Google Workspace vs Microsoft Exchange

by Gralio Feb 20, 2025

Google Workspace and Microsoft Exchange offer distinct approaches to business communication and collaboration. Google Workspace provides a cloud-based suite, while Exchange focuses on on-premise email management. Workspace excels in integration and accessibility, while Exchange offers robust control and advanced email features.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 2573 reviews and 60 websites, saving 14 hours, 47 minutes of reading.

Google Workspace

Website LinkedIn Twitter

Microsoft Exchange

Website LinkedIn Twitter

About

Google Workspace is a suite of online productivity and collaboration tools for businesses of all sizes. It includes popular apps like Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet and more. Google Workspace aims to provide a seamless and integrated experience for communication, document creation, file storage, and team collaboration, all accessible from any device with an internet connection. It stands out with its user-friendly interface and strong collaboration features.

Microsoft Exchange is email software for businesses that you install and manage on your own computer systems. It allows employees to send, receive, and organize emails, calendars, and contacts. Exchange is known for its reliability and features designed for searching and managing large amounts of email, making it a popular choice for mid-sized to large companies.

Summary

Main difference

Google Workspace is a cloud-based suite of applications while Microsoft Exchange is primarily an on-premise email server solution. Google Workspace is better for businesses seeking a comprehensive suite of integrated cloud-based tools, while Exchange is better for organizations prioritizing on-premise control over their email infrastructure.

Relative strengths of Google Workspace (compared to Microsoft Exchange)

Strong integration across Google apps like Gmail, Drive, and Docs.
Accessibility and collaboration from anywhere with an internet connection.
User-friendly interface and easy setup.

Relative weaknesses of Google Workspace (compared to Microsoft Exchange)

Limited offline access compared to desktop-based applications.
Potential concerns regarding data privacy and Google's data practices.
Fewer advanced email management features compared to Exchange.

Who is using Google Workspace and Microsoft Exchange?

Brendan Hufford

SaaS Marketing - Growth through Content, Community & SEO

Brice Maurin

CEO&Founder La Growth Machine

Adam Robinson

CEO @ Retention.com & RB2B

Fivos Aresti

Partner @ ColdIQ

Rob Timmerman

Founder of a 20-year-old full-service digital agency

Show all 7 stacks

No data

Who should use Google Workspace VS. Microsoft Exchange

Google Workspace offers a comprehensive suite of applications like Gmail, Docs, and Drive, enabling seamless collaboration and communication. Users praise its user-friendly interface and robust features, particularly its integration with Google Classroom and virtual backgrounds. However, some users have reported occasional service outages and limited offline access.

Microsoft Exchange is a reliable on-premise email solution for businesses needing robust features and control over their data. Users praise its powerful scripting and seamless integration with other Microsoft products. However, some find the pricing high and the configuration complex. Ideal for mid-sized to large companies prioritizing security and in-house management.

Ideal for small, medium, and enterprise businesses seeking enhanced productivity and collaboration.
A strong fit for industries like Healthcare, Finance, Education, and more.

Best for medium to large businesses.
Suitable for a wide range of industries.

Google Workspace and Microsoft Exchange features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Secure email environment

Supported

Google Workspace offers robust protection against spam, malware, and phishing attempts.

Supported

Exchange Online offers protection against spam, malware, and phishing via EOP and ATP.
Custom business email

Supported

Google Workspace allows custom business emails using your domain.

Not supported

Exchange supports custom email domains, but not through Gmail.
Shared calendars

Supported

Google Workspace supports shared calendars for efficient scheduling and booking, facilitating team coordination.

Supported

Microsoft Exchange supports shared calendars for team scheduling and efficient time management.
Productivity Tools Integration

Partially supported

Google Workspace supports integration with Google Drive natively, but integration with Dropbox would require third-party integrations or workflows.

Partially supported

Exchange integrates with OneDrive, but not directly with Google Drive or Dropbox.
Shared workspaces

Supported

Google Workspace supports the creation of shared workspaces for teams to organize and collaborate on documents through its Shared Drives feature.

Not supported

Exchange supports shared meeting rooms, but not shared workspaces for documents.
Team workspaces

Supported

Google Workspace supports team collaboration on surveys through Google Forms.

Partially supported

Team workspaces are not supported directly, but can be achieved via Microsoft Teams or SharePoint integration.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

+0.01

Neutral sentiment

-1

Strongly negative sentiment
Customer Service

+0.32

Rather positive sentiment

+1

Strongly positive sentiment
Ease of Use

+0.9

Strongly positive sentiment

+1

Strongly positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

+0.48

Rather positive sentiment

+0.5

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Implementation

+0.63

Rather positive sentiment

+1

Strongly positive sentiment
Scalability

+0.33

Rather positive sentiment

No data

Google Workspace and Microsoft Exchange Pricing

Google Workspace offers flexible pricing plans based on the number of users. All plans include a suite of productivity and collaboration tools, including Gmail, Drive, Meet, Calendar, Chat, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Keep, Sites, Forms, and AppSheet. Users can choose from four plans: Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, and Enterprise. Each plan offers different storage limits, meeting participant limits, and additional features.

Plans

User sentiment

Neutral

+0.01

See full Pricing page

No data

User sentiment

Strongly negative

-1

We couldn't find a pricing page for Microsoft Exchange.

Google Workspace and Microsoft Exchange review insights

2573 reviews analysed from

Users love

Seamless integration with Google Classroom.
User-friendly interface.
Excellent collaboration features.
The virtual background feature is great.

Powerful scripting capabilities enabling extensive customization.
Seamless user experience with a good GUI and easy-to-use PowerShell commands.
Intuitive and user-friendly interface for email management.
Robust security features, including malware protection and anti-phishing measures.
Excellent integration with other Microsoft products like Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive for Business.

Users dislike

Occasional service outages are a concern.
Limited offline access.
Google sheet is not as feature rich as MS Excel.
Can\'t upload large files to Drive.

Cumulative updates can sometimes cause issues and require downtime for installation.
High pricing, potentially needing to be lowered.
Complex configuration, especially for Exchange Online services.
Steep learning curve for advanced features and full functionality.
Limited integration options with non-Microsoft platforms.

Google Workspace and Microsoft Exchange Ratings

G2

4.6/5

(2518)
Glassdoor

3.5/5

(2)

G2

4.6/5

(57)

Company health

Employee growth

No data

3% increase in the last year

Web traffic

No data

11% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data

How easily does each product integrate with existing in-house infrastructure?

Google Workspace integrates easily with other Google services and offers various APIs for integration with existing infrastructure. It also supports common protocols for email and calendar integration. Microsoft Exchange, being an on-premise solution, requires more hands-on integration with existing infrastructure. While it offers APIs and integration capabilities, it may necessitate more IT resources and expertise for seamless integration compared to the cloud-based Google Workspace.

Which product offers better control over data security and privacy compliance?

Microsoft Exchange, being on-premise, offers organizations greater control over their data and security infrastructure, enabling tighter control over data access and compliance requirements. While Google Workspace boasts robust security features, its cloud-based nature means some aspects of data control are managed by Google. For organizations with stringent regulatory requirements or specific security needs, the direct control offered by on-premise Exchange can be advantageous.

What are the advantages of Google Workspace?

Google Workspace offers a comprehensive suite of cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools, including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides, accessible from any device. Its user-friendly interface and seamless integration between applications promote efficient teamwork and streamlined workflows. Compared to on-premise solutions like Microsoft Exchange, Google Workspace eliminates the need for server management and reduces IT overhead.

What are the disadvantages of Google Workspace?

Google Workspace's reliance on an internet connection can hinder productivity when offline access is limited. Some users find its spreadsheet software less feature-rich than alternatives like Microsoft Excel, and occasional service outages can disrupt workflows. Finally, uploading large files to Google Drive can be problematic for some users.

Alternatives to Google Workspace and Microsoft Exchange

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based subscription service that provides access to familiar applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, alongside cloud services like email, online storage, and teamwork tools. Offering a range of plans for businesses of all sizes, it allows users to work from anywhere with an internet connection, collaborating on documents in real time and improving productivity through its suite of integrated apps. Microsoft 365 aims to be a central hub for communication, content creation, and data management for modern businesses.

Canary Mail

Canary Mail is an AI-powered email app designed to simplify your email experience. It offers features like AI email writing assistance, email summarization, and smart prioritization to help you manage your inbox efficiently. Canary Mail also includes security features such as PGP encryption and SecureSend for sending confidential information. With a focus on privacy, Canary Mail offers a clean and user-friendly interface without ads or data mining.

ClickUp

ClickUp is a comprehensive work management platform designed to consolidate various work processes into one centralized location. It offers a wide array of features including task management, project planning, document collaboration, communication tools, goal setting, and automation options. ClickUp aims to enhance team collaboration, improve visibility across projects, and streamline workflows for increased productivity regardless of team size or industry.

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is an email and personal organization software. It allows you to manage emails, calendars, contacts, and tasks in one place. Outlook integrates with other Microsoft Office tools, making it easy to share files and collaborate with colleagues. It's a popular choice for businesses of all sizes due to its comprehensive features and seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem.

SmarterMail

SmarterMail is an email server solution designed for small to midsize businesses. It allows you to manage your company's email accounts, calendars, and contacts through a web-based interface. The software aims to provide a reliable and affordable alternative to hosted email services while offering features like spam filtering and virus protection.

Zoho Workplace

Zoho Workplace is a comprehensive suite of online office productivity and collaboration tools designed for businesses of all sizes. It offers a unified platform including email, file management, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and meeting software. The platform emphasizes team collaboration through features like instant messaging and a social intranet. Zoho Workplace aims to simplify work processes and boost productivity by bringing all essential tools into a single, integrated platform.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

How are we doing?

Is this information helpful to you? Is there anything we are missing?

Did this help you select your product?

Other issues? Vote & Let us know