Microsoft 365 · Guide
Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for an Irish SME?
Both platforms give a small business professional email on its own domain, file storage, video calls and office apps. The better choice depends on how your team works today, who you share files with, and how you want devices and security managed.
Updated · Nexus Digital Ireland
What both give you
- Business email on your own domain, such as you@yourcompany.ie.
- Calendars, contacts and shared mailboxes or groups.
- Cloud file storage and sharing.
- Video meetings and chat.
- Office apps for documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
- Multi-factor authentication and admin controls.
Where they differ
- Office apps
- Microsoft 365 includes desktop Word, Excel and PowerPoint on Business Standard and above. Google Workspace works mainly in the browser with Docs, Sheets and Slides. Complex Excel files with macros do not run in Google Sheets.
- Microsoft 365 uses Outlook; Google Workspace uses Gmail. Many people simply prefer the one they already know.
- Working with others
- If customers, accountants or partners send Word and Excel files, Microsoft 365 avoids conversion problems. Teams already working in Google Docs often stay in Google.
- Device management
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes Intune for managing Windows, Mac and phones. Google Workspace manages devices too, with more features on higher editions.
- Windows sign-in
- Microsoft 365 links company Windows laptops to the same work account, which simplifies set-up and leavers.
- Data location
- Microsoft's EU Data Boundary keeps EU customers' data in the EU. Google offers data region controls on some editions. Check the plan if this matters to you.
How to decide
- Choose Microsoft 365 if your team relies on Outlook, desktop Excel or Word, you exchange Office files with customers, or you want Windows laptops managed with the same accounts.
- Choose Google Workspace if your team already works in Gmail and Google Docs, mostly in a browser or on Chromebooks, and rarely needs desktop Office apps.
- Consider what software you already use: accounting, CRM and industry tools often connect better with one platform.
Avoid paying for both. A common waste is Microsoft 365 licences for the Office apps alongside Google Workspace for email; one platform usually covers both.
Switching from one to the other
Email, calendars, contacts and files can be moved either way. The work is mostly planning: listing every mailbox, alias, shared inbox and device, choosing a quiet time to switch, and helping people on the first day. Staff need a short introduction to the new apps.
How Nexus helps you choose and move
Nexus Digital recommends a platform after a short conversation about how your team works, then sets it up or moves you across.
- An honest recommendation for your business, not a default answer.
- Migration from Google Workspace, hosted email or another Microsoft 365 account.
- Devices, signatures and email records set up so everything works on day one.
Questions
Is Microsoft 365 better than Google Workspace?
Neither is better for every business. Microsoft 365 suits teams that rely on Outlook and desktop Office apps; Google Workspace suits teams that work mainly in the browser.
Can we move from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365?
Yes. Email, calendars, contacts and files can be moved, usually with a planned switch at a quiet time.
Can Google Workspace open Word and Excel files?
Yes, Docs and Sheets can open and edit them, but complex formatting and Excel macros may not work as they do in the Microsoft apps.
Which is cheaper for a small business?
It depends on the plans and on what each person needs. Compare the plans your team would actually use, and include any separate Office licences you would no longer need.
Related guides
Microsoft 365 Business Basic vs Standard vs Premium
Most small businesses need one of three Microsoft 365 business plans. The right choice depends on whether people need the desktop apps and how much security and device management the business needs, and you can mix plans in one account.
Read the guide →Microsoft 365 security checklist for small businesses
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Read the guide →