Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365: Which Productivity Suite Is Best for Your Business?

While the lockdowns necessitated digital adoption and the shift to remote work, post-pandemic data shows these setups are here to stay. According to a study, 76% of enterprises globally now implement the hybrid working model with more flexible working hours.

With these becoming the norm, it’s clear that your business won’t thrive unless you prioritise solutions that support efficient and unrestricted collaborations across borders. Employing cloud-based productivity tools is the best way to make these possible.

Among the tons of cloud office solutions available in the market, there are two leading, undisputed names that come out at the top: Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Read on and explore how these two solutions compare in terms of features and benefits.

Google Workspace and Microsoft 365: The Similarities

Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are head-to-head in pricing, plan flexibility, benefits, and applications as a productivity suite. And, they’re both highly rated and trusted by users worldwide. Their only stark difference is that Microsoft 365’s tools have desktop versions while Google Workspace doesn’t. These are mainly the reasons why it’s a challenge to choose between the two.

Here are some things that they both have in common:

They have applications for word processing, spreadsheets, email, calendar, presentations, notes, and more.
They offer consolidated shared storage space for easy access and collaboration.
Each user receives a certain storage allotment for personal use.
Their security features include data encryption, spam and phishing detection, and data loss prevention.
They're compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems.

These services run on robust, high-quality, and reliable cloud infrastructures. This makes it easy for individuals and organisations to fulfill tasks, collaborate, and communicate anywhere and anytime.

How Do Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 Differ from Each Other?

Despite the close resemblance, Google Workspace and Microsoft 365’s applications distinctly differ in design and approach. Take a closer look here:

Function	Google Workspace	Office 365
Word processing	Google Docs allows more seamless co-editing and team collaborations. It offers 55 templates for a variety of uses.	Microsoft Word provides more features and tools for editing and creation. It has over 1,000 templates for business, creatives, and other purposes.
Spreadsheets	Google Sheets better accommodates collaborations, the perfect choice for team setups. It has 7 chart types and 3 budget templates to choose from.	Microsoft Excel has more advanced features and is fit for independent work settings. It provides 19 types of charts and hundreds of templates.
Presentation	Google Slide’s user-friendly and collaboration-efficient interface features tools like Explore to help you build visually appealing presentations quickly.	Microsoft PowerPoint has elaborate creation tools and functions that make it easy to make more innovative presentations.
Storage and sharing	Google Drive is a cloud-based storage for all your documents, photos, and more. It integrates better with popular Google apps for file transfers (e.g., Google Photos, Gmail, etc.).	OneDrive is cloud storage for all file types and provides seamless access, sharing, and collaboration. It’s widely used by businesses along with Microsoft's business tools and apps.
Email	Gmail is the world’s most widely used email platform. It’s fast, easy to use, and features an impressive search function.	Outlook has features that allow you to sort, group, and manage emails more efficiently. It has browser and desktop versions.
Communication	Google Meet’s straightforward and clean interface makes for easy real-time collaborations via group calls and video conferences.	Microsoft Teams is a feature-rich messaging and video conferencing platform with extensive integrations, extended meeting times, and more.

The Verdict

Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are great choices either way. Each has its own merits. Individually, they're more than capable of supporting your teams on any setup. However, it's important to factor in your priorities and needs so you can make the right decision for your business.

If you want more advanced features and desktop apps, Microsoft 365 is the one for you. If you want easy, real-time, and simultaneous collaborations, Google Workspace is the rational option.