You Probably Already have Power Apps

Microsoft Power Apps is a low-code platform designed to help you create custom business applications without needing to be a professional developer. Its true strength lies in making small, purpose-built apps that solve specific problems—think of things like a checklist tracker, a simple approval workflow, or a tool to organize team tasks.

What many people don’t realize is that they may already have access to Microsoft Power Apps and not even know it. If you’re using Microsoft 365 for Business, Power Apps is included in your subscription.

Power Apps with Microsoft 365 for Business

A Microsoft 365 for Business subscription (starting at just $6/month from Microsoft’s website) includes:

• SharePoint
• Microsoft Lists
• OneDrive
• Online versions of Office apps
• Access to Power Apps

With this version of Power Apps, you can build apps that connect to familiar data sources such as Excel, SharePoint Lists, and Microsoft Lists (which are essentially the same as SharePoint Lists, just presented in a different location). While this tier doesn’t include some of the advanced features—like AI-powered tools or certain premium connectors—it still gives you everything you need to create practical, functional applications that streamline your day-to-day work.

How to Check if You Already Have Access

It’s easy to see if you have Power Apps through your Microsoft 365 account:

1. Go to office.com and log in.
2. Check your available apps—if you see SharePoint, you already have access to Power Apps.
3. From there, head over to make.powerapps.com and sign in.

If it’s your first time, Microsoft will guide you through setup with a few pop-ups (as they often do). As long as your administrator hasn’t blocked Power Apps, you’ll be able to start building right away.

Power Apps Premium Features

Beyond the standard version, Microsoft offers a standalone Power Apps license. This unlocks advanced capabilities, including:

• Dataverse: Microsoft’s proprietary relational database
• AI tools: Enhanced functionality for smarter apps
• Premium connectors: Expanded integration with external systems
• Advanced features: Like AI Builder or generating Microsoft Word documents directly from apps
• Offline access: Use your app and sync data even without an internet connection

This license is separate from your Microsoft 365 subscription, and it’s designed for businesses that need the full breadth of Power Apps functionality.

The Free Developer Environment

If you’re just getting started and want to explore Power Apps more deeply, Microsoft also offers a free developer environment. Here’s how it works:

• You only need a Microsoft 365 for Business subscription.
• You can sign up for a developer account at no extra cost.
• The developer account includes premium features, advanced tools, and Dataverse.
• It allows for testing with up to around 25 users in a safe, isolated environment.

This setup is perfect for experimenting, learning, and building apps without impacting your production systems.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking to build a simple checklist or explore advanced app development with Dataverse and AI, Microsoft Power Apps makes it possible. The best part? If you already use Microsoft 365 for Business, you likely have access right now. Check your account, sign in at make.powerapps.com, and start building today.