G.Suite vs Microsoft 365: which one?

When we talk about business productivity, it is now inevitable to ask ourselves which is the best software to help implement it and exploit it to its full potential.

For years, we've known that Microsoft has been the software and cloud leader which takes daily work in the office to a new level.

Starting with Google Docs and Drive file hosting, in recent times, Google has fielded a new Microsoft competitor: Google Workspace, which aims to meet the business needs of customers.

In this article, we compare the market leader Microsoft and its growing alternative Google Workspace.

Explainers on the platforms

Microsoft 365 presents itself as a hybrid cloud platform. In fact, the tools it offers can be installed on your device and shared on OneDrive, or they can be used on the online version.

Google Workspace, on the other hand, was launched purely as a Cloud solution and offers a range of tools that can be saved on your device.

If your company is entirely based on the cloud you will have no problems in both systems since they allow creation, collaboration and communication from any device or browser.

If, on the other hand, you are also looking for access from desktop for various reasons such as an occasional connection or a preference for working on desktop then Google Workspace may not be the right solution. In this case Microsoft 365 is what you are looking for since it includes desktop versions of applications such as Teams, Outlook, Word...

App offerings: Microsoft 365 portfolio vs Google Workspace.

Since both systems have the objective of fully satisfying the production needs of any company, the functional areas tend to coincide.

• Microsoft Word corresponds to Google Docs
• To Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets
• At Microsoft Power Point, Google presentations
• To Microsoft Outlook, Gmail
• A Microsoft One Note, Google Keep
• To Microsoft SharePoint, Google Sites
• A Skype for Business, Google Hangouts Meet
• A Skype for Business and Teams, Google Hangouts Chat
• At Yammer, Google +

However, there is no Microsoft Teams fee for a digital workspace with chat. In fact, these days, one of Microsoft's strengths is precisely that of guaranteeing a digital workplace.
The setting up of a workspace with the most disparate functions is aiming and evolving more and more in order to guarantee work anywhere, any time. Just think of the Intranet that Microsoft 365 has built, which is a top-notch company portal with SharePoint Online.

Another feature that is not matched on Google Workspace, is the download option.

Each Microsoft app can be used through the desktop version and can also be installed directly from the cloud on local devices so you can even use it use offline.

Collaboration tools

Communicating with colleagues, customers and partners is possible in both solutions.

Both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace offer

• The management of appointments and contacts tailored to the needs of the company
• Corporate social media
• Group IM
• Joint editing for texts, presentations and tables
• Instant messaging
• Intranet
• Videotelephony
• Video Conferencing

-As regards these last two points, Microsoft's answer is Skype for Business, while for Google Workspace it's Hangouts Meet, which replicates the functionality of the platform used by Microsoft for video telephony and Hangouts Chat for direct messages and group conversations.

-For the combination of group management, file exchange and shared document processing, Microsoft Microsoft Teams wins hands down.

- When it comes to intranet applications and internal corporate websites, it all depends on what you are looking for.

If you are looking for an intuitive system, Sites is Google Workspace's answer that relies on models that are intuitively understandable but with limited design performance.

If you are looking for a less intuitive but more sophisticated answer and with almost limitless implementation possibilities for corporate and intranet web applications, SharePoint is your friend.

In terms of social networks, on the other hand, we can say that Yammer and Google + both offer cloud solutions that guarantee inter-company and internal social networks.

Google + is accessible to everyone with a gmail account, the starting point for creating a profile and adding people to their circles, which allow you to select people according to your preferences. You can also access public or private communities of interest.

On the other hand, for Microsoft there is Yammer which focuses on a more corporate side. It allows you to share organisational announcements, live events, knowledge across teams and departments and crowdsourced solutions / best practices.

Can you synchronise both spaces?

Both Google and Microsoft allow you to

• Initiate synchronisation between the cloud storage and a device.
• The content in files and folders are also available offline and in online mode both solutions offer a wide range of functions
• Version history and search functions are available on both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
• Sharing functions are very convenient and practical for daily work. Users can in fact share materials with people not only in the company but also externally.

Time limits can be set on both platforms, but only with Microsoft do you have access to security features such as verification codes for sensitive materials etc.

Email

Let's start with what both platforms have in common and then find the differences:

• Both platforms ensure professional email capabilities for businesses.
• No ads
• They have the option to download the mobile app
• Email alias
• Groups and distribution lists

The desktop mail client is available only in Microsoft depending on the plan whereas Google Workspace always has email domain.

It should be noted that Microsoft 365 email is strictly connected and synchronised with other 365 system apps such as Planner, Tasks, Word, Teams to optimise and facilitate the management of the work routine.

In fact, activities that become calendar events, messages in Outlook that contain appointments, notes in Word that are sent directly to mail, are all features that allow full synchronisation of work with mail and calendar that can be constantly updated.

Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace: security and privacy

Strict regulatory compliance guidelines underpin both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
The storage of data in the data centre and transmission of data between client and server rely on robust encryption technologies.

-Google Workspace uses the same security levels as Google in particular, i.e. it includes automatic detection of suspicious activity, hacking and phishing attempts.

Administrator roles can set various policies to disallow access to the admin console or any user account.
Additionally, you can set keywords to block all outgoing communications and thus protect against data loss. Spam, virus and malware detection is present in all attached documents and files.

- As for security in Microsoft 365, the system makes multi-factor authentication available for all user passwords.

Let's also not forget the very close contact with artificial intelligence that learns the work habits of each user in order to identify suspicious activities and report anything that may seem out of place.

Data loss and theft are not a cause for concern since Microsoft 365 includes a data protection and prevention tool.

The company can also restrict user access to company-provided devices using the device management tool.
Spam, virus and Malware Detection? Microsoft has it covered in every area.

Certifications and detailed checks

If you want see more about certifications and checks that both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 have, here they are:

• They are certified for the security of cloud data protection and information ISO / IEC 27001, ISO / IEC 27017, ISO 27018
• They have SOC 1,2,3 operational safety control standards
• They are members of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program
• They support Payment Card Industry Data Security
• All tools are HIPAA compliant

Availability assistance and price Google Workspace

Microsoft and Google Workspace have 99.9% availability for assistance and operators can be reached 24 hours a day by phone, mail or chat

As for the price, Google Workspace offers 3 versions.

• Basic package 4 euros per month and with office suite, 30 GB storage space
• Business package, 8 euros per month and with the optimised office suite it has unlimited space and storage functions
• Enterprise package, 23 euros per month and with Office Suite, an extended range of functions

Conclusion: the verdict

At this point, you should more or less have an idea of the right decision for you and your company.
We have strived to be as objective as possible and we hope we have given you a clear review of the features that both software would offer you.
We can now tell you our verdict from our experience in the sector.

Microsoft 365 offers you maximum potential for productivity and customisation, versatility and multiple features for the management of work and collaboration.
Despite the great debut of Google Workspace, Microsoft has not been resting on its laurels as a market leader for years, but continues to grow especially now.

What emerges from its services is that an industrial giant like Microsoft seems to be able to listen to even a single user since every little detail you find on the platforms is tailored to those who use them.

A leader in innovation with plenty more on the way, including the implementation of artificial intelligence.