Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365
Quick answer: Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 both charge per user. For 5 people on the entry plans Business Starter and Exchange Online (Plan 1), Google Workspace costs $35.00 a month and Microsoft 365 $20.00. The choice depends on how much the team will grow and whether it needs more than email.
Who each one is for
- Google Workspace: Companies that want email together with the Google suite and accept paying per person.
- Microsoft 365: Companies in the Microsoft ecosystem that need Outlook and large mailboxes.
Side by side
| Criterion | Google Workspace | Microsoft 365 |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Per user | Per user |
| Contract | Annual plan in the table; prices before taxes | Exchange Plan 1 annual; Business Basic annual or monthly |
| Domains | Additional domains and aliases allowed | Several domains allowed |
| Shared mailboxes | Mailbox delegation and Google Groups | Shared mailbox without license (up to 50 GB); each person who accesses it needs a license |
| Access | Browser and Gmail app | Outlook in the browser, desktop and phone |
| Other apps | Drive, Meet, Docs, Sheets, Calendar and more | On Business Basic: Teams, OneDrive and Office on the web |
How much does it cost for your team?
Google Workspace entry plan: Business Starter, $7.00 per user (before taxes; 20% off until Feb 7, 2027 for new customers). Microsoft 365 entry plan: Exchange Online (Plan 1), $4.00 per user (annual subscription with automatic renewal, before taxes). The estimate assumes one mailbox per person; Domailo is shown as a third option, on the smallest plan that fits the team.
| People | Google Workspace | Microsoft 365 | Domailo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $14.00 | $8.00 | $5 (Startup) |
| 5 | $35.00 | $20.00 | $9 (Essential) |
| 20 | $140.00 | $80.00 | $19 (Team) |
Strengths and limitations of Google Workspace
Strengths
- Full suite: Gmail, Drive, Meet, Docs and Sheets in the same package.
- Gmail app on the phone and an interface most people know.
- Mailbox delegation to other accounts in the organization.
- Mature platform, with advanced administration and security features.
Limitations for small teams
- Each person is a license: generic addresses like sales@ or contact@ cost the same as users or require groups and delegation.
- The cost grows linearly with the team.
- For those who only need email, part of the price pays for apps that will not be used.
What customers report
- On Reclame Aqui, the Google Brasil profile (covering every Google product) is rated “Not recommended”, with no complaints answered between April and September 2026. (Reclame Aqui)
- Reports of suspended Workspace accounts, including for exceeding storage. (Reclame Aqui)
- In a Brazilian forum (2025), someone who only needs email cites Workspace’s per-user price as the reason to look elsewhere. (Reddit (r/InternetBrasil))
Public reports selected on October 12, 2026, linked to their source. They do not represent every customer and were not verified by Domailo.
Strengths and limitations of Microsoft 365
Strengths
- Full Outlook on desktop and phone.
- Shared mailbox of up to 50 GB with no license of its own.
- 50 GB mailbox already on the entry plan.
- Compliance features and integration with the Microsoft ecosystem.
Limitations for small teams
- Plan 1 requires an annual commitment.
- Whoever accesses the shared mailbox needs their own license.
- The admin center is more complex for a small company.
What customers report
- On Reclame Aqui, the Microsoft profile (covering every Microsoft product) is rated “Poor” (5.3 out of 10 from April to September 2026), with 45.2% of complaints resolved and a 19-day average response time. (Reclame Aqui)
- Reports of lost admin access, of lockouts by two-step verification with no support and of charges after cancelling Business Standard. (Reclame Aqui)
- Reviews describe the administration, spread across several portals, and the licensing as confusing. (Software Advice)
Public reports selected on October 12, 2026, linked to their source. They do not represent every customer and were not verified by Domailo.
What if neither fits?
Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 charge per person or per mailbox, so the cost grows with the team. Domailo charges per organization, from $5/month, with shared mailboxes, several domains and control over which mailboxes each person can open.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper for 5 people, Google Workspace or Microsoft 365?
On the entry plan, with one mailbox per person, Google Workspace costs $35.00 a month and Microsoft 365 $20.00 (prices checked on October 25, 2026, before taxes; some depend on a long contract or a promotional price). As a third option, Domailo costs $9 a month for 5 people, on the Essential plan.
Do Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 charge per user?
Google Workspace: per user. Microsoft 365: per user. Domailo charges per organization: one price for the team, with limits on people, mailboxes and domains.
Can I switch from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 without losing my domain?
Yes. The domain stays registered where it is; switching providers means pointing the MX, SPF and DKIM records to the new service. Old messages have to be exported or read in the previous account while it is still active.