Torn between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)? Both are complete cloud platforms for email, calendar, files, meetings and collaboration. The differences are mainly in the apps, device management and how everything works with Windows. Below you find a fair comparison, without prices, because those change regularly.
G Suite has been called Google Workspace since 2020, Hangouts was replaced by Google Meet and Chat, and most Office 365 plans are now called Microsoft 365. Both platforms also have AI assistants now: Copilot at Microsoft and Gemini at Google.
The components side by side
| Area | Microsoft 365 | Google Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Email and calendar | Exchange Online with Outlook | Gmail and Google Calendar |
| Meetings and chat | Microsoft Teams | Google Meet and Google Chat |
| Files | OneDrive and SharePoint | Google Drive and shared drives |
| Documents | Word, Excel, PowerPoint (desktop, web and mobile) | Docs, Sheets, Slides (mainly in the browser) |
| Identity | Microsoft Entra ID | Google Cloud Identity |
| Device management | Microsoft Intune (in certain plans) | Endpoint management in the Google Admin console |
| AI assistant | Microsoft 365 Copilot | Gemini for Workspace |
Where Microsoft 365 is strong
- Desktop apps: Word, Excel and PowerPoint are the standard in many companies. Complex Excel files and heavily formatted documents work best in the original apps.
- Windows integration: with Entra ID, Intune and Windows Autopilot you deploy laptops automatically and manage them centrally, in the plans that include these services.
- Security and compliance: Conditional Access, Defender, sensitivity labels and DLP, depending on your subscription.
- Teams as a hub: chat, meetings, files and apps in one place.
Where Google Workspace is strong
- Simplicity: everything works in the browser, with little to install.
- Co-writing: Docs and Sheets pioneered real-time co-authoring and feel very lightweight.
- Chromebooks: a strong fit if your organization or school uses Chromebooks.
- Gmail: powerful search and labels, familiar to many users.
How to choose
- Look at your devices: mostly Windows PCs? Then you get more out of Microsoft 365. With Chromebooks, Google is the obvious choice.
- Look at your files: lots of complex Office files or exchanges with customers who use Office? Then Microsoft 365 is usually easier.
- Look at management and security: what are your requirements for device management, access and compliance?
- Test with a pilot group: both vendors offer trials. Let a few colleagues test for a month.
You can also combine them: for example, you can connect Google Drive files in Microsoft Teams.
Also see Microsoft 365 Business plans compared and Microsoft Teams vs Zoom.
Read also
Microsoft 365 licenses compared: which one do you need?
Microsoft Teams vs Zoom: the differences side by side
Compare Microsoft 365 plans: which features are in which plan?
Nederlandstalige versie: Microsoft 365 of Google Workspace: wat zijn de verschillen?