Suites, bundles, packages… You know the right tools will work wonders for your productivity and business growth—but which ones are the right ones?
The two biggest competitors for your business are Microsoft 365 (known until recently as Office 365) and G Suite. At first glance they might seem similar, and in many ways, they are. However, you should consider their key differences before deciding which one to go for. Sherweb is here to help you make the right investment!
ICYMI: G Suite is now Google Workspace
What’s included
Microsoft 365
It’s the applications you know, and then some. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook—the gang’s all here. And they’re available in both web and desktop versions for those of us who still like access to local copies of their documents.
For video calls and messaging, there’s Teams, a sleeper hit of the Great 2020 Work-From-Home Revolution. This tool is very user-friendly and allows up to 250 participants per call.
Also included is SharePoint, the ultimate collaboration application. It provides a secure environment for employees to work on the same document, store and share files.
G Suite
Google’s brand authority is undisputed. Their communication and data management solution includes popular applications such as Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets and Slides. Chances are you‘re already familiar with some of these!
Video calls are possible via Hangouts. While the maximum number of participants might be lower (only 25), the overall experience is smooth and seamless.
For storage, there is Google Drive. Widely regarded as the benchmark of cloud storage solutions, it offers superior data security.
Keeping your data secure
Microsoft 365
ISO27001, ISO27018, SSAE 16, FISMA, HIPAA BAA, EU Model Clauses, and Cloud Security Alliance. Yes, Microsoft 365 complies with all of these standards. On top of that, there are server-level encryptions.
The features don‘t stop there, however. An additional layer of security is provided thanks to two-step verification.
G Suite
Nothing to scoff at, either. In addition to being HIPAA compliant, G Suite also boasts SO 27001, ISO 27018, EY Point, and AICPA/SOC certifications. Two-step verification is also available.
And if all the spam and phishing attempts drive you crazy, we have good news: G Suite features special protection to ensure these annoyances will soon become but a distant memory.
Accessibility and storage
Microsoft 365
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Sure, Microsoft 365 offers subscription-based access to online apps, but if you like things a bit more conventional, the offline functionalities are still very much available. No internet connection necessary!
For storage, you get 1 TB of space with the Business Essentials plan. That’s plenty, but you can always buy more if needed.
G Suite
Although known for being entirely cloud-based, some G Suite apps are accessible offline—it just takes some configuration. Administrators can manage and set policies for offline access for various users, but there are a few limitations to consider such as having to use Google Chrome, for example.
While that may sound worrisome, if you do not envisage issues with staying online, chances are it won‘t even matter to you. Basically just less stuff to download and manage on your laptop!
Storage options depend on the plan you choose. With the Basic plan, you get 30 GB including email space. But if you buy more than five user accounts under the Business plan, each user gets unlimited storage. It’s up to you to decide how much space you need and which plan works best.
How much?
Microsoft 365
Ah, yes, the all-important question. With Microsoft 365, there are options to suit all budgets.
Business Essentials, Business, and Business Premium are plans intended for companies with fewer than 300 people. The difference between Business Essentials and Business plans lies mostly in the fact that the Business plan also comes with the desktop versions of the applications.
For large companies, there’s the Enterprise option with various plans available.
G Suite
There are three plans for you to choose from: Basic, Business and Enterprise.
All include the essential communication tools, but the Basic plan comes with a storage limit. The Enterprise plan, on the other hand, includes handy features such as data loss prevention for Gmail and Google Drive.
Which one’s for you, then?
When it comes to productivity and streamlining, both Microsoft 365 and G Suite are solid options. Can you go wrong? Perhaps not, but you want to make absolutely sure you go right! To summarize:
Microsoft 365 is for you if…
- you have a few hundred employees
- you regularly need to work off a native computer
- you are a more conventional organization that prefers tried-and-tested methods of productivity management
- you have been using Microsoft Office applications for a while
- you have a well-established IT infrastructure
G Suite is for you if…
- you are a startup
- you are a relatively small company
- you are looking to keep costs low
- you want branded email through Google’s Gmail
- you need an easy-to-handle, hassle-free solution
Of course, you’re free to mix and match as you see fit. More and more companies opt to use both suites to streamline their operations. One thing is for sure—to grow your business, you need to suit(e) up!
