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Dual-Certified Partner Comparison

Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365
for Businesses in Singapore

An honest, edition-by-edition comparison from a partner in Singapore certified by both Google Cloud and Microsoft. We don't push one over the other. Pricing in SGD. Every plan compared.

Updated March 2026. Excludes July 2026 Microsoft pricing changes.

TL;DR

At entry level, Microsoft 365 Business Basic (S$8/mo) is significantly cheaper than Google Workspace Starter (S$9.40/mo). At mid-tier, Google Workspace Standard (S$18.80/mo) costs more than M365 Standard (S$17/mo). The critical difference is AI: Google Gemini is included free in Workspace Standard, while Microsoft Copilot costs S$40/mo extra. For mid-tier + AI, Google is S$18.80/user/mo vs Microsoft at S$57/user/mo. Google saves S$38.20/user/mo on the AI-included comparison. Microsoft wins on desktop apps and offline. Google wins on collaboration and AI value. Both are PDPA-supportive when configured correctly by Digigen.

Pricing Overview

Every plan compared in Singapore Dollars

Annual plans, per user, per month. Digigen provides local SGD billing with official GST invoices for all plans. Prices approximate. Contact us for exact quotes.

Tier Google Workspace S$/user/mo Microsoft 365 S$/user/mo Winner
Entry Business Starter S$9.40 Business Basic S$8 M365
Mid-Tier Business Standard S$18.80 Business Standard S$17 M365
Mid + AI Standard + Gemini (included) S$18.80 Standard + Copilot (add-on) S$57 GWS ~3x
Premium Business Plus S$29.40 Business Premium S$30 M365
Enterprise Enterprise Standard Custom E3 (from Jul '26: ~$39) ~$39 Depends
Enterprise+ Enterprise Plus Custom E5 (from Jul '26: ~$60) ~$60 Depends
← Swipe to see full table →

M365 Copilot add-on: S$40/user/mo (requires Business Standard or higher). Gemini AI: included in GWS Standard and above. Enterprise prices in USD (locally invoiced through Digigen). Microsoft prices effective July 1, 2026.

Matchup 1: Entry Tier

M365 Business Basic (S$8) vs GWS Starter (S$9.40)

Best for small teams under 20 users who need professional email and basic collaboration.

📧
Google Workspace Starter
S$9.40/user/mo
✅ Custom business email (Gmail)
✅ 30 GB storage per user
✅ Google Meet (100 participants)
Gemini AI in Gmail
✅ Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, Chat
✅ Google Vids (AI video creator)
✅ Security & admin controls
❌ No meeting recordings
💼
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
S$8/user/mo
✅ Custom business email (Outlook)
1 TB OneDrive storage
✅ Teams chat & video (300 participants)
✅ SharePoint, Exchange Online
✅ Web & mobile Office apps only
✅ Copilot Chat (basic, from 2026)
❌ No desktop apps (Word, Excel, PPT)
❌ No Copilot AI (paid add-on)
Verdict: Entry Tier

Microsoft 365 Business Basic wins significantly on price (S$8 vs S$9.40) and storage (1 TB vs 30 GB). Google Workspace Starter wins on AI with Gemini in Gmail included, plus Google Vids for video creation. The biggest trade-off: M365 Basic has no desktop apps at all. If your team needs to install Word or Excel, you cannot use this plan. For pure web/mobile email and collaboration on a tight budget, M365 Basic saves S$1.40/user/mo. For teams that want AI from day one, GWS Starter delivers Gemini without extra cost. Note: GWS Starter offers a discount for the first 20 users.

Matchup 2: Mid Tier (Most Popular)

M365 Business Standard (S$17) vs GWS Standard (S$18.80)

The most popular tier for Singapore businesses with 20-300 users. This is where the real competition happens.

Feature GWS Standard (S$18.80) M365 Standard (S$17)
Storage 2 TB/user 1 TB/user
Desktop Apps ❌ Web & mobile only ✅ Full install (PC/Mac)
AI Assistant ✅ Gemini in ALL apps (FREE) ❌ Copilot = +S$40/mo
AI Research Tool ✅ NotebookLM included ❌ Not available
Video Meetings 150 users + recording + noise cancel 300 users + recording + transcription
eSignature ✅ Built into Docs ❌ Not included
Appointment Booking ✅ Calendar booking pages ✅ Bookings app
Video Creation ✅ Google Vids ✅ Clipchamp
Real-time Collaboration ✅ Native, seamless Good (occasional sync issues)
Offline Work Limited (Chrome extension) ✅ Full desktop offline
Total with AI S$18.80/user/mo S$57/user/mo
← Swipe to see full table →
Verdict: Mid Tier

This is the most important tier for most Singapore businesses. Microsoft 365 Standard is cheaper at S$17/mo vs Google Workspace Standard at S$18.80/mo. M365 Standard wins on price and desktop apps. However, the AI story flips the equation: adding Copilot to M365 costs an additional S$40/mo per user, making the total S$57 vs Google's S$18.80 for comparable AI. With AI included, Google saves S$38.20/user/mo. For a team of 50 users over 12 months, the AI-included difference is S$22,920 per year. Google also includes 2x the storage (2 TB vs 1 TB), NotebookLM, and eSignature. M365 Standard includes full desktop apps and better offline support. Discounts may be available on GWS Standard through Digigen.

Matchup 3: Premium / Security Tier

M365 Business Premium (S$30) vs GWS Business Plus (S$29.40)

For businesses with advanced security, compliance, and device management requirements.

🛡️
Google Workspace Plus
S$29.40/user/mo
✅ Everything in Standard
5 TB storage/user
✅ Google Vault (archiving & eDiscovery)
✅ Advanced endpoint management
✅ LDAP support
✅ Gemini AI in all apps (included)
❌ No built-in endpoint antivirus
❌ No device management (MDM)
🔐
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
S$30/user/mo
✅ Everything in Standard
✅ 1 TB storage/user
Microsoft Defender (endpoint security)
Intune (device management/MDM)
✅ Entra ID P1 (conditional access)
✅ Data Loss Prevention
✅ Full desktop apps (offline)
❌ Copilot AI: +S$40/mo add-on
Verdict: Premium Tier

Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the clear winner for security-focused organisations. At S$30/mo (same price stays after July 2026, nearly identical to GWS Plus at S$29.40), it includes Microsoft Defender for endpoint protection, Intune for device management, Entra ID conditional access, and DLP. This eliminates the need for separate antivirus and MDM tools, potentially saving thousands per user annually. GWS Plus is better for organisations that need deep archiving (Vault) and more storage (5 TB vs 1 TB), and it includes Gemini AI. But for security, Premium is hard to beat. Note: M365 Business Premium pricing stays unchanged at US$22 even after the July 2026 price adjustments.

Matchup 4 & 5: Enterprise Tiers

Enterprise Plans: For 300+ Users

Google Workspace Enterprise and Microsoft 365 E3/E5 for large Singapore organisations.

Feature GWS Enterprise Standard M365 E3 (~$39/mo) GWS Enterprise Plus M365 E5 (~$60/mo)
User Limit Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Storage 5 TB pooled Unlimited OneDrive 5 TB pooled Unlimited OneDrive
AI (Gemini/Copilot) Gemini included Copilot +$30/mo Gemini included Copilot +$30/mo
DLP ✅ Advanced ✅ Advanced
Endpoint Security ❌ Separate ✅ Defender P1 ❌ Separate ✅ Defender P2
Conditional Access ✅ Context-Aware ✅ Entra ID P1 ✅ Context-Aware ✅ Entra ID P2
eDiscovery / Vault ✅ Vault ✅ Core eDiscovery ✅ Vault Premium ✅ Premium eDiscovery
Data Regions ✅ Available ✅ Full control ✅ Multi-Geo
Phone System ❌ (Google Voice separate) ❌ (add-on) ✅ Teams Phone
BI / Analytics Looker Studio (free) ❌ Power BI Pro separate Looker Studio ✅ Power BI Pro included
Security Copilot (2026) ✅ Included (2026)
← Swipe to see full table →
Verdict: Enterprise Tiers

At the enterprise level, the choice depends heavily on your security stack and existing infrastructure. Microsoft 365 E5 is the most feature-complete enterprise suite available, with Defender P2, Entra ID P2, Teams Phone, Power BI Pro, and Security Copilot all included. For organisations with complex security requirements, E5 consolidates multiple standalone products. Google Workspace Enterprise Plus wins on collaboration, AI value, and data region control. Gemini is included at no extra cost (Copilot is still $30/mo add-on even on E5), and data regions give you full control over where information is stored. For Singapore enterprises evaluating both, Digigen can model the total cost of ownership including add-ons, third-party tools being replaced, and migration costs.

AI Comparison

Gemini vs Copilot: The AI That Matters Most

Google Gemini
Included Free in Standard+
✅ Gemini in Gmail (draft, summarise, reply)
✅ Gemini in Docs (write, rewrite, expand)
✅ Gemini in Sheets (formulas, analysis, charts)
✅ Gemini in Slides (generate content, images)
✅ Gemini in Meet (notes, summaries)
✅ Standalone Gemini app
✅ NotebookLM (AI research)
✅ Workspace Studio (AI agents, no-code)
Want even more AI?
AI Expanded Access (~$20/mo) or AI Ultra Access (~$250/mo) for Deep Think, Flow video, higher limits.
Microsoft Copilot
S$40/mo add-on
✅ Copilot in Word (draft, rewrite, summarise)
✅ Copilot in Excel (analysis, formulas, PivotTables)
✅ Copilot in PowerPoint (create from docs)
✅ Copilot in Outlook (summarise, draft, prioritise)
✅ Copilot in Teams (meeting notes, catch-up)
Copilot Studio (custom AI agents)
✅ Business Chat (cross-app AI)
✅ Copilot Chat (basic, free in all plans from 2026)
Unique advantage
Copilot Studio for building custom AI agents is not available on Google Workspace (Workspace Studio is the Google equivalent, but earlier in maturity).
AI Verdict

For most Singapore businesses starting with AI, Google Workspace offers dramatically better value. Gemini is included in Standard (S$18.80/mo), while Copilot costs S$40/mo on top of your M365 license (total S$57/mo). For a 50-person team, the AI-included cost difference is S$22,920/year. Copilot wins if you need Copilot Studio for building custom AI agents connected to your business data, or if your team's power users are deeply embedded in Excel and PowerPoint. Note: Starting 2026, all M365 plans get basic Copilot Chat functionality (limited AI), but the full Copilot experience with agent building still requires the paid add-on.

Our Recommendation

Which should your Singapore business choose?

Choose Google Workspace if:
✅ Your team values real-time collaboration above all else
✅ You prefer browser-based tools and work across devices
✅ You want AI (Gemini) included without extra licensing costs
✅ You are a startup or SME looking for the best value
✅ Your team is already comfortable with Google's ecosystem
✅ You need more storage (2 TB vs 1 TB at mid-tier)
✅ You want eSignature and appointment booking built in
Choose Microsoft 365 if:
✅ Your team relies on desktop Excel for financial modelling
✅ You need full offline desktop applications (Word, PPT, Excel)
✅ You have existing Active Directory infrastructure
✅ You need advanced endpoint security (Defender, Intune)
✅ You are in a regulated industry requiring Microsoft compliance
✅ You want Copilot Studio for custom AI agents
✅ Your business requires Teams Phone as your telephony system
Not sure? That is exactly what we are here for.

As the only partner in Singapore certified by both Google Cloud and Microsoft, Digigen provides honest, unbiased advice. We help you evaluate your specific workflows, budget, and security needs. We do not earn more from one platform over the other. Our recommendation is based on what fits your business.

Book Free Consultation
⚠️ Important: Microsoft Price Changes July 2026

Microsoft has announced pricing adjustments effective July 1, 2026. Business Basic moves from US$6 to US$7/mo, Business Standard from US$12.50 to US$14/mo, E3 from US$36 to US$39/mo, and E5 from US$57 to US$60/mo. Business Premium stays at US$22/mo unchanged.

New features being added include Copilot Chat in all plans, Defender for Office P1 in E3, Intune enhancements in E3/E5, and Security Copilot agents in E5. The SGD prices in this comparison reflect post-July 2026 rates. Contact Digigen for the latest local pricing and renewal timing strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper in Singapore, Google Workspace or Microsoft 365?

At entry level, Microsoft 365 Business Basic (S$8/mo) is significantly cheaper than GWS Starter (S$9.40/mo). At mid-tier, M365 Standard (S$17/mo) is also cheaper than GWS Standard (S$18.80/mo). But with AI included, Google Workspace Standard with Gemini at S$18.80/mo is dramatically cheaper than M365 Standard + Copilot at S$57/mo. Google saves S$38.20/user/mo when AI is the deciding factor. The right answer depends on whether AI is a priority for your team.

Is Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 better for Singapore businesses?

Both are excellent. Google Workspace excels at real-time collaboration, includes Gemini AI free, and offers 2x the storage at mid-tier. Microsoft 365 excels with desktop apps (critical for Excel power users), offline work, and enterprise security (Defender, Intune). Digigen is certified by both and helps Singapore businesses make this choice based on actual workflows and requirements.

Can I use both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365?

Yes. Some Singapore businesses use both platforms. For example, Google Workspace for collaboration and email plus Microsoft 365 Apps for users who need full desktop Excel. Digigen can design a hybrid approach with proper integration and licensing optimisation.

Which has better AI: Gemini or Copilot?

Both are capable AI assistants with comparable features. The critical difference is pricing. Gemini is included in Google Workspace Standard at S$18.80/mo. Copilot requires a S$40/mo add-on on top of M365. Copilot Studio for custom AI agents is unique to Microsoft. For most businesses starting with AI, Google offers better value. For businesses needing custom AI agent development, Copilot Studio has the edge.

Can Digigen help me switch between platforms?

Yes. Digigen provides full migration services in both directions: Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, and Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace. This includes email, calendar, contacts, files, and format conversion (Google Docs to Word and vice versa). Typical migration takes 2-4 weeks with user training included. Local SGD billing with GST invoices for all services.

Does Digigen provide local billing in Singapore Dollars for both platforms?

Yes. Digigen provides local SGD billing with official GST invoices for both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, all editions. Bank transfer, credit card, or QR payment accepted. No credit card required to start. No currency conversion fees or hidden markup.

 

Need help deciding?

Book a free consultation with Digigen. We will assess your workflows, team size, security needs, and budget. Then we will give you an honest recommendation with a quote in Singapore Dollars. No obligation.

About Digigen

Digigen is a certified Google Cloud Partner and Microsoft Solutions Partner in Singapore and Thailand. We help businesses adopt Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Google Cloud, Azure, and AI tools like Gemini and Copilot. Local billing in Singapore Dollars and Thai Baht with official GST invoices. Visit digigen.io or contact us for a free consultation.