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
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.
Compare Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365
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.
Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 with 170 attributes.
Enterprise Security (Intune/Advanced Tools)
Annual Cost for 100 Users (Standard Plan)
Monthly Cost per User (Annual Commitment)
Monthly Cost per User (Minimum Paid Plan)
Business Plan Starting Price (Annual per User)
Native Mobile App Rating (iOS App Store)
Microsoft Format Compatibility (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)
Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Included
User Learning Curve (1-10 scale, 10=hardest)
Microsoft Office File Format Compatibility
Monthly Cost Per User (Standard Tier, Annual Billing)
Maximum Video Conference Participants (Standard Plan)
Message Search History Retention (Free Plan)
Users Can Create Interactive Dashboards Natively
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.