Buy Windows 11 License: Home vs Pro — Which One Do You Need?
Windows 11 comes in two main editions for consumers: Home and Pro. Both run the…
Windows 11 comes in two main editions for consumers: Home and Pro. Both run the same operating system. Both receive the same updates. The difference is a set of business and security features in Pro that Home does not include — and a $10 price gap at authorized resellers.
This guide compares every feature that matters, explains who actually needs Pro, and shows you where to buy either edition at the best price. For Pro-specific purchasing advice, see our Windows 11 Pro key buying guide.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 11 Home covers most users — web browsing, Office, gaming, media, and everyday computing. It costs $89.99 at The Software City.
- Windows 11 Pro adds BitLocker, Remote Desktop, Hyper-V, and Group Policy — features that matter for remote workers, developers, and small business owners. It costs $99.99 at The Software City.
- The $10 difference makes Pro the safer choice for most buyers. Even if you do not need Pro features today, having BitLocker encryption and Remote Desktop available is worth $10.
Windows 11 Home vs Pro: Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price (The Software City) | $89.99 | $99.99 |
| Price (Microsoft Store) | $139 | $199 |
| Windows Update | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Store | Yes | Yes |
| Snap Layouts & Snap Groups | Yes | Yes |
| Widgets | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Teams (chat) | Yes | Yes |
| DirectX 12 Ultimate (gaming) | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Hello (biometric login) | Yes | Yes |
| BitLocker device encryption | Basic (Device Encryption) | Full BitLocker (drive-level) |
| Remote Desktop (host) | No (client only) | Yes (host + client) |
| Hyper-V virtualization | No | Yes |
| Group Policy editor | No | Yes |
| Windows Sandbox | No | Yes |
| Domain join | No | Yes |
| Assigned Access (kiosk mode) | No | Yes |
| Windows Information Protection | No | Yes |
| Maximum RAM | 128 GB | 2 TB |
Every feature in Home is also in Pro. Pro simply adds the business, security, and developer tools listed above.
Who Needs Windows 11 Home?
Windows 11 Home is the right choice if you use your PC primarily for:
- Web browsing and email — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Gmail, Outlook.com
- Office applications — Word, Excel, PowerPoint (any version)
- Gaming — Steam, Epic Games, Xbox Game Pass (full DirectX 12 Ultimate support)
- Media and entertainment — streaming, photo editing, video playback
- Light creative work — Canva, basic Photoshop, video editing
If your PC is a personal device and you do not need to connect to it remotely, encrypt drives with BitLocker, or run virtual machines, Home delivers everything you need at $89.99.
Who Needs Windows 11 Pro?
Choose Pro if any of these apply:
Remote workers — Pro includes Remote Desktop (host), which lets you access your PC from another device. Home only allows connecting to other PCs, not hosting connections.
Developers — Hyper-V lets you run virtual machines natively. Essential for testing across operating systems, running Docker containers, and development environments.
Small business owners — Group Policy editor gives you control over user permissions, security policies, and system settings across machines. Domain join lets you connect to a business network.
Security-conscious users — Full BitLocker encryption protects your entire drive. If your laptop is lost or stolen, your data is inaccessible without the encryption key. Home offers basic Device Encryption, but BitLocker provides more granular control.
IT professionals — Windows Sandbox creates an isolated desktop environment for testing untrusted software without risking your main system.
Where to Buy a Windows 11 License
| Source | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| The Software City | $89.99 | $99.99 |
| Microsoft Store | $139 | $199 |
| Amazon/Newegg | $100–$139 | $130–$199 |
| Grey-market sites | $10–$20 | $15–$40 |
The Software City is an authorized Microsoft Partner offering genuine lifetime licenses at half the Microsoft Store price. Delivery is digital within 15–45 minutes with a 180-day warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee.
For the complete buying process, see our step-by-step purchase guide.
Can I Upgrade from Home to Pro Later?
Yes. You can upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro at any time without reinstalling:
- Open Settings → System → Activation
- Click Upgrade your edition of Windows or Change product key
- Enter a Windows 11 Pro product key
- Windows downloads Pro features and restarts
- Your PC now runs Windows 11 Pro
The upgrade keeps all your files, apps, and settings. You only pay for the Pro key — the upgrade process itself is free. See our detailed guide on how to upgrade from Home to Pro.
Cost comparison: – Buy Pro from the start: $99.99 – Buy Home ($89.99) + upgrade later ($99.99) = $189.98
Buying Pro upfront saves $89.99 compared to buying Home and upgrading later. If there is any chance you will need Pro features, buy Pro from the start.
Should I Buy Windows 11 or Windows 10?
If your PC meets Windows 11 hardware requirements, buy Windows 11. It receives active feature updates, has the latest security features, and will be supported longer.
If your PC does not meet Windows 11 requirements (no TPM 2.0, older CPU), buy Windows 10 Pro — still available at $59.99. See our Windows 10 Pro license key guide for details.
Free upgrade path: A Windows 10 Pro license can be upgraded to Windows 11 Pro for free if your hardware later qualifies (e.g., after a motherboard upgrade).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the $10 difference between Home and Pro worth it?
Yes for most buyers. BitLocker encryption alone justifies the $10 premium. If you ever need to work remotely, Hyper-V for development, or Group Policy for network management, you will be glad you chose Pro.
Can I use Windows 11 Home for gaming?
Yes. Windows 11 Home includes full DirectX 12 Ultimate support, Auto HDR, DirectStorage, and Xbox Game Pass integration. There is no gaming advantage to Pro — both editions perform identically in games.
Does Windows 11 Home or Pro get updates faster?
No. Both editions receive the same Windows Update schedule — security updates, quality updates, and feature updates arrive at the same time.
Can I buy a Windows 11 license and use it on a different PC later?
Yes, if you buy a retail license. Retail keys can be transferred between PCs (one active device at a time). OEM keys are locked to one motherboard. See our retail vs OEM key comparison.
Is a Windows 11 license a one-time purchase?
Yes. Both Home and Pro are one-time purchases with no subscription, no renewal, and no expiration. You pay once and own the license permanently.
How quickly will I receive my Windows 11 license key?
The Software City delivers keys via email within 15–45 minutes of purchase. Microsoft Store provides an instant digital license linked to your Microsoft Account.
by Editorial Team
Updated on April 3, 2026
by Editorial Team
Updated on April 3, 2026
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