Have you thought about making the switch from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365? You’re not alone.

Businesses today rely heavily on technology for their daily operations. Yours is probably no different. From communication to collaboration, storing and accessing data, to creating and sharing documents, technology plays a critical role in the success of businesses.

While there are many different platforms and tools available, Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are two of the most popular.

Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite, is a suite of productivity and collaboration tools offered by Google. It includes popular applications like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Calendar, among others.

On the other hand, Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service that provides access to various Microsoft products and services, including Office 365, Exchange Online, OneDrive for Business, and Microsoft Teams, among others.

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Both platforms have their strengths, however, in this article, we’ll outline why businesses should consider moving from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365.

We’ll explore the advantages of this move in-depth and look at how it can help to improve productivity and streamline operations. By the end of this post, you’ll have a clearer understanding of why you should switch to Microsoft 365.

Let’s jump in.

Note: click here to skip to prices.

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1. Security

Every week there is another story about a new business data leak. That’s one of the great things about BOTH Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. These platforms are owned by two absolute powerhouses in the tech industry that take security very seriously.

Google has a massive network of data centres with complete monitoring of its hardware. On the other hand, Microsoft adheres to the highest security standards and international compliance.

Both Platforms Take Security Seriously

Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 adhere to industry-leading privacy and security standards, such as ISO 27001 and SOC type 1 and 2 compliance. In addition, Google Workspace is compliant with the GDPR, while Microsoft 365 is compliant with the CCPA and HIPAA. This means that both services are reliable when it comes to protecting your data.

Microsoft 365 Is A Step Ahead

While both have good security measures, Microsoft 365 goes above and beyond in terms of security features. It offers advanced security tools, such as multi-factor authentication, which helps protect user accounts from unauthorised access.

Additionally, its Identity Protection feature enables administrators to detect threats quickly and respond efficiently. Furthermore, it also provides enterprise-level encryption for data at rest and in transit, helping to ensure that sensitive information remains secure.

An image listing security and compliance features of Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 also offers a host of tools designed specifically for business users. Its Advanced Threat Protection service helps protect your organisation’s email system against malicious attacks. Furthermore, its Azure Active Directory safeguards corporate identities and offers access control capabilities. Finally, Microsoft 365 comes with advanced data governance features, allowing administrators to manage user access to company data and set up retention policies.

The Verdict: Microsoft 365 Offers Better Protection

Security and compliance are major concerns for businesses, and Microsoft 365 takes them very seriously. It has built-in security features that help protect sensitive information and comply with industry standards and regulations. Additionally, Microsoft 365 has a comprehensive security architecture that includes security and privacy policies, physical and network security, and ongoing monitoring and response.

Google Workspace, on the other hand, is not as robust regarding security and compliance. While Google has implemented various security measures, such as encryption and two-factor authentication, they still need to improve compared to Microsoft 365. In addition, Google Workspace may not meet certain industry and regulatory standards, making it a risky choice for businesses in certain sectors.

2. Familiarity and Convenience

When it comes to making the switch from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, one of the major considerations for businesses is familiarity. After all, your employees are accustomed to working with a certain set of tools. Getting them up to speed on a new system could be difficult.

This can be especially true if they are already comfortable with Google’s suite of applications. Fortunately, many people already have familiarity with Microsoft products, so the transition should be relatively easy.

Transition Seamlessly

For those who have used Microsoft Office in the past, the transition to Microsoft 365 will be simple and intuitive.

All of the familiar features are present, but now with more options and flexibility. Microsoft 365 also offers many features and tools that Google Workspace does not, such as Skype for Business and SharePoint. The familiar look and feel of Microsoft Office makes transitioning to the cloud version almost effortless.

Microsoft 365 also includes many of the same features that users would find in Google Workspace. For example, Outlook allows users to access their email, contacts, calendars, tasks and notes all in one place. OneDrive allows users to store documents in the cloud and securely share them with anyone. With Excel, Word and PowerPoint, users can create documents, presentations and spreadsheets without learning new software.

The familiarity with Microsoft 365 makes it easier for businesses to implement the system without having to invest too much time in training their employees. Some may require more advanced instruction for certain tools. However, most of the basics will be familiar to users who have used Microsoft Office products. This makes it simpler for businesses to transition from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 since their team is already accustomed to many of the features and tools included in the system.

Familiar Favourites

Overall, Microsoft 365 is an excellent option for businesses looking to make a switch from Google Workspace due to its familiarity. It includes all of the features that users have come to expect from Microsoft Office. However, additional tools and flexibility make it easier for businesses to collaborate and stay organised.

For companies that have used Microsoft Office in the past, transitioning to Microsoft 365 should be relatively simple and straightforward.

3. Collaboration

Collaboration is key to the success of any business, no matter the size or industry. Projects can take longer to complete without effective collaboration tools and solutions and be more prone to errors. By switching from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, businesses can take advantage of improved collaboration features that benefit their organisation.

Teams Power

Microsoft 365 includes many powerful collaboration tools that help employees work together more efficiently. The suite consists of applications like Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and Yammer. All of which makes it easier for teams to work together in real-time and manage tasks.

Teams, in particular, makes it easier for businesses to stay connected and collaborate from anywhere. It’s a unified communication platform with integrated chat, audio/video calls, online meetings, file sharing, and project management capabilities. With this all-in-one collaboration solution, your teams can easily collaborate on projects from different locations and access the same data from multiple devices.

For more, we’ve written extensively on Microsoft Teams here.

External Collaboration

In addition to making it easier for internal teams to work together, Microsoft 365 makes it easier for businesses to collaborate with outside organisations.

Cloud-based storage and sharing capabilities mean businesses can securely share documents and files with partners or customers without having to worry about security or privacy issues.

Businesses can also use third-party tools like Dropbox or Google Drive to store and share files securely with their partners or customers. This can help streamline collaborations with external entities while ensuring the safety and privacy of important data.

Overall, Microsoft 365 is an excellent choice for businesses looking to improve their collaboration capabilities. Its suite of powerful tools makes it easy for teams to work together in real-time. Even when they are located in different places. Additionally, its cloud-based storage and sharing capabilities enable businesses to collaborate securely with outside organisations. All without compromising the security or privacy of their data. By switching from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, businesses can experience all these benefits and more.

4. Created For Business

Microsoft 365 is designed specifically with businesses in mind. The range of features and capabilities means businesses of all sizes can get the most out of their work.

We’ve already mentioned the extensive library of tools and applications for businesses to use, so we won’t repeat ourselves. However, these tools are designed to help businesses improve collaboration, manage data, store and share documents, and much more. Your business will also have access to the latest technology. So you’ll always stay up-to-date with recent developments in the industry.

Great For CRM’s

Microsoft 365 is also great for businesses that use customer relationship management (CRM) systems. These systems enable businesses to track customer interactions, analyse customer data, and generate insights to help them understand their customer base better. With Microsoft 365, businesses can integrate their CRM systems with the suite’s other applications, making tracking customer interactions and keeping up with changes easier.

Simplify and Automate

Microsoft 365 also offers a wide range of features and tools designed to simplify business processes. Businesses can create automated workflows that reduce the need for manual input and access tools like Power Automate to easily connect different systems and apps. Additionally, Microsoft 365 provides access to various online resources, such as webinars and tutorials, helping businesses stay up-to-date on the latest technology trends.

Microsoft 365 is designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes and can help you streamline operations, improve productivity, and make better decisions. With Microsoft 365, businesses can take advantage of the latest technology and optimise their processes for better results.

5. Easy Administration

Microsoft 365 offers businesses a great deal of administrative support. With it, you can easily manage and configure user accounts, security settings, and other aspects of your organisation’s cloud-based environment.

Centralised Control

The main benefit of using Microsoft 365 for easier administration is its centralised control system. You can set up and manage all user accounts from one place. From there you can create role-based access to specific apps, services, and resources. This means that users can be given access to only the resources they need, while still having the ability to collaborate with their colleagues.

Microsoft 365 also offers simple access control for resources. For example, let’s say you want to limit the number of people who can access a particular resource or application. You can create an access control list (ACL) which will enable only those users that you specify to have access.

Painless Reporting

In addition, Microsoft 365 also offers granular reporting features.

You can quickly view reports on user activity, app usage, and more. This helps administrators identify where users are not following the organisation’s security policies, or where processes could be improved.

Managed and Automate (again)

Microsoft 365 also makes it easy to manage software licenses. The central console can assign licenses to specific users or groups. This way, you don’t have to manually manage licenses every time a user needs access to a particular application or service.

Finally, Microsoft 365 offers automation capabilities. With it, you can automate routine tasks such as creating user accounts or assigning permissions. This allows administrators to focus on more critical tasks, like setting up new projects or identifying potential security risks.

Overall, Microsoft 365 makes it much easier for administrators to manage users, applications, services, and resources in their organisation’s cloud-based environment. It gives admins visibility and control over their systems while making it easier to manage user accounts and security settings.

6. Pricing

Now for what you’ve been waiting for. How much does it cost? We’ll lay it out below, but generally, Microsoft 365 offers lower prices than Google Workspace.

Let’s start with Google Workspace. All prices are in AUD.

Google Workspace Pricing

Business Starter: $8.40/user/month

Includes:

    • Custom business email
    • 100-participant video meetings
    • 30 GB storage per user
    • Security and management controls
    • Standard support
    • 14-day free trial

Business Standard: $16.80/user/month

Includes:

    • Custom business email
    • 150-participant video meetings with recording
    • 2 TB storage per user
    • Security and management controls
    • Standard support with paid upgrade to enhance support
    • 14-day free trial

Business Plus: $25.20/user/month

Includes:

    • Custom business email plus eDiscovery, retention
    • 500-participant video meetings with recording and attendance tracking
    • 5 TB storage per user
    • Enhanced security and management controls, including Vault and advanced endpoint management
    • Standard support with paid upgrade to enhance support
    • 14-day free trial

Enterprise: Contact Google sales for pricing

Includes:

    • Custom business email plus eDiscovery, retention, S/MIME encryption
    • 500-participant video meetings plus recording, attendance tracking, noise cancellation, in-domain live streaming
    • Unlimited storage
    • Advanced security management and compliance controls, including Vault, DLP, data regions and enterprise endpoint management
    • Enhanced support with paid upgrade to premium support
    • 14-day free trial

Microsoft 365 Pricing

Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $8.20/user/month

Includes:

    • Chat, call, call meet up to 300 attendees
    • Web and mobile versions of Office apps
    • 1 TB of cloud storage per user
    • Business Email
    • Standard security
    • Anytime phone and web support
    • 30-day free trial

Web and Mobile Apps and Services:

    • Word
    • Excel
    • Powerpoint
    • Teams
    • Outlook
    • Exchange
    • OneDrive
    • SharePoint

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: $12.00/user/month

Includes:

    • Desktop versions of Office apps with premium features
    • 1 TB of cloud storage per user
    • Standard security
    • Anytime phone and web support
    • 30-day free trial

Desktop, Web, and Mobile Apps and Services:

    • Word
    • Excel
    • PowerPoint
    • Outlook
    • OneDrive
    • Access (PC only)
    • Publisher (PC only)

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $17.20/user/month

Includes everything in Business Basic Plan, plus:

    • Desktop versions of Office apps with premium features
    • Easily host webinars
    • Attendee registration and reporting tools
    • Manage customer appointments
    • 30-day free trial

Desktop, Web, and Mobile Apps and Services:

    • Word
    • Excel
    • PowerPoint
    • Teams
    • Outlook
    • OneDrive
    • SharePoint
    • Exchange
    • Access (PC only)
    • Publisher (PC only)

Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $30.20/user/month

Includes everything in Business Basic Plan, plus:

    • Advanced security
    • Access and data control
    • Cyberthreat protection30-day free trial

Desktop, Web, and Mobile Apps and Services:

    • Word
    • Excel
    • PowerPoint
    • Teams
    • Outlook
    • OneDrive
    • SharePoint
    • Exchange
    • Intune
    • Azure Information Protection
    • Access (PC only)
    • Publisher (PC only)

The Verdict: Microsoft 365 Offers Lower Costs With More Features

When it comes to the cost of switching from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, there’s no denying that it can be a significant investment. However, when you take into account improved productivity, better security, and more, it can be well worth the money.

The pricing for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace vary slightly based on the plan chosen, but generally, Microsoft 365 is more cost-effective. For businesses with many users, the savings can add up quickly.
Microsoft 365 generally offers plans with added features and higher storage space which are helpful for businesses.

With Microsoft 365, you get a more cost-effective option. With its range of plans, you can select the plan that best fits your business needs without having to overspend.

Conclusion

Moving from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 is a great decision for businesses that want to increase their productivity, security, and flexibility.

Microsoft 365 offers tools and features that can help your business work more efficiently and effectively while providing better security. Additionally, the familiarity of the interface makes it easier for users to get up and running quickly. And improved collaboration features make working with teams simpler.

Finally, businesses can focus more on their core objectives with an easier administration process. In short, Microsoft 365 is designed to meet the needs of your business and will help you make the most out of your technology investments.