Today, most businesses are operating online. So it’s crucial that your information data is not only protected but productivity is also enhanced with an online cloud system tool. And where else is safer than Google?
Don't you wish though, that you can easily work with and synchronise all of your favourite Google account apps, such as Google Meet, Google Forms, Google Slides, Google Sheets and many more?
Google Workspace is designed with great-value plans for everyone from the individual to organisation businesses. Compared to free Google apps, Google Workspace offers more features and benefits.
But first, try Google Workspace for Free!
Curious about how Google Workspace can change your business’ efficiency? Here are Google tips and tricks you should try. You can also go for Google Workspace’s 14-day free trial to see if it suits you.
Table of Contents
Jump to:
- What is Google Workspace?
- Google Workspace vs Google Suite
- Available Plans & Pricings
- Benefits of using Google Workspace
- Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365
- 14-Day Free Trial
What’s Google Workspace?
Does the name Google Workspace ring any bells? Maybe not, since it was formerly known as G Suite.
Basically, Google Workspace is a cloud-based productivity platform. Here, various processing and collaboration tools are available under a unified interface, making it an integrated space for efficient productivity and collaboration.
It’s similar to the G Suite but enhanced. And it’s not just a mere rebranding effort.
Google Workspace vs G Suite
They are actually about the same. But now, it offers easier and more systematic access to all Google Apps. There are also newer plans and price fixes.
Instead of having to use each Google app independently, users can now choose to work seamlessly using the apps which are constantly in sync with one another. This is ideal for businesses since it enables colleagues to work across various tools and apps seamlessly at the same time.
What is in the Google Workspace Plan?
The applications that can be found in Google Workspace are:
- Gmail: Business/personal email with custom domain name
- Meet: Video and voice conferencing
- Chat: Messaging apps
- Calendar: Calendar sharing, be notified of upcoming events
- Drive: Cloud storage for files
- Docs: Word processing
- Sheets: Spreadsheets for data processing, formulas, and graphs
- Slides: Presentation builder
- Forms: Survey and questionnaire builder
- Sites: Website builder
- Currents: Internal enterprise communication for employees to share ideas
- Keep: Notes and lists creation
- Apps Script: Scripting platform for lightweight application development
- Cloud Search: AI-powered smart search across Google Workspace
Many of these applications are available as standalone versions. BUT by having them as an integrated workspace, works across all apps are synchronised seamlessly, letting you work faster.
What are the Available Plans and Pricing?
Google Workspace offers mainly 3 tiers of plans, all designed for businesses. The plans range from the most basic “Business Starter” plan to even a premium “Enterprise” plan.
Among the tiers, the “Business Standard” plan is the most popular plan due to its reasonable features and value-for-money arrangements.
1. Business Starter
- RM20 per user per month
- Great for small businesses, freelancers and individuals
- Custom Gmail domain name
- Up to 100 video meeting participants
- 30GB cloud storage per user
2. Business Standard
- RM40 per user per month
- Custom Gmail domain name
- Up to 150 video meeting participants (with the ability to record meetings)
- 2TB cloud storage per user
3. Business Plus
- RM75 per user per month
- Custom Gmail domain name
- Up to 250 video meeting participants (with recording, ability to take attendance)
- 5TB cloud storage per user
- Enhanced security features
For bigger corporations who’d like to use Google Workspace, there’s also the Enterprise plan that’s available upon enquiry.
How Will Google Workspace Benefit Businesses?
Ask any business owner, and they will tell you that inefficient or slow processes will kill workplace productivity. After all, there is nothing more inefficient than everyday collaboration tools that are not in sync. All of these are troublesome and annoying for employees to work together (and fast) on a daily basis.
Google Workspace is here to fill this gap. By attaching various apps and tools together under a single platform, it simplifies collaboration between you and your colleagues. Below are some of the top Google essentials:
Google Email (Gmail)
- Custom email domain
- Apps are integrated and easier to find
- Smart/suggested replies and actions
- More security measures
Besides increasing workplace productivity and streamlining business processes, subscribing to a Google Workspace account will mean that your business will have its own unique email domain.
That means you can customize your emails with names such as “@yourbusinessname.com” compared to the generic “@gmail.com”.
This is a valuable advantage as it makes your business look more professional, helping it to establish authenticity in the market when dealing with potential clients and external parties.
Google Docs
- Add comments and reply functions
- Real-time editing for all
- Import and export widely-used document formats
- Unlimited revision history
As one of the most valuable apps from Google, this word processing tool is great for anyone who wants to access their documents whether it's from their phone or laptop.
All you need is the app itself on your phone (or the Google Docs link on a computer), sign in to your Gmail, and edit right away from where you left off.
Aside from its complete set of formatting tools (such as highlighting, adding tables & columns), one of its greatest benefits is the long list of document conversion formats available. This means you can export the document to Word Doc or PDF format!
Google Meet
- Set up meetings ahead of time or instantly
- Encrypted message exchanges
- Several types of share-screen options
Google Meet lets you set up a video meeting easily. You can easily set up a meeting room right away, and share the link, or set it up ahead with weekly or monthly occurrences.
As the admin, you are also free to restrict or open up the invitation for anyone who has access to the link. Very secure! Moreover, chats here are encrypted for your peace of mind.
And don’t you worry about not being able to get your message across. Easily share your entire screen, a Google tab or just the whole Google Chrome window, with or without audio!
Google Calendar
- Easily set up daily, weekly or monthly events
- Many labels to differentiate the types of meetings and events
- Automated synchronisation on holidays and birthdays
- Open and private calendars available
Want to schedule a meeting so that nobody forgets the time and date? No problem.
Every time you set up a meeting, everyone will receive a notification via Gmail, and if they RSVP, the meeting details and link will automatically be added to their Calendar.
Your colleagues won’t forget to show up too, because the Calendar will notify them of the meeting beforehand.
Google Drive
- Manage access for users and guests
- AI-driven to detect and show your most and last accessed documents first
- Shared and personal storage spaces available
The most efficient thing about Google Workspace? Everything is stored in the cloud automatically. In the event when you’re having a low internet connection, Google will let you know too.
Now, to access your files online from anywhere, all you need is a device and an Internet connection.
And because these files are stored in the cloud as compared to offline in a single computer, there is zero risks of losing that file, compared to when a computer breaks down, is attacked by a virus, gets stolen, etc.
Google Workspace or Microsoft 365?
To be frank, both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 have promising and similar plans for cloud-based productivity to cater to all. Prices are also similar, but in the end, it all boils down to the differences in style between these two platforms:
i. Plans
In terms of plans, Microsoft 365 offers quite a confusing assortment of plans. There are plans for home, business, enterprise, non-profit, government, and education, and within these plans, there are even sub-versions!
Google Workspace, on the other hand, offers mainly 3 types of plans, suitable for all. So while Microsoft 365 offers more choice and flexibility, Google Workspace offers more simplicity without extra frills.
Google Workspace
- Simplified for all; just 3 tiers of plans to choose from
- From RM 20.00 per month
Microsoft 365
- Many types of plans; for home, business, enterprise, government, education etc.
- From RM15.60 per month
ii. Storage
If you’re using the most basic Google Workspace plan, which is the Business Starter Plan, your storage size (including inbox storage) would be capped at 30GB (for each user). Microsoft 365 would appear the winner here since it offers larger storage space at either 50GB or 100GB, depending on the plan.
However, if you move up to the upper 3 tiers in Google Workspace’s plan offerings, you’ll realise that Google offers more value in terms of storage since you’ll be getting 2TB, 5TB, and unlimited storage, respectively.
Google Workspace
- Starter storage from 30GB
- Up until 5TB / Unlimited
Microsoft 365
- Starter storage from 50GB
- Up until 6TB
iii. Ease of use & Productivity
Some Microsoft 365 plans include both desktop and cloud-based versions of the Microsoft apps. So, if you’re working with teammates who prefer old-school desktop apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Microsoft 365 may be the better option.
On the other hand, if you’re completely fine with working on the apps entirely on the cloud, Google Workspace will be your go-to productivity suite due to its simple browser-based interface that is easier to navigate.
Google Workspace
- Apps are available in both online and offline modes (offline for Docs, Sheets & Slides)
- Auto-save and sync feature
- All apps are found under the main menu
Microsoft 365
- Has both desktop and online apps
- Required to be started up individually
Start Your 14-day Free Trial Now
With all of that being said, Google is determined to make business as simple, quick and efficient as possible.
After all, in this fast-paced world, productivity suites such as Google Workspace are clearly here to help streamline work for the future.
Wait no more. Check out Google Workspace to start your free 14-day trial!
Note: All of the points stated herewith are based on our own experiences. Do also know that we may get a commission for each click on the links in this article, with no cost at all from your end.
[This article is sponsored by Google Workspace]