Is Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 better?
An honest comparison of Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, looking beyond features and price at how each one shapes the way your team works.
· Updated · 2 min read
Both give your business email, calendars, file storage, documents, spreadsheets and video meetings. Plan for plan, the features and prices are close, so a feature chart won’t make the decision for you. (If you want the numbers, see our Google Workspace pricing.)
What differs is how each one expects your team to work. That’s what this comparison looks at.
A word up front: we’re a Google Cloud partner, so we’re biased towards Google. We still recommend Microsoft 365 when it suits a business better, and we say below when that is.
What actually differs
Browser or installed apps
Google Workspace runs in the browser. There’s nothing to install, update or license on each computer, and new features arrive without anyone doing anything.
Microsoft 365 has web apps too, but most businesses still use the installed Word, Excel and Outlook. Those need installing, updating and looking after on every computer.
Working on the same file
In Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, several people can work in the same file at the same time and see each other’s changes as they type. There’s one copy, always up to date, so nobody emails attachments back and forth or wonders which version is the latest.
Microsoft 365 can do this too, but it works best when everyone uses the web apps and saves to OneDrive or SharePoint. In practice, many teams still end up with copies on their own computers.
Any device
Your email, files and calendar are the same on a laptop, a phone or a borrowed computer. Sign in and everything is there. That suits teams who work from home, on site or on the road.
AI built in
Gemini is included in every Google Workspace Business plan and works inside Gmail, Docs, Sheets and Meet. See what Gemini does for each role in your business.
When Microsoft 365 is the better fit
- Your team relies on desktop Excel or Word features, like complex macros, large financial models or long documents with heavy formatting.
- Your business software only works with Microsoft, such as an accounting or industry package that plugs into Outlook or Excel.
- Your people work mostly at one desk and are happy with the installed apps they know.
When Google Workspace is the better fit
- Your team works together on the same documents and wants one up-to-date copy.
- People work from different places and devices.
- You’d rather not look after software on every computer.
Can they work together?
Yes. Google Workspace opens, edits and saves Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, and connects to tools like Adobe, DocuSign, Dropbox, Salesforce, Slack and Zoom. Some businesses keep a few Microsoft 365 licences for the people who need desktop Excel, and put everyone else on Google Workspace.
If you decide to move, here’s how a migration with us works. Your email keeps running throughout.
Not sure which suits you?
Send us a message with how many people you have, what you use today and anything your team can’t do without. We’ll tell you which we’d recommend and why.
