Just picture this for a moment: your team is juggling deadlines, there are constantly client calls, and projects that all seem to need finishing at once. Well, the last thing you need is a system outage, a file that mysteriously vanishes, or worse, well, something much worse, like sensitive data falling into the wrong hands. All of these scenarios can happen, and of course, they’re going to happen at the worst time, when everyone is dealing with high pressure. That’s just how it goes.
This is exactly why every organisation needs to have network security. Well, at its core, network security is all about keeping your digital environment safe, stable, and reliable so work can flow without constant fear of threats. And when it comes to daily productivity tools, two giants stand out: Office 365 and Google Workspace. While yes, there are others out there, these two are what small and medium businesses (and sometimes even large) organisations will often use.
Well, both promise security, storage, and collaboration, but which one actually delivers what your business needs? So, this breakdown takes a close look at features, pricing, collaboration tools, storage, integrations, security, and compliance. Now, sure, each platform has its strengths, its quirks, and there’s even situations where it shines brighter than the other. So, by the end, you will have a clearer idea of what each offers and how to choose the one that best suits your business.
Features and Core Tools
As you already know, features are the bread and butter of these platforms. You want tools that don’t just tick boxes but actually make day-to-day work easier. So here’s how they compare in detail.
Classic Desktop Power
If you don’t want to deal with anything new, then you ought to just stick to Microsoft. Office 365 comes stacked with the classics like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and of course, there’s Teams (it’s not old, but it looks similar to Skype).
For teams already living in Microsoft land (and a lot still do), this is familiar territory. The desktop apps are robust and feature-packed, perfect for detailed reports, number-heavy spreadsheets, and nice-looking presentations. But of course, while there’s the familiar features and appearance, advanced users love the depth, like the pivot tables, macros, and mail merge.
Cloud-First Simplicity
Google Workspace is lighter on its feet with Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet. It’s browser-first, meaning that it’s built for people who like to dive straight in, edit together in real time, and keep things moving without too much fuss. Plus, it strips away the complexity and focuses on speed and accessibility.
What It Means for You
You can think of it like this: Microsoft is like the solid oak desk with all the drawers and compartments, while Google feels more like the trendy co-working table where everyone pitches in. One is all about depth and polish, the other about speed and teamwork. So, it’s up to you which one you’d prefer.
Pricing
Well, of course, budgets aren’t fun, but they’re non-negotiable. Besides, pricing can quickly sway a decision, and these two platforms approach it differently.
Microsoft’s Tiered Structure
Office 365 has a tiered approach. Business Basic sits at around £4.60 per user a month with online apps only. Business Standard jumps to about £9.60 and includes those full-fat desktop apps. But the enterprise plans keep climbing but add compliance and layered security that bigger organisations can’t skip. Microsoft also offers add-ons, which can drive the price higher but deliver serious functionality if it’s something your team absolutely needs.
Google’s Straightforward Plans
Just like what was mentioned earlier, Google keeps it simple. Business Starter is about £5.00 per user with 30GB of storage. Business Standard nearly doubles the cost at £11.80 but offers 2TB of storage and better meeting tools. But what also helps is that Google doesn’t overwhelm you with endless tiers, which makes budgeting easier.
What It Means for You
Well, Google feels like the clear, upfront menu, because you know exactly what you’re paying for. While you could basically think of Microsoft as more like a set menu with extras layered in, pricier, but you’re getting the works. While smaller teams might love Google’s clarity, while bigger ones see Microsoft’s extra costs as worthwhile investments.
Collaboration Tools
You already know that collaboration can make or break your business flow. If your tools don’t sync, projects stall, and frustration boils over.
Real-time Editing and Teamwork
Google Workspace was built for this. So, Docs, Sheets, and Slides let multiple users edit simultaneously without there being any sort of chaos. Well, on top of that, comments and suggestions flow in smoothly, making it ideal for teams that live online and value fast, no-drama collaboration. On top of that, brainstorming, drafting, and editing all happen in one place. What’s not to love there?
Structured Communication Hubs
Office 365 pulls things together with Teams. You’ve got chat, video, and file sharing all in one place, plus co-authoring in Word or Excel when needed (which is a newer feature). Plus, heavier documents might run better in the desktop apps, but that’s where Microsoft shines. Basically, Teams is seen as super powerful for companies that rely on scheduled meetings and threaded conversations.
What It Means for You
Now, this might be a bit of a weird comparison, but bear with it. In a way, Google feels like a brainstorming session at a café, with everyone scribbling on the same whiteboard. While Microsoft feels like the boardroom, structured and precise, where details and formatting matter. Both have their place, so it’s really about the structure and workflow of your team.
Storage
Hands down, storage is more than a number; rather, it’s how easily your team can actually use it. So yeah, this part is definitely important, and maybe it’s the most important aspect to consider.
Structured Storage with OneDrive
So, Office 365 gives you 1TB per user in most plans, and on top of that, OneDrive and SharePoint bring structure, permissions, and organisation. All of this is absolutely perfect for teams that want order and control over who has access (which should technically be a priority for all businesses). You can build intranet-style hubs with SharePoint, which larger businesses often love using.
Flexible Capacity with Google Drive
Google starts small with 30GB per user but quickly scales (and those GB get used faster than you might expect). But higher plans offer up to unlimited storage if you’re willing to pay. Plus, it really helps that the drive is simple and intuitive, with sharing links that make quick access painless. Basically, it’s a dream for teams that just need to get files to each other without setting up complex structures.
What It Means for You
If your business works with chunky design files or video, then ideally, Google’s bigger plans are a lifesaver. Basically, if on a day-to-day basis it’s larger-than-average files, yeah, it’s the best choice. But for most others, Microsoft’s 1TB is plenty. Microsoft is for the organisers, Google is for the sharers.
Pros and Cons
Well, every platform has its highs and lows, but seeing them side by side makes the choice a little easier.
Office 365 Pros
- Full-powered desktop apps
- Advanced formatting and data crunching
- Strong compliance record
- Seamless Microsoft ecosystem integration
Office 365 Cons
- Costs more at scale
- Can feel heavy or complex
Google Workspace Pros
- Simple browser-based tools
- Excellent real-time collaboration
- Scalable storage options
- Wide range of third-party integrations
Google Workspace Cons
- Lighter on features compared to Microsoft
- Compliance not as deep for regulated industries
Use Cases: Who Each Platform Suits Best
Even though some of the sections earlier did give some small suggestions on who each platform might be best for, just generally speaking, different businesses, different needs.
Best Fit for Office 365
This is great for large companies, regulated industries, or teams that need detailed documents, complex spreadsheets, and compliance that ticks every box. For example, it’s perfect for accountants who’re running sensitive financial models, legal firms managing contracts, or even enterprises coordinating global operations with thousands of staff.
Best Fit for Google Workspace
Well, they’re perfect for smaller companies, startups that’re on a super tight budget, and creative teams that thrive on quick collaboration and cloud-first tools. You’ll usually see design studios and marketing agencies use Google Workspace, and even fast-scaling startups tend to gravitate towards it because of the simplicity (and it helps that there’s no extra baggage either).
How Techwise Helps Businesses Choose
Well, just generally speaking here, choosing between Office 365 and Google Workspace isn’t just about counting features or pennies. Sure, those are pretty important too, but it’s about finding the right fit for how your team works every day. The Techwise Support helps businesses figure that out, looking at workflows, security requirements, and growth plans to guide you toward the platform that won’t just work today, but will still work when you’ve doubled in size.
But beyond that, Techwise handles setup, migration, and long-term support, so whichever choice you make actually delivers. Plus, for advice tailored to your team, Techwise Support is ready to walk you through every step.