Comparing Google Workspace to Microsoft 365

Comparing Google Workspace to Microsoft 365: Which Is Best For Your Business?

As more businesses shift towards cloud-based productivity solutions, it can be challenging to determine which platform to use. Two of the most popular options are Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. In this article, we’ll compare the two platforms to help you determine which one is best for your business.

Comparison of Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365

While both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 offer similar features, there are some differences to consider. Here are some of the top factors to consider when deciding which platform is right for your business:

  1. Collaboration: This is typically a top priority when it comes to most businesses considering Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. With Google Docs, Google Sheets, and cloud storage, Google offers a very robust ecosystem for your staff to work together in real-time. Microsoft 365 takes this to the next level, with all the same features of Google plus desktop apps, and SharePoint/Onedrive for advanced file management and sharing across your company and with external users. Microsoft Teams is another one of the great collaboration tools that Microsoft offers to ensure quick and efficient messaging with your team and video-enabled meetings at the click of a button.
  2. Familiarity: Most office professionals are familiar with Microsoft Office desktop apps already, so this may play a large part in your decision for Google workspace vs Office 365. If your team is already familiar with Microsoft Office, then Microsoft 365 may be the better option. The interface is pretty much the same as previous versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. making it easy to use either on the web or via desktop apps. Google Workspace only has web apps and may not be as intuitive to use if you’re used to Microsoft Office.
  3. Cost: Google Workspace is generally more affordable than Microsoft 365, making it a better option for smaller businesses or those on a tight budget. However, with that less expensive costs comes fewer features to support the security and productivity of your business.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite) is a cloud-based productivity suite from Google that includes a wide range of applications, including Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Drive. Some of the key benefits of Google that make it stand out from when comparing Google Workspace vs Office 365.

  1. Collaborative Features: One of the biggest advantages of Google Workspace is its collaborative features. Multiple users can work on the same document online in real time, making it easy to collaborate and share ideas.
  2. Integration: Google Workspace integrates with other Google services, including Google Analytics and Google Ads. This makes it easy to analyze data and track marketing campaigns.
  3. Cost-Effective: Google Workspace is relatively affordable, with plans starting at just $6 per user per month.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365) is another cloud-based productivity suite that includes a wide range of applications both web-based and desktop apps, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft OneDrive. Some of the benefits of Microsoft 365 include:

  1. Familiar Interface: If your team is already familiar with Microsoft Office, then they’ll feel right at home with Microsoft 365. The interface is similar to the desktop version of Office, making it easy to use.
  2. Advanced Features: Microsoft 365 offers a wide range of advanced features, including data analysis and visualizations in Excel, and more advanced formatting options in Word.
  3. Security: Microsoft 365 offers advanced security features, including email encryption and advanced threat protection for both endpoint security and email protection.

Pricing for Google Workspace vs Office 365

When comparing Google Workspace vs Office 365, pricing is a critical factor for businesses to consider. Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 both offer a variety of pricing options, depending on the needs of your business. Google Workspace Plans are typically less expensive than Microsoft 365, but typically offer less features.

Google Workspace Pricing

Google Workspace offers three main pricing plans, each with different features and benefits:

  1. Business Starter: This plan costs $6 per user per month and includes basic features like Gmail, Google Meet, and Google Drive with 30GB of storage.
  2. Business Standard: This plan costs $12 per user per month and includes all the features of the Business Starter plan, plus additional features like Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and 2TB of storage.
  3. Business Plus: This plan costs $18 per user per month and includes all the features of the Business Standard plan, plus additional security and management features for endpoints, as well as 5TB of storage per user.

In addition to these Google Workspace plans, there are also enterprise plans available that include as much storage as you need, data loss prevention, and enhanced support.

Microsoft 365 Pricing

Microsoft 365 also has three of their most popular options for small to mid sized businesses, with a whole other section of enterprise plans available for larger businesses. The main Microsoft 365 plans available are:

  1. Business Basic: This plan costs $6 per user per month and includes basic features like the online versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as 1TB of OneDrive storage.
  2. Business Standard: This plan costs $12.50 per user per month and includes all the features of the Business Basic plan, plus additional features like Microsoft Teams and desktop versions of the Office apps.
  3. Business Premium: This plan costs $22 per user per month and includes all the features of the Business Standard plan, plus additional security and management features including Intune and Advanced Threat Protection.

 

Cyber Security Differences in Office 365 vs Google Workspace

Security is a top priority when comparing Google Workspace vs Office 365. Luckily, both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 offer extensive security features to safeguard your data and ensure your business remains secure. In this article, we’ll compare the security features of Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 to assist you in determining which platform best aligns with your security needs.

Both Microsoft and Google offer the basic security features necessary to secure your business. For example:

  • Google Workspace plans and Microsoft 365 offer advanced email protection to prevent phishing and other email related cyber threats.
  • Google requires Two-factor Authentication to login to your account as does Microsoft. However Microsoft takes this further by allowing for multi-factor authentication methods configurable to your business needs.
  • Data Loss Prevention policies are available to protect the data in both Google Workspace apps and Microsoft 365.
  • Mobile Device Management tools are available in Office 365 as well as Google, however, Microsoft definitely goes further on what exactly you can do with your devices to manage and configure them.

Google Workspace Security Features

Google Workspace places a strong emphasis on security, employing a range of measures to keep your data safe. At its core is a “zero trust” security model, which means that all devices and networks are assumed to be untrusted. Google Workspace requires strong authentication and authorization for access to any data, and it uses encryption to protect your data both in transit and at rest.

The platform also provides advanced threat protection, such as machine learning-based detection, to identify and respond to potential security breaches. Additionally, Google Workspace offers a range of compliance certifications, including SOC 2, SOC 3, ISO 27001, and more, to ensure that its security practices meet the highest industry standards. Overall, Google Workspace’s robust security features help protect your business from a wide range of cyber threats.

Microsoft 365 Security Features

Microsoft 365 is also known for its extensive security features, which include multi-factor authentication, encryption, and data loss prevention measures. In recent years, Microsoft has made significant investments in advanced threat protection, leveraging machine learning to detect and respond to complex security threats. Microsoft’s Defender for Office 365 provides protection against phishing attacks, malware, and zero-day exploits, while its Cloud App Security feature enables businesses to monitor and control access to sensitive data.

Additionally, Microsoft 365’s compliance center allows businesses to monitor and manage compliance with industry regulations, such as HIPAA and GDPR. Overall, Microsoft 365’s comprehensive security features help protect businesses from a wide range of cybersecurity threats.

Google Workspace vs Office 365 Conclusion

In conclusion, both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are excellent productivity suites that offer a wide range of features. The right platform for your business will depend on your specific needs and budget. Consider the factors above when making your decision, and choose the platform that best fits your team’s requirements.

If you need any help picking the right productivity suite, or need assistance with purchasing and/or setting up either Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, feel free to reach out to our team. We have extensive knowledge and expertise with both products and can assist with your business success using these collaboration tools. Reach out here.