Open any business or school computer from the past ten years, and you’ll find one standard tool across the board: Microsoft Word. Since 1989, this word processing powerhouse has reigned supreme—at least until Google Docs came onto the scene. Today, with over 246 million unique Google users in the US, Google’s cloud-based word processing program is available on just as many devices.
But if you’ve been watching the two tech giants wage a quiet war in the word processing arena, you may be wondering which is better.
Between Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs, both software tools have proven track records and are powerful in their own right. Many users will find it easy to jump back and forth between them.
However, there are several small differences between Microsoft Word and Google Docs that may give one an edge over another if you’re using them for specific purposes. Let’s take a look.
Collaboration
When it comes to collaboration, the decision is a no-brainer. One of the key Google Docs benefits is that it was built with cooperative work and sharing in mind. This software tool allows up to 100 users to make edits on the same document in real time, making it easy for students and business users to share documents with peers and colleagues as needed.
In contrast, only one user can edit one version of a Microsoft Word document at any given time. To collaborate, you’ll need to send the document to another user, wait for them to make edits, and have them send it back to you. In other words, if quick collaboration is a priority for you, Google Docs is the way to go.
Availability
Both Microsoft Word and Google Docs are readily available in different ways.
Microsoft Word is the standard tool on computers worldwide, meaning there’s a good chance you’ll be able to open your documents no matter where you are. It’s also available for both Windows and Mac computers, with easy downloads for the latter on our website. Most importantly, the document is stored on the computer itself, meaning you can access it without problems even if you aren’t connected to the internet.
Google Docs, on the other hand, operates in the cloud. For users who jump from device to device, this feature can be a great help, as it means you won’t have to send a document to multiple computers. However, it also means that you may lose access to your documents if you’re offline unless you’ve taken steps to enable offline access in advance.
Privacy
Microsoft Word is the winner here for obvious reasons.
Google’s user behavior tracking has become notorious, and though the encryption in Google Docs doesn’t allow Google to read your files, it could pull up your document if a court order requested the information.
One of the benefits of Microsoft Word, on the other hand, is that the document remains securely on your computer unless you send it elsewhere.
Word Processing Features
Google Docs offers the basic spectrum of word processing features, with new tools appearing every year. For the majority of users, this essential toolkit includes all of the features needed to create basic documents. These features are intuitive enough to allow even beginners to create documents in no time.
However, for power users who need a robust spectrum of features, only Microsoft Word will do. For longer documents, indexing, and detailed formatting options, Microsoft Word offers helpful tools and templates that allow users to create a range of complex and impressive documents.
Learning Curve
For users who need only basic features, there’s a negligible learning curve between both of these software options. However, it’s worth noting that Word’s interface—housing the complex word processing features discussed above—can be a little difficult to unpack.
New users may find that features are buried amid the multiple tabs and headers. This can sometimes make it hard to find even basic features. This isn’t a deal-breaker for most, but it may require you to spend more time hunting for the tool you need.
Pricing
The division here is clear-cut: Microsoft Word charges its users, while Google Docs is free to anyone with a Google account.
For students, budget users, and anyone who needs access to simple word processing tools, Google Docs is an excellent choice that won’t put a dent in your wallet.
Microsoft Word, on the other hand, will require a subscription fee for its more premium features. However, the cost may be necessary for users who want access to more word processing power. That said, there are ways to get access to Microsoft Word for free, from using a watered-down version of it in your browser to signing up as a student.
Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs: Finding the Right Tool for Your Needs
As we’ve discussed above, choosing to work with Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs depends on your preferences and personal needs.
For users with complex, high-security documents, Microsoft Word may be the better choice. For those who need only basic tools and prefer collaborative software, Google Docs is the way to go.
Consider your needs—and your budget—to decide which of these software powerhouses is right for you. Don’t hesitate to try them both to see which you prefer, or to jump back and forth for different types of projects!
Want more helpful guides to help you make those crucial business and tech decisions? Check out our other posts for more insights.