Microsoft restructures Office for Mac 2011 pricing starting at $8.33 a month or $99.99 a year, can be activated on five Macs

After making a preview available to Windows users earlier in the summer, Redmond-based Microsoft announced the official Office 2013 (or Office 365, as Microsoft likes to put it) pricing. Microsoft is taking an interesting approach with its latest Office version by pushing heavy for a subscription price rather than a one-time purchase (though it is still available). The subscription version of Office 2013 will be available for $8.33 a month or $99.99 a year and will work with up to five PCs or Macs (unlimited users). The version will feature the full foray of apps, including: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and more. Microsoft will also package 20GB of free SkyDrive storage and 60 Skype minutes to use worldwide.

As for Mac users, there are no new features yet. Instead, Microsoft is updating Office for Mac 2011 to include activation for Office 365 Home Premium, which essentially gives customers the ability to use the software across five Macs. As for the next version of Office for Mac, which will include new features, a Microsoft spokesperson told us:

Microsoft just launched Office for Mac in 2011 and is currently working on the next release. Our Mac customers are important to us, and we’re excited that they’ll be able to take advantage of Office 365 Home Premium subscriptions. 

Microsoft further announced today that those who purchased Office for Mac 2011 will “qualify to download, for free, one year of Office 365 Home Premium or the equivalent Office 2013 offering, when available.” There is no word on when —or even if— that will be available.

The Verge posted a great graph laying out the pricing for all versions: