Let’s Compare Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, shall we?

Do Google Workspace and Microsoft both include email?

Gmail versus Outlook is the name of the game, here. While the Gmail app doesn’t include all of its more robust counterpart’s sorting capabilities and features, you can, ironically, use Outlook to send and receive Google-powered mail, assuming you possess a proper corresponding license.

As you might expect, the specific email features vary by subscription between the two platforms. Microsoft’s Business Basic plan, for example, includes hosted email and calendaring services with 50GB of storage. Conversely, Google’s Business Starter option limits total email storage at 30GB, including attachments. Other Google plan options are available, though, that increase file storage to 5GB, while Microsoft’s “E3” and “E5” enterprise subscriptions increase mail storage limits to 1.5TB when users leverage the provider’s archiving features.

Which is more secure: Google Workspace or Microsoft 365?

Multiple basic security protections are included within both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 subscription plans. Corresponding email services, too, include foundational phishing and malicious attachment protections. And both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 plans include multifactor authentication (MFA) account access protections, as well as encrypted email capabilities.

Additional available Microsoft 365 security services include policy administration capabilities for data loss prevention, device management tools, advanced threat detection, privileged identity management and Azure Identity Protection. And one common Microsoft upgrade is Defender for Office 365. The add-on component protects email and collaboration tools from zero-day exploits, phishing attempts and efforts to compromise business email. Microsoft Defender for Office 365’s “P2” option extends security functionality by adding post-breach investigation response tools and even training simulation capabilities.

Google Workspace leverages security approaches that include suspicious login monitoring, centralized cloud access management, customizable email security rules, and granular permissions including contextual awareness. Google’s Advanced Protection Program, meanwhile, provides users working in sensitive fields with an additional security key (potentially at added cost) to better restrict access to just authorized users. Google also offers DLP for Drive, data loss prevention that protects against sensitive data leakage and assists auditing.

Google Workspace’s Business Plus and Enterprise plans provide subscribers with access to Google Vault, too. The information governance and eDiscovery tool assists administrators with information retention and file searches, as well as endpoint management.

How easy are the productivity apps to use?

Most professionals are familiar with creating documents, editing spreadsheets and preparing presentations using Microsoft’s market-dominant Office productivity tools. Organizations typically experience few if any problems, subsequently, deploying those applications.

Google Workspace’s common applications typically possess fewer features than their Microsoft counterparts. While users may not be as familiar with the Google Workspace offerings, they enjoy clean, simple user interfaces that are easily learned and intuitive. However, Google Workspace users may need to adjust to the fact full-fledged and robust desktops versions are unavailable for offline use.

What support options are available?

Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 possess thorough documentation online. Legions of consultants are available, too, to assist organizations and end users with learning the nuances of both platforms.

Google Workspace customers can request help directly from the platform’s support team when having technical or billing issues. Multiple levels of Google Workspace support are available, too. Standard Support, with four-hour service-level goals for tier 1 issues, is included with subscriptions. An Enhanced option, included with Google Workspace Enterprise, and a Premium version are also available that both boast accelerated response.

Microsoft directs small- and medium-sized businesses to experts throughout the US and other countries. Enterprise customers, however, can pay additional fees for Premier Support for Microsoft 365. With the upgrade, enterprise organizations receive end-to-end managed support, but such programs are typically used by only very large firms.