Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace – Which One Is Right for Your Business?

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Choosing the right productivity suite is a major decision for any business. Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace dominate the market, but which one is the best fit for your team? In this post, we explore the key differences in functionality, collaboration tools, security, and long-term scalability.

While both platforms are strong, Microsoft 365 often proves a better choice for UK businesses that need deeper integration, compliance, and advanced IT control. We break it down without bias – so you can make the right call for your future growth.

Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace – Which One Is Right for Your Business?

Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are two of the biggest names in cloud productivity – and both offer strong tools for modern business. But when choosing a platform for your team, it’s important to dig beneath the surface. The differences between them can significantly impact productivity, compliance, and your IT team’s ability to manage security.

At ITCS Global, we support both platforms – but the majority of our clients benefit more from Microsoft 365, and here’s why.

Core Productivity Tools

Microsoft 365:

Industry-standard applications like Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Full desktop and web versions for offline access
Deeper formatting, data processing, and feature control (especially in Excel)

Google Workspace:

Lightweight Docs, Sheets, and Slides with excellent real-time collaboration
Entirely cloud-based, with no desktop equivalents
Simpler interfaces, best for casual users or startups

Verdict: For teams that need robust tools for reporting, financials, or document control, Microsoft’s apps offer more power and flexibility.

Email & Calendar Integration

Microsoft 365:

Outlook with powerful rules, shared inboxes, calendar permissions
Advanced integration with Teams, OneNote, and SharePoint

Google Workspace:

Gmail is clean and intuitive
Google Calendar is great for casual scheduling, but limited for shared management

Verdict: Microsoft Outlook remains the professional standard for email-heavy businesses, especially those needing shared inboxes and delegated calendars.

Collaboration & Communication

Microsoft 365:

Microsoft Teams offers chat, calls, meetings, file sharing, and integration in one hub
SharePoint and OneDrive enable centralised document control

Google Workspace:

Google Meet and Chat are simple and effective
Real-time editing in Docs/Sheets is seamless

Verdict: Google wins on pure live collaboration, but Microsoft Teams offers a more complete business communication platform.

Security & Compliance

Microsoft 365:

Advanced compliance tools: Data Loss Prevention, sensitivity labels, audit logging
Better suited for GDPR-heavy sectors (legal, finance, healthcare)
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offers robust phishing/malware protection

Google Workspace:

Secure, but fewer granular admin controls
Simpler policy enforcement

Verdict: Microsoft 365 shines for businesses with compliance requirements and more complex user environments.

A 2024 report from Gartner noted that Microsoft 365 has stronger enterprise security controls, making it a better fit for growing businesses scaling up.

Pricing & Licensing

Google Workspace often starts cheaper, especially for small teams. But Microsoft 365 adds value with more features, local support, and robust admin tools. For example:

Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes device management, Defender, and full desktop apps
Google’s equivalent pricing lacks endpoint control and advanced compliance tools

Final Thoughts

Both platforms are excellent, and for startups or creative agencies, Google Workspace might be ideal. But for SMBs who need reliable support, integration with Windows, deeper admin control, and compliance readiness, Microsoft 365 remains the stronger business tool.

Need help migrating, managing, or securing your Microsoft 365 environment? That’s what we do best.