If you run a business and you are tired of using a free Gmail or Yahoo address for serious work, Microsoft 365 Kenya is one of the cleanest ways to get professional, domain-based email plus the full Office toolkit your team already knows. In this guide we break down the real KSh prices per user, what each plan actually includes, how it stacks up against Google Workspace, and exactly how to get it set up on your own domain. No jargon, no fluff.
What Is Microsoft 365 and Why Kenyan Businesses Use It
Microsoft 365 (the rebranded name for what many still call Office 365) is a monthly subscription that bundles email, calendars, video meetings, file storage and the Office apps into one account billed per user. Instead of buying Office once and watching it go stale, you pay a small monthly fee per person and always run the latest versions.
For a Kenyan business the appeal is simple. You get email on your own domain ([email protected] instead of [email protected]), Outlook to manage it, Microsoft Teams for calls and chat, and the apps your staff already know how to use, all working across laptop, phone and browser. That professionalism matters when you are quoting clients, applying for tenders or invoicing suppliers.
Microsoft 365 Kenya Plans and Pricing in 2026
There are three business plans, all billed monthly per user. Here are the current Hostiko prices in KSh so you can budget accurately. You can see live figures and sign up on the Microsoft 365 Kenya page.
| Plan | Price (KSh/user/mo) | Best for | Key inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Basic | 700 | Teams who work in the browser | Outlook email, web/mobile Office apps, Teams, 1TB OneDrive |
| Business Standard (most popular) | 1,100 | Most SMEs needing desktop Office | Everything in Basic + desktop Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook |
| Business Premium | 1,400 | Businesses needing advanced security | Everything in Standard + advanced security & device management |
Business Basic (KSh 700/user/mo)
This covers business-class email on your domain, a 50GB mailbox, 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage, Microsoft Teams for meetings and chat, and the web and mobile versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. It is the right starting point if your team mostly works in a browser and on phones.
Business Standard (KSh 1,100/user/mo)
The most popular choice. You get everything in Basic plus the full desktop apps installed on Windows or Mac, so staff who live in Excel and Word get the proper offline experience. For most Kenyan SMEs this is the sweet spot.
Business Premium (KSh 1,400/user/mo)
Everything in Standard with added security and device management tools, useful when you handle sensitive client data or need tighter control over company laptops and phones. Worth it for finance, legal and larger teams.
What Each Microsoft 365 Plan Includes: The Tools That Matter
- Outlook — professional email on your own domain, shared calendars, and contacts that sync everywhere.
- Microsoft Teams — video calls, group chat and screen sharing for remote and hybrid teams.
- Office apps — Word, Excel and PowerPoint (web and mobile on every plan; full desktop apps on Standard and Premium).
- 1TB OneDrive — per-user cloud storage so files are backed up and reachable from any device.
- Domain-based email — every mailbox uses yourbusiness.co.ke, which builds instant trust with clients.
Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace in Kenya
The two go head to head, and honestly both are excellent. The decision usually comes down to which apps your team already prefers. If your staff grew up on Excel and Outlook, lean Microsoft. If they live in Gmail and Google Docs, Google Workspace may feel more natural. Here is how the entry tiers compare on price.
| Tier | Microsoft 365 (KSh/user/mo) | Google Workspace (KSh/user/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | 700 (Business Basic) | 800 (Business Starter) |
| Mid | 1,100 (Business Standard) | 1,200 (Business Standard) |
| Top | 1,400 (Business Premium) | 1,500 (Business Plus) |
At every tier Microsoft 365 comes in slightly cheaper per user, and the desktop Office apps on Standard and Premium are a real draw for teams that need offline Excel and Word. Workspace counters with simpler collaboration and deep Gmail familiarity. There is no wrong answer; pick the toolset your people will actually use.
How to Set Up Microsoft 365 on Your Domain
Getting professional email running is more straightforward than most owners expect. The short version:
- Choose your plan and number of users — count one licence per person who needs a mailbox.
- Confirm your domain — you need a domain like yourbusiness.co.ke. If you do not have one yet, register it first, then point it at Microsoft 365.
- Verify ownership and update DNS — adding the MX, TXT and CNAME records tells the world your mail now lives on Microsoft 365. This is the step most people get wrong, which is why having a local team set it up saves headaches.
- Create mailboxes and assign licences — set up each staff member, then sign them in on Outlook desktop, web and mobile.
- Migrate existing email — if you are moving from Gmail or an old host, your previous messages can be brought across so nothing is lost.
If DNS records and migrations sound intimidating, that is exactly the part we handle for you. Read our wider guide to professional business email in Kenya for the full picture, and our walkthrough on getting business email on your own domain for the practical steps.
Paying for Microsoft 365 in Kenya
You are billed monthly per user, so a five-person team on Business Standard works out to roughly KSh 5,500 per month (5 x KSh 1,100). You can pay using M-Pesa, which keeps things simple for local businesses without needing an international card. Start with the licences you need today and add more as you hire; there is no penalty for growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Microsoft 365 cost in Kenya?
Microsoft 365 in Kenya starts at KSh 700 per user per month for Business Basic, KSh 1,100 for Business Standard (the most popular plan) and KSh 1,400 for Business Premium. All plans are billed monthly and you can pay by M-Pesa. See current pricing on the Microsoft 365 Kenya page.
Is Microsoft 365 better than Google Workspace for Kenyan businesses?
Neither is objectively better; it depends on your team. Microsoft 365 is slightly cheaper per tier and gives you desktop Word, Excel and Outlook, so it suits businesses that rely on Office. Google Workspace suits teams already comfortable in Gmail and Google Docs.
Can I use my own domain with Microsoft 365?
Yes. Microsoft 365 lets every user have an email address on your own domain, such as [email protected]. You verify the domain and update a few DNS records, after which all mail flows through Outlook and Microsoft 365.
Do I get the full desktop Office apps?
The desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook come with Business Standard (KSh 1,100/user/mo) and Business Premium (KSh 1,400/user/mo). Business Basic (KSh 700) includes the web and mobile apps but not the installed desktop versions.
How long does setup take?
For a standard setup with a domain already in place, mailboxes can be live the same day once DNS records propagate. Migrating a large mailbox archive can take a little longer, but your team can start sending and receiving almost immediately.
Ready to put your business on professional email and the Office tools your team trusts? Compare the plans, count your users and get started on the Microsoft 365 Kenya page, and let our Kenyan support team handle the domain setup and migration for you.