Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace: Which Is More Secure for SMEs?
A clear, direct answer to this question — written for UK business owners and IT decision-makers.
Direct Answer
Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers a more comprehensive built-in security stack than Google Workspace for most UK SMEs — including Defender for Business (EDR), Intune device management, Conditional Access, and Purview DLP in a single licence. Google Workspace has strong fundamentals but requires more third-party tools to match M365 Premium's security depth. For businesses already in the Microsoft ecosystem, M365 Business Premium at £16.90/user/month is the recommended tier.
Key Points
What you need to know.
The Short Answer
Microsoft 365 has nearly 345 million paid subscribers globally in 2025.
For UK Businesses
An estimated 1.9 million UK businesses use Microsoft Teams.
Cost Considerations
Microsoft Teams has 320 million daily active users globally.
Next Steps
93% of Fortune 100 companies use Microsoft Teams.
Quick Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
The top threats are phishing (85% of breaches), ransomware (doubled year-on-year), business email compromise (increased 33% in 2025), and supply chain attacks (35.5% of all breaches now originate from third parties). AI-powered attacks are accelerating all of these threat categories.
Organisations with Cyber Essentials certification are 92% less likely to make a claim on their cyber insurance. Certification is mandatory for UK government contracts involving sensitive data. Only 3% of UK businesses are currently certified, giving certified businesses a competitive advantage.
Phishing is the most common attack type, identified by 85% of businesses that experienced a breach (DSIT 2025). Phishing accounts for 93% of cyber crimes against businesses. AI-powered phishing has driven a 204% increase in phishing emails delivering malware in 2025.
The first hour after detection is considered the golden hour that determines outcome severity. Organisations that detect breaches internally save an average of $900,000 in costs. Only 22% of UK businesses have a formal cybersecurity incident management plan in place.
Only 14% of UK businesses formally review cyber risks from their immediate suppliers. 35.5% of all global data breaches in 2024 originated from third-party compromises. Supply chain attacks add an average of £241,620 to the total cost of a breach and take 267 days to detect and contain.
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Related Questions
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