Google Workspace vs ONLYOFFICE

September 26, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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Google Workspace
Get business email, video conferencing, and cloud storage from Google. All you need to do your best work, together in one package that works seamlessly from your computer, phone or tablet. The free G Suite version, including online document editors (Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets) is available in Google Drive.
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ONLYOFFICE
ONLYOFFICE is a cloud business service that enables you to manage projects, customer relations and documents in one place. In other words, you don't need to switch back and forth between multiple applications to perform different tasks. Here you obtain a single multi-featured system to organize every step of your work improving your productivity and optimizing efforts for success.

Google Workspace and ONLYOFFICE are both productivity suites, but they offer distinct features and capabilities. Google Workspace, formerly G Suite, includes a wide range of cloud-based applications like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and more. It's known for its collaboration and real-time editing features, making it ideal for teams working on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations simultaneously. ONLYOFFICE, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive suite of office applications similar to Google's offerings but with a strong emphasis on providing self-hosted or on-premises solutions. It appeals to organizations looking for more control over their data and infrastructure. While Google Workspace is cloud-centric and excels in collaboration, ONLYOFFICE offers a flexible deployment model that caters to users seeking on-premises, self-hosted, or cloud options, making it a suitable choice for businesses with varying infrastructure and privacy preferences.

See also: Top 10 Office suites
Google Workspace vs ONLYOFFICE in our news:

2024. ONLYOFFICE DocSpace 2.5 adds Public rooms improvements, user groups, embedding presets



Version 2.5 of ONLYOFFICE DocSpace has been released. It allows to use third-party services as data storage for your Public rooms, create a new folder or select the existing one in the connected storage. Among available options are Google Drive, One Drive, Box, Dropbox, kDrive, Nextcloud, ownCloud, and others working via the WebDAV protocol. You can now work with any content you have, including office files, PDF, and multimedia. From now on, you are also able to view, create and edit .md files thanks to the new Markdown plugin based on the markdown-it parser. ONLYOFFICE DocSpace 2.5 brings useful novelties for the account management. Thus, you can organize users into groups for more effective team management, with an option to assign a group head. Also the developers added ready-to-use presets which allow you to seamlessly embed your DocSpace or its part into any web interface.


2024. Google adds new video creation app Vids app to Workspace


Google has introduced Vids, a new addition to its Google Workspace suite, designed for streamlined video creation in professional settings. Vids offers a straightforward interface for crafting slide presentations using a linear timeline, where users can seamlessly incorporate content from their Google Drive. Notably, Vids distinguishes itself with the integration of Google's Gemini AI, allowing users to opt-in for assistance in scriptwriting, storyboarding, and text-to-speech narration. Additionally, Gemini can access a repository of stock footage and generate imagery. Currently undergoing testing with a select group of Workspace users, Vids aims to unveil a broader beta version in the upcoming summer, promising an influx of AI-infused presentations in the workplace.


2024. ONLYOFFICE Docs gets PDF forms



The new version ONLYOFFICE Docs 8.0 allows to create complex forms in PDF and fill them out online, in the desktop and mobile apps. To build fillable PDF forms, use DOCXF templates. This file format allows inserting various types of fields and adjusting them to make your form look as you need it. Like in a regular document, you can work with text applying any styling and formatting as well as collaborate on forms together with your team. Also in version 8.0 the developers have added Goal Seek in the spreadsheets. If you know the result that you want from a formula, but are not sure what input value the formula needs to get that result, you can use this function. Another new feature - Chart wizard - displays a list of the recommended chart types and a preview for all types of charts based on the selected data.


2023. ONLYOFFICE DocSpace 2.0 adds Public rooms



he upgraded ONLYOFFICE DocSpace comprises lots of new useful features and multiple enhancements across the platform. New Public rooms allow to work on documents with any third party much easier. In Public rooms, you can invite users via external links to allow them to view files without registration. If necessary, you are able to generate multiple external links with different parameters to set various access permissions. To secure files in a public room, apply password protection and restrict file content copy, file downloading and printing. Besides, you can embed public rooms into any web interface via Developer Tools -> JavaScript SDK using the corresponding embedding settings. This way, users of your website or service are able to access the room files directly from the web frontend.


2023. Google adds eSignature to Google Docs and Google Drive



Google has introduced a new eSignature capability within Google Workspace. This novel functionality will specifically cater to both individual users and diverse group accounts within Google Docs and Google Drive. The primary objective of this new addition is to serve solopreneurs and small businesses by providing a streamlined method to effortlessly gather and monitor digital signatures directly within documents. This obviates the need for the traditional process of printing, signing, scanning, and emailing for obtaining signatures. Essentially, it presents an electronic signature field that can be seamlessly integrated into the document. Furthermore, anticipated enhancements slated for later this year encompass the potential inclusion of an audit trail report to trace signatures within Google Docs documents, the facilitation of managing multiple signatories and transmitting documents to individuals external to the Google Workspace ecosystem. Lastly, the feature aims to enable the acquisition of an electronic signature within a PDF version of the document.


2023. ONLYOFFICE DocSpace, a new way of document collaboration


ONLYOFFICE has launched DocSpace, a new solution aimed at connecting individuals and documents in a suitable environment. Essentially, ONLYOFFICE DocSpace is a collaborative workspace designed to enhance the sharing of documents with customers, business partners, contractors, and other third parties. This platform enables you to generate customizable rooms with adaptable access rights. There are two types of rooms available in DocSpace: Collaboration rooms for real-time co-authoring of documents, monitoring changes, and communication with integrated chat, Zoom, Jitsi, Telegram, and Rainbow plugins; Custom rooms for your personalized settings and any custom purpose, such as content sharing for viewing only, requesting reviews or comments, sharing a form to complete online, and more.


2023. ONLYOFFICE Workspace 12.5: enhanced security, optimized document management, Dark theme



The newest version of collaboration platform ONLYOFFICE Workspace 12.5 comes with lots of security and usability improvements across the suite. Now you can set up a limit of unsuccessful login attempts along with blocking time and check period to protect your portal from brute-force attacks. You are also able to input trusted IP addresses for users and admins using different sections. In addition to the existing activation of two-factor authentication, you can select trusted IP addresses for which 2FA is not required as well as users and groups for mandatory 2FA. In the Documents module, you are able to generate multiple external sharing links for the same file. Besides, you can set time limits and passwords for externally shared docs to better protect them. Moreover, it’s now possible to share folders via external links as well (setting time limits and passwords for folders is also available). In this case, all the subfolders and files within them will inherit the external link.


2022. Google opens up Workspace with new integrations and APIs



Google Workspace is receiving a significant update that introduces several noteworthy features for customers. However, what's even more significant is that Google is leveraging this opportunity to expand the Workspace ecosystem beyond its own services by introducing new integrations and developer tools. One of the key initiatives involves opening up smart chips within Workspace, which are the links to various documents, individuals, and information. Previously limited to Google's own offerings, these smart chips will now be accessible to third-party vendors. To kickstart this expansion, Google has partnered with renowned companies such as AODocs, Atlassian, Asana, Figma, Miro, and Tableau, all of whom are actively developing integrations. Additionally, Google is introducing a set of APIs for both Chat and Meet, enabling third-party developers to incorporate functions such as initiating or starting meetings directly from their respective applications. Asana and LumApps are the initial launch partners for these APIs, further enriching the collaboration capabilities within Workspace.


2022. ONLYOFFICE Docs 7.2 gets plugin marketplace, new form fields, ligatures, updated UI



ONLYOFFICE has unveiled the latest version of its Docs suite, featuring an enhanced user interface and a range of exciting new functionalities. The introduction of the Plugin marketplace streamlines the process of installing and managing plugins, thanks to the convenient Plugin Manager. Users can effortlessly explore the available plugins, install or remove them with just a single click. The Live viewer enables real-time collaboration by allowing users to track changes made by others in the document (in view-only mode). Additionally, in text documents, spreadsheets can now be inserted and edited as OLE objects, making it convenient to share statistics within reports, such as yearly summaries. Creating forms is now faster and simpler with the introduction of new fields in the Forms tool, including email address, phone number, and a versatile complex field for customizing unique form requirements. Furthermore, the new search bar empowers users to swiftly locate any desired content within their documents. The left-side panel provides detailed search options and effortless navigation between results, while the inclusion of the "Whole words only" option further refines the search experience.


2022. ONLYOFFICE launches online document converter



ONLYOFFICE has always excelled in providing support for Microsoft Office documents. With the introduction of the new ONLYOFFICE converter, users can now effortlessly convert their documents, sheets, slides, and PDF files from one format to another. Whether it's converting from docx to odt or any other desired format, this converter eliminates the need for registration or the installation of additional software. ONLYOFFICE accommodates all popular file formats for text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and even PDF files. To ensure maximum security, all uploaded documents undergo encryption, guaranteeing their safety while being stored online.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com