--- title: "Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace | StartCloud" description: "Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace? A fair comparison on apps, collaboration, security, cost, and fit, plus what switching involves, for businesses." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "LocalBusiness", "ProfessionalService" ], "@id": "https://startcloud.au/#business", "name": "StartCloud", "legalName": "Start Technologies Pty Ltd", "alternateName": "StartCloud Australia", "identifier": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "propertyID": "ABN", "value": "17 676 121 449" }, "slogan": "Go Beyond", "description": "StartCloud is Perth's cybersecurity-first AI MSP: managed IT, Essential Eight security, Microsoft 365 and cloud, networking, and practical AI for Australian businesses with 5 to 50 staff.", "url": "https://startcloud.au", "logo": "https://startcloud.au/og-image.png", "image": "https://startcloud.au/og-image.png", "telephone": "+61862850001", "email": "web@startcloud.com.au", "priceRange": "$$", "currenciesAccepted": "AUD", "paymentAccepted": "Invoice", "foundingDate": "2023", "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+61862850001", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "AU", "availableLanguage": "English" }, "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Ground Floor West, 6 Gibberd Road", "addressLocality": "Balcatta", "addressRegion": "WA", "postalCode": "6021", "addressCountry": "AU" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": -31.8648813, "longitude": 115.8095638 }, "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "07:00", "closes": "16:30", "description": "General support hours" }, { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday", "Sunday" ], "opens": "00:00", "closes": "23:59", "description": "Security Operations Centre (SOC) with 24/7/365 threat monitoring" } ], "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Perth" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "Western Australia" }, { "@type": "Country", "name": "Australia" } ], "serviceArea": { "@type": "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": -31.8648813, "longitude": 115.8095638 }, "geoRadius": "50000" }, "knowsAbout": [ "Cybersecurity", "Managed Security Services", "Essential Eight", "Microsoft 365", "Microsoft Azure", "IT Support", "Network Security", "Disaster Recovery", "Compliance Management", "Microsoft Copilot", "AI Readiness", "AI Governance", "AI Agent Development" ], "hasOfferCatalog": { "@type": "OfferCatalog", "name": "IT and Cybersecurity Services", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Cybersecurity Services", "url": "https://startcloud.au/cybersecurity" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Managed IT Services and Support", "url": "https://startcloud.au/technology" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Microsoft 365 and Cloud Solutions", "url": "https://startcloud.au/cloud" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Managed Networking", "url": "https://startcloud.au/networking" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "AI and Automation", "url": "https://startcloud.au/ai" } } ] }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/startcloudau", "https://www.facebook.com/startcloudaus/", "https://www.cloudtango.net/providers/12375/startcloud", "https://clutch.co/profile/startcloud", "https://abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View?abn=17676121449", "https://www.yellowpages.com.au/balcatta-wa/bpp/startcloud-581735301", "https://www.truelocal.com.au/balcatta-wa/tlp/startcloud-581735301", "https://www.google.com/maps/place/StartCloud/@-31.8648767,115.8069889,739m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x2a32a5b5d9e864b5:0x9f02690968f0e50c!8m2!3d-31.8648813!4d115.8095638!16s%2Fg%2F11vzbgtytj" ] }, [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://startcloud.au/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Resources", "item": "https://startcloud.au/resources" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace", "item": "https://startcloud.au/resources/microsoft-365-vs-google-workspace" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is Microsoft 365 better than Google Workspace?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Neither is universally better; they suit different businesses. Microsoft 365 tends to win where Office compatibility, desktop apps, and deep security and compliance matter, which covers most Australian SMEs. Google Workspace shines for teams that work entirely in the browser and value its collaboration style. The right answer depends on how your team actually works." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you switch from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 (or back)?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Email, files, and calendars can all be migrated, and it is a well-trodden path. The work is in planning it so nothing is lost and the disruption to staff is minimal. A managed provider handles the migration and the cutover." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which is more secure?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Both can be secured well, and both can be left wide open with default settings. The bigger factor is configuration. Microsoft 365's security stack (Entra ID, Defender, Purview) maps closely to the Essential Eight, which is why it is a common choice for Australian businesses with compliance needs." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which does StartCloud recommend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In the interest of being upfront: we are a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner, so we deploy and manage Microsoft 365 day to day and know it deeply. That said, if Google Workspace is genuinely the better fit for how your team works, we will tell you. The goal is the right tool for your business, not a default." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace: which is right for your business?", "description": "A practical comparison of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace on apps, collaboration, security, cost, and fit, plus what switching involves.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "StartCloud", "url": "https://startcloud.au" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "StartCloud", "url": "https://startcloud.au", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://startcloud.au/startcloud-logo.png" } }, "datePublished": "2026-07-06", "dateModified": "2026-07-06", "image": "https://startcloud.au/og-image.png", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://startcloud.au/resources/microsoft-365-vs-google-workspace" } } ] ] --- [![StartCloud](/assets/StartCloud-Logo-ByZE1kzP.svg "StartCloud: Cybersecurity-First Managed IT Services Perth")](/ "StartCloud | Managed IT Services Perth") - Cybersecurity - AI Solutions - Cloud - Technology - Networking - Explore [Contact Us](/contact "Contact StartCloud, Perth IT Support") Open menu Overview Short Version Side by Side When M365 When Google Switching Verdict FAQ Related A comparison of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for small and mid-sized businesses. Covers core apps, collaboration, offline and desktop use, security and compliance, cost, and which suits which kind of business, plus what switching between them involves. Microsoft 365 tends to fit businesses that live in Office files or need deep security and compliance; Google Workspace suits browser-first teams. StartCloud is a Microsoft Solutions Partner and says so. [Home](/)[Resources](/resources)M365 vs Google Workspace Cloud Platforms Guide A fair comparison, with our bias disclosed # Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace: which is right for your business? Both are excellent, and both will run your business well. The real question is which fits the way your team actually works. Here is a straight comparison across the things that matter, and an honest note on where we stand. StartCloud 6 July 2026 8 min read The short version ## The short version **Microsoft 365 tends to win for businesses that live in Office files, run Windows devices, or need deep security and compliance.** That describes most Australian SMEs. **Google Workspace shines for browser-first teams** who value its collaboration style and do not need the desktop Office apps. Our disclosure up front: we are a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner, so we know M365 best. If Google is genuinely the better fit for you, we will say so. Side by side ## How they compare Dimension Microsoft 365 Google Workspace Core apps Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, the tools most businesses already know, in both desktop and web versions. Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail, browser-first and genuinely good, but not the desktop Office apps. Collaboration Strong real-time co-authoring, with Teams as the hub for chat, calls, and meetings. Real-time collaboration is Google's heritage and it shows; Meet and Chat cover communication. Offline & desktop Full desktop apps that work offline and handle very large or complex files without fuss. Web-first; offline works but is less seamless, and heavy spreadsheets can strain. Security & compliance Deep controls through Entra ID, Defender, and Purview, and a strong fit for Essential Eight alignment. Solid security and admin controls, though the Microsoft stack tends to map more directly to Australian compliance frameworks. Cost Per-user tiers; mid and upper tiers bundle serious security and device management. Per-user tiers, often simpler to reason about, but security depth sits behind higher plans. Best fit Businesses that live in Office files, want tight security and compliance, or run Windows devices. Teams that work almost entirely in the browser and value Google's collaboration style. When Microsoft 365 fits ## When Microsoft 365 is the better choice If your team already works in Word and Excel, exchanges Office files with clients, or runs Windows laptops, Microsoft 365 removes friction. The desktop apps handle complex documents and large spreadsheets that browser tools can struggle with, and everything feels familiar from day one. It is also the stronger fit where security and compliance matter. The Microsoft security stack maps closely to the [Essential Eight](/cybersecurity/essential-eight), and tools like Copilot add real productivity once your data is well organised. For most Australian SMEs, this is where they land. When Google Workspace fits ## When Google Workspace is the better choice If your team works almost entirely in the browser, rarely touches a desktop Office file, and values Google's fast, real-time collaboration, Workspace is a genuinely strong choice. It is clean, quick to pick up, and its sharing model is hard to beat for lightweight documents. It suits businesses that grew up on Gmail and never developed a deep dependence on Office formats. The main things to weigh are whether you exchange complex Office files with others, and whether your compliance obligations push you toward the Microsoft stack. Switching ## What switching actually involves Moving between the two is well-trodden. Email, files, and calendars all migrate, and the technical part is rarely the hard bit. The real work is planning the cutover so nothing is lost and staff are not left confused on the Monday morning. A good migration maps your existing data, runs the transfer in the background, and switches everyone over cleanly with support on hand for the first week. It is exactly the kind of project we run for Perth businesses through our [Microsoft 365 service](/cloud/microsoft-365). Verdict ## So, which should you choose? For the majority of Australian small and mid-sized businesses, Microsoft 365 is the safer default: it fits how most teams already work, and its security and compliance depth is hard to match. Google Workspace is the better pick for browser-native teams who value its collaboration and do not need Office compatibility. The honest advice is to choose based on how your people actually work, not on habit or hype. We are a Microsoft Solutions Partner and it is what we deploy and secure day to day, so we know it deeply, and we will still tell you if Google is the right call for your situation. [Explore Microsoft 365](/cloud/microsoft-365)[Talk through your options](/contact) FAQ ## Common questions ### Is Microsoft 365 better than Google Workspace? Neither is universally better; they suit different businesses. Microsoft 365 tends to win where Office compatibility, desktop apps, and deep security and compliance matter, which covers most Australian SMEs. Google Workspace shines for teams that work entirely in the browser and value its collaboration style. The right answer depends on how your team actually works. ### Can you switch from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 (or back)? Yes. Email, files, and calendars can all be migrated, and it is a well-trodden path. The work is in planning it so nothing is lost and the disruption to staff is minimal. A managed provider handles the migration and the cutover. ### Which is more secure? Both can be secured well, and both can be left wide open with default settings. The bigger factor is configuration. Microsoft 365's security stack (Entra ID, Defender, Purview) maps closely to the Essential Eight, which is why it is a common choice for Australian businesses with compliance needs. ### Which does StartCloud recommend? In the interest of being upfront: we are a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner, so we deploy and manage Microsoft 365 day to day and know it deeply. That said, if Google Workspace is genuinely the better fit for how your team works, we will tell you. The goal is the right tool for your business, not a default. Keep reading ## Related pages [ Service ### Microsoft 365 Deployment, migration, security, and ongoing management from a certified Microsoft partner. Service ](/cloud/microsoft-365)[ Service ### Cloud Services Microsoft 365, Azure, and Copilot, deployed with security built in for Perth businesses. Service ](/cloud)[ Service ### Microsoft Copilot Get real productivity from AI in Microsoft 365, once your data is set up for it. Service ](/cloud/copilot) ![StartCloud](/assets/StartCloud-Logo-ByZE1kzP.svg "StartCloud: Cybersecurity-First Managed IT Services Perth") Cybersecurity-led IT for Australian businesses. We manage security, compliance, and modern IT environments, so risk is governed, not guessed. 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