Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace — Which Is Right for Your Business?

This is probably the question I get asked most by Irish businesses. Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace? The honest answer: both are excellent, and the right choice depends on how you work.

Microsoft 365 is the safe bet if your team already knows Word, Excel, and Outlook. It's deeply integrated with Windows, the desktop apps are powerful, and if you need anything beyond basic spreadsheets, Excel is still king. Most businesses I work with in Galway and across Ireland end up on Microsoft 365 because their accountants, solicitors, and partners are all on it. It's just what everyone uses.

Google Workspace shines if your team lives in the browser. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are simpler but incredibly good for real-time collaboration — multiple people editing the same document just works. Gmail's interface is clean, and Google Drive is straightforward. It's also a few quid cheaper per user.

Here's my honest take. If you have fewer than 10 people and don't need advanced Excel features, Google Workspace is brilliant. If you're working with other Irish businesses, dealing with complex spreadsheets, or need Teams for video calls and internal chat, go Microsoft 365.

The good news? Both include email, cloud storage, video conferencing, and collaboration tools. Both are GDPR-compliant, which matters for Irish businesses. You can't really go wrong. And if you pick one and want to switch later, I can handle the full migration without losing a single email.

Not sure which fits your business? Drop me a message and I'll ask you three questions that'll make the answer obvious.