When it comes to choosing between Microsoft 365 or Google’s suite of productivity tools, there are plenty of similarities. While both packages offer cloud-based versions of popular software, they also have a number of differences.Â
If you’re wondering which one would suit your business better, read on for a comparison of the two digital tools, what features they offer, and the pros and cons of each.
What does Microsoft 365 include?
Microsoft 365 – formerly Office 365 – is the world’s most popular suite of business productivity apps and tools.Â
The most recent version of M365 was developed with remote and hybrid working at its core, so the many apps are able to be accessed and used at their full potential, within your business parameters, from any location and with any device. This is particularly important in the COVID-19 era where more than two-thirds of employed Australians are still working from home.
Along with the familiar apps Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, M365 includes many useful business and collaboration features, including:
OneDrive: a cloud-based storage service that allows users to store files and other data online. It has many features, including the ability to share files and folders with others, sync files across multiple devices, and access OneDrive from any location.
SharePoint: a web-based collaboration service that provides an environment for storing, organizing and sharing information.
Teams: a chat-based workspace that brings together conversations, meetings, files, and apps. It’s a hub for teamwork.
Power BI: a cloud-based suite of tools for analysing data from various sources. It can be used to create dashboards and reports that provide insights into business performance.
Co-authoring: you can now collaborate in real-time on M365 documents like Word and Excel with your co-workers, from any location, and share files directly.
What does Google Suite include?
The Google Suite offers a number of Google apps in answer to Microsoft 365’s productivity suite, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Google Docs.Â
Gmail: an email service, accessible from a variety of devices. With Gmail, users can send and receive emails, attachments and chat messages.
Google Drive: a cloud storage service that allows users to upload, store, and access files from different devices.
Google Calendar: a time-management app that helps you organise your schedule, keep track of deadlines and create reminders.
Google Docs: a word processing program that is available to use on any device. It can be used for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform and infrastructure created by Microsoft. It provides developers with a broad set of tools to build, deploy, manage, and monitor apps across a variety of platforms.
The biggest benefits when it comes to using Azure are its flexibility and easy access. You don’t need a tech-savvy team to use it. Azure allows you to create virtual machines with the software you need. You can also access these machines from any device with an internet connection.Â
The downside to Azure is the pricing model. You don’t get much for free, and it takes a lot of computing power to setup.Â
But, if you want to be able to run any software you want, then Azure is your best option.
Google Cloud
Google Cloud Platform is a public cloud vendor, offering customers the ability to access computer resources housed in Google’s data centres throughout the world on a pay-per-use basis. This platform also consists of various other services such as GCP cost management, data management and web video streaming.
It includes Google Cloud Storage for data storage, Google Cloud Platform for hosting web applications, and Google Compute Engine for virtual machines, as well as a suite of tools to help you manage your business better including analytics, machine learning, containers, serverless computing, and more.
However, if you want to use Google Cloud, you have to be in an area that has a Google data centre. This can be an issue if you are traveling or if your company doesn’t have one nearby.
Security features
Security is perhaps the most important factor to consider when choosing a digital tool. With Microsoft 365, you can easily implement multi-factor authentication to increase the level of security on your account. While Google Suite also offers strong security features, it is not as robust as Microsoft.
Microsoft 365 provides comprehensive data protection for your data, and offers comprehensive identity protection for your company and employees.Â
Other key Microsoft 365 security features:
- Multi-factor authentication
- Mobile device management
- Advanced Threat Protection
- Azure Active Directory
- Encrypted email
- Azure Identity Protection
- Privileged Identity Management
- Data Loss Prevention
Malware was a serious consideration during the Google Suite development, and offers many antivirus and antimalware protections built in.
Other key G-Suite security features:
- Data loss protection
- Malware protections
- Spam detection
- Brand phishing defence
- Phishing prevention
Which is right for your business?
Both Microsoft 365 and Google Suite offer similar features and functionality when it comes to managing your business. However, there are some key differences between the two, and Microsoft 365 is ideal for businesses looking to make the most of their existing investments while leveraging the advantages of the cloud.
The IT experts at Steadfast Solutions can help you implement Microsoft 365 into your business and guide your employees on how to best use its apps, security features, and business tools to best benefit and grow your company.