Which is Better Google Docs and Microsoft Word?
Which is better, Google Docs or Microsoft Word? In this article, I will compare the features, benefits, and disadvantages of both Google Docs and Microsoft Word, and discuss which application is best for you. Read the article to the end.
Know About Google Docs & Microsoft Word
Google Docs is an online document editor created by Google. It works on a cloud platform where people can easily create, edit, and share their documents. You do not need to install the software, as it can be accessed through a web browser and a mobile app. Google Docs is one of the core applications of Google Workspace, helping you with real-time collaboration.
Whereas Microsoft Word is a traditional word processor by Microsoft. It is widely used for creating and editing professional documents. It also integrates with Microsoft 365, and there is an online version where you can create documents from any device.
Both tools are widely used for creating their documents. They offer you many advanced features and functions. If you want to know the difference between Google Docs and Microsoft Word, then below I created a comparison table.
Google Docs VS Microsoft Word – Key Comparison
| Feature | Google Docs | Microsoft Word |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Platform | It runs on a cloud platform. | Traditionally, it is a desktop application, but there is an online version in Office 365. |
| Collaboration Features | It offers multiple users to do real-time editing and commenting. | With OneDrive or SharePoint, collaboration is available. |
| Accesibility | Easily accessible from any web browser and mobile app. | You need to install the desktop application, or you must have Microsoft 365 for the web version. |
| Save Documents | It automatically saves files in Google Drive | You can locally save the files or in OneDrive. |
| Offline Access | By using the Google Docs offline extension, you can enable the offline function. | The desktop version is fully offline. |
| Integration with | Google Docs easily integrates with Google Workspace and its apps. | Microsoft Word is also deeply integrated with Microsoft 365. |
| Price | You can create a free Google account to work with the program. | You need to first purchase Microsoft Word to use it. |
This is an overview of how different Google Docs and Word are. Both of them provide you with several features that are different from each other. Below, I have explained them properly.
Detailed Comparison Between Docs and Word
How Easy to Use?
The interface of Google Docs is clean and minimal. It focuses on simplicity and collaboration. Here, you will only see the essential option, which is a great choice for beginners or those who want distraction-free writing.
But, on the other hand, Microsoft Word provides you with a feature-rich ribbon interface with many options. In this, you will get more customization and control functions. So, Word is more suitable for professionals.
Collaboration Features
Google Docs gives you many collaboration features, like multiple users editing a document at the same time, leaving comments, and tracking changes in real-time.
Microsoft Word also offers co-authoring using OneDrive or SharePoint. But for this, you have to properly configure. Although it provides you commenting and track changes tool but it is much slower than Google’s model.
Export Options
In Microsoft Word, you will get a huge range of file types, including DOCX, PDF, TXT, RTF, etc. to save your documents. It supports most industry-standard formats to make it easy to share your business documents.
Google Docs, on the other hand, allows importing and exporting Word files in DOCX, PDF, or plain text. However, there can be formatting issues for complex layouts.
Templates and Extensions
Word comes with thousands of pre-built templates for resumes, letters, reports, and other purposes. It also allows you to download online templates.
However, Docs has fewer templates but supports add-ons from the Google Workspace Marketplace to extend its capabilities for productivity and automation.
Security Features
Google has multi-layered cloud security that offers encryption in transit and at rest. Administrators manage access and sharing permissions within the G Suite.
When Word is under Office 365, you will get enterprise-grade security, compliance controls, and advanced threat protection for the organization.
Pricing Comparison
For personal use, Google Docs is completely free. If you use it for businesses or professionals, then you have to purchase the Google Workspace to get the premium features.
To use Microsoft Word, you have to purchase one-time from the Office suite. For more advanced features, buy the Microsoft 365 subscription.
From these comparisons, you now understand how Google Docs and Microsoft Word are different from each other. Here, you have explored their features. Now, let’s see the drawbacks of using them.
Drawbacks of Microsoft Word and Google Docs
First, I am going to explain the limitations of Google Docs
- Docs provide you with basic text formatting. However, it lacks advanced layout and design features that you find in MS Word.
- It depends on the internet connection. Although it offers you an offline option. But it works great online.
- Your browser may freeze or slow down the performance if you use image-heavy files.
- It is not suitable for professionals because it is missing advanced tools like mail merge, macros, etc. Also, when exporting to DOCX or PDF, there can be an issue with formatting.
- Your document is stored in Google Cloud, which raises concerns over security or compliance for some organizations.
Microsoft Word
- MS Word requires a one-time purchase or a Microsoft 365 subscription to work with.
- A collaboration tool like real-time editing is not as smooth as Google Docs.
- Large Word files may slow down your system and take up huge storage.
- The standalone Microsoft Word version does not provide cloud access. Unless it is connected with OneDrive or SharePoint.
- The wide range of tools makes the new users overwhelmed.
Which is Most Suitable?
Now, the real question is, who is better, Google Docs or Microsoft Word? Both are great for creating and editing your documents. And the decision of choosing which one is better depends on the users and what they need.
If you are a student or freelancer, Google Docs is an ideal choice because it is free and a cloud platform. Real-time collaboration and automatic cloud saving are perfect for your group projects, remote work, or simple content creation. Therefore, users who want an app that is convenient, easy to access, and helps in teamwork use Google Docs
On the other hand, Microsoft Word is best suited for professionals and businesses. As it allows you to create detailed documents using powerful formatting, layout, and many options, it offers. It easily pairs with Microsoft 365, which makes it work with Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive. Hence, business users, corporate teams, and organizations who need advanced document control, Microsoft Word is the best.
So, whichever programs you use, both are a great option. If you are planning to switch from Google Docs to Microsoft Word. Then, it is better to also move your documents. As you know, Google Docs uses Google Drive to store the data, and OneDrive is for Word. Thus, saving your important documents to the cloud program and moving them will make it easier to access your documents. For this, SysTools Google Drive to OneDrive Migration Tool will be a great choice. You can quickly transfer your documents without any issues.
Summary
Here, I have properly compared Google Docs VS Microsoft Word. In this, I have explained the key difference in detail between these two programs. Along with the features, I also discuss the limitations of Google Docs and Word. Then decide which application is a better choice.