Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace: choosing a workplace suite.

Both suites are mature and widely used. Neither is wrong; the right one depends on how your people work.

Where Microsoft 365 tends to fit

• Heavy use of desktop Office applications, advanced Excel or macros.
• Existing Windows and Active Directory environments.
• Strong needs for device management, compliance tooling and advanced security in higher plans.
• Teams as the centre of meetings and chat.

Where Google Workspace tends to fit

• Browser-first working and real-time collaboration.
• Simple administration for smaller teams.
• Mixed device fleets with Chromebooks and Android.
• Education settings, with Classroom and related tools.

Compare on what matters

• Email and calendar: both are strong; check your shared mailbox and delegation habits.
• Files and storage: structure, sharing controls and offline use.
• Meetings: capacity, recording, room integration.
• Security: multi-factor authentication, data-loss prevention, device controls, audit logs and which plan includes them.
• Compliance and retention: legal hold, archiving, eDiscovery needs.
• Integration: with your business systems and identity.
• Cost: per user per month, plus add-ons and support.

Migration effort

Moving mail, calendars, files and shared drives takes planning. Cost and disruption sit mostly in the move, not the licence.

A practical test

Run a pilot with one department for a few weeks. Real feedback beats any feature table.