Google Docs vs Microsoft Word vs Microsoft 365 Copilot: which productivity app should you choose?

Google Docs is the most direct choice for people who want to write together: real-time collaboration and automatic saving make shared documents easy to keep moving. Its connections to other Google services and support for multiple file formats also suit work that spans devices and tools.

Compared with Word, it offers less powerful editing and can be less consistent with formatting. Offline functionality is limited, and using it requires a Google account, so it is less appealing for account-free or desktop-style work.

Word has the strongest focus on traditional document editing of these three, with comprehensive tools, grammar support, and a wide range of templates. Its familiar interface and cross-platform compatibility make it a good fit for people who need more control over how documents look.

Some features require a subscription, and the app requires a Microsoft account. Compared with Google Docs, collaboration is less central to its appeal; compared with Microsoft 365 Copilot, it offers less emphasis on AI-driven help.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is the clearest choice here for AI-assisted productivity: it helps users create content, explore ideas, and get answers. It also brings cloud collaboration, cross-device access, and security features into a broader Microsoft workflow.

That broader scope can make the interface more complex than Google Docs or Word, and full features require a subscription. Some functions need an internet connection, so it is not the strongest option for offline work.