Google drive vs. microsoft Sharepoint

What Solutions Is Best For Your Business





When it comes to starting a business there is no way around getting some kind of cloud storage. Basically there are only two choices out there. Being a modern digital nomad using MacOS I naturally chose the cool disrupting one. But is Google really the best solution to store and manage your data or does Microsoft have an edge after all?




First of all, you gotta understand that neither Google Drive nor Microsoft SharePoint are stand-alone products. Unlike dropbox, they are part of a suite (hence Google G Suite aka Google Workspace) and they come with heaps of integrations. Simply put, in addition to cloud storage you get office applications, calendar, mail, chat and call functionality. For a detailed comparison of Google Workspace & Microsoft 365 Business refer to this article. 




Google Workspace Overview


Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is a suite of cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools developed by Google. It includes a range of applications such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Meet, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms, and Google Sites, among others.

The main aim of Google Workspace is to provide a unified platform for teams to communicate, collaborate, and share files with each other. Google Workspace is designed to be used by businesses, schools, and other organizations, and offers a range of features that help to increase efficiency, streamline workflows, and improve collaboration.

Google Workspace offers a range of collaboration tools that allow teams to work on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real-time. It also provides features such as email, video conferencing, and task management, making it a complete suite of productivity tools.

Google Workspace also provides a range of security and data protection features, such as two-step verification, data loss prevention, and email encryption. It is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, and provides easy access to files, emails, and other important data, even when offline.

Overall, Google Workspace is a powerful and versatile platform that can help organizations to increase productivity, improve collaboration, and streamline workflows.



Microsoft SharePoint Overview


Microsoft SharePoint is a web-based platform for collaboration and document management, developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft 365 suite and is designed for enterprise-level organizations.

SharePoint provides a range of features for document management, team sites, intranet portals, and business process automation. It allows teams to store, organize, and share files, as well as collaborate on projects, and manage tasks and workflows.

SharePoint also provides a range of customization options, including the ability to create custom web parts and solutions using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This makes it a flexible platform that can be tailored to the specific needs of each organization.

In addition to document management and collaboration, SharePoint also offers features such as search, content management, and business intelligence. These features allow teams to quickly find the information they need, and gain insights into business data and performance.

SharePoint is designed with security and data protection in mind, and offers a range of features to help organizations comply with data protection regulations and secure their data.

Overall, Microsoft SharePoint is a powerful and versatile platform that can help organizations to improve collaboration, manage content, and streamline workflows. It is particularly suitable for larger organizations with complex document management and collaboration needs.



Target Audience


Google Drive and Microsoft SharePoint are both cloud-based file storage and collaboration platforms, but they have different purposes and target audiences:

Google Drive is a part of the Google Workspace suite and offers file storage,document collaboration, and file sharing features for individuals and teams. It integrates with other Google apps like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, making it a powerful tool for teams that use Google's suite of productivity apps.


Google Drive

Microsoft SharePoint is a part of the Microsoft 365 suite and is designed for enterprise-level collaboration and document management. It offers features for document management, team sites, intranet portals, and business process automation, making it a more robust platform for larger organizations.


Microsoft SharePoint



In summary, both platforms have their own strengths and are designed for different use cases. Google Drive is more suitable for basic file storage and collaboration, while SharePoint is more suitable for larger organizations with more complex collaboration and document management needs.



File Storage & Handling


In terms of managing and storing your files the two take a slightly different approach. Google Workspace advertises flexible storage options, data loss prevention and endpoint management - some of which are only included in the higher priced plans, so better pay attention to the fine print. Microsoft SharePoint brands itself as mobile, intelligent intranet with seamless collaboration. The focus here really goes beyond simply storing your files in the cloud. You can implement workflows and go over and above files and folders by using libraries. 

Google Workspace includes Google Drive, which provides cloud-based storage for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other files. Google Drive includes 30GB of storage per user, with the option to purchase more storage as needed. Files can be easily organized, shared, and collaborated on in real-time with multiple users. Google Drive also integrates with other Google Workspace tools, such as Google Docs and Google Sheets, allowing users to access and edit files directly from the drive.

Microsoft 365 includes OneDrive, which is a cloud-based file storage and sharing service. OneDrive provides 1TB of storage per user, and files can be easily organized, shared, and collaborated on with other users. OneDrive integrates with other Microsoft 365 services, such as Office apps and Teams, making it easy to access and edit files directly from the drive.

Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 allow users to access files from anywhere and on any device, and offer robust security features to protect files and data. However, OneDrive offers more storage per user compared to Google Drive.

Ultimately, the choice between the two platforms will depend on the specific needs and requirements of each organization, including the amount of storage required, the level of security needed, and the specific features and tools required for file handling and collaboration.

One more thing to add in terms of handling files. Both Google (Google Drive)  as well as Microsoft (OneDrive) have a MacOs Finder Extension. Which is an app you download to your laptop. And then. Like magic. No need to use the browser anymore, you can easily manage files and folders within your Finder (or Explorer for that matter) like you normally would. However, for whatever reason, OneDrive doesn’t always work well for me. Sometimes it is stuck uploading a file like FOREVER. The only solution seems to be to delete the file in Finder and then upload it manually online in the browser. That never happened to me with Google Drive. Which might be because… Well. Microsoft and Apple don’t always work well together.


When it comes to storing files and file types in the cloud, Google as well as Microsoft do not distinguish between the type of files you upload. You can store anything and everything. Just opening everything directly in the browser will not be possible.


And right here lies the fundamental difference between Google and Microsoft. Google developed everything for online use. There is no laptop or desktop application you can download for Google Sheets or Google Docs. Even when you open a file via Google Drive Finder Extension it still opens in a browser. The files live online. All you need is internet access. In this way, collaboration is seamless. No applications are needed. And that’s the beauty of it. And at the same time the worst nightmare. As with the powerful Microsoft apps more complex solutions can be analyzed and processed with e.g. MS Excel compared to google sheets.

Straightforward, it needs to be pointed out that Google does not offer the same functionality as Microsoft Office. Google's solutions are somewhat complete but not as advanced as MS Office. For professional use, sometimes Sheets and Docs are really lacking functionalities which can be pretty annoying at times. But in general and for use with your own business it is fully sufficient. It is even more intuitive and just feels easier to handle. Nevertheless, it takes some getting used to not having an app open and running in the background. With Google, as already mentioned, it is all in the browser. 



Pricing

For simplicity, we will be looking at solutions for small businesses. With the lowest price tag. Both services are sold as subscriptions. Per User. As of 2022, the following “low tier” plans are being offered.  

Google Workspace and Microsoft SharePoint both offer a range of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets starting at $6 per user per month for the Basic plan, and $12 per user per month for the Business plan. The Enterprise plan is available for larger organizations and includes additional security and management features, with prices starting at $25 per user per month.

Microsoft SharePoint is part of the Microsoft 365 suite, and its pricing depends on the specific Microsoft 365 plan chosen. Prices for the Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan start at $5 per user per month, while the Business Standard plan starts at $12.50 per user per month. For enterprise-level organizations, the Microsoft 365 E3 plan starts at $32 per user per month, and includes access to advanced features such as SharePoint, Exchange, and Teams.

In general, Microsoft SharePoint is more expensive than Google Workspace, but it offers a more comprehensive set of features and is designed for larger, enterprise-level organizations. Google Workspace is more suitable for small to medium-sized businesses and offers a more affordable pricing model.

It's worth noting that both Google Workspace and Microsoft SharePoint offer free trials for their services, allowing organizations to try out the platforms and determine which one best meets their needs and budget before committing to a paid plan.


Let’s now take a closer look at the lowest priced tiers.

The cheapest plans of Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are the Basic plan of Google Workspace and the Business Basic plan of Microsoft 365. These plans offer a basic set of features for individuals and small businesses.

Google Workspace Basic includes access to Gmail, Google Drive with 30GB of storage per user, Google Calendar, and video conferencing with Google Meet. It also includes basic productivity tools such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, but does not include advanced collaboration and management features.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic includes access to Exchange email, online storage with OneDrive, and the online versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It also includes video conferencing with Teams, and file sharing and collaboration features. However, it does not include the full set of features available in the Microsoft 365 suite, such as SharePoint, PowerApps, and Power BI.

Comparing the cheapest options, Microsoft 365 Business Basic seems to be the better choice. You get more attendees for Video Calls and much more cloud storage compared to Google Workspace. For me, 100 participants per call is more than enough - at least for the time being. But having 1,7 TB more storage available that clearly tips the scale towards Microsoft.

However, it's important to consider the specific needs and requirements of each organization when comparing the two plans. While Microsoft 365 Business Basic is more affordable, it may not include all the features that an organization needs. On the other hand, Google Workspace Basic offers access to Gmail and Google's suite of productivity tools, but does not include advanced collaboration and management features.



Conclusion

In conclusion, it's difficult to say definitively whether Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 is better as it depends on the specific needs and requirements of each organization. Both platforms offer robust file storage and handling features, and allow users to access and collaborate on files from anywhere and on any device.



In other words. Whether to choose Google or Microsoft is partially depending on the type of business you run and what service you provide. If you are in an industry where your clients are mainly using Microsoft Office products I tend to recommend Microsoft 365 Business. 


I am in a line of work where most clients are using Windows and Microsoft products. But I am using MacOs and have Google Workspace. Is it perfect? Not always. Is it working? Definitely! That being said. Taking into consideration that Microsoft 365 Business Standard comes with web and desktop versions for Mac and Windows… You probably should go with Microsoft. 


Also, as you can read in this article, there are some other strong points that tip the scale towards Microsoft. 


But still. I chose Google Workspace. I like the look and feel of Google Drive. It is somehow more clean, easier on the eyes and more intuitive to use. Also, I like Google and what it represents. It is not perfect. But neither is Microsoft.