Google Docs vs Microsoft Loop

Google Docs

• People and teams who draft and review documents together in a browser
• Organizations that already pay for Google Workspace
• Collecting edits and comments from collaborators outside the company

Microsoft Loop

• Teams that already work in Microsoft 365, Teams and Outlook
• Agendas, task lists and notes that have to stay in sync across apps
• Personal projects on a free Microsoft account

Google Docs

• There is no standalone paid Docs plan; the business version comes only as part of Google Workspace, with Gmail, Drive and Meet.
• Gemini in Docs and eSignature are not in Business Starter; both start at Business Standard, $14 per user / month on a 1-year commitment.
• Offline editing on a computer works only in Chrome or Microsoft Edge with the Google Docs Offline extension installed.
• Google lists Docs for web browsers, Android, iPhone and iPad; no Windows or Mac desktop app is listed.

Microsoft Loop

• Loop is not sold on its own: work use comes with a Microsoft 365 subscription that includes OneDrive or SharePoint storage.
• Microsoft's plans page names Loop only under Business Standard and Premium, while its Loop support page says any work account with that storage can create workspaces.
• Microsoft's support page says Loop does not currently support external sharing with guests or people outside the organization.
• Copilot in Loop needs a Microsoft 365 Copilot plan on work accounts and is not available with personal accounts, even on Microsoft 365 Personal or Family.

Google Docs

Co-editing, comments and version history

Several people can edit one document at the same time, leave comments and assign action items. Earlier versions can be opened and restored, and sharing settings control who can view, comment or edit.

Smart chips and building blocks

Typing @ inserts people, files, calendar events and dropdown menus, or building blocks such as meeting notes, email drafts and review trackers.

Document tabs and pageless mode

A document can be split into tabs for each part of a project or report, and pageless mode removes page breaks for continuous writing.

Gemini in Docs

Drafts and restyles documents from prompts, drawing on a user's Drive, Gmail and Chat. Among Business editions it starts at Business Standard; Starter does not include it.

Word and PDF files

Microsoft Word documents can be edited directly without making a copy, or converted to Docs format. PDF files can be imported and worked on as well.

Offline editing

Documents can be opened, created and edited without a connection. On a computer this requires Chrome or Microsoft Edge with the Google Docs Offline extension.

Microsoft Loop

Workspaces

Shared spaces that group the pages, links and files for a project, so a team can see what everyone is working on and track progress toward shared goals.

Pages

Flexible canvases that bring together components, links, tasks and data. A page can be shared across Microsoft 365 apps as a link or as an embedded component.

Loop components

Lists, tables and notes that stay in sync wherever they are shared, including Teams, Outlook, OneNote and Whiteboard. They are not supported with personal Microsoft accounts.

Page templates

Templates set up a page for project context, meeting notes or a team decision, and an insert menu adds components, mentions and dates inline.

Copilot in Loop

Helps a team co-create content and catch up on changes to a page. It requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot plan and a work or school account.

Suggested files for new workspaces

When a workspace is created, Loop searches for relevant files and documents and offers to add them.

Google Docs

• Personal Google Account$0

  Create, edit and share documents in a browser or the mobile apps, with comments, version history and offline access.

• Business Starter$7

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($8.40 flexible)

  Google Workspace with Docs and 30 GB of pooled storage per user. Gemini in Docs and eSignature are not included.

• Business Standard$14

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($16.80 flexible)

  2 TB of pooled storage per user. The lowest Business edition with Gemini in Docs and eSignature with Docs and PDFs.

• Business Plus$22

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($26.40 flexible)

  Everything in Standard with 5 TB of pooled storage per user, plus Vault, eDiscovery and advanced endpoint management.

• EnterpriseCustom

  No minimum or maximum user count, with data loss prevention, context-aware access and data regions; priced through Google sales.

Microsoft Loop

• Personal Microsoft account$0

  Loop on the web, iOS and Android with workspaces and pages. No Copilot, and components cannot be used in Teams or Outlook.

• Business Basic (no Teams)$5.40

  per user / month, paid yearly ($7.00 with Teams)

  Web and mobile Office apps with OneDrive and SharePoint, the storage license Microsoft's Loop support page says the Loop app needs.

• Business Standard with Copilot$23.50

  per user / month, paid yearly ($20.30 without Teams)

  Desktop Office apps and Copilot. The lowest business plan whose listing names Loop and the ability to create shareable Loop workspaces.

• Business Premium with Copilot$32.00

  per user / month, paid yearly ($28.80 without Teams)

  Everything in Standard plus Intune device management, Defender threat protection and Purview data protection, for up to 300 users.

Google Docs

• Annual discount

  Save 16% with a 1-year commitment

  Business Starter is $7 per user per month on the Annual/Fixed-Term Plan against $8.40 on the Flexible Plan. Standard drops from $16.80 to $14 and Plus from $26.40 to $22.

• Nonprofit

  Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0

  Eligible nonprofits get Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0, or Business Standard at $3.50 and Business Plus at $6.16 per user per month on a 1-year commitment.

• Education

  Education Fundamentals at no charge

  Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals, which includes Docs, is available at no charge to qualifying institutions.

Microsoft Loop

• Nonprofit

  Nonprofit grant and staff pricing

  Eligible nonprofits get Microsoft 365 Business Basic as a grant, free for up to 300 users, and Business Standard, which lists Loop, at $3.50 per user / month paid yearly.