For a long time, Microsoft reigned supreme in this industry. But that is long gone. Google's modern approach to digital workplace features and workflows has turned the market upside down in the long term. Today, both providers offer a wide range of well-known workplace tools.
As similar as the solutions from Google and Microsoft are, there are also some differences.
Which solution is best suited to your company therefore depends very much on the respective use case. Before we illustrate the differences, let's take a brief look at the similarities.
Objectively speaking, both services appear very similar. Both require a subscription for professional use and both are basically suites dedicated to increasing productivity.
Both platforms rely on cloud technology and the implementation of artificial intelligence, but also allow offline use in some cases.
Microsoft and Google can both do it
Whichever service you choose, you get an application for editing texts, an extensive spreadsheet and a tool for creating beautiful presentations - to name just the most important applications.
Furthermore, both services have a solution for e-mails, video conferences and chat. Of course, the respective providers also have storage space in the cloud to securely store and save files for customers.
The fact that the services from Microsoft and Google are so similar
it is of course not possible to make a quick and well-founded decision.
Such a decision is groundbreaking for the future of a company.
Apps in comparison
When it comes to creating and editing documents, Microsoft 365 offers three key programs: Microsoft Word for text editing, Microsoft Excel for editing spreadsheets and Microsoft PowerPoint for creating presentations. Google Workspace, on the other hand, offers Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides, products that offer very similar solutions. While the respective products are complementary, there are certain functionalities that differentiate the products from each other.
Word vs Doc
Microsoft Word and Google Docs help to create rich texts by providing a variety of different formatting options and other tools. The two tools are also supplemented by AI extensions such as Google's "Gemini" and Microsoft's "Copilot", which support text design and content organization, but are only included as standard on Google business licenses. Word scores points by offering more templates, more text editing options and more accurate diagram creation at the time of writing. Google Docs compensates for this with simple online collaboration in real time and the ability to share the document via a simple link, where you can also set permissions.
Excel vs Sheets
Microsoft Excel is known for its versatility when it comes to data analysis and is the best-known spreadsheet tool for good reason, due to the number of features it offers. Functions such as Power Query and integration with Power BI enable the evaluation and visualization of large amounts of data.
Google Sheets, on the other hand, scores with its user-friendliness, seamless AI integration and integration into the Google Cloud. Thanks to tools such as BigQuery, large data sets can also be processed efficiently here.
While Excel is still number one in Germany, Google Sheets is increasingly leading the market in English-speaking countries.
PowerPoint vs Slides
Microsoft PowerPoint offers numerous design options and animations that can be automatically optimized with the help of “Copilot”. The platform is ideal for professional presentations with a high degree of creative freedom.
Here too, Google Slides focuses on an intuitive experience and real-time collaboration. Thanks to the flexible interface and embedding in Google Meet, a wide variety of presentation styles and seamless handovers to other presenters can be realized with Slides.
Outlook vs Gmail
Outlook is still often used as a desktop application, but is also seamlessly integrated into Microsoft's cloud environment. Google is the world's largest email provider and Gmail impresses with a strong spam filter, a clear user interface and a central platform that combines email, chat, video conferencing and tasks in a single application. AI-supported functions also make it easier to compose and organize messages in both applications, but are only available as standard with all Google licenses.
OneDrive vs Google Drive
The cloud storage services of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are also similar. Both cloud services offer reliable solutions for data management and synchronization. The available storage space varies with both providers depending on the license model, but is in the same price range and can be expanded endlessly. Here too, the differences lie in the details: While Microsoft's entry-level tariffs offer a larger storage space per user (1TB per user), Google's entry-level tariffs with 30GB per person allow the storage space of all users to be combined (pooled) and made available for all accounts in the organization.
Collaboration and workflows
Microsoft 365 combines innovation with powerful offline tools that are well suited to hybrid working environments. Companies that rely on sophisticated data analysis and processing in particular benefit from the countless functions. Microsoft Teams is an all-in-one hub from which all applications and files can be opened and edited, but in everyday life it is mainly used for chats and meetings.
Google Workspace is all about teamwork and collaboration. It is particularly suitable for companies and groups that work across different locations and value quick and easy operation. All applications are opened in Google Chrome, don't require any additional downloads and are therefore convenient and easy to maintain. Work devices can be changed and put into operation in record time simply by logging into a Google account.
Performance and infrastructure
Google Workspace apps run directly in the browser, which saves system resources and enables fast use. Starting at around €200, a Google Chromebook designed for hybrid working is already a solid choice and, thanks to offline mode, the most important functions are also available without a constant internet connection. Microsoft 365 offers optimal integration into desktop environments, but requires a little more computing power. The cloud-based tools are also powerful, but require a stable internet connection for smooth synchronization.
Costs and flexibility
Google Workspace offers flexible pricing plans that can be customized to meet the needs of small and large businesses. Both monthly and annual subscriptions are available, allowing companies to flexibly structure their licensing. The Gemini AI model has been included as standard in Google Workspace plans since 2025, which sets Google slightly apart from Microsoft.
Microsoft 365 requires an annual commitment in most cases. The plans are available in different levels, from low-cost basic models to enterprise solutions with a comprehensive range of functions. At first glance, Microsoft's licenses are a little cheaper, but the AI “Copilot” is not included, which makes the sum of both significantly more expensive than Google Workspace licenses in a direct comparison.
As this article is not continuously updated, it is worth taking a look at the official Google website for the current pricing.
Conclusion
Both products are very similar, but not the same. While Microsoft 365 offers an incredibly precise experience, Google Workspace impresses with its simplicity, effectiveness and collaboration. Both products have their own strengths. Which one you really need as a company or team varies from case to case.
Microsoft 365 is particularly suitable for companies with consistent desktop environments that already use individual Microsoft services. Anyone who is already familiar with the tools and wants to edit files in the most common formats and save them offline will feel at home with Microsoft.
Google Workspace is very easy to get started with and impresses with its clear focus on collaboration, intuitive operation and flexibility. With integrated AI functions such as Gemini, which are available at no additional cost, it offers a cost-effective and future-proof solution. Browser-based use reduces hardware requirements and data loss, which is ideal for modern companies and dynamic teams. Google Workspace's secure-by-design and secure-by-default architecture provides a more secure, state-of-the-art alternative that protects billions of users with the highest level of security.
To get started right away, you can try Google Workspace for free for 30 days with CLOUDPILOTS.
If you don't like it - no problem. Because this offer comes without any ties.
Try it out and see for yourself!