Gmail vs Microsoft 365 Business
In short: Microsoft 365 Business wins on privacy, Gmail wins on price, and Microsoft 365 Business wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Gmail suits you best if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; to try it free first; and a provider that's been going since 2004.
- Microsoft 365 Business is the better pick if you want your mailbox stored in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham); to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk; and more space for your mail: 50 GB.
| Feature | Gmail | Microsoft 365 Business |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 1.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Features | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month | Business Basic £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 50 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) |
| Founded | 2004 | 2011 |
| Free trial | Free | One month free on some plans |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | Yes, or its parent company is |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Plus addressing only | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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How Gmail and Microsoft 365 Business differ
- Gmail's cheapest plan is Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month); Microsoft 365 Business's is Business Basic (£5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT).
- For free, Gmail gives you a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive), and Microsoft 365 Business no free plan.
- Gmail comes with 15 GB of storage and Microsoft 365 Business with 50 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the United States and worldwide with Gmail, and in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) with Microsoft 365 Business.
- Microsoft 365 Business lets you bring your own domain name; Gmail doesn't.
- For extra addresses, Gmail has plus addressing only and Microsoft 365 Business has yes.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Gmail or Microsoft 365 Business?
Microsoft 365 Business scores 1 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Microsoft 365 Business gives you your mailbox stored in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham).
Which is cheaper, Gmail or Microsoft 365 Business?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). Microsoft 365 Business's cheapest plan, Business Basic, is £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT.
Do Gmail and Microsoft 365 Business work with my own domain?
Only Microsoft 365 Business does (Yes). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Gmail and Microsoft 365 Business keep my email?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Microsoft 365 Business keeps it in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham).
Recent price changes
- 27 July 2026 Microsoft 365 Business: £5.40 (UK price change from 1 July 2026)
- 1 June 2026 Microsoft 365 Business: £4.90
The latest headlines: Gmail news · Microsoft 365 Business news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Gmail vs mailbox.org · Microsoft 365 Business vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · Microsoft 365 Business vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · Microsoft 365 Business vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Ready to move? My step-by-step guides cover your mail, contacts, forwarding and your own domain: Gmail to Microsoft 365 Business · Microsoft 365 Business to Gmail.