Microsoft 365 plans: Frontline (F1/F3/F5, £3.80-£15.10) vs Information Worker (E3/E5, £28.10-£48.10). CSP vs direct. CSP advantages: simplification, support, pricing. AMVIA.
Which Microsoft 365 business plan should you buy for your organization? Do you have questions how choose right Microsoft 365 plan your business? Subscriptions can be little complex, you're not alone if feeling confused. Microsoft 365 obvious winner cloud-based business systems, but different suites from which choose. Packaged business offerings under two bundle types: Frontline worker plans, Information worker plans. Both enable access Office 365 file hosting through OneDrive, critical distinctions. Information Worker suite includes E3, E5—customizable. Can expand additional services, Enterprise Mobility, standalone Office, security tools, Windows 10. Frontline Worker suite compact—F1, F3, F5—only add-on Office 365 F3. E3/E5: unlimited archive/mail, analytics (MyAnalytics, Delve, PowerBI), threat protection, access/endpoint management. F-plans lack: Excel services, enterprise search, Visio, unified communications. Information Worker vital companies >50 employees. Frontline sufficient smaller. Frontline pricing: F1 £3.80, F3 £9.40, F5 £15.10/user/month. Information Worker: E3 £28.10, E5 £48.10/user/month. Annual commitment all. CSP partners (AMVIA) vs direct Microsoft. CSP advantages: simplification, licensing expertise, better support, sometimes better pricing. AMVIA assessment, plan selection, cost optimization, implementation.
Do you have questions about how choose right Microsoft 365 plan for your business? Microsoft business solutions subscriptions can be little complex, so you're not alone if you're feeling confused.
This guide simplifies various Microsoft 365 plans, helping you choose right package for your business, compare pricing, and understand buying options.
Microsoft 365 is obvious winner for cloud-based business systems, but there are different suites from which choose. Microsoft has packaged business offerings under two bundle types:
Both plan types will enable you access Office 365 and file hosting through OneDrive, but there are some critical distinctions between two.
Information Worker suite includes two Microsoft 365 plans that you can customise fit your needs. These are E3 and E5.
Businesses can expand suite with sets services your company needs, such as Enterprise Mobility, standalone Office 365 system, or additional security tools. You can even get packs Windows 10 operating system.
When you choose Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 plans, you get unlimited archive and mail storage space. Advanced analytics tools also included, like MyAnalytics, Delve and PowerBI. Analytics features are not available on Frontliner plans.
Information Worker features:
Information Worker subscriptions also include threat protection, access management, endpoint management and several other sophisticated tools not included Frontline Worker suite.
Frontline Worker suite, on other hand, is more compact. Plans are F1, F3 and F5, and only available add on is Office 365 F3.
Regarding SharePoint, collaborative platform and document storage system, Frontline Worker suite lacks Excel services, enterprise search and Visio features. You also do not get unified communications with Frontline Worker plans.
Frontline Worker limitations:
It probably seems Information Worker plans are vastly superior, and many ways, that's true.
Choose Information Worker (E3/E5) if:
However, Frontline Worker plans are better fit for smaller companies with tighter budget. As general rule, Information Worker plans only vital for companies with employee headcount greater than 50, where users need maximum storage space and more advanced analytics.
Choose Frontline Worker (F1/F3/F5) if:
Frontline Worker plans should be sufficient for smaller companies.
To get Microsoft 365 business subscription, you will need approach Microsoft directly or set through Microsoft Direct CSP (Cloud Solutions Provider) such as AMVIA.
Going direct Microsoft can feel little more trustworthy for some. Microsoft is one largest corporations world, so it may inspire more confidence go straight them. However, purchase directly through Microsoft will be instant.
CSP third-party companies buy and supply your licence directly from Microsoft, and you will receive single monthly invoice for it. Many organisations prefer this method because it simplifies rather complex world Microsoft licensing.
CSP advantages:
They can also help you ensure everyone your organisation is on correct licence for their needs, ensuring you are not paying for anything you don't use. Microsoft will offer their support tailoring your package as much as possible, but many find Microsoft Direct CSPs offer higher standard support.
Microsoft partners can sometimes offer better price than you would get for Microsoft 365 subscription bought directly from Microsoft. Only downside is that there may be delay some hours when you set through third party, whereas going direct through Microsoft will be instant.
Ultimately, choice is yours.
Cost depends on package you choose. There are three core plans for Frontline Workers known as F1, F3 and F5. Pricing for these is as follows:
F1 (Basic): £3.80 per user/month (annual commitment required)
F3 (Standard): £9.40 per user/month (annual commitment required)
F5 (Business Premium): £15.10 per user/month (annual commitment required)
You must commit at least year's subscription with all Frontline Worker packages. Prices listed above do not include VAT, and there is monthly free trial available for all them.
Information Worker (or Enterprise) packages offer more features but come at higher price. Just like Business subscriptions, you must make annual commitment with Enterprise solutions. Prices are as follows:
E3: £28.10 user/month (best-in-class productivity apps plus core security and compliance capabilities)
E5: £48.10 user/month (best-in-class productivity apps and advanced security, compliance, analytics and voice capabilities)
Again, these prices do not include VAT. They come directly from Microsoft website, so you may be able secure better deal by approaching Microsoft Direct CSP.
PlanTypePrice/MonthTarget SizeKey FeaturesF1Frontline£3.80SmallBasic Office, Teams, mobilityF3Frontline£9.40SmallStandard Office, Teams, automationF5Frontline£15.10SmallPremium Office, security, managementE3Information Worker£28.1050+Full productivity, analytics, securityE5Information Worker£48.1050+Advanced security, compliance, voice
AMVIA provides comprehensive Microsoft 365 business plan assessment:
Expert licensing guidance:
Complete plan deployment:
AMVIA delivers 24/7/365 licensing support:
Start assessing organization. How many employees? What departments? What key business processes?
Next, evaluate plan types. Are you Frontline or Information Worker organization? What features most critical? What budget allocated?
Then, compare specific plans. Within your category, which plan best matches needs? What add-ons required? What total cost per user?
Finally, decide purchase method. Direct Microsoft or CSP partner? What support level needed? Contact AMVIA begin plan selection.
Need expert help choosing and buying the right Microsoft 365 business plan? Contact AMVIA specialists: 0333 733 8050 (direct to experts, no voicemail) or request consultation. We provide comprehensive Microsoft 365 plan assessment, Frontline/Information Worker evaluation, cost optimization, licensing guidance, implementation support, 24/7 management. Discover how AMVIA's human-first approach delivers plan selection solutions ensuring your organization pays only for features you need—from £3.80/user (F1) to £48.10/user (E5)—with expert CSP support, simplified licensing, and strategic partnerships maximizing your Microsoft 365 investment.
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