Although Microsoft Office has ruled the business world, Google’s productivity suite has increasingly taken the world – much of which has something to do with its additional features. Since Microsoft Office and Google Suite are direct competitors, we will tell you everything that you need to know regarding Microsoft Office vs Google Suite, along with recommending a perfect alternative software for you to use.
What is Microsoft Office?
When it comes to Microsoft Office vs Google Suite, you will want to first understand what Microsoft Office is all about. Initially, Microsoft Office was designed to make manual tasks easier – but – today the Suite is available to use on mobile, web, and desktop and comprises so much more as the software now houses intuitive and powerful applications.
What does Microsoft Office Include?
Microsoft Office is not only used by businesses but anyone who needs to write something, create a presentation, or make calculations and organize a massive database.
Since its launch, Microsoft Office has added many features. Apart from the initial features of Word, Excel, and PPT, Microsoft Office includes the following applications:
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote allows you to take notes before you forget them. Using this feature, you can also share your notes with others. You might want to look at Microsoft OneNote in terms of a digital notebook where the application automatically syncs and saves notes.
Microsoft Publisher
Another great feature that has been added to the Microsoft Office suite is the Microsoft Publisher, which is a publishing program that emphasizes page design and page layout. Microsoft Publisher includes templates for calendars, newsletters, and business cards.
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is primarily used as an email application, but it is so much more as it helps you manage information, coordinate your calendar, and manage your contacts, journals, and browsing sessions.
To use Microsoft Office, you can choose between the desktop version (Microsoft Office) and the web version (Microsoft 365).
Microsoft Office Reviews
Regarding Microsoft Office vs. Google Suite, we know that Microsoft Office has been ruling the world since its launch, and before 2006, when Google tugged along, there was no competition in the market.
Here are the pros and cons of Microsoft Office
Pros:
Flexible software solution
The download of the latest version is always available
Enjoy elite security features, such as encrypted email, mobile device management, and data loss prevention.
Accessible from anywhere and anytime.
Enables smooth collaboration
Cons:
Not everyone can afford the monthly subscription fees.
Frequent updates might break compatibility.
Constant updates can cause constant changes.
What is Google Suite?
When it comes to choosing between Microsoft Office vs Google Suite for your needs, you will want to understand what Google Suite is all about. Essentially, the web application of Google Suite has been created by Google, enabling users access to various strong Google applications, including Hangouts, Docs, Sheets, Calendar, etc.
What features does Google Suite include?
Generally, Google Suite provides two things to your business: a Gmail account for your company and complete Office software for your company. With Google Suite, you will get access to powerful apps, such as Google Calendar, Drive, Forms, Docs, Sheets and Slides.
Have a look at the applications below:
Google Calendar
You can use Google Calendar to keep an eye on your schedule and to keep track of the upcoming and past days. You can use Google Calendar to schedule anything, including work and personal-life-related appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
Google Docs/ Sheets
Google Docs and Google Sheets perfectly explain why individuals and organizations cannot make up their minds regarding Microsoft Office vs. Google Suite. Using Google Docs and Sheets, you can create, edit, and share important files.
Google Forms
You can avail of the feature of Google Forms using Google Suite, which is an amazing tool for creating surveys and questionnaires. Google Forms enables you to create accessible forms that you can share with the relevant people, who can then access and fill the forms from anywhere.
Google Suite Reviews
Regarding the question of Microsoft Office vs Google Suite, you will want to understand the pros and cons of this suite.
Pros:
Easy-to-use UI
Enables smooth collaboration
Accessible anywhere, anytime
Offers loads of amazing apps
Cons:
Loads of Third-Party integrations
Heavily reliant on being connected to the internet
Can, at times, sandbox users
Microsoft Office vs Google Suite
When it comes to making a decision regarding Microsoft Office vs Google Suite, you already know that both are productivity tools that allow you and your business to perform common tasks in the Cloud or a desktop application.
Microsoft Office provides a comprehensive range of desktop applications, which might as well be the primary reason for users to prefer Microsoft Office over Google Suite. Now, if people were to choose Google Suite, the primary reason would be all about interoperability. Also, the aspect of Google Suite being cloud-based prompts users to make the most of the collaborative working style.
The shared productivity tools for Microsoft Office and Google Suite enable the following tasks:
Creating spreadsheets, PPTs, and documents
Managing calendars
Sending emails
File management
Reasons to Choose Microsoft Office over Google Suite
The essential reasons to choose Microsoft Office over Google Suite include the following:
Provides Desktop Apps
Microsoft Office provides cloud-based and desktop apps, meaning you can download and install programs on your device rather than browsing online.
The cloud-based and desktop apps of Microsoft Office are a crucial determining factor when it comes to Microsoft Office vs Google Suite, as Microsoft Office gives you more flexibility regarding your workflow. It also makes the editing of documents when you are offline so much easier.
Better Editing Options
Another reason why Microsoft Office could be a better choice is the fact that Microsoft Office is a better option for the editing of complex MS documents. Microsoft Office Apps, such as Word and Excel, are the default productivity tools for worldwide business, which makes it nearly impossible to create files without them.
Compared to that, the functionality of Google Suite might be delimited.
Apps Appear More Sophisticated
The Microsoft Office Suite apps are more sophisticated when it comes to Microsoft Office vs Google Suite. You will find that the Microsoft Apps are more feature-rich as these use all the power of the computers that they are installed on.
Regarding Microsoft Office vs Google Suite, you will find that the trial for Microsoft Office is much longer. The Microsoft Office trial lasts for a month, whereas the Google Suite trial only lasts two weeks.
Reasons to Choose Google Suite over Microsoft Office
Now let us have a look at the potential reasons why you would want to choose Google Suite over Microsoft Office:
Create Workspace
In the battle of Microsoft Office vs Google Suite, Google Suite wins because Google Suite lets you create a workspace along with Microsoft documents. On the other hand, Microsoft Office doesn’t let you create Google Workspace.
Great Collaboration
In its essence, Google Suite has been built with collaboration in mind. It wouldn’t be wrong to state that Google Workspace is essentially a collaboration-focused solution. Compared to the offline collaborative features of Microsoft Office, the collaborative features of Google Suite are more intuitive, stronger, and facilitate online collaboration easily.
Easy Maintenance of Google Suite
When people are confused about Microsoft Office vs Google Suite, they sometimes tend to align with Google Suite because this cloud-based Suite is easier to use, maintain, and support. The thing is that Google Suite is entirely web-based, which means that there is nothing to install or update.
Cost of Microsoft Office vs Google Suite
Check out below the difference of cost for Microsoft Office and Google Suite:
Best Free Alternative to Microsoft Office – WPS Office
Even though Microsoft Office and Google Suite dominate the markets, as you might have already found out through the assessment of Microsoft Office vs Google Suite, you can immensely benefit from choosing a free alternative suite – WPS Office.
The free alternative of WPS can help you improve productivity and creativity and offer a wide range of tools and features that make it one of the best alternatives out there. For instance, WPS Office enables seamless integration with OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox, along with including the following:
PDF Editor
Spreadsheet Software
Word Processor
PPT Software
Features of WPS Office Suite
You can avail the following features with WPS Office Suite:
Accessibility to free templates
Powerful PDF toolkit
Free use if PPT, Excel, and Word without Ads
The unique features of WPS Office Suite are as following:
WPS Reviews
Pros:
WPS Office supports MacOS, Windows 7,8,10,11, and mobile devices.
Offers an abundance of free templates.
Offers great PDF editing features
Friendly user-interface that is similar to MS Office
Enables syncing with multiple devices
Enables cloud storage
You don’t have to subscribe to avail its desktop version
Cons:
Potential PDF features limitations with the free version.
FAQs
Question 1: What do you get with free Microsoft Office?
Answer: Microsoft Office offers a free trial of a month and gives users access to PPT, Word, Excel, OneNote, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Publisher. Students and teachers can sign up and use Microsoft Office Suite for free.
Question 2: What is the difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021?
Answer: Office 2021 is essentially a one-time purchase that provides users with a perpetual license for using the software. On the other hand, Microsoft 365 is based on subscription and integrates regular updates, extra features, and integration with cloud-based services.
WPS Office – A Brilliant Alternative to Microsoft Office and Google Suite
The comparison of Microsoft Office vs Google Suite has advantages and disadvantages. For instance, you cannot use Google Suite offline, and you will have to pay a monthly subscription fee to make the most of Microsoft Office, so you can get the best of both worlds with WPS Office.
WPS Office is a comprehensive Office enriched with the best features that can improve your work efficiency. With WPS Office, you can seamlessly collaborate, create, and edit PDFs, Word, and Spreadsheets in one place.
