Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Microsoft 365 VS Google Workspace

Compare Microsoft 365 VS Google Workspace and see what are their differences

Microsoft 365 logo Microsoft 365

Boost your productivity with reliable access anywhere with services like email, calendar, file sharing, meetings, instant messaging, and Office Online

Google Workspace logo Google Workspace

Google's encompassing suite of cloud-based business apps.
  • Microsoft 365 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-16
  • Google Workspace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-11-19

Microsoft 365 features and specs

  • Accessibility
    Office 365 allows users to access their documents and applications from virtually any device with an internet connection, promoting remote and collaborative work.
  • Automatic Updates
    Software updates are automatically rolled out, ensuring that users always have the latest features, security patches, and improvements without needing to manually install them.
  • Integrated Productivity Tools
    The suite includes a wide range of integrated tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive, which streamline workflow and enhance productivity.
  • Cloud Storage
    Microsoft 365 provides cloud storage options through OneDrive and SharePoint, offering users scalable storage solutions and easy file sharing capabilities.
  • Security Features
    The platform includes advanced security features like data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security updates to protect sensitive information.
  • Collaboration
    Multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously, with real-time editing and commenting features, which enhances team collaboration and productivity.
  • Scalability
    Different subscription plans are available, allowing businesses of all sizes to choose the appropriate plan based on their needs and scale as they grow.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft 365

  • Subscription Model
    Office 365 operates on a subscription-based model, which may become expensive over time compared to a one-time purchase of traditional Office software.
  • Internet Dependency
    Some features require an internet connection to function properly. Inconsistent or poor internet access can hinder productivity and limit accessibility.
  • Complexity
    With a vast array of tools and features, some users may find it challenging to navigate and utilize the full potential of the platform without adequate training.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Storing data on cloud services can raise privacy and compliance concerns, especially for organizations dealing with sensitive information.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There may be compatibility issues with older versions of Microsoft Office and other third-party applications, potentially causing disruptions in workflow.
  • Cost
    For small businesses or individual users, the cost of the subscription can be a significant expense, particularly when considering ongoing payments.

Google Workspace features and specs

  • Integrations
    Google Workspace integrates seamlessly with other Google services like Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Meet, providing a unified experience.
  • Collaboration
    Real-time collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations increases productivity and promotes efficient teamwork.
  • Cloud Storage
    Offers generous cloud storage options, allowing users to store and access files from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Security
    Advanced security features, including data encryption and two-factor authentication, ensure that sensitive information is protected.
  • Scalability
    Easy to scale according to the size and needs of an organization, from small businesses to large enterprises.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Accessible from various devices including PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets, offering flexibility and convenience.
  • Integration with Third-Party Apps
    Supports integration with a wide range of third-party applications via the Google Workspace Marketplace, enhancing its functionality.
  • Frequent Updates
    Regular updates and new features are rolled out, ensuring that users have access to the latest tools and functionalities.

Possible disadvantages of Google Workspace

  • Cost
    Subscription fees can add up, especially for larger organizations, making it a significant ongoing expense.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a learning curve, particularly if they are unfamiliar with Google's suite of tools.
  • Internet Dependence
    Reliance on a stable internet connection can be a drawback in areas with poor connectivity or during internet outages.
  • Limited Customization
    Customization options are somewhat limited compared to other enterprise solutions, which may not meet the needs of all organizations.
  • Data Privacy Concerns
    Some users may have concerns about data privacy and Google's data handling policies, especially given its advertising business.
  • Complex Administration
    Managing and configuring all the settings in Google Workspace can be complex and time-consuming for administrators.
  • Feature Overlap
    There's a potential for feature overlap with other existing tools in an organization, which might lead to redundant functionalities.
  • Offline Limitations
    While offline capabilities exist, they are limited, and many features require an active internet connection to function optimally.

Microsoft 365 videos

Office 365 Complete Tutorial Zero to Hero

More videos:

  • Review - What is Office 365
  • Review - The Merger - S3E8 - The Office In Review
  • Review - Performance Review - S2E8 - The Office in Review
  • Review - Checking Out Microsoft Office 365
  • Review - All 9 Seasons of The Office Ranked!
  • Review - Microsoft Office 365 review: Online, offline, any good?
  • Review - 🤷‍♂️ What is Microsoft 365 - Explained

Google Workspace videos

G Suite Business Review – Top 5 Reasons To Use Google Apps For Business (Digital Agencies)

More videos:

  • Review - G Suite vs. Free Google Apps | What is the difference?
  • Review - How We're Using G Suite as a Business? (G Suite Business Solutions Review)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace)
Office Suites
60 60%
40% 40
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Project Management
48 48%
52% 52

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace

Microsoft 365 Reviews

  1. Always backup your Office 365 data

    Microsoft Office 365 is an amazing software that helps companies establish their business, so a backup is a must since Microsoft is not offering the proper backup.

    🏁 Competitors: Google Docs
    👍 Pros:    Great set of functions
    👎 Cons:    No backup

Top Alternatives to Microsoft Office Suite
In today’s competitive business environment, having the right office suite is crucial for streamlined operations and effective collaboration. While Microsoft Office Suite has been a popular choice, these alternatives offer unique features and cost-effective solutions to cater to your specific business needs. Whether you prioritize real-time collaboration, budget-friendly...
Source: saaszeal.com
112 Best Chrome Extensions You Should Try (2021 List)
Office Editing For Docs, Sheets & Slides is an offline chrome extension that helps you edit Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files without Office installed on your PC. It opens Docx and other files in a new tab instead of downloading them locally.
The BEST Email Hosting Providers for Small Business in 2021
There are 4 deployment steps to set up an account on Microsoft 365 Business. The initial step is acquiring a subscription and assigning Microsoft 365 Business licenses to the user. Then you use the set-up wizard to configure the account. Once you install the Office apps on your devices, the final step is to prepare your PCs by using the Windows AutoPilot.

Google Workspace Reviews

Top Alternatives to Microsoft Office Suite
Google Workspace offers a suite of cloud-based tools including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. Its real-time collaboration features empower teams to work together seamlessly on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. With the ability to access files from any device and share them with colleagues, Google Workspace is an ideal choice for businesses seeking...
Source: saaszeal.com
10 Best Alternatives to Microsoft Outlook to Try in 2023
Any worthwhile list covering Outlook alternatives needs to begin with Gmail, or its paid version, Google Workspace. The abundance of Google services that seamlessly integrate into email, excellent accessibility, and an intuitive email search feature make it a good option for most personal and business users.
Source: mysignature.io
11 Top Outlook Alternatives to Try
Gmail is a free email service from Google that consistently ranks highly among free email clients. Google Workspace is the G Suite business version. With Google Workspace, an administrator can create, edit, and delete accounts within their organization.
Source: kinsta.com
The BEST Email Hosting Providers for Small Business in 2021
G Suite is Google’s hosted email service that provides smart cloud search functionalities, top-of-the-line security layers, and administrative control. Getting started with Google email hosting is easy. All you need to do is input some information, such as administrator contact and size of the company, after which you will need to associate a domain to your account. When you...
6 Contenders for Best Microsoft Exchange Alternative
Any list of Exchange alternatives would be incomplete without G Suite, Google’s collaboration and productivity software suite. Although its vast array of applications makes it a more fitting analogue for Office 365 than Exchange alone, Gmail — a cloud-based email server included in G Suite — is a leading competitor for both Exchange Server and Exchange Online. For the...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Google Workspace should be more popular than Microsoft 365. It has been mentiond 54 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Microsoft 365 mentions (13)

  • You Are Already Using Wasm In Production
    If you use Microsoft’s online Office.com suite or the popular Figma graphics tool, you’ve already used Wasm in production. If you’ve used a device to watch streaming services like BBC or Amazon Prime, you’ve already used Wasm in production. In fact, you’re using Wasm in production right now. This website has been powered by server-side Wasm since its initial launch in February of 2022. Our serverless platform for... - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Need to count calls on certain days in certain time slots
    Yes it does change, will not work for 2016, but it works for excel online at office.com, which is free with a microsoft account. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Change SharePoint Start Page for All
    When our users go to office.com, login and click the waffle for SharePoint, I want to change this landing page. Right now, it goes to https://ourdomain.sharepoint.com/_layouts/15/sharepoint.aspx and once users are in SP, if they ever click the home button it will direct them to this page as well. I want to change this to a new site we created that makes browsing our sites and sharing information/events much... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Has anyone seen same behavior with AAD laptops reaching out to internal DCs on ports 88, 389, and 445
    Authentication happens through a 3rd party so when we try to login to office.com with our company accounts it redirect us to this 3rd party company that handles our logins. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Where is the Copilot in Excel?
    I've looked in office.com (using Chrome) and Excel 365 for Mac (Version 16.79). Nothing in the top-right corner except "Analyze Data". And when I try to search for in the the Tell Me or Help menu, it acts like it has no idea what Copilot is. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

Google Workspace mentions (54)

  • Creating unlimited free domain emails
    To create custom domain emails, one of the easiest options is to use a paid service like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. However, these services can be expensive, especially if you have created many apps and are yet to find paying users. For such use cases, the Cloudflare + Gmail combination works perfectly without any cost involved. In this blog, we will discuss how to create domain emails. In this blog, let... - Source: dev.to / 12 months ago
  • Maximizing ROI: Content Operations and Headless CMS - hack you can't miss
    Google Workspace, is a cloud-based productivity suite developed by Google. It includes various collaborative tools such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Meet, and Google Calendar, among others. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: How do you manage your “family data warehouse”?
    My approach is to look at contents as data-first with tools on the top. A few simple patterns of file systems manage this. Right now, I use Dropbox[1] as a primary container, with a family’s Google Workspace[2] account to augment when it needs spreadsheets, documents, forms, etc. I use Insync[3] to convert and back up a copy in open formats for all documents from Google Workspace. I have been doing this for quite... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Unveiling the Mystery: Why Your Google Workspace Account Got Suspended
    Let’s explore the common reasons behind Google Workspace account suspensions in more detail. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Precaution to Take While Deleting Google Workspace Account
    Deleting your Google Workspace account doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, you can also consider the following products

LibreOffice - Free office suite, open source, and compatible with .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx files. Updated regularly – download for free. Originally based on OpenOffice.org.

Slack - A messaging app for teams who see through the Earth!

Apache OpenOffice - Apache OpenOffice is an open source, office document productivity suite.

Trello - Infinitely flexible. Incredibly easy to use. Great mobile apps. It's free. Trello keeps track of everything, from the big picture to the minute details.

WPS Office - Would you need Office Word, Excel or PowerPoint for Home, business or School? WPS.com would give you right version for you.

Zimbra - Zimbra is trusted by over 500 million users to increase productivity with a complete set of collaboration tools while maintaining total control over security and privacy.