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Both require you to enter user details and go through a step by step process. Whilst Google’s appears to be more long winded and complex, the reality is far from true. With Microsoft I was left asking What Next? With Google, I felt comfortable that all questions had been answered and bases covered. GOOGLE WINS

During the setup, because of the nature of Microsoft and Google, Microsoft scanned your PC and setup Outlook to connect to their server, did one or two bits, installed a product call Lync (similar to Google chat but resembles a combination of Skype and Windows Live Messenger) and verified your PC was able to connect to Microsoft. Not sure about this on a Mac or Linux box but in my test, MICROSOFT WINS

Google requires you to assign a domain name you own and use that straight away either in full or just select users or on a “pilot program” simply by getting your host to forward/copy emails to yourdomain.test-google.com – in my example I was freely able to use this domain name to sign into google – mbsnet.co.uk
Microsoft requires you to choose a username and domain, with onmicrosoft.com – in my example I chose mbswizzyweb.onmicrosoft.com (quite a mouthful considering you need this to access emails, documents, settings etc. and probably want to use your own domain name).
For simplicity and useability, GOOGLE WINS

Here’s where things change..Although a trial, Google pre-authorises a debit or credit card with the first month’s subscription. I chose a 12 month contract with 3 users on the basis that you will simply carry on or cancel in writing before the trial is up. With Microsoft, no payment details are taken on the basis that if you don’t sign up you accept a data that the account will be terminated and you will lose access to all data on the Cloud servers (emails documents etc.). MICROSOFT WINS hands down.

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