For the last few decades, Microsoft Word has been the de facto standard for word processors across the working world. That’s finally starting to shift, and it looks like Google is the heir apparent. The company’s Google Docs solution (or to be specific, the integrated word processor) is cross-platform and interoperable, automatically syncs, is easily shareable, and perhaps best of all, is free.

However, Google Docs still has a long way to go before it can match all of Word’s features — Microsoft has been developing its word processor for over 30 years, after all. Will Google Docs’ low barrier to entry and cross-platform functionality win out? Let’s break down each in terms of features and capabilities to determine which is best for your needs.

How does each word processing program compare?

To put it lightly, Microsoft Word has an incredible advantage on Google Docs in terms of raw technical capability. From relatively humble beginnings in the 1980s, Microsoft has added new tools and options in each successive version. Most of the essential editing tools are available in Google Docs, but users who are used to Word will find it limited.

From the primary placement of images to advanced techniques like macros and mail merge, Word is the breakaway winner for more technical writing. Word’s advanced features also include better incorporation of images and graphics, more exceptional options over text styles, easy addition of footnotes and citations, and better table controls and formats.

Interface comparison

The same thing that makes Word excel in terms of features also makes it complicated when it comes to the user interface. Thanks to hundreds of built-in tools and options, finding the right one in Word can be somewhat confusing for novice users. Google Docs, on the other hand, is comparatively simple to pick up but more limited in terms of options.

Beyond the standard text formatting tools and a few extras like tables, rulers, page numbers, and footnotes, there isn’t much to the Word UI that you won’t find in a basic text editor. For user learning and ease of use, simpler is better. Microsoft has attempted to streamline Word’s UI in recent years, but it can be somewhat unwieldy. If you need simple tools to create an easily accessible document, Google Docs has you covered.

File compatibility

While both Word and Docs are compatible with the most commonly used word processing formats like Word, PDF, and rich text, Word can import its files much more quickly and is much better at displaying complex file formats consistent across different programs of the Microsoft family.

Google Docs files can be downloaded in the same formats as Word documents, but they excel at immediately publishing documents as webpages. Microsoft word has notable limitations on doing the same, as many editing elements like layout and formatting can be lost in translation.

Sharing options

Word includes editing and markup tools for sharing and editing among teams, and the latter Office 365 versions of the program do allow for web-based editing and sharing. It is a bit unwieldy, however, and users foreign to it may find it confusing.

When quickly creating documents that can be shared with Google Drive and be almost instantly distributed worldwide if need be, Google Docs has the edge. Google Docs users can easily control who can edit, comment, or be able to access the document in the first place, whereas Word documents can only be shared with specific contacts. Also, while Word has features like Track Changes and comments for collaboration, the Google Docs timeline allows users to compare any document changes with old versions and know who made them and when.

Platform, add-on, and accessibility options

As a web-based service, Google Docs is available on any desktop platform with a modern browser. That includes Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chrome OS, and (in some cases) even mobile platforms running in compatibility mode. Apps for Google Docs are available for Android and iOS, but notably not Windows Phone or Blackberry. An Internet connection is required on the desktop unless you use the Chrome OS/Browser app, and a Google account is necessary to log in.

Microsoft Word and Google Docs can also be augmented with add-on tools from third-party developers. Microsoft Word (as a subset of Office) is available for Windows and MacOS, and it comes pre-installed on Windows Phone devices. Free Word clients are also available for Android and iOS, and Office 365 is available on the web for modern browsers.

All saves on a Google Doc are not only automatically uploaded to the cloud, but a separate file is created each time a change is made. Microsoft does allow users to sync, edit, and open Word documents online, but that will require you to either set up OneDrive backup with Microsoft Office 2019 files or possess a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Cost comparison options

Google Docs is free in just about every circumstance. A Business version of Google Apps is available starting at $5 per user per month, but most individual users won’t need its administrator controls or live support.

A standard, stand-alone version of Microsoft Office is available for a one-time purchase of $149.99, which enables you to install it on one computer only. Microsoft Office 365, which includes online and offline versions of Word, starts at $5.00 a month. Depending on your work or school, a free copy may be available to you, but most users need to pay at least something for Word.

Word with Microsoft Office 365 is arguably the superior option for users who require a large amount of storage space for their documents. If plenty of storage isn’t a must-have, then users will likely prefer Google Docs with its 15GB of storage space.

In contrast, Windows OneNote features a lighter-weight platform that only has 7GB of available storage. There are, however, fewer offline capabilities with Google Docs and OneNote compared to Microsoft Office 365. But that is to be expected.

Which word processor is best for you?

The truth is, you may want to stick with Microsoft Word if you’ve spent a decent amount of time in the program, you use it frequently for occupational purposes, or you currently depend on its advanced features. You can use Google Docs while working at home and Word when you’re in the office, but we will say that it’s not always a smooth user experience and can interrupt your work with various compatibility problems.

It’s important to ask yourself if you require a simple word processor or if you want to share files with others easily. Google Docs is the way to go if this is the case. However, you can certainly enjoy using both programs, as Google Docs is a free program, and employers and schools frequently offer Word to users.

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