Differences
Microsoft Office historically and the primary is the software installed on the computer, and it saves documents on the computer. In comparison, Google Workspace (former GSuite) works inside an internet browser such as Chrome. Workspace is the same as Microsoft Office without the software installed. With Workspace you must keep your documents on the internet. You can download Workspace documents as Microsoft documents onto your computer, but the process is cumbersome. The efficiency of work on GSuite depends on the quality of your internet connection. The delay of opening, creating, and saving a document on Google can be seconds. Working on MS Office documents takes no noticeable lag if the computer is in good working order.
| Workspace | MS Office | |
|---|---|---|
| documents saved | online only | on a computer as well as online |
| computer software | not included | included |
Albeit Microsoft is catching up with Google rapidly. Since version 2013 MS Office must be connected to the internet for activation occasionally and documents synchronised with Microsoft online (cloud) storage by default.
Sync Google with Microsoft Office
Google Workspace Sync for Microsoft Outlook application connects MS Office Outlook emails and calendar with Workspace.
Google Drive synchronises other types of documents, such as text and spreadsheets, on your device with Workspace. The device can be a PC, tablet, or mobile phone either Microsoft or Mac or Google Android. Google to Microsoft sync solutions is far from perfection. If you chose Workspace, you better off not using Microsoft Office at all. Android phones and tablets are the best to work on the Workspace cloud. There are also Chrome laptops that are not extremely popular.
Price comparison
Like Google, Microsoft has an internet only package without software called Microsoft Office 365 Business Basic for $9 per user per month which is an equivalent to Workspace Business starter for $8.4.
The price of MS Office software starts from $109 per user per year for a Personal version without Business features such as email server.
Office 365 Business Standard with desktop software and online services including email server Exchange is $18.70 per user per month
Free personal email account vs business email server
Personal emails look like: 
Business emails look like: 
Parts after @ called domains. Gmail.com and Hotmail.com are the same for everyone in the world. Hence you cannot choose any username. But a business email server is linked to unique domains, usually a business name. So, you can have any email you like if it is unique to your business. Apart from the professional look, the advantage of business emails is the control over the data and advanced features not available or limited to free email services.
Both Workspace and MS Office Business include an email server. Google confusingly called it Gmail but within the Google Workspace suite. It is similar to free Gmail but it is not the same. Microsoft's name for the business email server is Exchange.
Outlook and Outlook.com difference
Everyone knows Outlook as a program on PC. To highlight the business purpose, Microsoft renamed the free online email Hotmail service to Outlook.com. Now the log in to paid MS Office 365 online is the same as the free email. Basic features email and documents for paid and free Microsoft online services are the same. Again, the difference between the paid Office is the software on your PC and the business website domain.
Live Mail was a free email client for Windows XP and Windows7. People still use it, albeit I do not recommend it due to many bugs. There is a free email client included with new windows 10 called Mail. Windows 10 Mail is even simpler than Live Mail used to be.
- Issues with MS Office 365
- Disrupting work features such as Focused inbox
- Admin notifications irrelevant to your installation
- Complicated security and data retention policy and administration
- Complex domain setup
+ Advantages of MS Office 365
- Consistent and responsible support which unsweres usually within 5 minutes.
- Extensive functionality.
- Wide adoption, interoperability within organisations.
- Issues with Workspace
- Buggy poor supported synchronisation with Microsoft Outlook
- User is forced to work in Chrome browser only
- Unclear security and data retention policies
- Inconsistent support with zero personal accountability.
Google support often seems undertrained and simply Googles the answers. Enhancing their product knowledge could improve user experience.
+ Advantages of Google Workspace
- Cheap and robust. Core services are relatively stable due to minimalism and a base of fanatic software developers.
Conclusion
For a small business or startup, Google Workspace is the way to go. Companies with an IT department can choose Microsoft Office 365 Business. Another option for small businesses is Microsoft 365 Personal for $109 per year for one person or $139 for 6. It can be used with either Microsoft Exchange or Google Workspace email servers if a business domain email is desired.
2019 - June 2024