Microsoft Office vs. Google Docs

Microsoft has unveiled as a part of Office 2010 a suite of Microsoft Office Web apps that will compete directly with Google Docs. Microsoft's Web apps look like they could blow Google's online services out of the water.

Microsoft's new Web apps will let you create, edit, and save documents right online. Here's a quick head-to-head between Google and Microsoft Web apps.

Price

For personal users, Microsoft's Web apps will cost the same as Google Docs: nothing ! All you will need is a Window Live ID, and you'll be able to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote online and for free.

Winner: Tie

Look and Feel

Google Docs is keeping with the simplicity and ease of use that Google brings to its products. Microsoft, however, is not worried about complicating things, and this time that attitude may leads to good results. According to Microsoft, its Web apps will have a similar look and feel as their desktop counterparts. Microsoft also says that the Web versions of your formatted documents will render properly in most browsers, including Internet Explorer, Safari, and Firefox. Nothing has been said on Microsoft's plans for the Chrome or Opera browsers.

Winner: Microsoft.

Collaboration

One of the best characteristics of Google Docs is real-time collaboration in the Web browser. Microsoft is bringing similar functionality named “co-authoring”. However, it is not clear how exactly co-authoring works. With Microsoft, before you can collaborate, you must save a document to a Windows Live site or a SharePoint server, but the company doesn't say whether you can work together on a document right from the Web browser or if you need to use the desktop version. Moreover, it's not clear whether co-authoring only works on a private network, or if you can collaborate via the web.

Winner: Google. Real-time collaboration right from the Web browser is a winning feature for ease of use and Google Docs will work from almost any computer with connectivity.

Spreadsheets

Microsoft Excel's Web app will allow co-authoring and you can use the same Excel formulas you know from the desktop version. However, Excel online will not be as complete as its desktop counterpart. It will also simplify online sharing for Excel documents allowing you to easily publish a spreadsheet to blogs, wikis or other Web sites.

Winner: Microsoft. The familiarity of Excel, plus the argument of easy Web publishing.

 

Word Processing

The world's most popular word processor should have Google running scared. If Microsoft comes through on its promise to deliver a desktop look and feel to the online version of Word, it could be all over for Google. Both Google and Microsoft will allow you to create tables, bullets and styles and have spell checkers, but Word online will also give you auto-correct.

Winner : Microsoft.

Microsoft is making some big promises with its Web apps. However, Google may also stage an even bigger challenge to Microsoft later this year since the company is promising that Google Docs will undergo "dramatic changes in the next 12 months."