A business cannot survive without a proper productivity suite. Google and Microsoft are the most important names when it comes to that. You can choose between the G Suite and Office 365. They offer common features, but there are some important characteristics which make them different.
Their functions are quite similar. For example, they both offer communication tools such as video conferencing or messaging. There is also online storage, productivity apps, business email and calendar services.
Two different approaches
When you think about the two alternatives, you must keep in mind their origins as well. Google uses the browser as a base and there are web-based tools, such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. As long as you use Google Chrome, offline storage for documents and emails is supported as well.
Meanwhile, Microsoft focuses on desktop apps. The list of services also offers cloud options such as Exchange Online, OneDrive for Business, and SharePoint Online. Microsoft’s services can also be found on all Windows computer. This includes programs such as Word, Excel or Outlook.
Pricing
The packages offered by each of them are quite different. Office 365 makes sure that there is an alternative for everyone. For example, small businesses have three plans available: Business Essentials, Business, and Business Premium. Meanwhile large businesses can choose out of four options. But that is not all. Microsoft offers different options for US government agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and others.
The Office 365 plans usually go from $4 to $35 per user per month. And if the list of plans is still not enough for you, it is also possible to create your own custom plan by combining individual services.
Meanwhile, Google comes with three simple plans Basic which costs $6 per user per month, Business, $12 per user per month, and Enterprise, which requires $25 per user per month.
Nora Reynolds is a major in biology and a minor in Biological Basis of Behavior, writing about science in general. She also likes to try new gadgets and sports about the AI new era.
