Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365: which is better for your London business?

Microsoft 365 is usually the better fit for a business that needs enterprise-grade security, compliance features and close integration with Office software; Google Workspace suits teams that prioritise simple, real-time collaboration in the browser. Both are capable cloud productivity suites. Google Workspace offers an intuitive, cloud-native environment and suits businesses prioritising seamless collaboration. Microsoft 365 delivers deeper integration, advanced security and extensive compliance features, and suits businesses that need enterprise-grade security and software integration.

The best choice depends on the complexity of your workflows, your security requirements and the tools your team prefers. This comparison covers features, pricing, user experience, integrations, security and support.

Google Workspace, formerly G Suite, includes Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs and Google Meet, and lets users create, share and collaborate in real time. Microsoft 365 aligns closely with traditional office environments while providing cloud capabilities, with Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Excel and Teams. Organisations with a long relationship with Microsoft products may find the move to Microsoft 365 more intuitive.

Key features of Microsoft 365

At the core of Microsoft 365 are Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, which are widely recognised as business standards.

• Word supports creating, editing and formatting documents, with comments and track changes for collaboration.
• Excel provides advanced data analysis, with formulas and pivot tables that make it a mainstay of financial forecasting and reporting.
• PowerPoint is integrated with the other apps, so Excel data and Word images can be brought into presentations easily.
• Outlook handles email and calendar for scheduling appointments and meetings.
• Teams provides instant messaging and video conferencing, especially useful where remote work is common.

The integration between these applications supports a productive, connected working environment.

Key features of Google Workspace

• Gmail is known for its user-friendly interface and powerful search, and integrates with other Google applications.
• Google Drive lets teams store, share and access files securely from any device, with real-time collaboration on the same document.
• Google Docs saves changes automatically and supports real-time feedback, which avoids the version control issues of traditional document editing.
• Google Meet provides video conferencing so teams can communicate wherever they are, including across multiple sites.

Pricing comparison

Both platforms offer tiered plans. The figures below are those quoted in the original January 2025 article and are approximate. Prices change, so check current list prices before deciding.

Google Business Starter offers essentials such as Gmail, Drive and Meet. Business Standard adds enhanced storage and collaboration tools, and Business Plus adds more advanced security and increased storage. Microsoft Business Basic gives web-based applications and email hosting, Business Standard adds the full desktop Office applications, and Business Premium adds security and compliance features.

For a fuller view of how the Microsoft plans compare, see our Microsoft 365 licensing guide for finance directors.

User experience and interface

Google Workspace has built its reputation on simplicity and intuitive navigation. The interface is clean and streamlined, which reduces the learning curve, and its cloud-first approach supports real-time collaboration.

Microsoft 365 offers a more extensive toolset and can seem overwhelming at first. It uses the familiar ribbon layout from earlier Office versions, which may appeal to users used to desktop applications, and it excels at enterprise-level functionality.

Business reviews suggest Google Workspace users often praise its integration and collaboration features, while Microsoft 365 users highlight its comprehensive toolset and the ability to tailor applications to specific workflows. Team size, the nature of your projects and your existing software ecosystem will matter most.

Integration with third-party applications

Google Workspace integrates with a wide range of third-party applications. The Google Workspace Marketplace offers add-ons for tools such as Trello, Slack and Asana, which appeals to startups and small enterprises that rely on several applications.

Microsoft 365 has a comprehensive integration framework built around SharePoint, Teams and Outlook, and Microsoft AppSource lets companies discover, install and manage integrations. Salesforce and Adobe Sign are among the applications that integrate with it. Power Automate lets users create automated workflows between apps and services, which helps automate repetitive tasks.

Security and compliance

Under UK GDPR, both platforms offer features designed to protect sensitive data and support legal requirements.

Google Workspace uses a multi-layered security approach that includes encryption at rest and in transit, plus two-step verification, context-aware access and a security centre that gives insight into the organisation’s security posture.

Microsoft 365 offers a comprehensive suite of enterprise-level security tools, including Microsoft Defender for Office 365, which protects against threats such as phishing and malware, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies that help safeguard sensitive information.

Both provide audit logs, security incident reporting and compliance tools, so either can be viable depending on your regulatory needs. If you want active threat monitoring on top, see our managed detection and response service.

Customer support and resources

Both offer extensive support resources. Google provides a Help Centre with guides, video tutorials and 24/7 support. Microsoft offers live chat, phone and email support, with extensive training through Microsoft Learn.

Businesses needing personalised assistance may find Microsoft’s direct support channels useful, while Google’s community-driven approach may suit those who want quick troubleshooting.

Which platform is best for your business

Google Workspace offers an intuitive, cloud-native environment. Microsoft 365 delivers deeper integration, advanced security and extensive compliance features. For seamless collaboration, Google Workspace may be the better fit. For enterprise-grade security and software integration, Microsoft 365 will likely benefit you more.

Lanmark is a Microsoft Direct CSP partner serving London businesses. If you are weighing a move, see our Microsoft 365 services, our Microsoft 365 licence review and get in touch.