Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace: choosing between the two is one of the first big decisions a growing business makes, and it's expensive to reverse once your team's email, files, and workflows are built around one platform. Both are solid, well-supported platforms used by millions of businesses. Here's how they actually compare for a Montreal small or medium-sized business in 2026.
Pricing and plans
Microsoft's entry plan, Business Basic, starts at roughly $7 USD per user per month and covers web and mobile Office apps, business email, and Teams. Business Standard (around $23 USD per user per month with Copilot included) adds desktop apps, and Business Premium (around $32 USD per user per month) layers on advanced security and device management.
Google Workspace starts with Business Starter at a similar entry price, Business Standard around $14 USD per user per month, and Business Plus around $22 USD per user per month. Google's mid-tier plans tend to run a bit cheaper than Microsoft's equivalent tiers, though Microsoft has bundled more AI features into its pricing recently. Get a current quote from each vendor before deciding, since both adjust pricing and currency conversion regularly. On pricing alone, the Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace gap is smaller than most business owners expect.
Email, calendar, and collaboration
Both platforms offer reliable, business-grade email with your own domain, shared calendars, and video meetings. Outlook and Teams are the standard for many Montreal businesses that already work with other Microsoft tools, such as Windows, SharePoint, or industry software built around the Microsoft ecosystem.
Gmail and Google Meet are simpler to learn and tend to feel more lightweight, which some teams prefer. If your business collaborates heavily with partners or clients who already use one platform, matching theirs can reduce friction with shared documents and meeting invites. For day-to-day email and meetings, the Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace choice often comes down to which ecosystem your team already knows.
Storage and file sharing
Storage limits vary a lot by plan. Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Premium both include 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user, which is generous for most small teams. Google Workspace scales storage with the plan: Business Starter includes 30 GB per user, Business Standard jumps to 2 TB, and Business Plus offers 5 TB.
If your team shares large files such as video, CAD drawings, or design assets, compare the exact storage tier before committing, since the entry-level plans on both platforms can fill up faster than expected.
Security, compliance, and Canadian data residency
Both Microsoft and Google operate data centres in Canada and can keep certain data types within Canadian borders, but neither guarantees Canadian-only storage by default on their lower-tier business plans. If data residency matters for your industry or contracts, confirm the specific settings and commitments in writing rather than assuming it's automatic.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium bundles in stronger built-in security tools, including device management and threat protection, that would otherwise require add-ons elsewhere. Google Workspace's higher tiers offer comparable protection, but Microsoft's security stack is generally considered more complete out of the box at the mid-tier, which is one reason many managed IT providers in Quebec default to it for regulated or security-conscious clients. For general guidance on securing whichever platform you choose, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security publishes free best-practice checklists for small businesses.
Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace: which one is right for your business
If your business already uses Windows machines, Microsoft software, or industry tools built for the Microsoft ecosystem, Microsoft 365 is usually the smoother choice and scales well as you add security and compliance needs. If your team is small, budget-conscious, and wants the simplest possible setup with minimal IT overhead, Google Workspace can be a strong fit, especially for younger or tech-forward teams already comfortable with Google's tools.
There's no universally right answer. The best choice depends on what your team already uses, what your clients and partners expect, and how much built-in security and compliance support you need without hiring extra IT staff.
Not sure which platform fits your business?
Alert Line Solutions helps Montreal and Laval businesses navigate the Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace decision, and choose, migrate to, and manage the right cloud platform, whether that's Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or a mix of both. We'll look at your current setup and recommend what actually fits your budget and workflow.
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