Google Doc vs Microsoft Word: What’s the Difference?

When we have to create any document, most of you may automatically think of Microsoft Word. However, in the past few years, some of you may have been introduced to another Word Processor worthy of our attention – Google Docs. Let us now understand the competition for a better Word Processing Software application: Google Docs vs Microsoft Word.   

Dive into the world of digital document creation with Microsoft Word and Google Docs! These two powerhouses, crafted by Microsoft and Google respectively, are your go-to tools for bringing documents to life. In this blog, you will learn the difference between Google Docs vs Microsoft Word, their features, advantages, and limitations.   

Table of Contents 

1) What are the features of Microsoft Word and Google Docs? 

2) How can you access Microsoft Word and Google Docs? 

3) Google Docs vs Microsoft Word : What ’s the difference?

     a) What are the advantages and disadvantages of Google Docs? 

     b) What are the advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Word? 

4) Conclusion 

What are the features of Microsoft Word and Google Docs? 

We have made a comprehensive table to help you differentiate between Google Docs and Microsoft Word's features. This will help you decide which of these applications will be best suited for you: 

Feature	Google Docs	Microsoft Word
Platform	Web, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android
Cost	Mostly free	Subscription-based
Collaboration	Real-time	Real-time with Office 365
Offline	With Chrome setup	Natively available
Storage	Google Drive (15GB free)	OneDrive (with subscription) or locally
Formats	Can export to .docx, .pdf	Standard is .docx
Integration	With Google services	With Microsoft Suite
Extensions	Add-ons available	Rich add-ins + VBA
Templates	Variety for personal use	Extensive library
Advanced Features	Basic	Comprehensive
Privacy	On Google servers	Local or OneDrive

 

 

Features of Microsoft Word 

In this section, we will elaborate on the features of MS Word.

1) Document creation and formatting: MS Word offers extensive formatting options, including styles, themes, and design ideas. 

2) Advanced editing tools: Microsoft word tools offers features such as Editor, which checks grammar, clarity, conciseness, and inclusivity.

3) Templates: It provides numerous templates for various document types, such as reports, resumes, and newsletters.   

4) Collaboration: It allows real-time collaboration with others. Features like comments, suggestions, and track changes are also supported.  

5) Add-ins and integration: It allows adding various plugins and integration features with other Microsoft Office products. 

6) Offline access: Native desktop application available for Windows and macOS.  

7) Cloud storage: It allows integration with OneDrive for cloud storage and sharing. 

8) Mobile apps: It provides dedicated apps for Android and iOS. 

9) Advanced features: It provides features for mail merge, captioning, creating a table of contents, bibliography, and more. 

10) Security: It offers document protection features, including password protection and encryption. 

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Features of Google Docs 

Now, we will elaborate on the features of Google Docs.  

1) Document creation and formatting: Google Docs provides necessary tools for document creation and formatting, though some advanced tools available in Word might be missing. 

2) Editing tools: Provides built-in spell check and basic grammar tools. 

3) Templates: Offers a variety of templates for different requirements. 

4) Collaboration: Renowned for its real-time collaboration capabilities, it allows comments, suggestions, and revision history. 

5) Add-ons: It has its own marketplace for add-ons to enhance functionality. 

6) Offline access: Can be enabled to work on documents offline through Chrome browser. 

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7) Cloud storage: Easily integrates with Google Drive for storage, sharing, and collaboration. 

8) Mobile apps: Comes with dedicated apps for Android and iOS. 

9) Voice typing: Provides built-in voice recognition tool for dictation. 

10) Integration with Google Workspace: Seamlessly integrates with other Google services like Google Sheets, Slides, and Forms. 

Linking to Google search: On Google Docs, you can search the web and insert links and images directly from within Docs. 

Security: Documents can be shared privately, with specific individuals, or publicly, with various levels of permissions. 

Look into our Office Applications Courses to understand how to improve your productivity with these applications.   

How can you access Microsoft Word and Google Docs? 

If you want to work with either Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you must know how to access them. Accessing Microsoft Word and Google Docs is quite different, affecting your decision about which application to use. Read ahead to learn the difference between Google Docs and Microsoft Word. 

Accessing Microsoft Word 

You can access Microsoft Word in the following ways: 

1) By getting an Office 365 Subscription: You can avail of several subscription plans of Microsoft Office 365. These plans are for personal, family, or business, ranging from basic to premium.

With the help of these plans, you can make an all-around decision regarding which plan to choose. With the subscription to Office 365, you will be able to access Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook. There are several more applications that you can access depending on your subscription plan. 

2) By purchasing Office Suite: You can also access Microsoft Word by installing the standalone version of Microsoft Office. However, this limits the choice of having multiple applications. You can only access the version of Microsoft Word that you wish to purchase. Remember, you might not be able to get updates similar to those in Office 365.   

3) By accessing the Office Cloud: If you don’t want to purchase subscriptions, you might also use the web-based version of Microsoft Word called Office Online. However, you must remember that these come with limited features. But it still allows you to create, edit and save document changes. 

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Getting access to Google Docs 

To access Google Docs, log in with your Google account. Google Docs is a web-based application and it can be used anywhere. It can be opened on any desktop, laptop or smartphone. It requires no cost to create, add or change documents. With this web-based application from Google, you can create documents, resumes, cover letters, newsletters, etc. You can also attach and insert images from your desktop or Google Drive.   

However, this free web-based application of Google Docs comes with limited storage, 15MB. Organisations mainly purchase the premium version of Google Workspace (previously known as G Suite), which provides them with improved security controls, customisable email addresses and more storage capacity. 

To understand more about the subscription plans and the applications of Office 365, register for our Microsoft Office 365 Training. 

Google Docs vs Microsoft Word 

To help you solidify your decision, we have listed some advantages and disadvantages of both Google Docs and Microsoft Word. 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Google Docs? 

The following points will help you get a brief idea about the advantages of using Google Docs:

1) It is free to use: Google Docs is a web-based software word-processing application without subscription fees. To avail of this service, log in with your Gmail account and start using it. However, if you have a business account, you will want to subscribe to the premium version of Google Workspace (previously known as G Suite) for maximum storage capacity and improved security measures. 

2) It is easy to share and collaborate: Since Google Docs is a web-based software, it is available and ready to use at any time by any number of people. There is no requirement to share or copy the documents to another device. It can be accessed by the link provided by the document's author.   

3) It is easy to use: If you are a complete novice or searching for a simple interface Word Processor, Google Docs is one of the Word Processor applications you can use. It provides very simple tools that are easy to understand. 

4) It is connected to Google Drive: You don’t have to save the files separately. The documents get automatically saved in Google Drive. Google Drive is a cloud storage service which Google provides. To set up your Google Drive, log in with your Gmail account. Once your files are saved, you can share the links with your team members or the concerned people, who can easily access those files. 

5) It supports various formats: The formats such as .doc,.docx,.ppt, and .pdf are supported by Google Docs. You can use Docs to convert your files to any of these formats. It is especially useful when you share your files with people unfamiliar with the use of Docs or using other Word Processing Software. 

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Now, you know the advantages of Google Docs. But, to help you make an informed choice, you must also be aware of the disadvantages of Google Docs. The disadvantages of using Google Docs are as follows:

1) It has limited features: The most noticeable limitation of Google Docs is that it cannot be used to create more complex documents. If you have used Microsoft Word or are starting to use it, you will see it has more features and functionality than Docs. Even though Google Docs is being continuously upgraded, it still lacks in this department. 

2) It has no desktop application: Since Google Docs is a web-based software, it has always been used via a web browser. Sometimes due to slow internet connectivity, issues might occur in accessing or even editing the files. 

3) It has a limited number of templates: Google Docs lacks the ability to provide choices to users. You can use a very limited number of templates. If you compare other Word Processing Software, you will see hundreds of templates you can use.   

4) It requires a strong internet connection: Google Docs cannot be accessed without a strong internet connection because it is a web-based application. To edit, view or save, you must have good internet connectivity. 

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Word? 

By now, you must have a good idea about the pros and cons of using Google Docs. Now, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Word. 

Advantages Microsoft Word: 

Microsoft Word offers a comprehensive suite of features. Here are some key advantages of using Microsoft Word:

1) Rich feature set: Microsoft Word offers a wide array of tools for document creation, formatting, and editing, ranging from simple text formatting to advanced design and layout capabilities. 

2) Integration with Office Suite: Word integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft Office applications, such as Excel and PowerPoint. This integration makes embedding charts, tables, and presentations in Word documents easier. 

3) Extensive template library: Word has a vast collection of templates for various document types, helping users get started quickly. 

4) Compatibility: Given its widespread use, most organisations and individuals widely accept and recognise Word files (.doc and .docx). 

5) Advanced editing tools: The software provides tools like 'Editor' for grammar and style suggestions. It also has robust review features, including 'Track Changes' and 'Comments', which are especially valuable for collaborative editing. 

6) Add-ins and plugins: Users can extend Word's capabilities using various third-party add-ins and plugins available on the Microsoft Store and other sources. 

7) Document security: Word provides features like password protection, document encryption, and permission restrictions to secure sensitive information. 

8) Regular updates: Microsoft frequently updates Word to patch security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and occasionally introduce new features. 

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Disadvantages: 

Like any software, Microsoft Word has its limitations that users should be aware of. Below are some disadvantages to consider:

1) Cost: Microsoft Word isn't free, unlike other Word Processing Software (like Google Docs). Users typically need a subscription to Microsoft 365 to access the latest features. 

2) Complexity: With its extensive features, Word can sometimes overwhelm beginners. Some people might find it less intuitive than simpler Word Processors. 

3) Resource-intensive: Microsoft Word can be more resource-intensive compared to lightweight Word Processors. This can sometimes cause performance issues on older computers. 

4) File corruption: On rare occasions, Word documents can become corrupted, making them difficult or impossible to open. 

5) Inconsistencies across platforms: While Word is available on macOS, the interface and some functionalities might differ from its Windows counterpart. There might also be minor compatibility issues. 

6) Collaboration features: Although Word has introduced real-time collaboration in its online and 365 versions, it's still not as seamless or intuitive as the collaboration features in Google Docs. 

7) Automatic formatting: Word's automatic formatting can sometimes be more of a hindrance than a help, especially when it makes unexpected changes to the document layout or style.

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Conclusion 

Google Docs vs Microsoft Word – Both have their own pros and cons. After reading this blog, you should be able to decide on the type of Word Processing Software you want to use. Whether it is Google Docs or Microsoft Word, it depends on your business and the application you require. 

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