Setting Up a New Business: Should You Choose Google Workspace or Office365?
August 29, 2024
Starting a new business involves making critical decisions that will impact your productivity and communication. One of the first choices you’ll need to make is selecting a productivity suite that fits your needs. Google Workspace (formerly GSuite) and Microsoft Office365 are the top contenders, offering robust tools for email, storage, meetings, and more. But which one is right for your business?
At Zoik, we recognise that each option has its strengths, depending on your specific business requirements. We’ve identified key points about both Google Workspace and Office365 that may be helpful in guiding your decision. This article will break down the key features and considerations, helping you decide whether to go with Google Workspace or Office36
1. Email Accounts: Cost and Flexibility
Google Workspace:
- Cost: Google Workspace offers flexible pricing plans, starting with the Business Starter plan at AUD $8.40 per user per month. This includes custom email addresses for your domain, with multiple email accounts available at a scalable cost.
- Features: Gmail is well-known for its simplicity and powerful search capabilities. Google Workspace also offers robust spam filtering, easy access across devices, and integration with Google Chat and Meet for seamless communication.
- Scalability: As your business grows, you can easily add more users and increase storage limits.
Office365:
- Cost: Office365’s Business Basic plan starts at AUD $7.90 per user per month, offering custom email addresses and other basic features. However, if you require desktop versions of Office apps, the price increases.
- Features: Outlook provides a more traditional email experience with advanced calendaring and task management. It integrates smoothly with other Office365 apps like Teams and SharePoint, which can be advantageous for businesses with complex workflows.
- Scalability: Office365 also offers flexible plans that can grow with your business, but the cost can add up if you need advanced features or desktop apps.
Consideration: If email is your primary concern, both platforms offer strong solutions. Google Workspace may be more appealing if you prefer Gmail’s interface and simplicity, while Office365’s Outlook might suit those who need advanced calendaring and task management.
2. Storage: Cloud vs. Hybrid Solutions
Google Workspace:
- Storage Options: The Business Starter plan includes 30GB of cloud storage per user, which is shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. Higher-tier plans offer more storage, going up to 5TB per user.
- Collaboration: Google Drive’s real-time collaboration features are a strong selling point, allowing multiple users to work on documents simultaneously.
Office365:
- Storage Options: Office365’s Business Basic plan includes 1TB of OneDrive storage per user. This storage is used across OneDrive and Outlook attachments, with additional options for SharePoint for team sites.
- Collaboration: Office365 also supports real-time collaboration, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which are often more feature-rich than Google’s equivalents.
Consideration: If your business needs substantial storage or complex document management, Office365’s offerings might be more suitable. However, if you prefer a straightforward, cloud-based solution, Google Workspace’s Google Drive could be the better fit.
3. Meetings: Communication and Collaboration Tools
Google Workspace:
- Google Meet: Included in all Google Workspace plans, Google Meet allows for video meetings with up to 100 participants (Business Starter), with features like screen sharing, recording, and integration with Google Calendar.
- Google Chat: A streamlined chat tool that integrates with Gmail, providing a simple way to keep in touch with your team.
Office365:
- Microsoft Teams: Teams is a comprehensive collaboration tool that includes chat, video meetings, and file sharing. It’s tightly integrated with other Office365 apps, making it a powerful hub for team collaboration.
- Skype for Business: Though being phased out, Skype for Business is still available in some Office365 plans for video conferencing.
Consideration: If your business relies heavily on video meetings and team collaboration, Microsoft Teams offers more robust features and integration. However, if simplicity and ease of use are your priorities, Google Meet and Chat might be more suitable.
4. Do You Need Office365 Products?
- If You Do:
- Feature-Rich Applications: If your business requires the advanced features of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Office365 is the clear choice. These apps offer more functionality than Google’s alternatives, particularly for businesses that need detailed document formatting, complex spreadsheets, or professional presentations.
- Offline Access: Office365’s desktop applications allow for full functionality even without an internet connection, which might be essential depending on your business’s needs.
- If You Don’t:
- Simplicity and Cost-Effectiveness: If your business can operate effectively with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, Google Workspace may offer everything you need at a lower cost. These tools are particularly well-suited for businesses that prioritise collaboration and cloud-based workflows.
- Ease of Use: Google Workspace’s interface is often seen as more intuitive, which could reduce the learning curve for your team.
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
The decision between Google Workspace and Office365 ultimately comes down to your business’s specific needs:
- Choose Google Workspace if:
- You prefer Gmail’s email interface.
- Real-time collaboration is a priority.
- You want a simple, cloud-based solution with lower costs.
- Choose Office365 if:
- You need the advanced features of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Offline access is important to your workflow.
- You require a more traditional and feature-rich email experience with Outlook.
How Zoik Can Assist
Whether you’re leaning towards Google Workspace or Office365, Zoik is here to help you get started. We specialise in setting up and integrating these productivity suites, ensuring your business has the tools it needs to succeed. From email configuration to storage management and team collaboration tools, we’ll handle the technical setup so you can focus on growing your business. Contact us today to find out how we can streamline your operations with the right solution.