# Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365: the best collaboration app Jonathan Davies 10 mins read --- **Table of Contents** 1. [Document creation](/content/blog/collaboration-office365-gsuite#document-creation/index.html) 2. [Collaboration and productivity](/content/blog/collaboration-office365-gsuite#collaboration-and-productivity/index.html) 3. [Communication and engagement](/content/blog/collaboration-office365-gsuite#communication-and-engagement/index.html) 4. [Cloud vs desktop](/content/blog/collaboration-office365-gsuite#cloud-vs-desktop/index.html) 5. [Pricing](/content/blog/collaboration-office365-gsuite#pricing/index.html) 6. [Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace: The verdict?](/content/blog/collaboration-office365-gsuite#the-verdict/index.html) ## Document creation First and foremost, what does document creation look like in Google apps vs Microsoft 365? Both suites have the core apps: a word processing tool ([**GoogleDocs**](https://gsuite.google.co.uk/intl/en_uk/products/docs/) or [Microsoft Word](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/word)), a spreadsheet app ([**GoogleSheets**](https://gsuite.google.co.uk/intl/en_uk/products/sheets/) or [Microsoft Excel](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/excel)), and a presentation creator ([**GoogleSlides**](https://gsuite.google.co.uk/intl/en_uk/products/slides/) or [Microsoft PowerPoint](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/powerpoint)). If you’re looking for an intuitive interface that automatically updates to the cloud and offers real-time collaboration, Google Workspace is your friend. While its applications might not offer as many bells and whistles as Microsoft 365’s, that means they’re easier to drive straight into. The real-time collaboration feature is the best option here and makes it the better collaboration tool. That said, Google apps for business are designed to be simple and efficient. If you need to dig into some hardcore data, or you need something with masses of functionality, you’d be better off looking at Office 365. Take the spreadsheet option, for example. Google Sheets are made for online collaboration – they’re so simple to use, but many people who use spreadsheets want more than pretty tables. When it comes to functionality, Excel is superior to Sheets. It is designed to work with sizable data, has an abundance of built-in formulas and a speedier "lookup" function. ## Collaboration and productivity Both Google apps and Microsoft 365 are collaboration toolsets, but what makes them so different? “Google’s approach is a lot like a classroom with a whiteboard. You can invite anyone in the classroom and you can all stand at the whiteboard together and work on a document. The “whiteboard” keeps track of everyone’s contribution and you can edit, accept, or remove them anytime you want.” Office 365’s approach is less straightforward and the process of collaboration is much less simple and transparent. It’s Google Workspace’s focus on collaboration and integration that sees it come out on top for us. Real-time collaboration can’t be undersold. ## Communication and engagement Email is [**Gmail**](https://gsuite.google.co.uk/intl/en_uk/products/gmail/) at the end of the day. Google Workspace comes with [**Chat**](https://gsuite.google.co.uk/intl/en_uk/products/chat/) and [**Meet**](https://gsuite.google.co.uk/intl/en_uk/products/meet/) video calls, making communication within your Google collaboration tools system seamless. ## Cloud vs desktop If you’re totally cloud-based as an organization, both systems operate in the cloud, allowing creation, collaboration, and communication from any browser or device. If desktop access is necessary, you’re out of luck with Google Workspace, as its tools are totally cloud-based. Some Office 365 plans, however, come with desktop versions of commonly used applications. ## Pricing Both Office 365 and Google Workspace offer tiered pricing on a per-user basis. Google keeps things simple with three tiers: basic, business, and enterprise, while Microsoft’s tiering can be quite complex with multiple levels. The general consensus is that Google Workspace’s pricing structure best suits smaller businesses, while Microsoft 365 is favorable for larger enterprises. However, Google is targeting larger companies as well. ## Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace: The verdict? Google collaboration tools added to a [**Googleintranet**](/content/blog/how-to-use-google-workspace/index.html) potentially give users a modern interface, familiar UX, and excellent team collaboration options. Many enterprises are moving towards Google apps, as the tools promote rethinking traditional work processes. Add a [**Googleintranet**](/content/blog/g-suite-intranet-internal-communications-strategy/index.html) to enhance communication and collaboration without the need for on-premises servers.