Why We Almost Always Recommend Premium
This isn't upselling - it's practical advice based on deploying all three plans across hundreds of users. Here's why Premium is worth the extra cost:
Intune Changes Everything**
Without Intune (Basic and Standard plans), you can't remotely manage devices. You can't enforce encryption, push apps, or wipe a lost laptop. Every new starter requires manual setup. Every leaver requires physical access to their device. Intune automates all of this - and it's included in Premium.
Conditional Access Blocks Account Compromise**
Conditional Access is the single most effective defence against account takeover. It ensures that even with a stolen password and MFA bypass, an attacker can't log in from an unrecognised device or location. Without it (Basic and Standard), your Microsoft 365 accounts are significantly more vulnerable.
Defender for Office 365 Stops Phishing
Basic and Standard include Microsoft's standard email filtering. Premium adds advanced anti-phishing, safe links (URLs are checked when clicked, not just when received), and safe attachments (files are opened in a sandbox before delivery). For businesses where email is the primary attack vector - which is most businesses - this is essential.
Cyber Essentials Alignment**
Cyber Essentials requires device management, proper access controls, and security configuration. Meeting these requirements with Basic or Standard plans requires expensive third-party tools. Premium includes the native Microsoft tools that satisfy CE requirements out of the box.
The Maths: Premium vs. Standard + Add-Ons
Some IT providers sell Standard and then charge for third-party MDM, email filtering, and MFA management separately. When you add up the cost:
- Standard: £10/user/month
- Third-party MDM: £3-5/user/month
- Third-party email security: £2-4/user/month
- Total: £15-19/user/month - the same or more than Premium, with worse integration.
Premium at £18/user/month is genuinely better value when you use its features properly.
Read our detailed guide on Microsoft Business Premium for a deeper dive.
