There’s no question that Microsoft Word has many more features than Google Docs. So, if you’re looking to do serious formatting and layout work, then Microsoft Word is the app for you. But, if you’re doing only basic word processing, then Google Docs may be all you need. Microsoft Editor goes beyond checking spelling and grammar so you can write with confidence. Get intelligent suggestions in the Editor Overview pane in Word and let Editor assist you across documents, email, and on the web. Open, edit, and save Microsoft Excel files with the Chrome extension or app. Convert Excel files to Google Sheets and vice versa. Don't worry about file formats again. Free word processors. There are many free word processor alternatives to Word. But Google word processing is proving to be one of the most popular choices. Similar to Microsoft Office, it is a suite of office tools. Now select a document to upload. Google Docs will be able to convert most types of documents, including Microsoft Word documents, PDF files, and Rich Text documents. Select a document to upload.
If you're looking for a word processing program, you have many options. Two of the most popular are Google Docs and Microsoft Word. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Below is a chart to help illustrate the major advantages and disadvantages of each of these word processors.
Topic | Google Docs | Microsoft Word |
---|---|---|
Price | Google Docs is available for free to everyone with a Google account. There is no one-time or periodic subscription fee. | Microsoft Word is available as part of the Microsoft Office suite. The current version of Office is Office 365, which requires an annual subscription fee of $99. |
Installation | No software installation is required to use Google Docs, as it is available in the cloud. It can be accessed with an Internet browser from almost any networked device, including a desktop computer running Microsoft Windows or macOS, and most smartphones and tablets. | Before Office 365, Microsoft Word and the Office suite required a software installation on a computer. With Office 365, Microsoft Word is now available in the cloud and can be accessed with any Internet browser, eliminating the need for software installation. However, you can download the Office suite, including Microsoft Word, and install it on your computer if you prefer. |
Features | Google Docs includes nearly all the features as Microsoft Word, including text formatting, line spacing and indentation, bulleted and numbered lists, inserting images and tables, and others. However, it lacks some of the more advanced features that are available in Microsoft Word, like page borders, background color, watermarking, and comparing two versions of a document. | Microsoft Word provides many features, including the most common standard features used for creating and formatting documents. Word also includes other more advanced features that are less commonly used, but can be quite useful, like page borders, background color, and watermarks to name a few. |
Ease Of Use | Being available in the cloud and having a user-friendly interface, Google Docs is easy to access and navigate for all users. Creating, editing, and saving a document in Google Docs requires minimal effort and expertise. | Users of previous versions find Microsoft Word easy to use. However, those who are new to Microsoft Word may find it less user-friendly, requiring more effort to locate common features and formatting options. The user interface in Word is not as streamlined as other software, and Word also turns on options by default that users may find annoying, like some auto-formatting settings. |
File Types for Saving | Google Docs automatically saves documents in the cloud. Consequently, files are stored as one type. However, you can download a file as a different file type. There are 7 file formats currently available, including Word document (.doc and .docx), PDF, RTF (rich text format), plain text, and HTML. | When saving a document in Microsoft Word, you can choose between multiple file types to save the document. There are about 15 file types currently available, including Word document (.doc and .docx), PDF, RTF, plain text, HTML. |
Sharing Files | Sharing a file with other people in Google Docs is very straightforward. All you have to do is enter the e-mail address of individuals with which you want to share a document. Anyone with a web browser can view a document that is publicly shared, and anyone with a Google account can edit a document. | With Microsoft Word available in the cloud as part of Office 365, files can be shared with other users who also have an Office 365 subscription. Because of the cost of Office 365, you may find it harder to share Word files with other people because they may not want to pay the subscription fee. The alternative is to e-mail a copy of the Word file to other people to share it with them. |
Updates | Because Google Docs is in the cloud, it is automatically updated by Google and does not require users to manually apply any available updates. Google Docs is always kept up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes. | As a part of Office 365, Microsoft Word is available in the cloud and is automatically updated by Microsoft. If you download and install Microsoft Word on your computer, updates are automatically applied through the Windows Update process, which is automatic in Windows 10. |
Security | Google takes security very seriously and has implemented strong security in Google Docs. Users must have a Google account to access Google Docs and can set up two-factor authentication for additional protection. | Accessing Office 365 and Microsoft Word in the cloud requires a Microsoft account. Two-factor authentication can also be configured for stronger security. |
Support | Google provides online training guides and documentation for Google Docs to help users who struggle with the program or have questions. There is also a strong online community for Google Docs where users can get help from other users and professionals. | Microsoft provides help and training documentation online at support.office.com. There is also a large community of Microsoft Word users who can provide answers to your questions. |
Additional information
A classic productivity tool for PCs!
Word is one of the most popular and commonly used products from Microsoft Corporation. The latest version of Microsoft Word integrates well with Microsoft Office 365 and serves as a full-fledged document processing software. With the program, you can type, publish, and edit documents in real-time. Microsoft Word comes with improved features but retains the original layout for ease of use. It runs on Windows 10 and above, and is also available for Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Create high-quality documents with ease!
If you’ve been using a Windows PC, it’s likely that you’re already familiar with Microsoft Word. For document processing, typing, publishing, and editing, Word has been the standard program in Windows devices.
In recent years, it has received some tough competition from Google Docs. However, the veteran word processing software has been able to retain a strong fan following. The simple interface, plenty of features, and integration with Microsoft Office 365 products make Word an excellent choice.
Is Microsoft Word easy to use?
While programs like Trio Office come with a simple interface, Microsoft Word’s ribbon interface has been hugely popular among Windows users. For many years, it has been able to give Word a relevant and fresh look, while most of the computing world made a radical shift to the web and mobile devices.
The only drawback is that some labels and icons might confuse users who aren’t familiar with Microsoft Office, OneDrive, or similar products. But if you’ve always been a Windows user, you’d find it easy to navigate through the program. With the latest version of the program, the interface remains uncluttered and clean.
Microsoft Word comes with the ‘Tell me what you want to do’ feature, which is quite useful for beginners and veterans alike. It acts as an ‘assistant’ and allows you to save a good amount of time. While it won’t be wrong to say that the interface could do with some improvements, Microsoft has done a good job of offering a range of features without much complexity.
Can you work in real-time with Microsoft Word?
With Microsoft Word, you can continue to work in real-time, at least with the full version. Considering the increasing adoption of online word processing software and tools, Microsoft has tried to introduce some significant improvements to the program. With the original layout, you get better integration with Microsoft Office 365, which lets you work in the Cloud.
Since you’re able to work in real-time, editing is much easier with Word. The program makes it easier to collaborate with several people simultaneously and lets you view edits or changes in real-time. Microsoft Word keeps storing progress and automatically updates the document smoothly and efficiently.
Does Microsoft Word feature a translator?
With the all-new translation tool, you can break a wide range of language barriers. The feature allows you to translate several phrases or even the entire page into a different language.
This saves you from the trouble of using third-party translation software. Within a couple of clicks, you can set the language to any of the ones available in the program’s huge accessory pack. This lets you share a polished document without any grammatical or spelling errors.
Does Microsoft Word offer any additional features?
For a lot of people, reading long text can be straining and tedious. With Microsoft Word, you can use several interesting features, such as spacing adjustment, page color changes, etc. This gives your eyes a much-needed break. Moreover, Word can read the text, ensuring you don’t have to indulge in tiring and long reading sessions.
Word integrates perfectly with Microsoft Office 2019, and leverages features like 3D image concerts and LaTex, which turn the program into a powerful learning tool. With 3D models, you can bring your projects and content to life, and can even write formulas. While these features may be overwhelming for beginners, they’re quite useful for veteran users.
Google Microsoft Word 2016
Our take
Microsoft Word is an excellent document processing software. It goes beyond the usual programs available online. Moreover, the regular updates have transformed Word into a full-fledged collaboration and learning tool.
The integration with Microsoft Office 365 is an additional benefit. The Enterprise version can be used by small businesses, while there’s a dedicated subscription for students. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most ideal choices among word processing apps.
Should you download it?
Yes, definitely! Microsoft Word is the perfect choice for Windows PCs. With minimum hassles and a simple interface, you can use a wide range of features to leverage real-time editing, translation, and automatic updates. The program is also available for other operating systems.
Highs
- Integrates with Office 365
- Works in real-time
- Integrated translation tool
- Familiar interface
Google Microsoft Word Resume
Microsoft Wordfor Windows
Google Microsoft Word
2019