Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365: how to choose
A plain-English guide to help you decide between Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 for your business.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Two platforms come up in almost every conversation we have about business email and productivity software: Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Both are excellent. Both will serve your business well. The question is which one fits your team better.
This section walks you through every angle of the decision — features, price, email, file storage, collaboration, and how to switch if you ever change your mind.
Our default recommendation
For most small businesses we work with — especially those starting fresh — we recommend Google Workspace. It is simpler to set up, easier for non-technical teams to use day to day, and the browser-based tools require no software installs. That said, if your team already lives in Outlook and Word, or your industry demands Microsoft Office formats, Microsoft 365 is the right call. We are happy with either.
If you only read three things
- Which is better for small teams? — the most common question, answered.
- Feature comparison, side by side — the full picture in one table.
- Pricing compared — how both platforms charge, and what each tier includes.
What these guides cover
Each article below tackles one specific part of the decision. You do not need to read them all — jump to the comparison that matters most to you.
Start here
Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365: feature comparison, side by side
Every major feature compared in one table.
Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365: pricing compared
How both platforms charge, and what each tier includes.
Which is better for small teams — Google Workspace or Microsoft 365?
A focused guide for teams of 1–15 people.
Compare specific tools
Gmail vs Outlook — which is better for your business?
Which email client is easier and more powerful?
Google Drive vs OneDrive & SharePoint: file storage compared
How file storage and sharing compare.
Google Docs vs Office — collaboration compared
Real-time editing, comments, and co-authoring compared.
Already on one and thinking of changing?
Decided? Here is where to go next
This page is only the decision. Once you have made it, everything you actually need to do lives in one of the two sections below.
Google Workspace — the complete client guide
If you chose Google. Setting up, Gmail, Drive, Calendar, admin and security.
Microsoft 365 — the complete client guide
If you chose Microsoft. Setting up, Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, admin and security.
Business email, explained
The platform-independent basics — addresses, aliases, deliverability, spam.
If you are still unsure
Tell us what matters most to you. The questions that usually settle it quickly:
- Do you or your team already use Outlook or Word daily? If yes, consider Microsoft 365 — the familiar tools are already there.
- Is your team entirely on web browsers and phones? Google Workspace will feel more natural.
- Do you work with a lot of clients who send Excel or Word files? Both platforms open those formats, but Microsoft 365 handles them natively.
- Do you want the simplest possible admin setup? We find the Google Admin console easier to learn.
Not sure? Get in touch and we will help you decide in five minutes.
Related guides
- Google Workspace overview
- Microsoft 365 overview
- Professional email options compared
- Why not use a free Gmail for business?
- Why email & your website are separate
- Migrating your business email
Need a hand?
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Troubleshooting Microsoft 365
Solutions to the most common Microsoft 365 problems — from sign-in issues and email not sending to OneDrive sync problems and app errors.
Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365: feature comparison, side by side
Every major feature of Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 compared in one place, so you can make a clear-eyed decision.