Google Office vs Microsoft Online: Deciding on the best one for you

With almost everything moved to ‘online’ it’s not surprising that our favourite productivity tools are there as well. Of course, that now means that we have a choice between programs. It’s time to answer that “age old question” (from 2006 🤣) Google Office vs MS Office.

For me comparing Google Office to the full Microsoft Office (inc desktop apps) – Microsoft will win out, simply because it’s got more features.

To be fair, let’s focus on comparing online to online, so that’s Google Suite to Microsoft Office Online.

Price

Let’s start with the rather ‘large elephant in the room’…

Everyone knows that Google Docs is free, which is one of the reasons that it’s so popular.

Microsoft 365 is a paid subscription – making it the more expensive to the two.

However, when you create a free Microsoft Account, it comes with storage space in OneDrive and the Office Online Suite, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote as well as email with Outlook on the Web.

That means that in terms of price – Microsoft Online matches Google Office.

Applications

So we’ve got free versions of the office suite from Microsoft and Google.

There’s got to be a big difference between the programs that’s available in the suites?

Let’s take a look:

So far they are evenly matched.

However, when you look at the list in Google’s suite, there’s a lot more applications, as you take a closer look, they aren’t specific to having a Google Account.

For example:

• Search – that’s referring to the search that we all know and use everyday
• Maps – again this is Google Maps that everyone can use
• YouTube – one of the most popular video sites

Based on the table – there isn’t really a difference between the number or type of programs that you can use between Google and Microsoft.

If you want a deeper comparison between the applications of M365 and Google take a look here: Matching Microsoft and Google Applications

Interface

This is one place that Google and Microsoft are completely different.

Google Workspace

Here, Google is using the classic option of menus that expand down with all of the available commands. With the key or most popular on the toolbar for quick access.

Microsoft Office Online

Sticking with their decision back in 2007, Microsoft’s Office Online uses a version of the Ribbon interface.

The Ribbon splits out the options from a drop-down list, and includes most of them as icons on screen.

Matching it’s desktop counterpart, the ‘new’ simplified ribbon is the standard view, which displays less options on screen, sticking to the ‘most popular ones’. The three dots at the end of the line includes the extra commands.

Note: You can switch it back to the classic ribbon to see all of the available commands. This is my preference 😃.

What do you prefer?

At the end of the day, it’s up to you what you prefer.

Which one are you most comfortable using?

Menu or Ribbon – which means that you can quickly and easily find the options that you need.

Navigating between Applications

Once you’re in the productivity (or office) suite, how easy is it to move between the applications?

Google

Looking at the pages, it seems to change, depending on where you are.

Drive – You can easily create or open files from any of the program (Docs, Sheets, Slides etc).

With a File Open – I can’t see an easy way to go from a Docs files straight to Sheets for example.

From the Program Home Screen – however, if you are on the main or home screen of one of the apps (e.g. Docs), then you can click on the menu option (the lines in the top left corner) to quickly and easily move to another program, including Drive.

So, it feels a bit ‘hit and miss’, depending on what part of the suite you are looking at/working in.

Microsoft

Across every web page in the Office Online or Microsoft Portal is the App Launcher.

It’s the 9 dots icon, in the top left corner, and let’s you move between the available programs.

To see more, take a look at the video on my YouTube Channel: How to quickly launch Office apps using the App Launcher

Your Preference

As with the navigation, it does depend on what you are used to working with.

I find the App Launcher in Microsoft gives me the ability to open and move between the different programs quickly and easily. Whereas, with Google, I need to be in the right location (Drive or the Program Home Screen) to have the same option available.

Next Steps

Overall, when you compare Google office vs Microsoft office, there isn’t really that much difference between them.

The biggest difference (across all the apps) is the navigation Ribbon or Menus – and that’s personal preference plus what you’re used to.

For me – I didn’t like the ribbon when it came out, but as of writing, that’s now 16 years (😲) ago. I’ve become used to using it. However, me being me, I’ve found it a bit slower, but easy enough to go back to a menu format.

Perhaps looking at each of the main productivity programs in turn will help…

Working Online Posts

Google Office vs Microsoft Online: Deciding on the best one for you (current post)

What online word processor is best for you?

How to choose your favourite online spreadsheet

What’s the best online slides program?

Recent Posts

• 
  ChatGPT: The Ultimate Time-Saving Sidekick for Small Business Owners
  Hello, fellow small business warriors! Now, unless you’ve been living under a rock (or perhaps buried under a pile of invoices), you’ve probably heard of ChatGPT for business. It’s the AI chatbot people can’t seem to stop talking about. But what can it actually do for you, the small business owner? Let’s break down the… Read more: ChatGPT: The Ultimate Time-Saving Sidekick for Small Business Owners
• 
  AI Assistants Under The Microscope: A Trainer’s Meta-Experience
  I wanted to write a first introductory blog to explain what’s happening or happened this month. There’s been a lot of talk about AI and there are now a range of options on the market. I thought it would be interesting to join my voice to everybody else. Time to share some thoughts and options… Read more: AI Assistants Under The Microscope: A Trainer’s Meta-Experience
• 
  Why virtual desktops are great for screen sharing
  When it comes to screen sharing, there’s a really useful feature built into today’s operating systems. Yes, it’s both Windows and Mac –  virtual desktops. Let me explain what I mean and how you can use it when screen sharing. What is a Virtual Desktop? A virtual desktop is like having multiple computer screens or… Read more: Why virtual desktops are great for screen sharing
• 
  Is your desktop prepared for unexpected screen sharing?
  Screen sharing has become a standard part of our working practices, ever since online meetings became the norm. But what about when you get an unexpected screen sharing request? Here are several things to consider before you start the share. Have the apps and/or files already open When you click on the share option, you’ll… Read more: Is your desktop prepared for unexpected screen sharing?
• 
  How to Choose Between Window and Full Screen Sharing
  With the rise of online meetings, has come the popularity of using the screen sharing option. Whether it’s to show colleagues what you’re working on, or to give advice, or assistance with something. One question that I get asked or there’s confusion about – should I be using a window or full screen? You can… Read more: How to Choose Between Window and Full Screen Sharing

office online vs google, google office vs microsoft office, google vs ms office, microsoft office vs google office