Is Office Mobile, the iPhone version of Microsoft’s long-running Office series, really worth a $100 yearly subscription fee? Jill Duffy, a tech reviewer at PCMag.com, says “no.” And she’s right.
Subscription required
Duffy’s number one problem with Office Mobile is its price. To gain access to the app, you’ll have to sign up for at least a $99 yearly subscription to Microsoft Office 365. For Duffy, this counts as a bit of a rip-off: There a variety of free alternatives for most of the tasks that Office performs.
Not the only game in town
As Duffy writes, most smartphone users can make use of a collection of free alternatives to handle everything from word-processing to spreadsheets. So why, then, must a consumer invest nearly $100 annually for Office Mobile?
Research
Duffy recommends that users scan the Internet for free apps that handle such tasks as word-processing and spreadsheets. Users will most likely discover something interesting: The free apps are often just as effective as Office Mobile. And, of course, they come at the low, low price of free.