The Microsoft Office suite was the undisputed ruler in business services until the early 2000s, after which Google came up with its own applications.

With the launch of Google Docs and Spreadsheets in 2006, companies started trying out an online collaborative workspace. The Google Apps suite later named G Suite and then Google Workspace has emerged as a popular choice for businesses worldwide.

Microsoft, on the other hand, came up with Office 365, a subscription-based service with online features. Like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 also gets frequent updates and advanced features. 

Both of these services have their own share of pros and cons. That’s why business owners find it hard to choose the best option for their company operations.

In this article, we’ll discuss both Google Workspace and Office 365 to help you determine which suits your business better.

READ: Improve Collaboration with Google Workspace – Now at Crazy Domains!

Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365

Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are both suites of tools built for common business functions. They operate in the cloud with the help of a web browser. Some tasks you can accomplish using these two suites are: 

  • Sending and receiving emails 
  • Managing schedules and calendars
  • Creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations
  • Storing and managing files
  • Performing collaborative tasks
  • Video conferencing

Additionally, Microsoft 365 has a suite of desktop applications that can be installed on your computer and used without an internet connection. 

office 365 apps on desktop

Here are the common aspects of these two application suites are: 

  • They are both subscription-based and have a monthly fee.
  • Their plans are varied and flexible.
  • They both have certain offline capabilities.
  • They work with a range of devices and operating systems.
  • Their core applications include word processing, messaging, email, calendar, spreadsheets, contacts, presentations, etc.
  • They have associated cloud storage and cloud security.
  • They both offer data encryption, data loss prevention, and built-in spam and phishing detection.
  • They have additional tools available.
  • Google offers mobile apps for Android and iOS, and Microsoft offers Office client apps for iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and web-based browsers.

Since the core functionalities of Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are similar, businesses often get confused about how to choose the right solution. Here’s where their differences come into play.

Differences Between Google Workspace and Office 365: Apps and Features

The primary difference between the two suites lies in their individual applications and management. Let’s look into those in more detail.

App (Functionality) 

 

 Google Workspace 

 

 Office 365 

 
Cloud Storage  Google Drive lets you store all your documents, photos, and more. It offers more familiarity to users who already experienced using other Google tools.  OneDrive is Office 365’s cloud storage which offers the same functionalities as Google Drive. 
Email  Gmail is the default email app, which is fast, robust, and high-functioning with a powerful search option based on user behaviour. You get third-party app support but cannot sort or group emails. Outlook, the default email app, has desktop and browser versions. It has all basic features, plus allows you to sort, group, and label emails. 
Word Processing 

 

 Google Docs is highly collaborative, has 55 prebuilt templates, and has all the essential features. It is best suited for live collaboration. Microsoft Word has a bigger range of features with over 1000 templates and 300 templates for business alone, along with many chart types and styles. It is the gold standard for editing and creating documents. 
Spreadsheets 

 

 If you need collaborative spreadsheets, Google Sheets is your solution. However, it has limited templates, features, and charts. Excel has more elaborate features, with hundreds of templates and 19 chart types. It is easier to create charts and graphs with Excel.
Presentation  Google Slides has layout suggestions, images, the Explore tool, and a highly collaborative environment. PowerPoint has a powerful QuickStarter tool with outlines, starter slides, templates, and themes. It is easier to add graphics, animation, transitions, and multimedia. Overall, it has more innovative capabilities like Rehearse Timings, Zoom function, and so on. 
Video Conferencing  Google Meet prioritises a clean interface and efficient real-time collaboration making it easy to use.  Microsoft Teams is designed for businesses offering more communication features like extended meeting times. 
Security  Google Workspace lets you customise your cloud protection and track the status of your data through analytics.   Office 365 office offers built-in password and privacy control tools and add-ons. 

If collaboration is your priority, Google Workspace is the way to go. If you need more robust features and advanced functionalities, Microsoft 365 is the right suite for you.

READ: How to Use Google Workspace to Scale Your SME

Google Workspace or Office 365?

Both Google Workspace and Office 365 have their own advantages. Their customer support is also prompt and reliable in most cases. Microsoft wins hands down when it comes to product features, while Google is the clear winner in collaboration.

Depending on what matters most to your business, you can take the right call and choose the best-suited productivity tool.

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