You are planning to shift your business operations from offline to online for better team collaboration. But you are confused between the top cloud-based (Office 365 and Google Workspace) platforms.
Both platforms are known for their productivity, collaboration, powerful tools, and secure environments. Therefore, the blog will break down the differences, compare features, and help you decide which suite fits your unique needs.
Office 365 vs. Google Workspace: Compare & Decide!
Use the quick comparison table to understand the basic difference between Google Workspace and Office 365 platforms.
| Feature | Microsoft 365 (Office 365) | Google Workspace |
| Core Apps | Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams | Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Meet |
| Cloud Storage | 1 TB per user (OneDrive) | 30 GB to Unlimited (Google Drive) |
| Email Hosting | Outlook with custom domain | Gmail with a custom domain |
| Collaboration | Teams, SharePoint | Docs, Meet, Chat |
| Desktop Apps | Full Office Suite | Limited offline capabilities |
| Pricing (Starting) | $9.99/user/month | $7/user/month |
| Security & Compliance | Enterprise-grade with DLP, ATP | Zero Trust Model, CSE |
| Customer Support | 24/7 phone & web | Chat/email; 24/7 for higher plans |
Evaluate Core Productivity Tools for Smoother Workflows!
Analyze the core productivity tools offered by both platforms to get a clear idea of which one is best for you.
Office 365:
- Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, and Publisher.
- Provides tools for both web-based and full desktop versions.
- Best for users who need advanced formatting or heavy data processing.
- Excel leads the industry in data modeling and formulas for data analysis.
Google Workspace:
- Includes Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Meet, Keep, Calendar.
- Offers real-time collaboration and autosave with a cloud-first facility.
- Comes with a minimalistic and user-friendly interface.
- Best for teams who prioritize speed, simplicity, and collaboration.
Analyze Communication Features: Find Better Collaborative Platform!
Review the communication features offered by both platforms and know the best one for your organization:
Office 365:
- Microsoft Teams is an advanced platform for messaging, meetings, file sharing, and app integration.
- Comes with Shared calendars and real-time collaboration features (through OneDrive & SharePoint).
- Ideal for enterprise teams with structured workflows.
Google Workspace:
- Provides Google Meet and Google Chat for smooth video calls and messaging among team members.
- Users can edit in Docs, Sheets, and Slides with commenting and suggestion modes with real-time features.
- Built-in sharing facility via Google Drive makes collaboration easier.
Evaluate Cloud Storage Availability of Both Platforms!
Compare the storage offerings of both platforms to find the best one for file management.
Microsoft 365:
- Offers 1TB OneDrive storage per user (expandable).
- Provide features like version history, file recovery, and integration with Windows File Explorer.
- SharePoint enables enterprise-level file management and permissions.
Google Workspace:
- Google Drive storage space varies on plans. (30GB on Starter & unlimited for Enterprise)
- Ideal for sharing files via links with access settings like view, comment, or edit.
- Strongly integrated with Gmail and Google Calendar for attachments and events.
User Interface: Find the Simplest Cloud Platform!
Get a clear idea of the UI of both platforms to identify which platform is simple to use:
Google Workspace wins for simplicity. Even first-time users find it intuitive.
Microsoft 365 is more feature-rich, which means a user needs to learn before using the platform to its full potential.
Security & Compliance: Compare to Know Which is Safer!
Analyze the security features of both platforms to find the most secure one for your organization.
Microsoft 365:
- Comes with Advanced Threat Protection, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and multi-factor authentication.
- Meets security standards like GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and SOC 2.
- Provide conditional access policies for devices and applications.
Google Workspace:
- Runs on a Zero Trust security model.
- Provides Client-side encryption (CSE) facility to protect sensitive data.
- Comes with a built-in security center and advanced dashboard.
Outcome: Both are highly secure, but Microsoft has a slight edge in enterprise-grade admin control.
App Integrations: Evaluate Platforms for More Customization!
Explore the different integration options offered by both platforms to find the best one for customization.
- Office 365 works efficiently with Power BI, Dynamics, Azure, and other Microsoft services.
- Google Workspace integrates instantly with Google Cloud, Zapier, Slack, and more.
Outcome: Microsoft provides granular policy controls but supports limited third-party integration. Therefore, Google wins in simplicity and speed of integration.
Compare Offline Access & Cross-Platform Compatibility!
Understand which platform offers better offline accessibility and features:
- Microsoft 365 offers complete offline accessibility through desktop apps. It is best for low-connectivity areas.
- Google Workspace Offline mode is available, but users must pre-enabled in browser settings. It is not better than offline file management.
Office 365 Vs Google Workspace: Which One Should You Choose?
You can evaluate your requirements and take the help of the following table to choose the best platform for yourself.
| Choose Microsoft 365 If | Choose Google Workspace If |
| For advanced Excel or Word functionalities. | The team works remotely and collaboratively. |
| Need desktop apps with offline accessibility. | Need real-time document collaboration. |
| For Windows-centric organization. | You’re a startup, school, or small business. |
| Require enterprise-level admin control. | Prefer simple tools with minimal setup. |
Closing Remarks!
We hope the blog clarifies the basic difference between the Google Workspace and Office 365 platforms. Both are excellent, but they serve different kinds of users.
If you have a corporate environment, then Microsoft 365 will be the best platform. However, for startups and schools, Google Workspace is an ideal choice that values collaboration and simplicity.
You can take the help of the Office 365 to Office 365 Migration tool to make the data transfer process smoother.
FAQs: Your Queries, Solved Here!
Which is better: Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for small businesses?
Google Workspace is more cost-effective and easier to set up, which makes it ideal for small businesses or startups.
Can I use both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace together?
Yes, but it may require manual syncing and could confuse users. Most businesses pick one platform to streamline their workflows.
Which platform is more secure?
Both platforms are highly secure. Microsoft has deeper enterprise controls, while Google excels in end-to-end encryption.
Is Microsoft 365 more expensive than Google Workspace?
Yes, for higher-end plans only. But Microsoft includes powerful desktop tools that make it a better value in certain scenarios.
Do both platforms support email hosting with custom domains?
Absolutely. Both platforms allow professional email addresses using your domain (e.g., you@yourcompany.com).
