Neither platform is universally better as both are capable, well-supported productivity ecosystems. The more useful questions to ask when evaluating Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace in Australia are: which platform fits your organisation's existing technology, employee workflows, governance requirements and appetite for change, and if switching from the existing platform is worth the additional costs.
Generally, Microsoft 365 tends to suit businesses built around desktop applications, Windows identity and deep integration with existing Microsoft infrastructure.
Google Workspace tends to suit organisations working primarily through a browser, with simpler, cloud native collaboration.
This article compares both platforms across factors to help leaders gain a better understanding of Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace in Australia.
Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace Australia: Quick Comparison
Before comparing cost, security or productivity in detail for both platforms, here is how they compare side by side on the factors that matter most to an Australian business.
Factor | Microsoft 365 | Google Workspace |
Core productivity applications | Desktop-first Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, with web and mobile versions included | Browser-first Docs, Sheets, Slides and Gmail, built for real-time cloud editing |
Email and calendars | Outlook and Exchange, strong for complex scheduling and distribution lists | Gmail and Google Calendar, simple and fast for browser-based teams |
Collaboration and meetings | Microsoft Teams for chat, calls and meetings, integrated with Office apps | Google Meet and Chat, lightweight and built around Docs collaboration |
File storage and document sharing | OneDrive and SharePoint, with strong permission structures for larger organisations | Google Drive, with simple sharing links and shared drives |
Desktop and browser experience | May suit organisations where employees rely on full desktop applications | May suit organisations working mainly through a browser |
Security and administration | Granular, enterprise-grade controls, particularly from Business Premium | Centralised, straightforward admin console with fewer configuration layers |
Device management | Deep Windows device management with Intune | Simpler management, well aligned with Chromebooks and browser-based devices |
Typical organisational fit | Stronger fit where already invested in Windows, Office files and Microsoft identity | Stronger fit for browser-based, cloud-native working environments |
Referring to the table above, an organisation’s existing technology environment matters more than isolated product features. Therefore, the best choice for a platform aligns with how the business and its people work and the applications in daily use in the workplace technology environment.
Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace Pricing and Total Cost in Australia
Microsoft 365 offers three tiers of pricing in Australia. Subscriptions are paid yearly and exclude GST:
- Business Basic: AU $10.50 per user
- Business Standard: AU $21 per user
- Business Premium: AU $47.90 per user
Google Workspace also offers tiered pricing with annual renewals as follows:
- Business Starter at AU $9.90 per user
- Business Standard at AU $19.80 per user
- Business Plus at AU $30.90 per user
The pricing is current as at 2 October 2026; however, these figures change regularly because of promotions. Confirm current rates directly with Microsoft or Google.
The advertised per-user licence price is only part of the real cost when trying to compare Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365, especially for small businesses.
The total cost of ownership also includes:
- Optional or required add-ons
- Security and device-management requirements
- Dependencies on third-party software built around one ecosystem
- Internal IT administration and support time
- Employee training costs and adoption times
- Migration or implementation costs to switch to a new platform
- Unused licences or duplicated applications
- Licence tiers and included capabilities
A lower advertised per-user price does not automatically translate into a lower overall operating cost once these factors are included.
Before assuming a platform switch will deliver better value, review existing licences and their utilisation. Many organisations are already paying for Microsoft 365 tiers, add-ons or duplicated applications they do not fully use. Addressing unused features is often a faster path to savings than a full platform migration.
Productivity, Collaboration and Business Features
In order to get the most value out of a chosen platform, leaders should research exactly how employees use the different features of each platform in their everyday work instead of comparing product names in isolation.
Microsoft 365 may suit organisations that rely heavily on Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and desktop applications, particularly where complex spreadsheets, detailed document formatting, or offline access are part of daily work. Desktop versions of Office applications are more capable for advanced formatting and large, complex files than their browser-based Google equivalents.
Google Workspace is a better fit for browser-first businesses that prioritise simple, real-time, cloud-based collaboration over desktop application depth. Docs, Sheets and Slides are built for multiple people editing the same file simultaneously, with a lighter administrative footprint than a full desktop Office environment.
It may also be advisable to consider how familiar employees are with a platform because of retraining costs. However, relying on familiarity alone to choose a platform is not enough. Leaders have to consider the business impact of each workflow, including productivity, collaboration friction between teams, and the administrative complexity of managing the chosen environment day to day.
The better-fit platform depends on how closely a workplace’s existing applications, device types and ways of working already align with one ecosystem over the other.
Security, Compliance and Governance for Australian Businesses
When evaluating Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 security, neither platform automatically helps the organisation become more secure or compliant. Outcomes depend on the licence tier selected, how the environment is configured, the organisation's own policies, user behaviour, and ongoing administration, not on the platform brand alone.
Leaders should compare the following areas for each platform from a business risk perspective:
- Identity and access controls
- Multi-factor authentication and account governance
- Endpoint and device management
- File permissions and information sharing
- Data retention and governance policies
- Ongoing monitoring and configuration
Microsoft 365, particularly from Business Premium, bundles more granular identity, device and data protection controls as standard.
Google Workspace centralises security and device management through a single admin console, which some organisations find simpler to administer with a small internal IT team.
Where the organisation needs to comply with the Australian Privacy Act or the Essential Eight, requirements differ by organisation, sector and the specific data being handled. Neither platform should be assumed to be universally secure based on marketing claims alone. Assess each platform against the organisation’s own obligations.
An important distinction needs to be made between security capability and security implementation. A well-configured environment on either platform, with appropriate identity and access management, endpoint governance and ongoing administration, will outperform a poorly configured environment. Governance effort, not platform choice alone, is what ultimately determines the outcome.
Which Platform Best Fits Your Existing Technology Ecosystem?
Ecosystem compatibility needs to be the central criterion when evaluating platforms. Before comparing additional capabilities, evaluate the technology environment an organisation already operates, including:
- Windows, macOS and Chromebook device estates
- Existing Microsoft or Google identities
- Microsoft Office file dependencies
- Browser-first working environments
- Existing business applications
- Third-party integrations
- Employee workflows and collaboration habits
- Internal IT administration capability
Microsoft 365 may be the more natural fit for organisations integrated with Windows, Microsoft identity and Office applications, where switching would mean re-platforming identity, device management and a large body of existing files and integrations. Google Workspace may provide a cleaner fit for organisations operating largely through browsers and cloud-based applications, with fewer deep dependencies on desktop software or Windows-specific tools.
Changing platforms affects far more than email and file sharing. A platform change impacts user identities, permissions, integrations, devices and business processes. Each carries risk and implementation effort, which is not included in the cost of licences.
Before considering migration, organisations should identify the specific operational problem a change would solve. If the existing platform is not creating a real problem in the business, ecosystem compatibility on its own is often a strong enough reason to stay, even where the alternative platform looks appealing based on price or features alone.
How Complex Is Migrating Between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace?
Migration is a complex exercise and needs to be factored in when choosing a platform. A move from Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace can involve moving, among other things:
- Email and calendars
- Files and shared drives
- User accounts and identities
- Permissions and shared access
- Document compatibility
- Application integrations
- Employee training and adoption
- Cutover and change management
Some workflows, permissions or application dependencies may require redesign instead of a direct, like-for-like migration, particularly where an organisation has built processes around platform-specific features.
Other factors to consider are: running both platforms in parallel during a transition, duplicated licences during coexistence, and the additional IT administration time a migration project demands, beyond the headline cost of new licences.
Before choosing to move, compare the expected business benefit of switching with implementation cost, disruption and organisational risk. In some cases, improving the existing environment, through better licensing, configuration, governance or adoption, produces a stronger return.
Migration should also not be expected to be seamless, with perfect file conversion or zero downtime. Include a realistic plan for disruption, even when it is kept to a minimum. AVTech's professional services capability supports platform assessment, migration planning, implementation or project support.
Which Platform Is Right for Your Business?
The right platform for your business comes down to the following factors:
- Total cost
- Security and compliance requirements
- Productivity and employee workflows
- Compatibility with the existing technology ecosystem
- The complexity and disruption involved in migrating
- Internal IT capability to support the chosen platform
Microsoft 365 may be the stronger fit for environments already built around Windows, Office applications and Microsoft identity, while Google Workspace may suit organisations built around browser-first, cloud-native collaboration with a lighter administrative footprint.
Many organisations may find themselves remaining on the platform if a potential migration is not solving a real business problem. The cost and disruption of switching may outweigh the benefits even if the alternative looks appealing.
AVTech is vendor agnostic, so our team can assess an organisation's current Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace environment, identify gaps in cost, security or productivity, and help determine the most appropriate path forward, whether that means optimising the existing platform or planning a considered migration.
Talk to an expert about assessing which platform, or which improvements to your current platform, best fit your organisation.
FAQ
Here are some common questions about Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
It depends on the organisation’s technology environment, everyday work and push for migration. Microsoft 365 tends to suit organisations already built around Windows, Office applications and Microsoft identity, while Google Workspace tends to suit browser-first businesses prioritising simple, cloud-native collaboration.
At comparable tiers, advertised per-user pricing is similar between the two platforms. The bigger cost differences come from add-ons, device management requirements, third-party software dependencies and how efficiently licences are used, rather than the headline per-user price alone.
Yes, migration between the two platforms is a well-established process that typically covers email, files, identities, permissions and application integrations. The complexity depends on how the business has built workflows around platform-specific features. Migration should be planned with realistic expectations around disruption and training, not assumed to be seamless.
Not necessarily. If the current platform is not creating a real business problem, such as cost, security gaps or workflow friction that is actively affecting the business, improving licensing, configuration or adoption on the existing platform often delivers a better return than migrating to a new one.
