Guide
Microsoft 365 Frontline F1 vs F3
The cheapest M365 plans, built for shift workers. Here's what each includes.
TL;DR
- • F1 ($2.25/mo) = kiosk plan. Teams + read-only Office + calendar-only email + 50 features
- • F3 ($8/mo) = full frontline plan. Office apps + email kiosk + Windows + 98 features
- • F5 add-ons = enterprise security ($6/mo) and/or compliance ($6/mo) layered on top
What Are Frontline Plans?
Microsoft 365 Frontline plans (F-series) are designed for shift workers and firstline employees: the people who interact with customers and operate on the front lines of your business. Think retail associates, healthcare workers, manufacturing operators, field service technicians, and hospitality staff.
These workers typically share devices, work on mobile, and don't sit at a desk all day. Frontline plans are priced accordingly, starting at just $2.25/user/month, with the right mix of communication, security, and mobile access without the full desktop productivity suite.
There are two base plans (F1 and F3) and three F5 add-ons for organizations that need enterprise-grade security or compliance for their frontline workforce.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Price | Features | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 F1 | $2.25/mo | 50 included | Base Plan |
| Microsoft 365 F3 | $8/mo | 98 included | Base Plan |
| Microsoft 365 F5 Security Add-on | $6/mo | 45 included | Add-On |
| Microsoft 365 F5 Compliance Add-on | $6/mo | 24 included | Add-On |
| Microsoft 365 F5 Security + Compliance Add-on | $12/mo | 68 included | Add-On |
Prices are per user/month (annual commitment). Add-ons require F1 or F3 as a base license.
F1 vs F3: Feature Breakdown
F3 includes 48 more features than F1 for an additional $5.75/user/month. Here's what the upgrade gets you, broken down by category:
Always On VPN, Application Control, Application Guard, AppLocker, App Assure, Assigned Access, BitLocker, BitLocker to Go, and 21 more
Exchange Online Protection, Kaizala Pro (retiring), Microsoft Dataverse for Teams, Microsoft Whiteboard, Power Virtual Agents for Teams
Attack Surface Reduction (ASR), Credential Guard, Device Guard, Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Windows Firewall
Microsoft To Do, Power Apps for Office 365, Power Automate for Office 365, Project & Roadmap View Access
Information Protection for Microsoft 365, Retention Labels & Policies, Windows Information Protection (retiring)
Azure AD Join, Windows Conditional Access, Windows Hello for Business
F1 Limitations
F1 is intentionally limited for kiosk/shared-device scenarios. Here's what's restricted:
| Feature | F1 Limitation |
|---|---|
| Exchange Online | Calendar only |
| Microsoft Forms | Consume only |
| Office for the Web | Read only |
| Office Mobile | Read only |
| OneDrive for Business | Kiosk (2 GB) |
| SharePoint Online | Kiosk |
| Stream for Office 365 | Consume only |
| Desktop Office Apps | Not included |
| Full Mailbox | Not included (calendar only) |
F5 Add-Ons Explained
F5 add-ons bring enterprise-grade security and compliance to your frontline workforce. They require an F1 or F3 base license.
M365 F5 Sec
$6/mo
45 features including Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Identity, and Cloud App Security.
M365 F5 Comp
$6/mo
24 features including eDiscovery, Insider Risk Management, and advanced audit.
M365 F5 S+C
$12/mo
68 features. Same price as buying Security + Compliance separately, but simpler licensing.
Who Needs What?
Retail associates & kiosk workers
Workers who share devices, need Teams for communication, and don't require email or document editing. $2.25/mo keeps costs minimal for large frontline populations.
Healthcare, manufacturing & field service
Workers who need mobile Office apps, a basic mailbox, Windows Enterprise rights, and more security features. F3's 98 features cover most frontline needs.
Regulated industries & sensitive data
Add F5 Security when frontline devices handle sensitive data or face advanced threats. Add F5 Compliance for healthcare (HIPAA), financial services, or organizations with eDiscovery requirements.