A UK business setting up or moving its productivity tools usually compares Microsoft 365 with Google Workspace. Each provides email, file storage, video meetings and shared documents. The better fit depends on how your teams work, not on a matching feature list.
Where Microsoft 365 wins
Desktop applications. Heavy Excel models, PowerPoint decks for clients and Outlook for mail still favour Microsoft 365. The installed applications go further than Google's versions of the same jobs.
Enterprise integration. Microsoft 365 connects directly to Active Directory, Azure AD, Intune for device management, Defender for security and Power Automate. Identity, devices, security and productivity can sit with one vendor.
Compliance and regulation. Data loss prevention, retention policies and eDiscovery are further along in Microsoft's tooling. Financial services, healthcare and legal teams should treat that as a deciding factor.
Offline access. The desktop applications run fully without a connection. Google's offline mode exists, with a narrower set of features available.
Where Google Workspace wins
Simplicity. Google's interface is cleaner and faster to learn. Docs and Sheets cover everyday writing and numbers when the work doesn't demand Excel-level modelling or heavy presentation design.
Real-time collaboration. Simultaneous editing was a Google design choice from the beginning. Microsoft has closed much of the gap, though it's still Google that many teams find easier for live co-editing.
Cost at lower tiers. Google Workspace Business Starter is priced below Microsoft 365 Business Basic and includes more storage on that entry licence.
Web-first teams. Teams that stay in the browser and skip installed Office apps get a lighter, quicker service from Google.
Pricing comparison (UK, per user/month)
| | Microsoft 365 | Google Workspace | |---|---|---| | Entry | Business Basic: £4.60 | Business Starter: £5.20 | | Mid | Business Standard: £9.40 | Business Standard: £10.40 | | Premium | Business Premium: £17.00 | Business Plus: £15.60 |
These figures move. The two suites stay close at each level, so licence cost is a poor reason to choose.
Automation on the same platform
Power Automate ships with Microsoft 365, so workflow automation can run against the same mail, files and identity your staff already use. For businesses planning to automate repetitive workflows, that shared platform is a practical advantage.
Our recommendation
For most UK SMEs with 10 to 200 employees, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the plan we put forward. It includes the full Office desktop suite, business-grade email, Teams for chat, meetings and calls, Intune for device management and Defender for security. Productivity, communications, security and device control come on the same licence.
Google Workspace is the better match for startups, creative agencies and organisations already committed to Google's tools.
How Wanzo helps
Wanzo deploys and runs Microsoft 365 through our cloud service: mailbox moves, security settings, Teams configuration, Intune enrolment and continuing administration. Cybersecurity sits in the same monthly relationship. If you currently use Google and want to change, we run the migration so mail and files arrive intact and disruption stays low.
What to do next
If you're comparing the two platforms or planning a move from Google, send the details through our contact form. We'll set out which suite fits your operation and what the monthly service would include.