As a writer, I have used both Google Docs and Microsoft Word from time to time. Word may have the advantage of being feature-rich, but when it comes to simplicity and productivity, Docs meets all my needs. That’s why I turn to Google Docs for almost all of my document work.

1 Simple interface

One of my main reasons for using Google Docs is its simple, clean interface. When you open Google Docs, you’re greeted with a minimalist layout that’s free of clutter and unnecessary tools. This allows me to focus on my content instead of being overwhelmed by hard-to-find menus and options. On the other hand, Microsoft Word offers a feature-rich interface with a dense toolbar. This can be intimidating for users who only need basic document formatting options.

Google Docs places more emphasis on usability, providing only the most important tools and hiding advanced options behind intuitive menus. This is a big deal for me as a casual user who prefers a distraction-free workspace. It also shortens the learning curve for newbies. When I open Microsoft Word to work on a document after a long time, I often forget where some of the important options were the last time. There have been cases where I have had to search the web to find out where a certain option was. But that is not the case with Google Docs.

When I need to get a document done quickly, I don’t want to waste my time navigating the maze of buttons and functions in Word. Google Docs gives me a smoother, more enjoyable work experience.

2 Integration with Keep Notes and other Google services

Google Docs integrates with Keep Notes, a platform for writing and sharing short notes. It lets me save quick notes, ideas, to-do lists, and images that I can easily access and insert directly into Google Docs. This is handy when I need to access saved snippets of information, research, and reminders on the go without having to switch between multiple platforms.

But it’s not just Google Keeps. Docs is connected to the entire Google Workspace ecosystem, including Google Drive, Google Meet, and Google Calendar. Files created in Google Docs are automatically saved to Google Drive, making them accessible from other devices. If you need to discuss important documents, you can start a meeting in Meet right from Google Docs. Google Calendar integration lets me set reminders and deadlines within my Google Docs workflow.

This integration makes Google Docs a versatile tool. It acts as part of my extensive productivity toolbox and makes document creation more efficient and seamless than what is possible in Microsoft Word.

3 Easy sharing and collaboration

Google Docs makes sharing and collaborating easy. With just a few clicks, you can share a document via a link, providing specific levels of access such as viewing, commenting, or editing. Docs allows multiple users to edit the same document at the same time, with each editor’s changes immediately visible to other collaborators. You can see who is currently working on the document and communicate with them using the built-in commenting system and suggestion features.

Unlike Word, where tracking changes and adding comments can be a bit cumbersome, Google Docs simplifies the process. You can leave comments on specific sections and mark others with the “@” symbol. The “Suggestion” mode allows editors to suggest changes without changing the original text. You can review the suggested comments and fix the issues by making the necessary changes.

Another cool aspect of Google Docs is the easy version history. Each version of the document is automatically saved. You can access the version history to see previous drafts and changes made by each collaborator and even restore older versions. Most clients I’ve worked with prefer Google Docs for this reason. Student groups also use these collaboration features.

4 Suitable for mobile devices

There are many situations where I need to prepare documents on the go, and I rely on my phone for that. Google Docs makes document work on mobile less tedious. Google Docs is designed for mobile use and offers a user-friendly experience on smartphones and tablets. Whether you use Android or iOS, the mobile app offers almost the same features as the web version. I can start working on a document on my laptop and continue editing it on my phone without missing a thing.

The mobile version of Google Docs is optimized for touch and has an intuitive interface. The most commonly used functions are right at your fingertips. Large, easy-to-touch buttons and a simplified toolbar make it the perfect choice for small screens. You can quickly format text, insert images, and copy and paste into the documents. Compared to Word’s mobile app, Google Docs feels sleeker and more efficient for basic editing tasks.

5 Completely free

Unlike Microsoft Word, which is usually bundled with Microsoft 365, a subscription-based service, Google Docs offers all of its features for free with no strings attached. You can create, edit, and share documents without worrying about paying for premium features or upgrades, so it’s a great option if you’re trying to minimize your costs.

In the case of Microsoft Word, you can either buy it individually for $159.99 or get the Microsoft 365 subscription starting at $6.99/month. The web version is free but has quite limited features compared to the desktop version. Moreover, both the web version and the mobile app gently push you to buy the Microsoft 365 subscription.

The only concern you might have with Google Docs is the limited Google Drive storage space of 15GB. Since all the Google Docs documents you create take up space in Google Drive, your free storage space can get exhausted pretty quickly.

6 Has many great extensions

If you feel that Google Docs is missing a feature, you can extend its functionality by adding extensions from the Google Workspace Marketplace. These add-ons help you with various tasks such as formatting, productivity, and research. Even outside the marketplace, you have many third-party tools at your disposal that integrate seamlessly with Google Docs. Adding these tools removes all previous limitations compared to Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Word has a huge collection of extensions in both the web and desktop versions. But it’s not just the collection that’s important. Extensions in Google Docs are extremely easy to find, install, and manage. The extensions fit well into Google Docs’ minimalist interface. In Word, extensions can add even more clutter to an already cluttered interface. I also had to do some back and forth when I wanted to remove add-ins from Word. But in Docs, it was straightforward.

7 Documents always via Word

Google Docs handles most of my document work, while Word’s additional features seem a bit overkill. It’s also completely free and easy to use. But that doesn’t mean Docs is perfect. Microsoft Word offers many advantages over Docs for advanced users.