Cloud productivity suites are key to unlocking greater efficiency. Two cloud productivity suites that have emerged as dominant players in the market are Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. But which one is the best choice for businesses in 2023? To answer that question, we compare Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace based on their current offerings and features.
Applications
Microsoft 365 includes popular applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, which are widely used for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Microsoft 365 also includes specialized tools such as SharePoint for document management and intranet portals, Access for database management, Planner for task planning, and OneDrive for cloud storage. Plus, Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans come with even more features, such as Power BI for data visualization, Viva for employee engagement and analysis, Power Automate for workflow automation, and so much more.
Similarly, Google Workspace is equipped with its own set of productivity apps such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides, which enable multiple users to collaborate simultaneously on the same document. Google Workspace also includes Calendar for scheduling events, Drive for cloud storage and file sharing, Forms for creating questionnaires, and Sites for building websites.
Business communication
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace have email, instant messaging, and video conferencing components. With Microsoft 365, you get the Outlook client and Exchange Online for email hosting. These have been mainstays in the corporate world for decades, thanks to features such as Outlook Web Access, shared calendars, advanced spam filtering, archiving, and more. Microsoft 365 also features Microsoft Teams, an enterprise-grade collaboration platform that bundles features such as live chat, audio/video calls, file sharing, task management, and more under one roof.
On the other hand, Google Workspace has Gmail, which has features such as archiving, automation, filtering, and labeling for better organization. As for Google’s collaboration tools, subscribers get Google Meet for audio/video calls and Chat for instant messaging. Keep in mind that these tools are separate applications instead of a unified platform.
User experience
The user experience for either Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace will vary depending on what ecosystem users are familiar with. Microsoft 365 will undoubtedly feel more natural for those who are used to working with Windows software, but users may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of features and settings available. Microsoft 365 is chock-full of ribbons and menus with advanced functions for power users.
Conversely, Google Workspace’s interface is more minimalistic, featuring a clean interface that’s easy to use. Menus are intuitive and switching between different applications is a breeze. Note that the tradeoff for this simplicity is fewer advanced functions, so users may not have as much control over applications as they would with Microsoft 365.
Storage
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace offer generous amounts of cloud storage that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Microsoft 365 subscription plans for businesses give 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user and 50 GB of email storage. Microsoft also offers enterprise plans that allow businesses to request as much cloud storage as they need. Meanwhile, Google Workspace storage comes in three tiers: Google Drive storage for Business Starter subscribers offers 30 GB per user, while Business Standard and Business Plus users get 2 TB and 5 TB per user, respectively.
Price range for business users
As cloud services, both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are billed on a monthly or yearly subscription basis. Microsoft 365 offers various subscription tiers, including Business Basic, Business Standard, Business Premium as well as Enterprise E3 and E5. Prices range from $6 to $22/user/month for Business plans, while Enterprise plans start at $36/user/month.
Google Workspace offers similar options, with plans like Business Starter, Business Standard, and Business Plus, with prices ranging from $6 to $18/user/month. Google Workspace also has an Enterprise subscription that comes with more premium features, but the pricing varies depending on the individual company’s requirements.
Security
Considering how much sensitive data is often stored in the cloud, security is a top priority for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Both services come with powerful encryption technology, multifactor authentication, phishing detection, role-based access controls, and data loss prevention policies. Higher-priced enterprise plans even give you access to well-rounded defenses such as advanced threat protection, endpoint management, and data compliance policies. However, Microsoft 365 goes just a little bit further with Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, conditional access policies, threat analytics, and a dedicated security operations center.
Support
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace customer support are fairly similar. Both services offer extensive self-help documentation, user forums, and 24/7 phone and online support for all their users. However, for those who require more specialized guidance, Google Workspace subscribers can pay extra for enhanced support services. These include priority response times, multilingual support, and case escalation options for more complex inquiries.
The best cloud productivity suite ultimately depends on your company’s existing technology infrastructure, feature requirements, budget, and user preferences. If you’re still struggling to choose between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, In-Touch Computer Services can help. Our cloud experts will evaluate your company’s needs and provide personalized advice on which cloud service can best meet them. We’ll even demo what each service has to offer, so you can make an informed decision. Call us now.