeping ingredients are all here, covering invoices, payroll, estimates, employee time tracking, sales tax, inventory tracking, and is able to sync bank transactions. The online versions clearly have a better set of features than the downloadable version.

Our concern is that this full feature set comes at a higher price than some competitors, which include FreshBooks, Xero, Sage Business Cloud Accounting, Kashoo, Zoho Books and Kashflow to name just a few. A basic, free tier wouldn't go amiss for smaller-scale self-employed operations.

Compounding this issue is that as the additional services such as payroll and time tracking are added on to the base package, the costs go up even higher. While a seriously cash-strapped business may be better off looking elsewhere for more of a value bookkeeping solution, for the small business that can make use of the wide range of available bookkeeping features, QuickBooks via the online subscription remains an attractive and comprehensive choice.

Read our review of QuickBooks Online here

Read our review of QuickBooks Desktop Pro here

• We've also highlighted the best accounting software in this roundup

Quicken has been around for ages, with budget management roots that date all the way back to 1983 and, thankfully, that means it continues to undergo transitions that keep it reassuringly relevant. That's especially so during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It also comes with the added benefit of being available as software that will work on a Windows machine or a Mac too, alongside its mobile-based counterparts. 

In fact, Quicken we recently given a boost, having been updated to coincide with the release of Apple’s latest operating system, macOS 11 Big Sur. There's an improved interface along with a raft of features that allows users to exploit the power of the new Apple OS.

There’s also a version that can be used solely online if downloading software isn’t your thing. Whilst Quicken does have some rather more sprightly competitors these days it’s still a super-useful finance management package. Add on other practical features such as the optional ability to synchronize it with your bank accounts, 256-bit security encryption plus cloud-based back-ups and there’s lots to like.

Lookout for the likes of Mint, You Need a Budget (YNAB), Banktree, Money Dashboard or Moneydance if you want to check what some of the competition has to offer.

• Want to try Quicken? Check out the website here

Quicken: Pricing

Currently prices for Quicken Starter kick off at $34.99 for a year, with a Deluxe version currently on offer for $29.99, down from $49.99. Meanwhile, a Premier edition is available for $44.99 compared to its usual price of $74.99. On top of that there’s a Home and Business Version for $59.99 instead of the regular $99.99 asking price. 

All of these prices are based on an annual subscription, which could make the package pricey over time. You should also note, however, that while the prices were accurate at the time of writing they may well change as per all of our other software reviews. Nevertheless, Quicken comes in with a reasonably attractive pricing structure, even if you’re considering the product at its more normal cost.

Quicken: Features

The most recent update of Quicken resulted in a few handy new features being added, with some real benefits coming along in the Mac version. You’ll find that it works better on that platform now, more so than it used to, while all users can enjoy the benefits of the familiar-but-friendly interface. 

You’ll begin your financial journey on the Home tab, which delivers a comprehensive snapshot of where you are with your finances. For newbies there is also a neat Wizard-style system that will help you pick your way through getting set up. Of course, once you’ve got a lot of your data into Quicken the processes involved in managing your money gets easier. 

There are core areas that help build up a picture of your money situation, with a Spending tab, Bills and Income section and so on, all of which are pretty easy to get the hang of. Customization of these areas is also key by allowing you to make Quicken completely personal to your needs.

Quicken: Performance

One of the more appealing aspects in the latest incarnation of Quicken is that it can be used as an online-only solution if you prefer. This is good news for anyone who tends to flit from one machine, or device, to another and lacks the inclination to start downloading software on multiple computers. 

As a result, the performance you can expect from Quicken is largely reliant on your internet connection, but if that’s all fine and dandy then you’ll find the software rolls along very nicely. You get less features in this edition however, so for consistent performance and the full suite of tools, features and functions then you’ll still want to go down the downloadable software route.

Quicken: Ease of use

While we do like the multiple options for customization in Quicken, there is a slight downside to this as it can be finicky to get things just how you like them. While usability is generally pretty good, you’ll need to devote some quality time to Quicken in order to shape it to perform as you’d expect. 

However, others areas of Quicken are designed with total efficiency in mind, and this works particularly well for the extra touches you get in the Premier edition and upwards. The bill paying option, for example, is a great way of streamlining your outgoings, but we’re also very keen on the alert tools that really do allow you to get your finances in line and keep them that way. 

This is especially so when it comes to paying bills on time. You’ll need to sign up for an account to do any of this, of course, but that takes mere moments as indeed does syncing the application with your bank accounts.

Quicken: Support

Considering just how long Quicken has been in existence it comes as no surprise to find lots of online advice and video tutorials for getting the best from its charms. Added on to that there are reams of documents that will take you through the inner workings of this occasionally quite complex software. 

We also find the community aspect of Quicken quite pleasing, with lots of user experiences that give you a valuable insight into its trickier corners. If you plump for Quicken Premier or above you gain free access to a premium level of phone support for one year. Alternatively this is currently available as an add-on for $49.99.

Quicken: Final verdict

We think that Quicken ticks a lot of the boxes when it comes down to getting your finances into shape. If you’re happy with the subscription costs and you use it a lot then the package seems to represent pretty good value for money. Although we think it will probably deliver most value to small business types with more to think about than individuals with simpler finances to manage. 

Much has been done to beef up the interface, features and usability with the current edition. As a result, mobile versions are solid, while the access-from-anywhere option is great for people who need to access Quicken via a browser over multiple machines. A good level of security, powerful syncing with bank accounts and the ability to use cloud-based back-ups adds to the value here.

• We've also highlighted the best budgeting software