Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace business email pricing in India (INR)
TL;DR: Both products sell business email on your own domain, plus documents, video meetings and storage, billed per user per month with GST added on top. The entry plans cost broadly similar amounts, in the low hundreds of rupees per user. The real differences are what each tier includes: Microsoft's Business Basic gives web and mobile Office apps and a 1 TB OneDrive, while desktop Office apps start at Business Standard. Google gives 30 GB pooled storage on Starter and moves to 2 TB at Standard. Published rupee prices vary by source, billing term and promotions, so use the plan structure below to shortlist, then confirm on each vendor's India page.
What you are actually paying for
A per-user subscription bundles several things: a mailbox on your own domain ([email protected]), calendar and contacts, document tools, video meetings, cloud storage and admin controls. The price you see is for the whole bundle, not just email, which is why the two products are compared on plan tiers rather than on the mailbox alone.
For a comparison of Google Workspace against the email included with a hosting plan, see our separate guide on Google Workspace vs a hosting provider's business email. This post focuses on Microsoft 365 against Google Workspace.
Google Workspace plans in India
Google's India page lists four tiers:
| Plan | Pooled storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business Starter | 30 GB per user | Business email, Meet, Docs, Sheets, Slides |
| Business Standard | 2 TB per user | Larger meetings, recording, more storage |
| Business Plus | 5 TB per user | Added security and management |
| Enterprise | 5 TB, expandable | Priced through sales |
At the time of writing, Google's India page shows entry pricing from roughly ₹160 to ₹200 per user per month for Starter, around ₹860 to ₹1,040 for Standard and ₹1,700 to ₹2,050 for Plus, with some promotional figures also displayed. It says an annual commitment saves 16%, and that some introductory pricing applies to the first 20 users for 12 months for new customers. The page does not make clear which number in each pair is the annual rate, which is exactly why you should check it yourself on the day you buy.
Google's apps are browser-first. There is no installable desktop suite, though Gmail and Docs work offline in Chrome.
Microsoft 365 plans in India
Microsoft's business tiers follow a different logic, with desktop apps as the dividing line:
| Plan | Desktop Office apps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business Basic | No (web and mobile only) | Business email, Teams, 1 TB OneDrive per user |
| Business Standard | Yes | Everything in Basic plus installed Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook |
| Business Premium | Yes | Adds advanced security and device management |
| Apps for business | Yes | Office apps without email |
Third-party price listings from early 2026 put Business Basic at roughly ₹145 to ₹175 per user per month, Standard at around ₹770 to ₹925 and Premium at about ₹1,830 to ₹2,200, billed annually. These come from resellers and articles rather than from Microsoft, and they disagree with each other, so treat them as ballpark and check Microsoft's India pricing page.
Reading the price tables correctly
Four things distort the numbers you see online:
- Billing term. Many business plans show a monthly figure that is really an annual price spread over twelve months, requiring a 12-month commitment. Paying month to month usually costs more.
- GST. Prices are normally shown before GST. Add 18% for planning. If your business is GST-registered you can generally claim input tax credit, so the effective cost is lower, which our guide to GST invoicing for hosting and domain purchases explains in similar terms.
- Promotions. Introductory pricing applies only to new customers, for a limited time and often a limited number of users. Budget for the full price after it ends.
- Resellers. Some Indian resellers add value or discounts, others simply repackage. The software is identical, but support and billing differ, so decide whether you want to deal with the vendor or a partner.
Side by side
| Factor | Google Workspace | Microsoft 365 |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan includes desktop apps | No, browser-based | No, web and mobile only |
| Desktop apps available | None (web apps) | From Business Standard |
| Entry-level storage | 30 GB pooled per user | 1 TB OneDrive plus mailbox |
| Video meetings | Google Meet | Microsoft Teams |
| Best known for | Collaboration, simplicity | Office file fidelity, Windows fit |
| Admin and security depth | Strong, rises with tier | Strong, deepest in Premium |
| Typical entry price | Low hundreds of rupees | Low hundreds of rupees |
Storage is the clearest practical gap at the bottom of the range. A team that stores many large files can outgrow Google's Starter allowance quickly, while Microsoft's entry plan already includes 1 TB of OneDrive. Check current limits for both before deciding.
Which suits which kind of business
- Teams that live in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, exchange files with clients who do, or need desktop apps: Microsoft 365, starting at Business Standard.
- Small teams that mostly collaborate in the browser and value simple sharing: Google Workspace Starter or Standard.
- Companies that need advanced device and security management: compare Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Google Workspace Business Plus.
- Businesses already deep in one ecosystem: the cost of switching tools, training and file formats usually outweighs a small price gap.
Setup details that apply to both
Whichever you choose, the email only works properly once DNS is configured. You will need to verify the domain, point MX records at the provider, and add SPF, DKIM and DMARC records so your messages are trusted. Our guides on setting up business email with your own domain and on SPF, DKIM and DMARC walk through each step. Moving between providers later is much easier if you keep your DNS records documented.
FAQs
Is Microsoft 365 cheaper than Google Workspace in India?
At the entry level the two are close, in the low hundreds of rupees per user per month. Differences appear at higher tiers and in what each plan includes, so compare features, not just headline price.
Do these prices include GST?
Usually not. Add 18% GST when budgeting. GST-registered businesses can generally claim input tax credit.
Can I pay monthly instead of annually?
Often yes, but the monthly-billed price tends to be higher than the effective monthly rate on an annual plan. Check which term the displayed price assumes.
Do I need desktop Office apps?
Only if you or your clients rely on the installed versions of Word, Excel or Outlook. Microsoft includes them from Business Standard. Google offers browser-based tools only.
Which has better storage for a small team?
Microsoft's entry plan includes 1 TB of OneDrive per user, while Google's Starter has 30 GB pooled, so Microsoft is more generous at the bottom of the range. Google's Standard plan moves up to 2 TB.
Can I use my existing domain with either one?
Yes. Both let you create mailboxes on your own domain after you verify it and update your DNS records.
Can I migrate email from one to the other later?
Yes, both vendors provide migration tools, but it takes planning. Moving mail, calendars and files across is easier when you start with a clear plan and a quiet week.
Is there any free option?
Google and Microsoft both offer free consumer accounts, but business email on your own domain needs a paid plan. Some hosting plans include basic mailboxes, which is a separate comparison covered in our other guide.
Conclusion
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace cost broadly the same at the entry level, so the decision rests on what each tier includes: desktop apps and 1 TB of storage on Microsoft's side, browser-first simplicity on Google's. Add GST, check whether the price assumes an annual term, and confirm figures on the vendors' India pages because third-party listings disagree.
Whichever you pick, your domain's DNS and your website hosting need to be set up correctly for mail to arrive. HostCloud can help with domain and DNS setup for either service. See https://hostcloud.in.
Sources: