Microsoft Forms vs Google Forms (2026)
Microsoft Forms and Google Forms are the two free, no-cost form builders most people reach for. Both let anyone with an account build surveys, quizzes, and sign-up sheets, share a link, and collect responses into a spreadsheet. The right pick usually comes down to which ecosystem you already live in — Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace — and who needs to fill out the form.
The short answer
- Microsoft Forms is simpler and Office-365-native. If your team runs on Outlook, Teams, Excel, and SharePoint, Forms fits in without friction and is genuinely easy for non-technical users.
- Google Forms is more universal and shareable. It works with any Google account, has been around longer, and tends to be easier to hand to an outside audience that doesn’t use Microsoft.
Both are free with a Microsoft or Google account, both export to a spreadsheet (Excel or Sheets), and both handle quizzes and basic logic.
Side-by-side comparison
| Microsoft Forms | Google Forms | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free with a Microsoft account; included in Microsoft 365 | Free with a Google account; included in Workspace |
| Where it lives | forms.office.com, Microsoft 365 | docs.google.com/forms, Google Workspace |
| Ease of use | Very simple, clean editor | Simple, slightly more options |
| Question types | Choice, Text, Rating, Ranking, Likert, NPS, Date, File upload | Multiple choice, checkbox, dropdown, short/long text, scale, grid, date, file upload |
| Branching / logic | Section + question branching | Section-based “go to” logic |
| Quizzes | Built-in, auto-graded | Built-in, auto-graded |
| Spreadsheet export | Excel (snapshot + OneDrive live copy) | Google Sheets (live link) |
| Best ecosystem fit | Outlook, Teams, Excel, SharePoint | Gmail, Sheets, Classroom, Sites |
| External sharing | Good; “Anyone can respond” | Excellent; link works for anyone |
| Theming | Built-in themes + custom image | Themes + header image + custom colors |
Where Microsoft Forms wins
- Office 365 integration. Embed forms in Teams channels and PowerPoint slides, push results straight into Excel, and surface forms in SharePoint pages.
- Simplicity. The editor is uncluttered, which makes it friendly for occasional creators and classrooms on Microsoft 365 for Education.
- Built-in response analytics. The summary tab’s charts are clean and immediate without extra setup.
Where Google Forms wins
- Universal sharing. Practically everyone has a Google account or can open a public link, so external surveys reach a wider audience with less sign-in friction.
- Live Google Sheets link. Responses flow into a connected Sheet that updates automatically — handy for ongoing data work.
- Maturity and add-ons. It’s been around longer, with a deeper bench of templates and third-party add-ons, and it ties neatly into Google Classroom.
Which should you choose?
Pick Microsoft Forms if your organization runs on Microsoft 365 — it keeps responses, sharing, and analysis inside the tools you already use. Pick Google Forms if you’re on Google Workspace, need to collect responses from a broad external audience, or want a live Google Sheet of results. For a one-off public survey where respondents could be anyone, Google Forms’ frictionless sharing is the safer bet; for internal work inside Microsoft 365, Forms is the natural choice.
FAQ
Is Microsoft Forms or Google Forms free?
Both are free. Microsoft Forms comes with any Microsoft account (and Microsoft 365); Google Forms comes with any Google account (and Workspace).
Can both create quizzes?
Yes. Both have a dedicated quiz mode that lets you set correct answers, assign points, and auto-grade submissions.
Can I export responses to a spreadsheet?
Yes. Microsoft Forms exports to Excel, and Google Forms links to a live Google Sheet that updates as responses arrive.
Which is better for anonymous responses?
Both can collect anonymous responses. In Microsoft Forms, set “Anyone can respond” and turn off Record name; in Google Forms, leave “Collect email addresses” off.
Which is easier for external respondents?
Google Forms generally has the edge — its public links work smoothly for anyone, while Microsoft Forms shines most for audiences already inside a Microsoft 365 organization.
Related Microsoft Forms guides: How to use Microsoft Forms · How to create a survey · How to create a quiz · How to share Microsoft Forms · How to export to Excel
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