In the realm of productivity suites, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are two of the most popular options for small businesses. Both offer a robust set of tools designed to enhance collaboration, communication, and efficiency. However, choosing between them can be challenging, especially when factoring in costs, features, and overall compatibility with existing workflows. This article provides a comparison of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, helping small businesses make an informed decision.
Cost Comparison
Microsoft 365:
| Plan Name |
Price per User/Month (GBP) |
Included Features |
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic |
£4.50 |
Web and mobile versions of Office apps, Exchange, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams |
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard |
£9.40 |
Desktop versions of Office apps, Outlook, additional business services |
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium |
£15.10 |
Advanced security features, device management, compliance tools |
| Office 365 E3 |
£16 |
Unlimited email storage, data loss prevention, advanced analytics |
Google Workspace:
| Plan Name |
Price per User/Month (GBP) |
Included Features |
| Business Starter |
£4.60 |
Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat, 30GB cloud storage per user |
| Business Standard |
£11.60 |
Business Starter features plus 2TB cloud storage per user, advanced video conferencing |
| Business Plus |
£18 |
Business Standard features plus enhanced security controls, 5TB cloud storage per user |
Feature Comparison
Microsoft 365:
Microsoft 365 Business Basic:
- Web and mobile versions of Office apps.
- Exchange for email hosting.
- OneDrive for cloud storage.
- Microsoft Teams for chat, meetings, and collaboration.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard:
- Includes all features of Business Basic.
- Adds desktop versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Outlook for email and scheduling.
Google Workspace:
Business Starter:
- Gmail for business email.
- Google Drive for cloud storage.
- Google Docs, Sheets, Slides for collaborative document editing.
- Google Meet and Chat for video conferencing and messaging.
Business Standard:
- Includes all features of Business Starter.
- Adds 2TB of cloud storage per user.
- Enhanced video conferencing capabilities.
- Additional security features.
When comparing Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for small businesses in the UK, it’s essential to delve deeper into their respective strengths and suitability based on specific business needs. Microsoft 365 caters extensively to businesses accustomed to robust desktop applications and integrated productivity tools. The suite includes desktop and web versions of essential applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, making it an ideal choice for organisations that rely heavily on these industry-standard tools. Moreover, Microsoft Teams enhances collaboration with features for instant messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing, seamlessly integrating within the productivity ecosystem.
In contrast, Google Workspace emphasises a cloud-first approach, offering businesses real-time collaboration through cloud-based applications such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. This approach is particularly advantageous for businesses looking to reduce dependency on traditional desktop software and embrace the flexibility of working from any device with an internet connection. Google Meet provides robust video conferencing capabilities, while Google Drive offers ample cloud storage, facilitating easy access and sharing of documents across teams.
For small businesses seeking cost-effective solutions, Google Workspace’s Business Starter and Business Standard plans offer competitive pricing with essential collaborative tools and sufficient cloud storage. The Business Starter plan includes Gmail for professional email communication, Google Drive for storage, and access to Google Docs, Sheets, and Meet, making it suitable for startups and small teams needing basic productivity tools at an affordable price point. The Business Standard plan builds upon these features with additional storage, enhanced video conferencing capabilities, and advanced security controls, catering to growing businesses with expanding collaboration needs.
However, Microsoft 365 remains a robust choice for businesses requiring advanced desktop applications and integrated email management. The Business Standard and Business Premium plans offer comprehensive solutions that include not only desktop and web versions of Office apps but also advanced email features, enhanced security measures, and compliance tools. This makes Microsoft 365 suitable for businesses operating in regulated industries or those needing extensive data protection and management capabilities.
In conclusion, while Google Workspace excels in cloud collaboration and affordability, particularly with its Business Starter and Business Standard plans, Microsoft 365 remains a sensible choice for businesses deeply integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem, offering advanced desktop applications and enterprise-level features. The choice between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace ultimately hinges on the specific needs of the organisation, its existing infrastructure, and the desired level of integration and collaboration tools required to foster productivity and growth in today’s dynamic business environment.
