I chose to compare Google Docs and the Zoho Office Suite for this hub because I think they offer the best online office suites on the market today. I will say that that could change this year as Microsoft continues to pour more marketing and product development dollars into their SkyDrive office suite and cloud storage application.

Both Google Docs and Zoho offer spreadsheet, word processor, and presentation applications – the bread and butter of all office suites. I like the way that both work, although for users that are used to a traditional Windows style environment, Zoho is probably a better choice. Google Docs has a little different style of user interface. Long-time users of Google products should have no real problem using it though because it shares the same user interface style as all of their other products (like Gmail, Reader, etc.) In addition to the traditional office suite offerings, Google Docs also offers aForm application, which allows users to create web-based forms, and aDrawing application, which has similar functionality to Microsoft’s legacy image editing program, Paint, but also allows you to create equations and things like flowcharts. Google Docs also offers a beta product, Table, that allows users to transform data sets into unique tables and graphics.

Zoho offers a Planner application, which allows users to create notes and To-Do lists, and a Notebook application that serves as a repository for images, links, RSS feeds, and notes. All of these items are included within the free version of Zoho Office. In addition, Zoho also offers their database application, called Creator, as part of their Business suite. I believe the free version allows for some functionality but it costs additional money to get the full blown version. I should also mention that both Google and Zoho offer more products for a cost than what I have just listed, including CRM, email, chat, and other business services. I have chosen not to discuss them in this hub because I instead wanted to focus on the typical free office productivity tools that are most commonly used.

Comparing Google Docs and Zoho Office Overall, I feel both products have their strengths and weaknesses. I use them both for different purposes. Google Docs is faster, cleaner, and integrates better with users that are heavily involved with Google products. Zoho Office is a more traditional office suite that has a nice array of products, a great Dashboard, and integrates with Microsoft Office better than Google does. Below is a summary of each of the products strengths and weaknesses: Google Docs Strengths:

• Fast applications
• Great sharing capabilities
• Integrated nicely with other products for existing Google users
• Unique functionality with Form, Drawing, and Table applications

Google Docs Weaknesses:

• Does not import Microsoft Office documents seamlessly
• No support for advanced Microsoft Office functions
• Limited offline access for documents

Zoho Office Strengths:

• Full suite of programs including Database and Planner functions
• Integration with the wider Zoho Collaboration and Business applications
• Support for advanced Microsoft Office functions (included limited VBA)

Zoho Office Weaknesses:

• Slower than other online office suites
• Sharing capabilities are not as robust as Google Docs
• Does not have as large of user base as Google or Microsoft

Functionality	Google Docs	Zoho Office
Spreadsheet	Spreadsheet	Zoho Sheet
Word Processor	Document	Zoho Writer
Presentation	Presentation	Zoho Show
Image Editing	Drawing	[Not Available]
Forms	Form	[Not Available]
Calendar	Calendar	Zoho Calendar
Planner	[Not Available]	Zoho Planner
Notebook	[Not Available]	Zoho Notebook
Database	[Not Available]	Zoho Creator

In summary, web based office productivity suites are becoming more popular because of the many advantages they offer over traditional desktop applications. Two online office suites, Google Docs and Zoho Office offer great benefits and user interfaces when compared to desktop office applications. These two programs are leaders in online office suite market, but several other products are competing for the up and coming online office productivity market, including Microsoft SkyDrive, ThinkFree, Sheetster, and LiveOffice. Please let me know your experience with online office suites in the comments section.