For many companies, trying to choose an online productivity service from either Google or Microsoft can be a challenge. After all, Google Business Apps provides several products to get your employees working over the Web. But Microsoft’s Office Web Apps, while in its infancy, makes for a simple solution to quickly produce Office documents, spreadsheets, or PowerPoint presentations.
Although there are several features that are similar between Google Business Apps and Office Web Apps, the solutions also have many differences. And determining your company’s needs, and how they’ll be met by one service or another, is paramount to making a strong decision on which product to go with. Realizing that, we’ve decided to break down the essential features that you’ll want to consider in choosing either Google Business Apps or Microsoft’s Office Web Apps for your enterprise. This side-by-side comparison gives you a one-stop overview of functionalities and is not meant as a critical review or endorsement of any company’s products or services.
SideXSide: Google Business Apps or Microsoft Office Web Apps
Features |
Google Business Apps |
Office Web Apps |
Price |
$50 per user per year |
Free |
Word, Excel, Powerpoint support? |
Yes |
Yes |
E-mail support? |
Yes |
No |
Online storage support? |
Yes |
Yes |
Document Style handling |
Limited |
Fully Functional |
Same functionality as local option? |
Does not match Office local power |
Does not match Office local power |
Calendaring? |
Yes |
No |
Mobile editing? |
Yes, through Google App |
Yes, through several apps |
IT management functionality | Control user access, turn services off, and more included with basic package. | Available for volume license holders with SharePoint Server/Foundation. |
Source: CIO Insight, November 2010