Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Features with Seamless Collaboration
Just how much do you need out of a word processor? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends upon what you are trying to achieve.
When thinking about whether your business needs to use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the distinction between each's data processing applications might be the make or break aspect.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both serve as cloud-connected composing centers, however the importance of your documents might form your decision.
As users will see across M365 and Workspace, the difference in between desktop and web apps has to do with balancing a few of Microsoft's deeper features and Google's focus on collaboration.
In this post, we will take a look at the differences in between Word and Docs, breaking down how the benefits and disadvantages of each could affect your workflow.
Pricing
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, monthly, and have various tiers of pricing. As it refers to Word and Docs, the distinction in tiers usually just impacts storage area and availability of the Word desktop app.
The desktop apps are not readily available through Microsoft's Business Basic plan ($ 5/user/month), so users at that level will need to be pleased with Word Online.
Microsoft uses its apps for as low as $8.25/ user/month, but users then lose out on other functions like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange Online.
Every Google Workplace membership comes with all its web apps. Google does not have downloadable desktop apps, and all need to be run out of a web browser.
As for how much drive storage is available across all these memberships, see the graphic below:
A grid showing the rates and storage capabilities of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Text files are not likely to make much of a dent in your overall storage, except maybe on Google's starter plan with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of space on Microsoft's many low-cost offering would be ample to house all of your Word documents and plenty more.
In general, the features throughout both M365 and Workspace will identify which one of these costs works for you.
Functions
Not every company requires extensive features for writing documents, but if you use your word processor to compose more than one-page reports, there is a possibility you will.
Google Docs is a great application for university student who want to have the ability to compose basic papers with little format that they can access from anywhere they have a web connection.
Anything more than that, and Docs doesn't compare the power of Word. It all boils down to if Docs suffices.
Docs does have some features that Word online does not, like the ability to edit text designs that you use regularly, along with an insertable table of contents.
The desktop variation of Word has all the features missing from its online offering, suggesting they need to be added after the collective aspect of the document is completed.
Nevertheless, Google's offering does not allow for particular modifications to paragraph spacing or paragraph marks at all.
Word also has a deep library of templates that assist to produce the most visually striking documents you can. This makes style easy, as the user only needs to change placeholder text and images, and input brand colors.
With the help of artificial intelligence, Word Ideas will make use of all its additional features to help users develop the best file possible. This includes the design and composing in overall.
For example, Ideas might suggest a header format instead of manually bolding and centering text. Text suggestions may be to get rid of jargon or abbreviations in favor of clearer wording.
Consider this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than just right grammar, making your voice clearer.
Possibly most significantly, Word and its desktop apps provide performance across platforms. Those utilizing Microsoft 365 can easily incorporate their PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets and charts, and other media from the M365 suite into their files, and vice versa.
Additionally, as soon as files reach a specific length, like in the case of research study or manuscripts, Google Docs ends up being weighed down. Word is more proficient at handling long-form documents without lag.
Considering that lots of services are already utilizing variations of Microsoft applications, this permits much better crossover when working with other business.
M365 users will likely have fewer concerns opening files from other business, a million of which likewise use Word worldwide.
When it concerns functions, Word and all of Microsoft 365 will take the crown.
Desktop apps have the capacity to house much more functions than a web app, which can be seen throughout M365 and Workspace as a whole.
Collaboration
The applications within Microsoft 365 were developed as specific, totally formed programs, with the capability of online partnership included later on in their life. Meanwhile, Google Workspace was constructed with collaboration in mind, leaving some of the heftier features behind.
Both offerings can be edited by multiple people simultaneously, saving to the chosen drive nearly immediately.
Word lags somewhat in comparison to Docs, especially when working out of the desktop app. Initially, it was not possible to send out a collective link in Word online, however that function has actually given that been included.
It is likewise simpler to share files quickly through Docs, and the ability to alter permissions for other users appears right away when trying to share.
That feature is just a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you must conserve the file to OneDrive to prevent versioning problems.
While the gap isn't as big as some will make it seem, Google Docs is certainly much better for collaborating within business. It is important to keep in mind that you may encounter compatibility problems with other business that do not utilize Docs. Though Google has stated it will present compatibility with Microsoft files considering that the launch of their web apps, they are yet to provide on that pledge.
Given that cooperation has actually been a centerpiece during COVID-19, expect both suites to continue to focus on growing in this location.
Verdict
So, just how much does a business need in their word processor? It depends on the intensity of your files.
If you generally just remember or compose short internal documents, it might behoove you to benefit from the collaborative aspects of Google Docs.
If your organization exports longer manuscripts for exclusive research study or uses extremely specific format, you'll definitely need Microsoft Word. If your company is it solutions gold coast sending documents to other services, Word and 365 must ensure compatibility.
The word processors are just one piece of the Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace productivity suites.
It is likely that you are not making your decision based solely on these applications, but the features discovered on Word might be definitely needed and force you toward M365.
IT Support Guys has actually leveraged the power of Microsoft 365 because 2008 when it was still called Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), and we have actually continued our partnership up until the present day.