What you need to know
- Google recently announced that free legacy G Suite accounts would need to start paying subscription fees.
- Microsoft is taking that disruption as an opportunity to win over potential customers.
- It's offering current G Suite legacy free edition users the opportunity to get 60% off a 12-month Microsoft 365 subscription so long as they act before August 2, 2022.
Google put legacy G Suite account holders in an awkward position at the beginning of 2022, telling them they'd need a paid subscription to keep their access to Google Workspace — something they'd been able to access for free up until said announcement.
In response to that development, Microsoft has taken to its 365 blog to offer disillusioned G Suite legacy free edition users another option. Instead of sticking with their current Google Workspace setup and dealing with Google's subscription fees, they have the option to hop over to Microsoft 365 where they can score an exclusive 60% discount deal on a "12-month Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Business Standard, or Business Premium subscription, along with the help you need to make the move."
What that deal means is 60% off the subscription itself and a free year of Business Assist for Microsoft 365, though that second part is exclusive to U.S. customers. It's also worth noting Business Assist only supports English, as is the case for a number of Microsoft services.
If you're a current G Suite legacy free edition user, you have until August 2, 2022 to buy a Microsoft 365 sub and take advantage of Microsoft's offer (opens in new tab).
A big part of Microsoft's pitch is that you'll gain Microsoft Teams. However, if 60% off isn't enough to win you over, perhaps Microsoft's Teams-related TikTok efforts will.
