G Suite (Google Apps) Vs Office 365

For an updated version of comparing Google 365 please refer to this article Google Workspace Vs Microsoft 365

G Suite vs. Office 365: A Detailed Pricing and Feature Comparison

Businesses are always looking for new ways to help their teams work together while keeping their overhead low. To do this, many administrators choose to use services such as G Suite Vs Office 365 to gain word processing, spreadsheet, and PowerPoint capabilities while connecting their employees with a way to store and collaborate on files. Let’s look at the two major players, G Suite and Office 365. Check G Suite Vs Office 365 Pricing

Features

Both G Suite (Google Apps) and Office 365 offer businesses new productivity methods. Each has competing features that make it appealing to its key demographic and allows employees to create, store, and share documents and files.

G Suite Features

G Suite was formerly known as Google Apps until the end of 2016. This program is Google’s answer to the question of how to help businesses with the tools needed for everyday use and offer a space for employees to work together.

To help employees with the tools they need to create files, G Suite (Google Apps) includes a variety of applications. All the applications are available online and are accessible from anywhere with the user’s G Suite login information. These apps include:

• Docs
• Sheets
• Slides
• Forms

Docs, Sheets, and Slides are the Google equivalent of Office products. Forms is a form-creation program that allows employees to create questionnaires and surveys. Google then analyzes them for you quickly.

While Google sticks to the idea of clean, user-friendly tools, it particularly excels in real-time collaboration. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides make it easy for users to work on the same project simultaneously, with changes and additions visible in real-time. This feature can be crucial for businesses that prioritize teamwork and efficiency. Moreover, the ability to view past versions of documents ensures that no work is ever lost.

Office 365 Features

Like G Suite, Office 365 is Microsoft’s answer to the business need for anywhere access. At the core of the service are the popular and familiar applications. Unlike with Google, some of the Office 365 services offer local copies in addition to web-based versions of the applications.

Web and Desktop Apps include:

• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Outlook

Desktop apps only:

• Access
• Publisher
• One Note

Each desktop application license covers up to five devices such as tablets, phones, PCs, or Macs. It allows employees to load the applications on their mobile devices, work computers, and personal systems used for work purposes.

Microsoft‘s suite offers feature-heavy programs with advanced capabilities, especially in applications like Excel, which is the go-to for complex number crunching and data analysis. This makes Office 365 a preferred choice for organizations that require powerful features and capabilities.

When choosing between these two suites, consider your organization’s specific needs. If real-time collaboration is a priority, G Suite is a strong contender. Conversely, if your tasks demand advanced functionalities, particularly in spreadsheets, Office 365 might be the better option. Each suite offers unique strengths that cater to different aspects of business productivity.

Security (Office 365 Vs G Suite)

Regarding security, both companies work hard to protect their users. Both try to monitor their servers for weaknesses and offer patches as quickly as possible to holes in their infrastructure. Both providers offer HIPAA compliance to their consumers with the appropriate paperwork.

G Suite Security

When it comes to security, Google tries to have their users’ best interest in mind. In fact, Google is not only HIPAA compliant but also certified with ISO 27001, ISO 27018, EY Point, and AICPA/SOC. These certifications highlight their dedication to security.

G Suite (Google Apps) includes Spam, phishing, and malware prevention. It also has brand phishing defense as part of its security infrastructure.

On the user-controlled side, administrators can turn on two-step verification which forces users to use an alternate code in addition to their log-in credentials to access their files. Administrators also control the single-point sign on to unify access to other enterprise cloud applications and management of mobile devices.

Additionally, Google offers data loss protection (DLP) to allow administrators to protect proprietary information from being emailed to outside sources. Any messages that contain the information set in the DLP is either blocked from being sent or quarantined. Quarantined emails alert the sender to allow them to remove any sensitive data before sending.

Office 365 Security

Like Google, Microsoft ensures company data is secure. Microsoft uses service-side encryption to protect data both at rest on servers and during transfers between the user’s device and Microsoft’s servers.

When the files are on the servers, Office uses both file-level and volume-level encryption. Multiple types of encryption protect data in transit. This encoding includes Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) and Transport Layer Security (TLS). Microsoft uses third-party auditors to verify their cryptography independently.

Along with TLS and IPsec, Microsoft uses Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) to filter potentially dangerous email messages from company Office 365 inboxes (available on select plans). The protection keeps spam, viruses, and malware out without having to set additional settings.

Additionally, Microsoft offers the same two-factor authentication that Google provides their customers. The authenticating code arrives by text, phone call, or using a mobile application. Clients using two-factor authentication may also need application passwords to use non-browser based clients such as Outlook or Skype for Business.

G Suite Vs Office 365 Pricing

G Suite Vs Office 365 Pricing offer a tiered business system that allows clients to pick the best plan for their company.

G Suite

G Suite has three plans for businesses to choose from. All options come with a 15-day free trial.

Plan Name Cost per User per Month Basic $5 Business $10 Enterprise $25 The Basic Plan includes:

• Email
• Video and Voice Conferencing
• Shared Calendar
• Docs, Sheets, Slides
• 24/7 customer support via email, phone, or online
• Security admin controls
• 30GB storage

Business Plans include everything from the Basic plan plus:

• Unlimited Cloud (or 1TB per user if there are fewer than five users)
• Smart search across G Suite with Cloud Search
• Archive and set retention policies for email and chats
• eDiscovery for email, chats, and files
• Audit reports to track activity

Enterprise Plans include everything from Business and Basic plans plus:

• Data Loss Prevention for Gmail
• Data Loss Prevention for Google Drive
• Hosted S/MIME for Gmail
• Integrated Gmail with Compliant 3rd Party Archiving tools

While G Suite’s pricing is straightforward, offering increased features with each tier, it’s worth noting the nuances. For instance, unlimited cloud storage is only available if your team exceeds five users; otherwise, you’re capped at 1TB. This can be an essential consideration for smaller teams looking for expansive storage.

Office 365

Office 365 also has a tiered solution for companies to choose from. There are three primary plans to accommodate businesses with 300 or fewer employees. Microsoft also offers Enterprise level plans for larger corporations. Business Premium, E3, and E5 Enterprise plans come with a 30-day free trial.

Small Businesses

Plan Name Cost Per User Per Month (Annual) Cost Per User Per Month (monthly) Business Essential $5.00 $6.00 Business $8.25 $10.00 Business Premium $12.50 $15.00 Business Essential includes:

• Online web apps of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• 1 TB OneDrive storage per user
• Skype for Business
• Exchange
• SharePoint
• Teams

Business includes:

• Online web apps of Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Desktop apps of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, and Publisher
• 1 TB OneDrive storage per user

Business Premium includes everything from the essential plan plus:

• Desktop apps of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, and OneNote

The Business Essential plan is cost-effective at $5 per user per month, offering core functionalities primarily through web apps. However, for those needing desktop versions, the Business plan at $8.25 offers a robust suite of applications. The Premium plan, while slightly more expensive, provides the most comprehensive package with desktop tools and additional collaboration features.

Enterprise Level

Plan Name Cost Per User Per Month (annual) E1 $8.00 Pro Plus $12.00 E3 $20.00 E5 $35.00 E1 includes:

• Online applications of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• 1TB OneDrive per user
• Hosted Email 50GB
• SharePoint
• Video Conferencing for up to 250 people
• Skype Meeting broadcast for up to 10,000 people
• Teams
• Manual retention/deletion policies
• Tasks
• Planner
• 24/7 web/phone support
• No limit to number of users

Pro Plus includes:

• Desktop apps of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, and Publisher
• Online applications of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• 1TB OneDrive per user
• 24/7 web/phone support
• No limit to number of users

E3 includes everything found in the E1 tier plus:

• Desktop apps of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, and Publisher
• Unlimited OneDrive Storage
• Yammer messaging
• eDiscovery with in-place search, hold, and export
• Schedule management with StaffHub

E5 includes all E3 benefits plus additional security measures and calling features such as:

• Exchange Online Advanced Threat Protection
• Custom lock box for mail access control
• Advanced data governance
• Organization analytics
• Phone system with add-on calling plan
• Audio conferencing with a dial-in phone number.

Office 365’s Enterprise plans offer varying levels of functionality, with the E1 plan providing essential online tools and the E3 plan stepping up with desktop applications and unlimited storage. The E5 plan, priced at $35, includes advanced security and analytics, making it ideal for large organizations needing comprehensive solutions.

No matter if you choose to go with G Suite or Office 365 for your business needs, it is crucial that you back up information created and stored in these services. CloudAlly offers continuous backup for all your employees using either G Suite or Office 365. Both start at $3 per user per month or $30 per user per year.

The choice between G Suite and Office 365 often comes down to specific business needs and the importance of features like offline access, storage capabilities, and security requirements. While G Suite may offer simplicity and straightforward pricing, Office 365 provides flexibility, particularly for companies needing extensive desktop tools.

Is it Possible to Use Both G Suite and Office 365 in an Organization?

Absolutely! Organizations can effectively integrate both G Suite and Office 365 into their operations. By leveraging the strengths of each, it’s possible to cater to different project needs.

Many companies choose to utilize G Suite for its robust collaboration tools, while opting for Office 365 when dealing with tasks that benefit from its specialized applications. This dual approach ensures that teams can maximize productivity and tap into the unique advantages each suite offers.

For instance, collaborative projects might thrive with G Suite’s real-time editing and sharing capabilities. On the other hand, data-intensive tasks might benefit from Office 365’s powerful data analysis tools. By strategically employing both, organizations can tailor their approach to suit particular objectives and team preferences, ultimately enhancing overall efficiency and flexibility.

Final Considerations When Choosing Between G Suite and Office 365

Deciding between G Suite and Office 365 boils down to understanding your organization’s unique needs and priorities. Here’s a breakdown to guide your decision:

1. User Experience and Simplicity
   • If your team values a straightforward, intuitive interface with essential features, then G Suite might align better with your goals. Its design emphasizes ease of use, making it an appealing choice for those who prioritize a seamless user experience.
2. Feature Set and Accessibility
   • For organizations that require a robust set of features and flexibility in accessing tools both online and offline, Office 365 excels. Its wide array of functionalities caters to those familiar with traditional desktop applications, providing comprehensive tools for productivity and collaboration.
3. Functionality vs. Collaboration
   • While Google’s tools are celebrated for their real-time collaboration features, Microsoft’s offerings are known for their powerful, established functionalities. Consider what aspect—whether it’s refined capabilities or real-time teamwork—is more critical for your projects.
4. Hybrid Approach
   • Don’t overlook the option of integrating both suites within your organization. Many businesses enjoy the distinct advantages of both platforms by employing Office 365 for certain tasks and G Suite for others. This hybrid approach can maximize productivity, tailoring solutions to specific project requirements.

Ultimately, your choice should reflect the specific demands of your organization, whether that’s the ease of collaboration, the extent of functionalities you require, or a blend of both platforms to leverage their respective strengths.

No matter if you choose to go with G Suite or Office 365 for your business needs, it is crucial that you back up information created and stored in these services. CloudAlly offers continuous backup for all your employees using either G Suite or Office 365. Both start at $3 per user per month or $30 per user per year.

Try out our ROI calculator – Figure out the cost of not backing up your data.