
Security and Functionality at the Service of Your Organization
Our IT company’s primary focus is to provide the highest level of security for our clients. We understand that data protection, identity management and resilience to cyber threats are the foundations of the modern working environment. At the same time, we know that user convenience and rich functionality of tools supporting daily work are equally important.
In addition to advanced security features, Microsoft 365 E5 offers a wide range of utility applications such as Outlook, Teams, Planner, To Do and many others. These tools significantly increase productivity and facilitate team collaboration, making the platform a more comprehensive choice compared to Google Workspace Enterprise.
In this article, we provide a detailed comparison of the two platforms, taking into account both their security capabilities and usability benefits. The following overview will help you decide which platform is best suited to your organization’s needs.
Main Differences: Security and Functionality
Below is a detailed comparison of key areas between Microsoft 365 E5 and Google Workspace Enterprise, including both technical and usability aspects.
Table 1: Identity and access management
Criterion | Microsoft 365 E5 | Google Workspace Enterprise |
---|---|---|
Enhanced identity management | Azure AD Premium P2 with PIM and Identity Protection | Google Cloud Identity with Context-Aware Access |
Access control with elevated privileges | Yes (Privileged Identity Management – PIM). | Not |
Automatic detection of identity threats | Yes (Identity Protection) | Not |
Table 2: Data protection
Criterion | Microsoft 365 E5 | Google Workspace Enterprise |
---|---|---|
Classification and data protection | Yes (Information Protection) | Not |
Data leakage prevention (DLP). | Yes | Yes |
eDiscovery tools | Advanced (Advanced eDiscovery) | Basic (Google Vault) |
Table 3: Protection against threats
Criterion | Microsoft 365 E5 | Google Workspace Enterprise |
---|---|---|
Automatic Investigation and Response (AIR) | Yes | Not |
Advanced email protection | Yes (Microsoft Defender for Office 365) | Basic |
Protection against phishing and zero-day attacks | Advanced | Limited |
Table 4: Device management
Criterion | Microsoft 365 E5 | Google Workspace Enterprise |
---|---|---|
Device management | Advanced (Microsoft Intune) | Basic (Google Endpoint Management) |
Application protection policies | Yes | Not |
Multi-platform support | Yes (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) | Yes |
Table 5: Compliance and regulation
Criterion | Microsoft 365 E5 | Google Workspace Enterprise |
---|---|---|
Compliance management | Advanced (Microsoft Compliance Center) | Basic |
Visibility and control of cloud applications | Yes (Microsoft Cloud App Security) | Not |
Audit tools | Advanced | Basic |
Utility functionality: the advantage of Microsoft 365 E5
Microsoft 365 E5 isn’t just about security – it’s also about a rich portfolio of utility tools that support productivity and team collaboration. Here are the key applications that set the platform apart:
- Outlook: The leader in email and calendar management.
- Teams: a comprehensive video conferencing, chat and collaboration tool.
- Planner: Intuitive project planning.
- To Do: Personal Task Management.
- Excel, Word, PowerPoint: the most recognized and advanced office tools.
Google Workspace Enterprise also offers tools such as Gmail, Google Meet and Google Docs, but their functionality is limited compared to that of Microsoft Office.
Here is a price comparison of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace plans , taking into account both the lowest and highest options available:
(price comparison as of January 20, 2025, prices are subject to change)
Microsoft 365
Plan | Price per user/month | Description |
---|---|---|
Microsoft 365 Business Basic | €5,60 | A basic plan for businesses, including Office Online applications, 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage space and email. Microsoft |
Microsoft 365 Business Standard | €11,70 | A plan that includes full versions of Office applications for installation on computers, 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage space, and email. Microsoft |
Microsoft 365 Business Premium | €20,60 | An advanced plan for businesses, offering full versions of Office applications, advanced security and device management features. Microsoft |
Microsoft 365 E3 | €37,70 | A plan for large organizations that includes full versions of Office applications, advanced management and compliance features. Microsoft |
Microsoft 365 E5 | €59,70 | The most advanced plan, offering a full suite of office applications, advanced security, compliance and analytical tools. Microsoft |
Google Workspace
Plan | Price per user/month | Description |
---|---|---|
Business Starter | $6,00 | A basic plan for small businesses, including 30 GB of storage space per user, a corporate email address and basic collaboration applications. Google Workspace |
Business Standard | $12,00 | A plan offering 2TB of storage space per user, a corporate email address, video meetings for 150 participants and additional collaboration features. Google Workspace |
Business Plus | $18,00 | An advanced plan with 5TB of storage space per user, a corporate email address with archiving features, video meetings for 500 participants, and enhanced security and management features. Google Workspace |
Enterprise | Determined individually | The most advanced plan with 5TB of storage space per user (expandable), corporate email address with S/MIME encryption, video meetings for 1,000 participants, and advanced security, management and compliance features. Pricing determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the needs of the organization. Google Workspace |
Notes:
- Microsoft 365: Prices quoted in euros (€); subject to change depending on region and licensing terms.
- Google Workspace: Prices quoted in U.S. dollars ($); subject to change depending on region and licensing terms.
When choosing the right plan, it is worth considering not only the price, but also the features offered, the level of support and the organization’s specific needs in terms of security, compliance and collaboration tools.
Summary and Recommendation
Microsoft 365 E5 is a better choice for organizations that:
- They prioritize security and advanced identity management.
- They need a rich set of office tools to support their daily work.
- They expect comprehensive device management and regulatory compliance.
Google Workspace Enterprise may be suitable for organizations with fewer needs for advanced security and with simpler functional requirements.