Microsoft 365 dominates enterprise adoption with 345 million users and superior desktop applications, while Google Workspace leads in collaboration speed, AI features, and lower pricing starting at $6/month versus Microsoft's $6/month baseline with limited features.
Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Cloud-based productivity suite with Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet for team collaboration
Enterprise-dominant productivity suite with Word, Excel, Teams, and AI-powered Copilot.
User Base & Market Share. Starting Price (per user/month). Desktop Application Quality. Real-time Collaboration Speed. Built-in AI Features. Enterprise Compliance Certifications. File Storage (Business Standard)
Choose Microsoft 365 if your organization requires powerful desktop applications, has existing Windows infrastructure, needs enterprise compliance certifications like FedRAMP, or prefers the familiar Office interface. Choose Google Workspace if you prioritize seamless real-time collaboration, want lower total cost of ownership with generous storage, need fast AI-powered productivity features included at no extra cost, or use Chromebooks and Android devices extensively.
Google Workspace: $12 | Microsoft 365: $12.50
Google Workspace: ~250M (estimated) | Microsoft 365: 446M
Google Workspace: ~42% | Microsoft 365: ~58%
Google Workspace: Gemini (free with promo through July 2026) | Microsoft 365: Copilot (premium only)
Google Workspace: 77% report lower overhead | Microsoft 365: Complex enterprise setup
Google Workspace: Web-first, limited desktop | Microsoft 365: Full Office suite included
Google Workspace: Faster, optimized | Microsoft 365: Comprehensive, moderate
Enterprise Security (Intune/Advanced Tools)
Google Workspace: Strong (DPDP compliant) | Microsoft 365: Industry-leading with Intune E3/E5
Google Workspace: $6 | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 30 GB | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: $6 | Microsoft 365: $6
Annual Cost for 100 Users (Standard Plan)
Google Workspace: $7,200 | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 2,000 GB (Business Standard) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 100+ | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 99.9% | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Limited (requires third-party tools) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Limited offline features | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 15 GB (shared account) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 100 GB (Business Standard) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Yes (Gmail) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: No (Sheets only) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 30 days (standard), 180 days (Business Standard+) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Yes | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: FedRAMP Authorized (Moderate) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 30 GB (Business Starter plan) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Monthly Cost per User (Annual Commitment)
Google Workspace: $6/month (Business Starter) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Unlimited (14-day free trial for full Workspace) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Native (Docs, Sheets, Slides) with real-time co-editing | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Yes (Google Meet, 24-hour group calls) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 30 days (trash retention) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 2000+ via Google Marketplace | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Advanced (SSO, DLP, HIPAA, FedRAMP, SOC 2 Type II) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: $6.00 (Business Starter) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Unlimited | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 15 GB shared | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 6 major platforms | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 100+ versions available | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Limited—requires internet for most features | Microsoft 365: Full support
Google Workspace: 6+ million organizations | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Duet AI with Gemini (all plans) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: $12/month (Business Standard tier) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Sub-second (<500ms) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 5+ (stable, certified) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Full Gmail client with inbox management | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Manual setup in Sheets; no native support | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 50+ REST API endpoints | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: $6 USD | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: $18 USD | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 2 TB | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 50+ apps | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 1,000+ integrations | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 25 templates | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 5+ editors | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 2 days | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 15 options | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 8 native apps | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 6 methods | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 100 users | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 14 days | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 6 platforms (Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chromebook) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Monthly Cost per User (Minimum Paid Plan)
Google Workspace: $6 (Business Starter) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 1,000+ | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Duet AI with writing, analysis, formatting assistance | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 15 GB | Microsoft 365: N/A
Business Plan Starting Price (Annual per User)
Google Workspace: $72/year | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 30 days (standard) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Native with presence indicators, 100+ simultaneous editors | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Google Meet (unlimited on Business plans) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Windows, Mac (Drive for Desktop) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: Yes (Gmail on all plans) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: 5 GB (web), unlimited (desktop) | Microsoft 365: N/A
Google Workspace: $6 (Business Starter) | Microsoft 365: $6 (Business Basic)
Google Workspace: 2TB (Business Standard at $14/mo) | Microsoft 365: 1TB (Business Standard at $12.50/mo)
Google Workspace: ~10-50ms | Microsoft 365: ~100-300ms
Google Workspace: 191 million users | Microsoft 365: 345 million users
Google Workspace: Duet AI included (Gemini 2.0) | Microsoft 365: Copilot extra ($30/month per user)
Google Workspace: Web-based (limited desktop features) | Microsoft 365: Full Office suite (advanced features)
Google Workspace: 500+ participants (Google Meet) | Microsoft 365: 300 participants (Teams Basic)
Google Workspace: SOC2, ISO 27001, HIPAA (3 major) | Microsoft 365: SOC2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, HIPAA (4 major)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 1,000GB (1TB)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Unlimited
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Copilot with rewrite, grammar, tone adjustment
Native Mobile App Rating (iOS App Store)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 4.7/5 (Office app, 500K+ reviews)
Microsoft Format Compatibility (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 99.8% format fidelity
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: ~4,500MB (full install with Teams, Outlook)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 20-30 hours (widely taught globally)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $6
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 12+
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: ~35%
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 30 days
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Standard in Business plans ($6+/user)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 1M+
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $72-150
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 400+
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 100+
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 30+
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Yes, native support
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $6 (Business Basic)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 1,000 GB (OneDrive)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Unlimited (per subscription)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Basic lookup fields in Excel
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Yes (Outlook with 50 GB inbox)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Yes (full Office suite offline)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Copilot (separate $20/month add-on)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $6 (Microsoft 365 Personal)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 100 GB
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 60+
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Limited to 30 days free trial
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 119
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 1 hour (Premium Support)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $69-$120
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Yes (unlimited simultaneous users)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 99% fidelity
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Copilot, Designer, smart suggestions
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, FedRAMP
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Web-based (minimal local footprint)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $22 (Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 20+ (via Excel integrations)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Not available
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 50
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 1,000
Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Included
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Yes (all included)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 4-8 (without Power BI)
User Learning Curve (1-10 scale, 10=hardest)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 2-3 (intuitive Office interface)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 1,024 GB (1TB)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 5 devices per subscription
Microsoft Office File Format Compatibility
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 99.9% native support
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 45+ major formats
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Copilot included (most plans)
Monthly Cost Per User (Standard Tier, Annual Billing)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $12.50
Maximum Video Conference Participants (Standard Plan)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 300
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 450+
Message Search History Retention (Free Plan)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $6.99 (Personal) / $12.50 (Family)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 1,000+
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 5 (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 300+ million (Microsoft 365 total)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 500+
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Unlimited (via Teams/SharePoint)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: iOS, Android (full-featured apps)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $6.00
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $72.00
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 1000GB (OneDrive)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Yes (Outlook with 50GB mailbox)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 300+
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Template-based tables only
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Full support across all apps
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: $20.00 (Copilot Pro)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 1000GB (1TB)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 13 core apps
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: No (Dynamics 365 add-on: $50-100/mo)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Copilot Pro (GPT-4 integrated)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Full desktop apps with sync
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Microsoft 365 web apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint online free)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 5 TB (Microsoft 365 Business/OneDrive)
Users Can Create Interactive Dashboards Natively
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: No - only via Power BI integration in Excel
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Full - simultaneous editing in Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: Primarily Excel/SharePoint/OneDrive (limited)
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 4-12 hours via Excel pivot tables/charts
Google Workspace: N/A | Microsoft 365: 2/10 - familiar Office interface
How to choose between Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
Compare Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365
Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365. Contains 170 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365.
Which is better for real-time document collaboration?
Google Workspace has a significant advantage with 10-50ms collaboration latency versus Microsoft 365's 100-300ms typical delay. This means edits, comments, and cursor movements appear nearly instantly in Google Docs/Sheets, making it superior for simultaneous multi-user editing. However, for document complexity and offline work, Microsoft Office remains more capable.
Can I use Microsoft Office files with Google Workspace?
Yes. Google Workspace can open, edit, and save Microsoft Office files (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) natively. However, complex formatting, advanced macros, and some Excel functions may not convert perfectly. For seamless Office compatibility, Microsoft 365 remains more reliable, though Google's support has improved significantly (94% format compatibility as of 2026).
Google Workspace includes Duet AI with Gemini 2.0 at no extra charge across Business Standard and above plans ($14+/month). Microsoft 365 requires a separate Copilot Pro license ($30/month per user) on top of your Microsoft 365 subscription, making it substantially more expensive for AI-powered features.
Which is better for government agencies?
Microsoft 365 is significantly better for U.S. government work due to FedRAMP certification (required for federal compliance), while Google Workspace does not have FedRAMP certification. If your organization contracts with the U.S. government, Microsoft 365 is the legally mandated choice for many agencies.
What's the total cost difference for a 100-person company?
For a 100-person team using standard plans: Google Workspace Business Standard costs $1,400/month ($14 × 100) with 2TB storage per user and AI included. Microsoft 365 Business Standard costs $1,250/month ($12.50 × 100) but includes only 1TB storage and requires $3,000/month extra ($30 × 100) for Copilot AI, totaling $4,250/month. Google is $1,100/month cheaper if you want AI features.
How to Choose Between Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
User Base & Market Share: Google Workspace has ~191 million users, while Microsoft 365 has ~345 million users.
Consider: Starting Price (per user/month)
Starting Price (per user/month): Google Workspace has $6, while Microsoft 365 has $6.
Desktop Application Quality: Google Workspace has Web-first, limited offline, while Microsoft 365 has Full-featured Office suite.
Real-time Collaboration Speed: Google Workspace has Millisecond-level sync, while Microsoft 365 has 100-300ms typical delay.
Built-in AI Features: Google Workspace has Duet AI with Gemini 2.0, while Microsoft 365 has Copilot (separate license).
Consider: Enterprise Compliance Certifications
Enterprise Compliance Certifications: Google Workspace has SOC2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, while Microsoft 365 has SOC2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, HIPAA.
Consider: File Storage (Business Standard)
File Storage (Business Standard): Google Workspace has 2TB per user, while Microsoft 365 has 1TB per user.