Microsoft 365 Business Premium vs E3.
Business Premium is Microsoft's security-complete plan for companies up to 300 users: Office apps, Intune device management, Defender for Business and Entra ID P1 in one license. Microsoft 365 E3 has no user cap and adds enterprise compliance, but it costs more, ships without Teams in many markets, and needs add-ons to match Business Premium's endpoint protection. Under 300 users, Business Premium is usually the stronger buy.
Prefer to talk? Call 1-888-413-0331The differences that matter.
Users. Business Premium caps at 300 licenses. E3 has no cap.
Endpoint security. Business Premium includes Defender for Business with endpoint detection and response. E3 includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 1.
Email security. Business Premium includes Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 against phishing and malicious attachments. E3 adds it separately.
Identity and devices. Both include Entra ID P1 conditional access and Intune device management.
Compliance. E3 carries broader enterprise compliance, retention and eDiscovery features, and Windows Enterprise rights.
Which plan fits.
Bought and configured.
A license only protects you once it is configured. Prismware switches on conditional access and multifactor sign-in, enrolls laptops and phones in Intune, turns on Defender policies and email protection, and monitors the tenant, alongside the laptops and devices Prismware supplies.
Business Premium vs E3 questions.
Can we mix Business Premium and E3 licenses?
Yes. Business and enterprise plans run side by side in one tenant, as long as Business plans stay within the 300-user cap.
Can we add Copilot to either plan?
Yes. Business Premium and E3 are both eligible base plans for Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Can we switch plans without migrating data?
Yes. Licenses switch at renewal or mid-term with no change to mailboxes, files or Teams.
Get the right Microsoft 365 plan quoted.
Licenses, security setup, devices and support on one proposal.