Google Docs and Microsoft Word Online: Which Word Processor Is Better on the Web

Google Docs goes head-to-head with Microsoft Word, especially with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Google Docs is strictly web-based word processing software, while Microsoft offers a web version of its native Word app on Windows and Mac. Google Docs and Microsoft Word Online are in many ways close competition for key features and a variety of options.

We will compare Google Docs with Microsoft Word online and decide which one is better for your use and preference.

Cross-Platform Availability

Both Google Docs and Microsoft Word Online are web-based, meaning they can be used on any platform.

However, Microsoft Word is also available as a native application for Windows and Mac, so here we will give Microsoft a small edge. But you will need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use it.

user interface

We think both Microsoft Word Online and Google Docs look outdated compared to the competition and the modern tools available.

Speaking of the differences between the two, we like that Google Docs offers better iconography and a simple white/gray theme than Microsoft Word’s Blue theme.

All the relevant options at the top and both the software supports dozens of keyboard shortcuts for navigating menus and options.

At the time of writing, Microsoft is working on a Word online redesign and will release it soon. Until then, you will need to carry a dated look.

Features

Google Docs and Word online are packed with features and functions to get things done. Both carry all the standard word editing options you would expect from a word processor. So how are they different? We have a couple of observations.

Microsoft Word offers a handy add-on called Editor that helps you prepare and optimize your content to meet SEO standards. It is essentially an enhanced version of Word’s built-in grammar checker.

Compared to Grammarly, Word Editor suggests Fixes, Improvements, Insights, Enhancements, and an overall Editor score to redefine content.

Google Docs does not offer a dedicated section for checking all recommendations in one place. You’ll see suggestions as you type. However, Google Docs provides the ability to add a Table of Contents.

Word online does a better job of displaying the Table of Contents than Google Docs. Try adding a Table of Contents to both and you’ll see the difference right away.

We find this strange and limiting that Word does not allow you to set default fonts online. You can easily change the default fonts for Text and Headings with Google Docs.

Google is augmenting Google Docs with new features to manage projects and keep it compatible with modern modular productivity tools like Notion and Milanote.

Grammar Checker and Plugins

As we mentioned above, Microsoft easily beats Google Docs with improved grammar and spell checking with Editor (although some functionality is behind the Microsoft 365 subscription). However, you can always install advanced grammar checker plugins like Grammarly in Word and Google Docs.

Microsoft Word Online and Google Docs offer a dedicated add-on store to download mini-apps to get the job done without leaving the existing interface.

Google Docs offers a better plug-in experience through the Google Workspace Marketplace. Plugins have more screenshots and a dedicated review section to see the details before installing.

Yield

Normally, we shouldn’t be talking about the performance part in word processing software. However, we found a noticeable difference between Word online and Google Docs.

Google Docs provided a fast, smooth and seamless writing, document opening and editing experience. Compared to that, Word felt slow online and sometimes it takes more time to open a heavy document on the same internet connection.

Save, Export and Share

As expected, Word uses OneDrive online and Google Docs chooses Google Drive to store documents. But while Google doesn’t count documents against base storage, Microsoft counts it against 5GB of free storage.

Both support standard export options such as text, pdf, EPUB, Web page and word file. Using the Blog Post template in Microsoft Word, you can upload and publish a document directly to the WordPress platform.

Speaking of templates, both Google Docs and Word online carry hundreds of templates to get you started. The web is also filled with third-party Word and Google Docs templates to get things done.

Sharing is where Google Docs wins comfortably. Google has over 3 billion Workspace users. So you can bet the person you’re sharing the file with already has a Google account and a valid Gmail ID.

Google Docs makes collaboration and sharing easy for users. You can share a document, add comments and edit files with various sharing options at the same time. The app is just right, and it’s one of the reasons why Google’s productivity suite has skyrocketed in popularity in the education and small business sectors.

Microsoft has recently revamped the sharing interface in Office apps. But it doesn’t come close to Google Docs in terms of overall application.

Price

Google Docs is completely free to use. Unconditional. All features are free and documents saved in Google Drive do not count towards the built-in 15GB storage.

Microsoft Word Online is free to use. However, to use native apps and unlock 1TB of OneDrive storage, you must pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription. You also get an advanced Editor tool with a premium subscription.

Draft Your Next Document

The difference between Google Docs and Word online is clear here. Google Docs wins when it comes to sharing, price, ease of use, and plugin support. If you want to take full advantage of a native app, Word is back with online built-in Editor tool, better templates, and app support for Windows and Mac.

Next: You can also create a custom template in Google Docs to quickly create content. Read the post below to learn how to create a custom template in Google Docs.