{ "id": "google-cloud-identity-vs-microsoft-entra-id", "ids": [ "google-cloud-identity", "microsoft-entra-id" ], "title": "Google Cloud Identity vs Entra ID: directory, apps and subscription scope", "heading": "Google Cloud Identity vs Entra ID", "kicker": "Identity and access comparison", "deck": "Compare Cloud Identity and Entra ID for workforce accounts, application access, device requirements and the boundary between identity and productivity subscriptions.", "description": "Compare Cloud Identity and Entra ID for workforce accounts, application access, device requirements and the boundary between identity and productivity subscriptions.", "answerHeading": "Which identity approach fits the brief?", "answer": "Consider Cloud Identity when managing Google identities and the selected Free or Premium capabilities fit the workforce. Consider Entra ID when its Microsoft tenant and chosen licences fit the directory and application brief. Separate identity from productivity services: a managed account does not automatically include every mailbox, collaboration app or advanced device control.", "checkedAt": "2026-10-15", "researchTag": "Identity audience, lifecycle and commercial scope", "researchLimit": "Official product and commercial scope reviewed. Exercises are proposed for isolated, authorised test accounts; no production identity changes, protection rankings or measured trial outcomes are claimed.", "datasetDescription": "Seven identity buying differences, four proposed evaluation briefs and four acceptance checks for Google Cloud Identity vs Entra ID.", "type": "workflow-buying", "rows": [ [ "Identity environment", "Google-managed workforce accounts and directory", "Microsoft-managed workforce accounts and directory" ], [ "Productivity boundary", "Cloud Identity is separate from the complete Workspace productivity package", "Entra ID scope is distinct from the complete Microsoft 365 app package" ], [ "Basic access", "Free edition provides core identity and endpoint scope", "Free edition is included with qualifying Microsoft cloud subscriptions" ], [ "Advanced controls", "Premium adds enterprise app and device capabilities", "P1, P2 and related offers add selected advanced capabilities" ], [ "Provisioning", "Verify the required edition and application connector", "Verify the required licence and application connector" ], [ "Devices", "Check the actual Free or Premium endpoint capability", "Check Entra policy plus any required separate device-management service" ], [ "Costing", "Identity edition plus any Workspace and operating needs", "Entra licence plus any Microsoft 365, device or other services" ] ], "scenarios": [ { "name": "Identity-only user", "question": "Can the colleague use the intended apps without an unnecessary productivity package?", "left": "Specify Cloud Identity and any separately required Workspace services.", "right": "Specify Entra ID and any separately required Microsoft services.", "note": "List mailbox, calendar, storage and app needs explicitly." }, { "name": "Application assignment", "question": "Does a group assignment create the intended app access?", "left": "Exercise the selected edition and app integration.", "right": "Exercise the selected licence and app integration.", "note": "Check account provisioning separately from SSO." }, { "name": "Device requirement", "question": "Does the proposed policy have the required device information?", "left": "Check the retained endpoint feature and device configuration.", "right": "Check the retained Entra and device-service configuration.", "note": "Record the actual supported platforms and required service dependencies." }, { "name": "User departure", "question": "Can the team remove access and preserve required business ownership?", "left": "Exercise the documented directory and connected-app process.", "right": "Exercise the documented directory and connected-app process.", "note": "Include data ownership and sessions in the written brief." } ], "exampleTable": { "caption": "Proposed acceptance checks in a non-production application; record your own evidence.", "headers": [ "Requirement", "Proposed exercise", "Accept when" ], "rows": [ [ "Subscription fit", "Map identity and productivity needs separately", "Every retained service has an explicit purpose" ], [ "App integration", "Assign an isolated user to an application", "Sign-in and app-account outcomes are both understood" ], [ "Device scope", "Review the required platform and policy dependency", "The retained package provides the required inputs" ], [ "Departure", "Walk through approved account removal", "App access and business ownership outcomes are documented" ] ] }, "sections": [ { "id": "identity-only", "title": "Separate account administration from productivity", "navLabel": "Identity vs apps", "paragraphs": [ "An identity service controls accounts and application access. A productivity subscription may add mail, calendar, documents or collaboration. List those needs per user instead of assuming the directory product includes the whole suite.", "Google Cloud Identity Free and Premium have their own feature boundaries. Microsoft Entra ID Free is included with qualifying cloud subscriptions, while advanced workforce requirements may need additional licences." ] }, { "id": "connected-services", "title": "Evaluate the connected directory and device setup", "navLabel": "Connected services", "paragraphs": [ "Choose one application and one representative device requirement. Confirm which service supplies each identity, device or policy input and which retained package permits its use.", "Complete the brief with provisioning, removal, recovery and operating ownership. Neither a managed account nor an SSO demonstration proves that every downstream application is administered correctly." ] } ], "faqs": [ { "question": "Does Cloud Identity include Gmail for every user?", "answer": "Do not assume that. Cloud Identity is distinct from the complete Google Workspace productivity package; specify the required services." }, { "question": "Are Cloud Identity Free and Premium equivalent?", "answer": "No. Premium adds enterprise application, device and support capabilities. Check the required feature against the current edition." }, { "question": "Does this compare the complete Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 suites?", "answer": "No. It focuses on identity scope and identifies the surrounding subscriptions that may still be required." } ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://cloud.google.com/identity/docs/editions", "facts": "Cloud Identity Free and Premium differ in app, device, provisioning and support scope; Workspace productivity services are separate." }, { "url": "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/identity-access/microsoft-entra-id", "facts": "Workforce directory and SSO; Free, P1, P2 and related offers have different feature scope." }, { "url": "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/fundamentals/licensing", "facts": "Entra ID Free is included with qualifying cloud subscriptions; advanced entitlements and suite prerequisites differ." } ], "relatedLinks": [ { "path": "/categories/identity-access-management/", "title": "Explore identity and access management" }, { "path": "/guides/workforce-vs-customer-identity/", "title": "Workforce vs customer identity: scope the audience and lifecycle" } ], "downloads": [ { "path": "/downloads/google-cloud-identity-vs-microsoft-entra-id-evaluation.csv", "title": "Download the identity evaluation checklist (CSV)", "description": "Four proposed checks with blank evidence and owner fields. Keep the actual audience, application, package and operating arrangement with the evaluation." } ] }