Reviewing the Platforms
Here’s what’s similar between the two: both Microsoft’s Office 365 and Google’s Workspace (formerly known as G-Suite) offer productivity apps, email, and services. Each suite is licensed per user, per month, with scaled offerings available. They both offer a platform that houses these many tools that drive workplace productivity and collaboration.
Operating System (OS)
Office 365, being a Microsoft product, works optimally on an up-to-date Microsoft Windows OS. The latest apps aren’t going to run well, if at all, on any out-of-date OS. Office 365 also offers versions of their most popular programs that are designed to work on iOS, Android, and Mac. In fact, the Office applications for Mac are the exact same as those for Windows and perfectly compatible. No need to dismiss Office 365 if you prefer Apple devices. Because of their cloud versions, Office 365 is accessible from anywhere through a web browser, not just the desktop where native apps are installed.
Google Workspace, on the other hand, doesn’t favor any particular OS, because it is only accessible through the web. Systems like Chromebooks are designed to work with Workspace, but those machines are limiting for businesses because of their minimized capabilities and storage space beyond cloud access. Workspace has no native apps, but does offer Google for Desktop that helps make programs and files more accessible offline.
Applications
Both suites have a major selling point when it comes to their applications.
For Office 365, the keyword is features. Across the board, each application offers the ability to do more than Workspace in a format that is considered standard in the business world. The Office suite has longevity on its side and it shows. For work that is more complicated than a single-page flyer, short report, or simple chart, you probably need the Office 365 suite. Features like templates, styles, chart options, and formatting choices can help set a document apart.
On the other hand, the pared-down Workspace apps boast instant, seamless collaboration as their main selling point. You may do less in Workspaces, but you can do it together, instantly.