Maybe you get frustrated at times with your Microsoft 365 setup and wonder if Google Workspace would make things a lot easier.

Or maybe you’re on Google Workspace and can’t help but wonder what you’re missing by not being on Microsoft 365.

If that sounds like you, trust me—you’re not alone. Nearly every creative business I work with has asked the same thing: “Which platform is actually best for a creative team like ours?” Let’s cut through the noise.

Spoiler alert: There’s a clear answer for most small design, architecture, or marketing firms—and it’s not just about which platform better represents your brand but rather elevates its resources.

❓ Which Works Better for Creative Teams?

💡 The Direct Answer (and Why It’s Taboo)

Here’s the straight truth: Office 365 is usually the better choice for creative teams. I know—saying this is ‘taboo’ in some circles, especially with so many folks loyal to Google Workspace. But if you value getting work done, saving money, and avoiding tech headaches, here’s the why:

🔑 Office 365 vs. Google Workspace at a Glance

• Most creative businesses can’t survive without Word and Excel. Paying for Google *and* Microsoft? That’s double the expense and double the trouble.
• Microsoft lets you fine-tune security for your unique business needs. Google feels ‘one-size-fits-all.’
• Microsoft grew up in the boardroom, Google grew up in your browser (with ads and tracking).
• Microsoft lets you pick different licenses for different roles saving on cost. Design team needs everything? Admins need just email? No problem.
• IT support? Microsoft wins, hands down. It’s easier for IT people to fix things, and proactively manage them behind the scenes
• Integrations and apps: Microsoft’s ecosystem is just bigger. More room to grow, connect, automate, and secure. Plus most line of business aps feature better integrations overall
  
  

🛠️ Why Do Creative Teams Want To Switch?

• Google Workspace users often end up buying MS Office anyway—because clients, vendors, and contracts still demand Word and Excel docs.
• Microsoft users may get frustrated with setup, settings, and licensing (it can be confusing without good IT help).
• Every creative business wants something simple, unified, and affordable—so why zig-zag between two systems?
  
  

🚧 The Limits (No Platform is Perfect)

• Both are fine for daily tasks: email, docs, video calls, file sharing.
• For BIG design files (CADs, huge images), neither is ideal—version control is tricky, and files can get lost or duplicated.
• Real-world tip: For heavy file work, consider a tool like Egnyte alongside your main suite.
  
  

✅ Is Microsoft Right For You? (And When It’s Not)

Best for:

• Teams who need strong Office file compatibility
• Businesses who want highly personalized experience and security
• Anyone who wants to stick with one toolkit and grow

Maybe not if:

• Your business is 100% cloud-based, addicted to Google Docs, and never shares Office files
• You absolutely can’t stand Microsoft (but let’s be real—most creative teams aren’t in this camp)
  
  

📣 Common Objections (And My Take)

• ‘But Google is so easy!’ Yes, Google’s simple—but that simplicity can be limiting as your business grows or your IT/security needs change.
• ‘Won’t it cost more?’ Actually, it usually costs less because you avoid doubling up on licenses and support. No more paying for what you don’t need.
  
  

📈 What I’ve Seen In Practice

True story: One of our clients, a 15-person interior design studio, was using Google Workspace for communication. But when it came to sharing proposals and project documents, nearly every client or contractor expected files in Word or Excel. That meant they were paying for both Google and Microsoft subscriptions—effectively doubling up on costs and making IT support more complicated. After transitioning fully to Office 365, they were able to eliminate the duplicate licenses, savings of over $2500 annually plus they were able to save even more by having flexibility to purchase only the necessary services for each mailbox. Single platform systemized their team and simplified their support and IT needs

🚀 Ready to Make Your Move?

If you’re done juggling platforms or just need advice on getting it right, reach out to us. We’ve helped creative businesses of all sizes pick (and switch to) tools that fit the way they actually work. (Stay tuned for our upcoming review of Egnyte which is our gold standard recommendation for CAD and design file storage, collaboration, and management.)