areena gIn 2025, Indian small businesses lost over ₹10,000 crore to cyber incidents, with 68% of breaches linked to poorly secured email and file-sharing platforms.
According to recent data from CERT-In and industry reports, phishing attacks targeting Indian employees have risen by 45% year-on-year, often exploiting the lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) in basic cloud setups.
The problem? Half of Indian SMBs remain confused between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, relying on generic global comparisons that ignore India-specific needs such as DPDP compliance, rupee pricing, and local data centres.
This guide gives you a clear comparison of Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace, feature winners, and a free migration checklist to future-proof your startup or enterprise for 2026 growth.
Why Businesses Choose Mitigata for Microsoft 365 & Google Workspace Management
Mitigata is India’s only full-stack cyber resilience company, trusted by 800+ businesses across 25+ industries. We help you choose, deploy, secure, and manage your entire collaboration environment. Most importantly, we bridge the gap between IT management and financial protection.
What You Get with Mitigata:
- Up to 30% lower pricing than market rates
- Better pricing on your existing Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace plan
- Seamless migration with expert-led implementation
- End-to-end support: procurement, deployment, configuration, and cloud management
- Integration with security, compliance, and cyber insurance solutions
- 24/7 instant support from cyber experts
- Personalised policy setup aligned with Indian compliance requirements
- Ongoing cloud and IT optimisation support
Get Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace With Mitigata
Upgrade, renew, or migrate with Mitigata for a seamless experience at best market prices.
Core Features Breakdown of Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of cloud storage, desktop app access, offline functionality, and AI features to highlight the real difference between Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 for small businesses.
| Category | Microsoft 365 | Google Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Storage | 1 TB per user (Basic/Standard), scalable (Premium) | 30 GB (Starter), 2 TB (Standard), 5 TB (Plus) |
| Desktop App Access | Available in Standard & Premium plans | Not available (Google Workspace is browser-based) |
| Offline Access | Full offline editing via installed apps | Offline access via browser setup |
| AI Features | Microsoft Copilot (add-on) | Gemini AI (included in enterprise plans) |
| Identity & Access Management | Microsoft Entra ID (included in all tiers) | Google Identity (2FA, SSO, Cloud Identity Premium in Enterprise) |
| Threat Protection | Microsoft Defender for Office 365: Anti-phishing, malware, safe links, safe attachments (Business Premium, E3, E5) | Gmail Threat Protection: Spam, phishing, malware filters (Plus & Enterprise) |
| Device Management | Microsoft Intune for MDM & endpoint control (Business Premium, E3, E5) | Basic MDM (Standard), Advanced MDM (Plus & Enterprise) |
Market Reality: Microsoft holds 45% of India’s SMB productivity market, Google Workspace captures 50%, with the remaining 5% using alternatives.
How is Google Workspace different from Microsoft 365?
Google Workspace excels with real-time collaboration and cloud-native simplicity – everything lives in your browser with seamless co-editing in Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Microsoft 365 offers more powerful desktop applications and deeper integration with Windows, making it ideal for enterprises seeking advanced features in Word, Excel, and Outlook with robust offline capabilities.
What’s New with Microsoft 365 & Google Workspace in 2026
Both platforms rolled out significant updates in late 2025 and early 2026, focusing on AI capabilities and better performance for Indian users.
The biggest shift: AI moved from optional add-ons to core features that actually save time.
Google Workspace:
- Gemini 2.0 AI: summarises email threads and generates meeting notes automatically
- Smart Canvas: links tasks directly in Docs and Sheets – assign work without leaving documents
- Improved Meet quality: Optimised for India’s mobile infrastructure, using on 3G/4G networks (30% less bandwidth usage)
- Duet AI for Google Chat: answers questions by searching your entire workspace data
- Instant Translation: Translation into 10 Indian languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Odia) happens instantly in Docs
Pro Tip: To get the best out of Gemini in Sheets, use specific prompts like “Create a table tracking Q1 GST filings for 50 vendors, including columns for Invoice Date, GSTIN, and Status.”
Discover why your leaked data never truly disappears from the dark web and how you can minimise its impact.
Microsoft 365:
- Copilot agents: automate repetitive tasks – email sorting, data entry, report generation (beta in India)
- Excel Copilot: creates financial forecasts from historical data with one prompt
- Teams Premium features: moved to Business Standard (recording, live transcription, custom backgrounds)
- OneDrive Expansion: personal vault expanded to 5GB from 2GB – secure storage for tax documents, contracts
- Windows 11 Pro: now included with Business Premium at no extra cost (₹12,000 value per user)
Real Impact Example: A Nagpur-based manufacturing company with 30 employees saved 8 hours weekly using Gemini to summarise customer email threads. Their sales team responds to quotes 40% faster because Gemini pulls product specs and pricing from past conversations automatically.
Planning to Switch? We Make It Simple for You.
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Pricing of Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 for Small Business
Features are important, but pricing plays an equally important role. Here’s the Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 pricing 2026 comparison on cost.
Note: Prices listed are exclusive of GST and may fluctuate based on the USD-INR exchange rate.
| Category | Microsoft 365 (per month, per user) | Google Workspace (per month, per user) | Cost Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Basic | ₹770 | ₹864 | +12.21% |
| Business Standard | ₹775 | ₹1700 | +119.35% |
| Business Premium | ₹1,830 | ₹2579 | +40.93% |
Hidden Cost Warning:
While Google’s entry price looks higher, Microsoft often requires add-ons for advanced security (Intune) in lower tiers, whereas Google bundles more mobile device management (MDM) features in its Business Plus plan.
Choosing the wrong ISO 27001 tool can slow everything down. Here’s a closer look at the best ISO 27001 tools that truly help teams stay compliant.
Free Trial Comparison
Google Workspace: 14-day trial with zero commitment – no credit card needed, cancel anytime without charges.
Microsoft 365: 30-day trial with full feature access – requires credit card but won’t auto-charge if you cancel before trial ends.
Pros/Cons & SMB Scenarios
Indian SMBs need tools that match real workflows, from remote retail stock syncing to compliance audits. Here’s how Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are the best productivity suites for SMB collaboration.
| Scenario | Google Winner Reasons | MS Winner Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Remote retail / Field Sales | Real-time inventory collaboration; mobile-first interface works better on low-end Android devices. | Desktop Excel for POS; offline access essential for areas with frequent power cuts. |
| Compliance-heavy (GST/DPDP) | Basic audit logs sufficient for internal tracking. | Advanced reporting + e-sign; Microsoft Purview offers superior data classification for DPDP audits. |
| Budget startups (<10 users) | Flexible scaling; easier to manage without dedicated IT staff. | All-in-one bundle (includes Defender security & Windows OS upgrades). |
Overall Verdict:
Google: Seamless remote collab, superior mobile apps, and faster adoption for younger workforces.
Microsoft: Powerful desktop apps, an unmatched security ecosystem (Entra ID), and better for complex hybrid work.
Time for a Better Workspace? We’ve Got You Covered.
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Conclusion
Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are strong options for small businesses in India. Microsoft 365 may suit teams that rely on advanced Excel features, desktop apps, and stronger security controls required for ISO 27001 or DPDP compliance.
Google Workspace may be a better fit for businesses that prefer browser-based tools and real-time collaboration and have a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) culture.
The right choice depends on your budget, workflow, storage needs, and compliance requirements.
Still unsure? Don’t guess with your security.
Book a Free Consultation with Mitigata to audit your current setup and find the most secure, cost-effective path for 2026.
deepthi s
akshit k