Microsoft 365 Business vs. Enterprise
Which Microsoft 365 plan suits your Swiss organisation? We compare all plans — Business Basic to E5 — with costs, features and a clear CNEXT recommendation.
Business vs. Enterprise – Quick Answer
Microsoft 365 Business plans (Basic, Standard, Premium) are optimised for organisations up to 300 users. Enterprise plans (E1, E3, E5) are for larger organisations or those with extended compliance requirements. For most Swiss SMBs, CNEXT recommends Microsoft 365 Business Premium: it includes the most important security features (Intune, Entra ID P1, Defender) at an attractive price and can be configured in compliance with Swiss DPA. From 300 users or when Litigation Hold and eDiscovery are needed, switch to E3 or E5.
What is the difference between Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise?
Microsoft 365 Business plans (Basic, Standard, Premium) are optimised for organisations up to 300 users and cover all standard requirements. Enterprise plans (E1, E3, E5) are designed for larger organisations or those with extended compliance needs such as Litigation Hold and eDiscovery. For most Swiss SMBs, CNEXT recommends Business Premium as the optimal price-to-performance ratio.
Savings possible through licence optimisation
CNEXT project experience“Most Swiss SMBs pay for licences they don't need. A targeted assessment saves 15–30% — and ensures that security features like Intune and Conditional Access are correctly configured.”
Marcel Haas— CEO & Solution Architect, CNEXT
Microsoft 365 Plans at a Glance
| Feature | Business Basic | Business Standard | Business Premium ★ | E3 | E5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User limit | max. 300 | max. 300 | max. 300 | unlimited | unlimited |
| Monthly cost per user (CHF, approx.) | ~5 | ~12 | ~21 | ~32 | ~55 |
| Microsoft 365 Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | |||||
| Exchange / Outlook (Email) | |||||
| SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive | |||||
| Microsoft Intune (MDM/MAM) | |||||
| Entra ID P1 (Conditional Access) | |||||
| Microsoft Defender for Business | |||||
| Microsoft Purview (DLP, Sensitivity Labels) | |||||
| Litigation Hold / eDiscovery | |||||
| Advanced Audit (180+ days audit logs) | |||||
| Windows Enterprise upgrade rights | |||||
| Microsoft Teams Phone SystemE3: Add-on, E5: included | |||||
| Power BI Pro | |||||
| Microsoft 365 Copilot (Add-on) | +CHF 30 | +CHF 30 | +CHF 30 | +CHF 30 | +CHF 30 |
★ CNEXT recommendation for Swiss SMBs up to 300 users. Prices approx., as of April 2026. Sources: Microsoft VLSC / Microsoft 365 Pricing.
Which plan is right for you?
Business Premium
- Up to 300 employees
- Maximum security without enterprise costs
- Swiss DPA compliant: Intune + Entra ID P1 + Defender
- Microsoft 365 Apps needed
- No Litigation Hold / eDiscovery required
Enterprise E3 / E5
- More than 300 users
- Litigation Hold or eDiscovery required
- Extended audit logs (180+ days)
- Windows Enterprise rights needed
- Microsoft Teams Phone System
- Power BI Pro included (E5)
We optimise your Microsoft 365 licences
CNEXT analyses your existing tenant, identifies savings potential and migrates you to the optimal plan — including security configuration for Swiss DPA compliance.
Request Licence CheckFrequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise?
Microsoft 365 Business plans are designed for organisations up to 300 users and cover most SMB requirements. Enterprise plans (E1, E3, E5) are designed for organisations with more than 300 users and offer extended compliance features like Litigation Hold, eDiscovery and Advanced Audit — which are not included in Business plans.
Which Microsoft 365 plan does CNEXT recommend for Swiss SMBs?
For most Swiss SMBs (up to 300 users), CNEXT recommends Microsoft 365 Business Premium: it includes Microsoft Intune, Entra ID P1, Microsoft Defender for Business and Conditional Access — all essential security features for Swiss DPA-compliant environments. For organisations with extended compliance requirements (e.g. Litigation Hold, eDiscovery), E3 or E5 is necessary.
When is switching to Enterprise worth it?
Switching to Enterprise is worthwhile when: (1) more than 300 users, (2) Litigation Hold or eDiscovery is needed, (3) extended audit logs are required for compliance, (4) Microsoft Teams Phone System is needed, (5) Windows Enterprise upgrade rights are required (E3+).
What is the difference between E1, E3 and E5?
E1 (approx. CHF 10/user/month): Basic productivity without Office apps. E3 (approx. CHF 32): Full Office apps, Windows rights, extended compliance. E5 (approx. CHF 55): Additionally Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2, Microsoft Purview Premium, Microsoft Teams Phone System, Power BI Pro.
Is Microsoft Copilot M365 included in Business or Enterprise plans?
Microsoft 365 Copilot is a paid add-on for all plans — both Business and Enterprise — and currently costs approx. CHF 30 per user/month additionally. It is not included in any base plan. Copilot Studio has its own separate licence model.
Can CNEXT help with licence optimisation?
Yes. CNEXT analyses your existing Microsoft 365 tenant, identifies over-provisioned and missing licences and creates an optimised licence plan. In many cases, 15–30% of licence costs can be saved without losing functionality.
What is Microsoft Intune and why is it only in Business Premium and Enterprise?
Microsoft Intune is Microsoft's MDM/MAM solution (Mobile Device & App Management) — it enables centralised management of company devices and BYOD smartphones. Business Basic and Standard do not offer full device administration. For Swiss DPA-compliant mobile device strategies, Business Premium or E3 with Intune is required. CNEXT configures Intune policies for your device fleet.
What is the difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 365?
Office 365 was the former name for Microsoft's cloud productivity suite. Microsoft 365 is the modernised version with additional security features (Microsoft Defender, Intune, Entra ID). Business and enterprise customers should always choose Microsoft 365 plans today — Office 365 plans are being gradually replaced by Microsoft 365. CNEXT recommends the currently valid licence structure in every consultation.
Can different licence plans be mixed in a single Microsoft 365 tenant?
Yes. Different licences can be used simultaneously in a single Microsoft 365 tenant — e.g. Business Premium for 80% of users and E3 for the compliance department. CNEXT optimises these mixed licence models so that each department receives exactly the features it needs, without over-provisioning.
Which Microsoft 365 licences are suitable for frontline workers?
For frontline workers (field service, production, logistics), Microsoft offers Microsoft 365 F1 and F3 plans — significantly cheaper than Business plans (from approx. CHF 2.50/user/month). F-plans include Teams, SharePoint (read-only or limited), Shifts and Viva Connections. CNEXT dimensions mixed tenants with Business Premium for office workers and F3 for frontline teams.
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Last updated: April 2026