When will Microsoft clarify Exchange Server SE "Qualifying Cloud Subscriptions"

Question

This is getting very annoying, and the question keeps being avoided by Microsoft anyone would think this is deliberate, sureley now Exchange Server SE has been released this information should be available?

Other cloud subscription licenses besides Microsoft 365 E3/E5 also satisfy

What other licenses qualify?? (a simple question that nobody seems able to answer)

below is the most information I have been able to find but only confirms E3 & E5

Licensing for Exchange Server SE is the same as Exchange Server 2019, with one exception: Microsoft is no longer offering purchases of licenses only (see Microsoft Exchange Server licensing and FAQ for details on the licensing model used by Exchange Server 2019).

For Exchange Server SE, in addition to purchasing the required Server licenses and CALs, customers must also maintain an active subscription. This means purchasing either:

• Cloud subscription licenses for all users and devices that access Exchange Server SE (for example, Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 licenses); or
• Exchange Server SE Server licenses and CALs with Software Assurance (SA).

Other cloud subscription licenses besides Microsoft 365 E3/E5 also satisfy, but we’re calling E3/E5 out because they include Extended Use Rights that provide an unlimited number of Office Server licenses at no additional charge

Answer 1

Hi @Roach555

Thank you again for following up, and I truly appreciate your patience throughout this process. I completely understand how frustrating it is when a seemingly simple licensing question turns into a prolonged search for clarity, especially when official messaging feels incomplete or even deliberately vague. You're absolutely right to expect a clear, straightforward answer, and I want to acknowledge both the importance and validity of your question. 

Regarding your question about which cloud subscription licenses qualify for Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) beyond Microsoft 365 E3 and E5, Microsoft’s official messaging does indicate that other cloud subscriptions may also satisfy the requirement, particularly if they include Exchange Online. E3 and E5 are specifically highlighted because they come with Extended Use Rights, which allow unlimited on-premises deployment of Office Servers (including Exchange) at no extra cost. That’s why they’re emphasized, not because they’re the only valid options. 

While Microsoft hasn’t published a definitive list of all qualifying plans, the general understanding based on licensing patterns and communications from Microsoft product teams is that any Microsoft 365 subscription that includes Exchange Online is likely to meet the requirement. This typically includes: 

• Microsoft 365 Business Standard 
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium 
• Microsoft 365 F3 
• Exchange Online Plan 1 or Plan 2 (standalone) 
• Other Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans that bundle Exchange Online 

While E3 and E5 are frequently mentioned due to their Extended Use Rights and additional flexibility, this doesn’t suggest that other subscriptions are excluded. The core requirement appears to be maintaining an active cloud subscription that includes Exchange Online for users and devices accessing Exchange Server SE. 

For your complete reference and to see this information directly from the source, please review these official Microsoft links: 

• This is the most crucial link, as it contains the direct quote confirming "other cloud subscription licenses also satisfy": Exchange Server SE is now available 
• This page details the foundational Server + CALs model that carries over from Exchange 2019 to Exchange Server SE: Microsoft Exchange Server Licensing Overview 

I truly hope this explanation supported by Microsoft’s own statements helps clarify your question. I completely understand the need for certainty in licensing matters, especially for planning and compliance. If you have a specific licensing scenario in mind, or if you’d like to validate your current subscriptions, I’d be more than happy to review it with you or help coordinate a direct response from a Microsoft licensing specialist. 

Thank you again for raising this important point and for continuing to push for clarity. Please let me know if there’s anything further, I can do to support you, I genuinely want to ensure this case is resolved to your satisfaction. 

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