Better Service: Office 365 OR Google Apps for work .....?

ankupan · 9 Apr 2015, 11:21 AM

Hi,

As per your view and experience.

Which service is better ? Office 365 or Google Apps for Work ?

I want to compare just these two only.

I know, there are several other and may be better services as per requirements too.

But when question is to choose from these two only.

Thanks

popowich · 9 Apr 2015, 08:30 PM

It depends what you need from the service.

At least some of the Office 365 plans come with access to Microsoft Office software and email migration tools. I have customers that chose Office 365 over Google because they felt the customer support was better when doing a trial of each service. Microsoft seems to send more marketing upsell emails to existing customers than Google.

Google Apps gets you access to Google's apps for business. If you already use Google services and alternate office software such as Open Office then choosing Google could work too. Their user management and controls are better IMHO. I also prefer Google's Drive to Outlook's.

If you are split between them and looking for a deal to make the difference I can provide a Google Apps Coupon Code to established members of EMD.

If you need help with an email migration please connect with me on LinkedIn.

I can help with Amazon Web Services, Linux, DNS, email, WordPress migrations, and a variety of other services that businesses use too!

popowich · 9 Apr 2015, 08:40 PM

Another downside to Microsoft accounts is that new Office 365 accounts do not support IMAP.

William9 · 12 Apr 2015, 01:10 AM

With Office 365, you get Microsoft Office software for your local computers and, of course, Office Online. One TB or more of online storage (OneDrive) per user. As Popowich said, it depends on what you need. If the latest version of MS Office for Windows and Mac is important, then Office 365 is a good choice. Office 365 has several plans for home and business. OneDrive for business provides data encryption at rest.

cptlo306 · 12 Apr 2015, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popowich

Another downside to Microsoft accounts is that new Office 365 accounts do not support IMAP.

I added a new company to Office 365 in late 2014 and have IMAP access.

popowich · 12 Apr 2015, 10:18 AM

Are you sure it's IMAP and not ActiveSync?

If yes, can you let us know which plan you selected?

You are the first recently new user I'm aware of that has working IMAP access.

cptlo306 · 12 Apr 2015, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popowich

Are you sure it's IMAP and not ActiveSync?

If yes, can you let us know which plan you selected?

You are the first recently new user I'm aware of that has working IMAP access.

It's IMAP.

Plan is Exchange Online (Plan 1). Email only. $4/month.

gaia · 12 Apr 2015, 01:47 PM

We had Google Apps at our biz for 200 users for a year & then migrated to Office 365. Our principal reason for moving was that our China based staff were often unable to use the system as the China authorities would block Gmail. Since moving to Office 365 it's fine in China & the MS Office apps are much better than the Google Apps.

guillaume · 17 Apr 2015, 08:39 PM

O365, much more complete offer with desktop and web apps, 10 TB on OneDrive, Skype communications in addition to email

ankupan · 20 Apr 2015, 04:05 PM

What is maximum data in Office 365 and how OWA search is working ?

I have around 45GB data in Google Apps and search is working with lighting speed ?

Is Office 365 has same kind of search ability compare to Google Apps ?

Is office 365 is capable to handle large mailbox like 90GB (archive) and another 45GB Main Inbox ? with search capability ?

Cory · 21 Apr 2015, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popowich

Another downside to Microsoft accounts is that new Office 365 accounts do not support IMAP.

We have IMAP access as well here on our Office365.

Cory · 21 Apr 2015, 11:47 PM

Response to ankupan:

What is maximum data in Office 365 and how OWA search is working ?

- 25MB is the max per message at this time (so same as Google Apps) and the mailbox size is 50GBs. Not sure if this can be expanded or not, archiving is available though for an additional fee.

I have around 45GB data in Google Apps and search is working with lighting speed ?

- I feel like the search that Google Apps offers is much better then the search Office365 has. However I only use Office365 at work and my mailbox is less then 100mb in size at the moment.

Is Office 365 has same kind of search ability compare to Google Apps ?

- It offers search however Google apps search is better in my opinion at this time. Office365 search has gotten much better since I first started using it, but Google search is still superior.

Is office 365 is capable to handle large mailbox like 90GB (archive) and another 45GB Main Inbox ? with search capability ?

- This would be a good question for their support. However my understanding is the max size is 50GB. Unlike Google Apps they do not seem to allow for the purchase of additional space, however I am not completely sure on this.

ioneja · 22 Apr 2015, 02:57 AM

I've had some problems with Google Apps for Work recently, including Google Drive, so I set up (once again) an account with O365 for Business/Enterprise to test it out, and I've been pretty pleased with how well it's been working. They definitely improved it IMO since the last time I used it. Even spam control has been improved from what I can tell.

However, it's hard to beat the search and spam performance of Google Apps.

At the end of the day, if you have a ton of content, I think you'll still be better off with Google Apps.

But give O365 Business/Enterprise a shot too. They have come along nicely. I really like their "Clutter" feature, which is essentially a trainable Bayesian filter for email to separate less important email from your inbox. And if you are a heavy Office user, then O365 is a no-brainer.

I have become very disenchanted with Google Drive/Docs/Sheets/Slides recently as they are far too limited for the kinds of things I need to do, and now with some very decent iOS apps and improving web apps for MS Office, I have been quite happy to abandon Google Drive/Docs/Sheets/Slides. I've even stopped using Evernote since OneNote is getting quite good. Microsoft seems to be on a mission. Google, slacking off somewhat IMO. But Google still handles search and spam better, which means a lot to some people. A very personal choice. If you have the time, worth testing both.

ankupan · 23 Apr 2015, 11:37 AM

When using google Apps with MS Outlook.
We use either IMAP or POP, any email sent by Google SMTP
Still all sent email saved in Gmail Sent folder also.

why not office 365 can have this feature ? while using POP or IMAP.
Office 365 is not saving Sent email on OWA..............

We need to setup account under exchange only in MS outlook.

Cory · 23 Apr 2015, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ankupan

When using google Apps with MS Outlook.
We use either IMAP or POP, any email sent by Google SMTP
Still all sent email saved in Gmail Sent folder also.

why not office 365 can have this feature ? while using POP or IMAP.
Office 365 is not saving Sent email on OWA..............

We need to setup account under exchange only in MS outlook.

If your using Google Apps with Outlook you can also use this, https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gappssync

Its Google Apps sync for Outlook.

However Office365 will work with Outlook natively.

View Poll Results: Email Hosting
Office 365	9	50.00%
Google Apps for Work	7	38.89%
Others.......	2	11.11%
Voters: 18. You may not vote on this poll

9 Apr 2015, 11:21 AM	#1
ankupan Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 812	Better Service: Office 365 OR Google Apps for work .....? Hi, As per your view and experience. Which service is better ? Office 365 or Google Apps for Work ? I want to compare just these two only. I know, there are several other and may be better services as per requirements too. But when question is to choose from these two only. Thanks

9 Apr 2015, 08:30 PM	#2
popowich Essential Contributor Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 263 Representative of: EmailQuestions.com	It depends what you need from the service. At least some of the Office 365 plans come with access to Microsoft Office software and email migration tools. I have customers that chose Office 365 over Google because they felt the customer support was better when doing a trial of each service. Microsoft seems to send more marketing upsell emails to existing customers than Google. Google Apps gets you access to Google's apps for business. If you already use Google services and alternate office software such as Open Office then choosing Google could work too. Their user management and controls are better IMHO. I also prefer Google's Drive to Outlook's. If you are split between them and looking for a deal to make the difference I can provide a Google Apps Coupon Code to established members of EMD. If you need help with an email migration please connect with me on LinkedIn. I can help with Amazon Web Services, Linux, DNS, email, WordPress migrations, and a variety of other services that businesses use too!

9 Apr 2015, 08:40 PM	#3
popowich Essential Contributor Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 263 Representative of: EmailQuestions.com	Another downside to Microsoft accounts is that new Office 365 accounts do not support IMAP.

12 Apr 2015, 01:10 AM	#4
William9 The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 2,281	With Office 365, you get Microsoft Office software for your local computers and, of course, Office Online. One TB or more of online storage (OneDrive) per user. As Popowich said, it depends on what you need. If the latest version of MS Office for Windows and Mac is important, then Office 365 is a good choice. Office 365 has several plans for home and business. OneDrive for business provides data encryption at rest.

12 Apr 2015, 10:18 AM	#6
popowich Essential Contributor Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 263 Representative of: EmailQuestions.com	Are you sure it's IMAP and not ActiveSync? If yes, can you let us know which plan you selected? You are the first recently new user I'm aware of that has working IMAP access.

12 Apr 2015, 01:47 PM	#8
gaia Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 64	We had Google Apps at our biz for 200 users for a year & then migrated to Office 365. Our principal reason for moving was that our China based staff were often unable to use the system as the China authorities would block Gmail. Since moving to Office 365 it's fine in China & the MS Office apps are much better than the Google Apps.

17 Apr 2015, 08:39 PM	#9
guillaume Essential Contributor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Paris, FRANCE Posts: 486	O365, much more complete offer with desktop and web apps, 10 TB on OneDrive, Skype communications in addition to email

20 Apr 2015, 04:05 PM	#10
ankupan Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 812	What is maximum data in Office 365 and how OWA search is working ? I have around 45GB data in Google Apps and search is working with lighting speed ? Is Office 365 has same kind of search ability compare to Google Apps ? Is office 365 is capable to handle large mailbox like 90GB (archive) and another 45GB Main Inbox ? with search capability ?

21 Apr 2015, 11:47 PM	#12
Cory Essential Contributor Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 459	Response to ankupan: What is maximum data in Office 365 and how OWA search is working ? - 25MB is the max per message at this time (so same as Google Apps) and the mailbox size is 50GBs. Not sure if this can be expanded or not, archiving is available though for an additional fee. I have around 45GB data in Google Apps and search is working with lighting speed ? - I feel like the search that Google Apps offers is much better then the search Office365 has. However I only use Office365 at work and my mailbox is less then 100mb in size at the moment. Is Office 365 has same kind of search ability compare to Google Apps ? - It offers search however Google apps search is better in my opinion at this time. Office365 search has gotten much better since I first started using it, but Google search is still superior. Is office 365 is capable to handle large mailbox like 90GB (archive) and another 45GB Main Inbox ? with search capability ? - This would be a good question for their support. However my understanding is the max size is 50GB. Unlike Google Apps they do not seem to allow for the purchase of additional space, however I am not completely sure on this.

22 Apr 2015, 02:57 AM	#13
ioneja Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 713	I've had some problems with Google Apps for Work recently, including Google Drive, so I set up (once again) an account with O365 for Business/Enterprise to test it out, and I've been pretty pleased with how well it's been working. They definitely improved it IMO since the last time I used it. Even spam control has been improved from what I can tell. However, it's hard to beat the search and spam performance of Google Apps. At the end of the day, if you have a ton of content, I think you'll still be better off with Google Apps. But give O365 Business/Enterprise a shot too. They have come along nicely. I really like their "Clutter" feature, which is essentially a trainable Bayesian filter for email to separate less important email from your inbox. And if you are a heavy Office user, then O365 is a no-brainer. I have become very disenchanted with Google Drive/Docs/Sheets/Slides recently as they are far too limited for the kinds of things I need to do, and now with some very decent iOS apps and improving web apps for MS Office, I have been quite happy to abandon Google Drive/Docs/Sheets/Slides. I've even stopped using Evernote since OneNote is getting quite good. Microsoft seems to be on a mission. Google, slacking off somewhat IMO. But Google still handles search and spam better, which means a lot to some people. A very personal choice. If you have the time, worth testing both.

23 Apr 2015, 11:37 AM	#14
ankupan Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 812	When using google Apps with MS Outlook. We use either IMAP or POP, any email sent by Google SMTP Still all sent email saved in Gmail Sent folder also. why not office 365 can have this feature ? while using POP or IMAP. Office 365 is not saving Sent email on OWA.............. We need to setup account under exchange only in MS outlook.