Microsoft 365 E5 vs Microsoft 365 Business Premium + Enterprise Mobility + Security E5

The primary differences between Microsoft 365 E5 and the combination of Microsoft 365 Business Premium plus Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) E5 lie in the features and capabilities offered by each plan. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Power BI: As you mentioned, Microsoft 365 E5 includes advanced Power BI capabilities, which your company currently does not utilize.
2. Advanced Security Features: Microsoft 365 E5 offers advanced security and compliance features that may not be fully covered by Business Premium and EMS E5. For example, E5 includes features like Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2, which provides more comprehensive protection against threats compared to the Plan 1 included in Business Premium.
3. Enterprise Features: Microsoft 365 E5 is designed for larger organizations and includes enterprise-level features such as advanced analytics, voice capabilities, and additional compliance tools that may not be available in the Business Premium plan.
4. Cost Efficiency: Given the significant cost difference you noted (E5 at $85.30 vs. Business Premium + EMS E5 at $57.60), if your organization does not require the advanced features of E5, switching to Business Premium plus EMS E5 could be a more cost-effective solution.

In conclusion, if your company does not need the advanced capabilities of Microsoft 365 E5, particularly in terms of security and analytics, it may be beneficial to switch to Microsoft 365 Business Premium combined with EMS E5. However, consider evaluating your future needs for security and compliance to ensure that the chosen plan aligns with your business objectives.

References:

• Microsoft 365 Business Premium frequently asked questions
• Understand the Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 Extra Features license

Dear @Eric Cho,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

If your company does not use Power BI, does not require advanced compliance tools, and does not need Teams Phone System, then Business Premium + EMS E5 can deliver similar security and management capabilities at a much lower cost.

Business Premium is capped at 300 users, while E5 supports unlimited users. However, if you anticipate needing advanced compliance features or PSTN calling in the future, staying on E5 may be better.

Moreover, If your company moves to Microsoft 365 Business Premium + EMS E5 + Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2, you will achieve a security posture very close to E5 at a lower cost. This combination provides advanced email protection, identity security, and device management, matching most of E5’s security capabilities.

However, there are still notable differences. E5 includes advanced compliance features such as Insider Risk Management, Advanced eDiscovery, Advanced Audit, and Customer Lockbox, which are not part of the combined plan. It also offers Power BI Pro for analytics and Teams Phone System with Audio Conferencing for PSTN calling, both of which remain exclusive to E5.

Additionally, E5 simplifies licensing under a single SKU, whereas the alternative requires managing multiple subscriptions.

In short, if you need advanced compliance, Power BI, or Teams Phone System, E5 is the better choice. Otherwise, if your focus is security and identity protection without advanced compliance or analytics, the combined plan offers similar protection at a lower cost, though with more license management complexity.

For more information, you can refer to

• Microsoft 365 plan for your business and Download the full business plans comparison table
• Microsoft 365 plan for your organization and Download the full enterprise plans comparison table
• Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions or I misunderstand anything, please feel free to reach out.

Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

I'm looking forward for your reply.

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