Which Platform Powers Your Business Best?

Introduction

At Steegle.com, we work closely with organizations leveraging Google Drive and Microsoft 365—two powerhouse platforms that continue to redefine how businesses operate and collaborate in 2025. While both offer essential tools for storage, sharing, and team productivity, each platform suits different workflows and strategic needs. Here’s a Steegle perspective on how Google Drive and Microsoft 365 compare—and why Google Drive, with its flexible app ecosystem, can go far beyond traditional file storage.

Google Drive

Google Drive is designed for simplicity and speed, delivering an intuitive, web-based experience that keeps collaboration straightforward and accessible. Built around the core Google apps—Docs, Sheets, and Slides—Google Drive shines when it comes to real-time, browser-based collaboration. For organizations focused on seamless, cloud-first workflows, Google Drive is ideal, especially with the ease of accessing and editing files from any device with minimal setup.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 offers a rich suite of desktop and online applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with OneDrive for file storage. Known for its powerful desktop applications, Microsoft 365 is a good fit for hybrid work environments where users need both online and offline functionality. The Windows integration and feature-rich desktop apps cater to organizations needing advanced document customization and desktop power.

Google Drive

Google pioneered real-time collaboration, and it shows. Google Drive enables simultaneous editing with instant updates across Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Google’s commenting, suggesting mode, and mobile-friendly editing options keep teams connected, no matter where they’re working. Plus, Drive’s version history feature offers unlimited versions for business accounts, making it easy to track changes.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft has made significant progress with real-time co-authoring in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but Google still leads in seamless online collaboration. Microsoft’s integration with Teams enhances collaboration by allowing users to connect directly within documents. However, Google’s quick sharing options, streamlined permission management, and live edits are unmatched for web-based teamwork.

Google Drive Plan

Business Starter: 30 GB per user

Business Standard: 2 TB per user

Business Plus: 5 TB per user

Enterprise: 5 TB per user (with option to request more)

Google’s AI-driven search makes finding files in Google Drive incredibly fast and intuitive, using smart suggestions to organize and locate content quickly.

Microsoft 365 Plan

Business Basic: 1 TB of cloud storage per user

Business Standard and Business Premium plans: can request an increase from 1 TB to 5 TB per user, but require at least five users to qualify for unlimited storage.

Apps for Business: 1 TB of cloud storage per user

Enterprise: 1 TB of cloud storage per user (can be increased to 5 TB)

Microsoft’s OneDrive offers powerful file management, enhanced by SharePoint integration for teams needing a more structured collaboration. With OneDrive Files On-Demand, users can view and access cloud-stored files without taking up significant local storage, making it ideal for Windows-based teams.

Google Drive

Google Drive integrates effortlessly within the Google Workspace ecosystem, with smooth connections to Gmail, Calendar, Meet, and other popular productivity apps. Beyond Workspace, Google Drive’s versatility shines with AppSheet and Apps Script. These powerful tools allow Steegle to build custom applications that extend Google Drive far beyond storage. For instance, we created a secure photo-sharing app for schools, allowing teachers to share activity pictures with parents in a private, secure way through AppSheet and Apps Script.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is built for deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, including Teams, SharePoint, and Dynamics 365. For organizations heavily invested in Microsoft’s products, this platform allows extensive connectivity and customization. Microsoft’s Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate) enables custom solutions and automation, making it a strong choice for enterprises with complex workflows.

Google Drive

With Gemini now integrated into Google Drive, users can enjoy enhanced capabilities that significantly streamline their workflow. Gemini helps summarize long documents, retrieve quick facts about projects, and synthesize information without the need to search through multiple files. This powerful AI tool extends beyond Drive, seamlessly integrating with Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and more. Additionally, with Apps Script and AppSheet, Google Drive becomes a platform for creating custom automations and workflows.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365’s Copilot (available as an add-on) takes AI to another level with intelligent assistance across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. Copilot can analyze data, generate content, and automate routine tasks with advanced AI. Microsoft also excels in automation through Power Automate, providing users with sophisticated workflows for data-driven tasks and customized solutions.

Google Drive

Google Workspace prioritizes security with a zero-trust model, two-step verification, endpoint management, and data loss prevention. With compliance for GDPR, HIPAA, and global standards, Google Drive provides organizations with secure, reliable data storage that keeps information in their hands. Google’s enterprise-grade endpoint management ensures that data is protected across devices.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft’s advanced security features are tailored for enterprise environments, integrating Microsoft Defender, Advanced Threat Protection, and a Compliance Center for fine-grained control over document permissions, data classification, and regulatory compliance.

Google Workspace

Business Starter: $6.48 per user / month

Business Standard: $12.96 per user / month

Business Plus: $21.60 per user / month

Enterprise: Custom pricing

Google’s flexible pricing makes it ideal for small to mid-sized organizations looking to expand as needed without additional complexity.

Microsoft 365

Business Basic: $7.20 per user / month

Business Standard: $15.00 per user / month

Business Premium: $26.40 per user / month

Enterprise plans: Custom pricing

Copilot: Additional $30 per user / month

Microsoft’s pricing reflects its robust feature set and is often more suited for larger businesses with complex needs.

At Steegle.com, we see Google Drive as more than just cloud storage. The power of Apps Script and AppSheet allows us to create tailored applications that extend Google Drive into a customizable business platform. For example, we developed a secure application for a school to share photos of students’ activities with parents—using AppSheet and Apps Script to keep interactions safe, private, and easy for teachers to manage. These tools enable organizations to automate workflows, create secure access portals, and customize Google Drive to fit specific business needs, all without extensive coding or additional infrastructure.