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Feature comparison: G Suite for Education and Office 365 Education
Get to grips with how these digital education platforms can solve your remote learning problems, so you can make an informed decision about which to go for. If you've got one of these already, remind yourself what it can do and how else you might use it.
As of 4 January 2021, all schools have closed to all pupils except children of critical workers and vulnerable children. You must provide remote education to all pupils learning at home.
The DfE now expects schools to use a digital education platform, like G Suite for Education or Office 365 Education, to deliver remote learning.
Stay up to date on the full list of expectations (pages 46 to 50 of Restricting attendance during the national lockdown: schools).
No matter which platform you choose, you won't have to compromise on your pupils' education or sense of community. You'll be able to live-stream assemblies, upload video lessons, set work and provide feedback so pupils can continue learning while they're self-isolating.
Here's a breakdown of how Google and Microsoft each help you to create a virtual school that mimics real-life schooling as closely as possible. Where there are differences in what each platform can do, we make it clear.
Comparison: G Suite for Education and Office 365 Education
I want to... |
Google's solution | Microsoft's solution |
Assign and receive work |
Google Classroom Staff and pupils can log in on a computer, tablet or mobile device (using the Google Classroom app). Pupils complete tasks in Google Classroom using tools like Google Docs and Google Sheets. Here's what Classroom looks like in action. |
Microsoft Teams Staff and pupils can log in on a computer, tablet or mobile device (using the Microsoft Teams app). Pupils complete tasks in Office 365 using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Class Notebook and so on. Take a look at the Teams interactive classroom demo. |
Communicate with staff |
Google Meet Google Chat Google Classroom |
Teams Meetings Teams Chat |
Communicate with pupils |
Google Classroom |
Class Teams Give pupils feedback on any work they've handed in. Respond to pupils either in group conversations or 1-to-1 messages. |
Communicate with parents | Google Classroom Set up automatic email digests to parents. These can be daily or weekly, and summarise class activity and work that's due or overdue. |
Teams Schedule a parent-teacher conference or create a Team with guest access for parents to share announcements. |
Enable collaboration between pupils |
Google Classroom Google Meet Jamboard |
Class Teams Teams Chat Class Notebook Teams Whiteboard |
Teach remotely | Google Meet Live-stream* a lesson to pupils, and save a recording so pupils can watch (or re-watch) later. Google Classroom Upload videos you've recorded (e.g. on a mobile phone) to Google Drive or YouTube. When you set a task, you can attach the video for pupils to watch alongside any written instructions. |
Teams Meetings and Live Events Microsoft Stream |
Test pupils' learning |
Google Classroom Make template mark schemes (called 'rubrics') to speed up marking on any task. Google Forms |
Class Teams Make rubric templates to speed up marking on any task. Microsoft Forms |
Store resources for pupils and staff | Google Drive Unlimited cloud storage space for worksheets, videos, and any other resources you need. Link resources to assignments in Classroom. |
Microsoft Teams and Sharepoint Online OneDrive |
Safeguard pupils |
G Suite for Education Set up calls so pupils can't re-join the call once it's ended, and pupils and staff can only join if the teacher has invited them. |
Office 365 Education Teams Meeting Teams Chat |
Comply with subject access requests under the GDPR | Google Vault and Google Drive audit log Search for and export data on a staff member or pupil. |
Microsoft eDiscovery content search Search for and export data on a staff member or pupil. |
For more information, take a look at what Google and Microsoft say about their platforms.
* As of 30 September 2020, you'll need to upgrade to G Suite Enterprise for Education to live stream, record calls, or hold Google Meet calls with up to 250 people.
**Live-streaming, recording calls and the 250 participant meeting limit in Microsoft Teams will continue to be free after schools reopen.
What to read next
Take a look at our case studies on how primary and secondary schools are using these platforms to keep their pupils learning while they're self-isolating.
Or, apply directly for DfE-funded support with setting up G Suite for Education or Office 365 Education via our digital education platform hub.
- Get set up on your digital education platform
- G Suite for Education: instructions for pupils, parents and staff
- Mythbuster: 7 misconceptions about digital education platforms
- Office 365 Education: instructions for pupils, parents and staff
- Remote learning: alternative methods for providing laptops
- Remote learning: loaning IT equipment to pupils and staff
- Remote learning: programmes and webinars offering additional support
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