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Google Docs has made it easy to collaborate with teams as many people can work on the same file at the same time. Unlike the Microsoft counterpart – Microsoft Word, Google Docs does not create many versions of the same document and the editing and reviewing process is simpler. Google Workspace has also come up with a new feature for Google Docs. Now hovering over a linked Slides file will open an inline window. Thus opening the Slide file at the same place. And also we can use @mention to show contact details as well as suggested activities.

Now talking about Microsoft Word, every computer and now even mobile versions have Microsoft Word and almost everyone is familiar with features of Microsoft Word. It gives more control over text formatting and image positioning. It can easily and smoothly integrate with other Microsoft apps. They have many customizable templates. Businesses can use this for reporting or creating flyers and brochures.

Takeaway: If we talk about working remotely, businesses presently use tools through which they can collaborate and the ones which are accessible anytime anywhere. And Google Docs fits the bill. Not only can the users select whom to collaborate with, but they can also give different levels of accessibility to different users. If the businesses are planning to integrate with other Microsoft apps or if the users are on the lookout for extensive formatting and layout work then Microsoft Word is the goto App. Also, Google Docs does not have a desktop version and has to rely on the internet for editing and collaborating.

Google Sheets allows for real-time collaboration. Many people can work on the same file at the same time. The work by each user is shown in a different colour. Google Sheets can be accessed from anywhere, all it needs is an internet connection. Cloud storage eliminates the need to store the file in a desktop or hard drive. Revision history is available and you need not save all the new versions with a new name. Google Sheets also has a built-in chat option and users can leave comments for the others to see.

Microsoft Excel is extremely popular, thus, the knowledge bases are extensive. Excel documents that belong to the older versions of Excel may not open properly with Google Sheets. It also integrates more easily with other Microsoft Apps such as Powerpoint and word. It has a range of 60+ templates. This can be used for different business purposes. Also, it has a variety of bars, charts and graph options which can be used for reports and presentations.

Takeaway: Both of them are great spreadsheet tools. It totally depends on what are the needs of the businesses. If the businesses are in need of basic features and real-time collaboration then Google Sheets is the best go-to tool. Even if another user does not have access to a business’s Google Workspace, all they need is a Google account to collaborate on the Google Sheets but this is quite difficult with Excel and the external user must have access to Microsoft 365 Apps. If businesses have the need to extensively integrate with other Microsoft apps, high-end data analytics and computational features, then they need to go for Microsoft Excel.

Google Slides is easily accessible as all it needs is an internet connection and a Google account to run. While working online, the data gets automatically saved to Google Drive. Real-time collaborations can be done with ease. The teams can chat, comment and edit at the same time when working for presentations. It has access to only limited animation and transition features. 

Microsoft Powerpoint is designed to work on a PC. Its offline version has a diversity of features and cool animations which help to create advanced presentations. But Powerpoint online lacks these advanced features. Collaboration is possible through 2010 and higher versions of Powerpoint but it is not as smooth as in Google Slides. It has a huge gallery of ready to use templates which can be used for different business purposes such as marketing plans, reports or event invites. There are a lot of opportunities to embed or create visual content in Powerpoint.

Takeaway: Both these apps have their own unique advantage. If the businesses are on the lookout for advanced presentations with cool animations and extensive features then Powerpoint presentation is a good choice. But if businesses are looking for easy collaborations with basic features so that the files are available anytime, anywhere then Google Slides is the tool.

Business Email of Google Workspace is also Gmail, which is the most popular online tool to send and receive emails. The users of the Basic plan have 30GB Storage for the Drive and Gmail combined. The users can send only file sizes less than 25MB but they can also attach Drive links without taking into consideration the size limit. There is a sending limit of 2000 emails and 86400 emails can be received a day.

Business Email for Microsoft 365 is Microsoft Outlook. The business mails are hosted with a 50GB mailbox storage. 5000 Emails can be sent per day. They have offline access to email accounts. Sorting options are available to find emails easily by date, size or sender name. It can also easily collaborate with other Microsoft Apps.

Takeaway: Gmail is a winner when it comes to using time-saving and productivity tools but in case of large companies where there is a need to manage others’ calendars or inboxes then Outlook is a better option. Also appointment booking tools are available in Outlook which is missing in Gmail. But Gmail has a more user-friendly interface. And also unlimited storage option is not available for any Microsoft 365 Plans.

Google Meet was earlier known as Google Hangouts Meet. Google Meets easily integrates with Google Workspace. Thus it is easy to set up meetings when using other Google Tools. With the latest update Google Meet Icon appears in Gmail itself thus there is no need to change apps to make a call. With Google Meet the businesses can support up to 250 participants and up to 100000 viewers. The calls can also be set up via the Google Calendar. Meet conferences or materials, shared during the call, can be recorded and saved in Google Drive.

Microsoft Teams allows 250 participants irrespective of the plan. Just like Google Meets, Microsoft Teams can also be integrated with Microsoft 365 apps. The users can share screens to show real-time demonstrations or videos. Documents can be uploaded using the Teams chat feature. Teams lets the user create a breakout room. And the meetings are encrypted such that uninvited guests cannot jump in to disrupt the meeting.

Takeaway: If planning for collaborations and video conferencing then Google Meets is much easier to use than Microsoft Teams. It is easier to schedule meetings and send links to users who don’t have a Google Account. If the Google Account users accept the meeting link, it automatically gets added to their Calendar. In Microsoft Teams, to add the call-in feature, the user needs to have a Microsoft 365 subscription. The cost required to use Microsoft Teams as a part of Microsoft 365 is much higher than that for Google Teams as a part of Google Workspace with more or less the same capabilities.