Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace is one of those decisions that looks simple until you price the licences, add the security tools, and ask who in the office actually lives in Excel. For Malta SMEs, the better choice is usually the one that fits your workflows, not the one with the flashiest AI marketing.
#Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace for Malta SMEs: the short answer
If your team depends on desktop Office apps, advanced Excel, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or Windows device management, Microsoft 365 is usually the better fit. If your business is cloud-first, email-and-docs driven, and values fast browser-based collaboration, Google Workspace is often easier to run and simpler for staff to adopt.
The market has shifted again in 2026. Microsoft increased some business plan prices in July 2026, while Google has been bundling Gemini into its Workspace plans, which changes the value calculation for smaller businesses that want AI without buying add-ons. That makes the decision less about headline price and more about total cost, security, and how much admin overhead you want.
#Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace pricing: what Malta SMEs actually pay
At the same broad business tier, the two platforms now sit much closer on price than they used to. Google Workspace Business Standard is reported at US$14 per user per month, and Microsoft’s Business Standard was also raised to the same level in July 2026 in the market comparison sources I reviewed.
The bigger difference is what you get at that price.
| Area | Microsoft 365 | Google Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Collaboration style | Strong across desktop and web | Native browser collaboration |
| AI included | Basic Copilot Chat, advanced features often need extras | Gemini bundled into business plans |
| Best fit | Office-heavy, regulated, Windows-based firms | Cloud-first, mobile-friendly teams |
| Admin complexity | More powerful, more moving parts | Usually simpler to manage |
| Security depth | Stronger bundled controls in Business Premium | Solid baseline, stronger controls often need higher tiers or add-ons |
For a Malta SME, the real question is not “Which licence is cheaper?” It is “How many extras will I need before the platform is actually secure and usable for my team?” Microsoft 365 Business Premium is repeatedly positioned as the stronger bundled security option, while Google Workspace often needs more add-ons to reach similar depth.
#Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace security: which one gives you more out of the box?
For most SMEs, this is where Microsoft 365 pulls ahead. Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes Defender for Business, Intune device management, Conditional Access, and Purview data loss prevention in one licence, which gives you endpoint, identity, and data controls without stitching together multiple vendors.
Google Workspace has solid core protection, including email security and collaboration controls, but its strongest features tend to sit higher up the plan ladder or rely on third-party tools. That is fine if you want a lighter stack; it is less attractive if you want one licence to cover email, endpoint policy, and access control.
The hidden cost in both platforms is not the licence fee; it is the time and money spent fixing poor permissions, messy sharing rules, and unmanaged devices after rollout.
For Malta businesses handling client data, finance records, HR files, or regulated work, that matters. A cheaper subscription can become expensive if you need separate tools for device control, data loss prevention, and conditional access.
#Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace collaboration: which one suits your team style?
Google Workspace is built for speed. Docs, Sheets, and Meet work well in the browser, and staff usually understand the interface quickly. That makes it a strong choice for agencies, consultancies, startups, and teams with mixed Mac and Windows devices.
Microsoft 365 is better when the work itself is more structured. If you use complex Excel models, document templates, tracked changes, approvals, and Outlook-centric workflows, Microsoft’s desktop apps and ecosystem still matter. That is especially true in sectors where clients, auditors, or suppliers expect Microsoft file formats to behave exactly as intended.
Both platforms can support remote and hybrid work. The difference is whether your business lives in shared docs and browser tabs, or in Office files and Microsoft integrations.
#Which platform should a Malta SME choose?
Choose Google Workspace if:
- Your team works mostly in the browser
- You want fast rollout and low admin overhead
- You need simple, real-time collaboration across mixed devices
- You want AI included without another licence line item
Choose Microsoft 365 if:
- Your business runs on Excel, Outlook, Teams, or SharePoint
- You need stronger bundled security and device management
- You already use Windows, Active Directory, or Microsoft-linked line-of-business apps
- You work in a more compliance-heavy environment
For many Malta SMEs, Microsoft 365 is the safer default when the business has grown beyond “email and files” and now needs real control over devices, identity, and access. Google Workspace is the cleaner choice when simplicity and collaboration matter more than desktop app depth.
#What to do before you switch
- Map which apps your team uses daily, especially Excel, Outlook, Teams, and any add-ons.
- List every device in use, including staff laptops, mobiles, and shared office machines.
- Check whether you need device management, email archiving, retention, or data loss prevention.
- Compare the true monthly cost, including AI, security, backup, and migration support.
- Test one department first instead of moving the whole company at once.
- Keep your domain, identity, and backup strategy separate from the productivity suite choice.
A lot of SMEs make the wrong call because they compare only the brochure plans. The better test is simpler: which platform will your staff actually use without creating more support calls for your internal team or your IT partner?
If you want to stop worrying about Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace, get in touch — we work with Malta businesses to make IT one less thing on your list.
