Choosing the right productivity tool for your business is essential in today’s digital world. Two of the most popular options are Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Both offer a wide range of tools to help teams collaborate, communicate, and stay productive.
However, each has its strengths and weaknesses. In this blog, we will list down the key features of both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, compare their pricing, and help you decide which is the better fit for your business.
Whether you're a small business or a large organisation, understanding the differences can help you make the best choice for your team’s needs.
Google Workspace vs. Office 365: At a Glance
When choosing between Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, it’s important to understand their main features. Both offer similar tools, but they differ in certain areas like collaboration, storage, and pricing.
Let’s take a quick look at how they compare.
- Cost:
- Google Workspace: €5.20 per user per month
- Microsoft 365: €10.00/month
- Cloud Storage:
- Google Workspace: 30GB–5TB
- Microsoft 365: 1TB
- Business Email:
- Google Workspace: Gmail with 30GB–5TB of storage
- Microsoft 365: Outlook with 50GB of storage
- Office Apps:
- Google Workspace: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
- Microsoft 365: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Video Meetings:
- Google Workspace: Google Meet (100–500 participants)
- Microsoft 365: Microsoft Teams (300 participants)
- Additional Apps:
- Google Workspace: Calendar (with Bookings), Chat, Forms, Sites, Keep, Voice
- Microsoft 365: Publisher, Access, Bookings, Forms, Lists, Exchange, SharePoint, Azure, Intune, Clipchamp
- Third-party Integrations:
- Google Workspace: Available
- Microsoft 365: Available
- Browser-based Apps:
- Google Workspace: Available
- Microsoft 365: Available
- Mobile Apps:
- Google Workspace: Available
- Microsoft 365: Available
- Desktop Apps:
- Google Workspace: Not available
- Microsoft 365: Available
Pros and Cons of Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365
When comparing Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, both platforms offer excellent tools, but each has its own unique strengths and limitations.
Let's take a closer look at Google Workspace to see how it stands out and where it falls short.
Google Workspace: Pros
- Google Workspace has a lower starting cost and offers more affordable plans than Microsoft 365.
- All apps are included in every plan, unlike Microsoft 365, which locks certain apps behind higher tiers.
- It enables real-time collaboration and communication, allowing users to work from anywhere.
- It includes automatic language translation, making it easier for global teams to communicate.
- Users can send or receive money via email, a feature not commonly found in other platforms.
- Google Workspace supports numerous third-party integrations, enhancing productivity.
- 24/7 customer support is available to assist users at any time.
Google Workspace: Cons
- It lacks advanced security features like device management and the ability to remotely wipe devices.
- Google Workspace does not offer desktop apps, meaning users must always have access to a browser.
- The platform lacks strong graphic editing tools and doesn’t allow the “save as picture” feature.
- Compared to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace offers less base storage and has lower video participant limits in its first two plans.
Pros of Microsoft 365
- Microsoft 365 has a low starting cost per user.
- It offers more base storage compared to Google Workspace.
- The base plan allows up to 300 video participants, while Google Workspace supports 100.
- Microsoft 365 provides advanced workflow automation tools.
- It has more advanced features, especially with its desktop apps.
- The platform offers higher-level security features in its premium plan compared to Google Workspace.
- Microsoft 365 includes 24/7 support for users.
Cons of Microsoft 365
- Desktop apps with advanced features require an upgrade.
- Microsoft’s plans become more expensive than Google’s after the base tier.
- Due to the sheer number of advanced features, it can be less beginner-friendly and intuitive compared to Google Workspace.
- Unlike Gmail, Outlook doesn’t support launching chats or video calls directly from the app.
Key Benefits of Using Google Workspace
Google Workspace simplifies sharing documents, presentations, reports, and calendars with both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring smooth collaboration. Colleagues tagged in documents receive automatic email alerts, allowing them to quickly respond or take action directly from the alert.
With thousands of integrations and an app marketplace for easy one-click instals, adding tools is effortless. Gmail also allows you to initiate calls or chats, which is especially useful for remote or hybrid teams.
Real-time collaboration is made easy with browser-based apps accessible from anywhere. The built-in appointment booking feature in Calendar, along with automatic language translation, further enhances its usability.
Google Workspace is beginner-friendly, featuring modern office tools and apps that automatically save your work. Plus, you can conveniently send and receive money through email for seamless transactions.
Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 Pricing & Features Comparison
When it comes to affordability, both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 offer similar starting prices, but the features you prioritise will influence which is more cost-effective for your business.
However, they differ in what you get at that base price. Let’s explain it down further.
Google Workspace Pricing & Features
- Standard Plan: €5.20 per user, per month
- 2TB of cloud storage
- Cloud search
- Video participants: up to 150
- Ability to record and access archiving features
- Plus Plan: €15.60 per user, per month
- 5TB of cloud storage
- Enhanced security features (Vault and endpoint management)
- eDiscovery and retention
- Video calls with up to 500 participants, including attendance tracking
- Enterprise Plan: €17.30 to €26.00
- Unlimited storage
- S/MIME encryption for emails
- Improved video conferencing (noise cancellation and live streaming)
- Enhanced support and security features
- All plans, except Enterprise, include a free 14-day trial
Microsoft 365 Pricing & Features (Paid Yearly)
- Microsoft 365 Family: €99.00/year
- For 1 to 6 people
- Sign in to five devices at once
- Use on PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets
- Up to 6TB of secure cloud storage
- Access to premium apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more
- Data and device security
- Ad-free, secure email
- Try free for 1 month
- Or buy at €10.00/month
- Microsoft 365 Personal: €69.00/year
- For one person
- Sign in to five devices at once
- Use on PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets
- 1TB of cloud storage
- Access to premium apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more
- Data and device security
- Ad-free, secure email
- Or buy at €7.00/month
Microsoft 365 Pricing & Features (Paid Monthly)
- Microsoft 365 Family: €10.00/month
- For 1 to 6 people
- Sign in to five devices at once
- Use on PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets
- Up to 6TB of secure cloud storage
- Access to premium apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more
- Data and device security
- Ad-free, secure email
- Try free for 1 month
- Or buy at €99.00/year
- Microsoft 365 Personal: €7.00/month
- For one person
- Sign in to five devices at once
- Use on PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets
- 1TB of cloud storage
- Access to premium apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more
- Data and device security
- Ad-free, secure email
- Or buy at €69.00/year
In conclusion!
Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 offer powerful tools for businesses, but the right choice depends on your specific needs. Google Workspace excels in real-time collaboration and simplicity, while Microsoft 365 provides more advanced features and storage.
However, when choosing between the two, consider your team size, budget, and preferred features. Still unsure which is the best fit for your business? IT Support 4U can help guide you through the decision process, ensuring you choose the platform that perfectly suits your needs.
Contact IT Support 4U today for expert advise and personalised IT solutions to keep your business running smoothly.
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