Topics Map > Frequently Asked Questions
Microsoft 365 - What are the differences between a Microsoft 365 Group, a Microsoft 365 Security Group, a Contact List, and a Google Group?
This document compares the features of Microsoft 365 Groups, Microsoft 365 Security Groups, Microsoft 365 Contact List, and UW-Madison Google Groups to help identify which service would work best for your needs.
Feature | Microsoft 365 Groups | UW-Madison Google Groups | Office 365 Contact Lists/Groups | Manifest email group (MEG) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allows E-mail to Members | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Group File Sharing | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Group Calendaring | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Group Collaboration Tools | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Moderation | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Posting Security | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Suppress Office 365 "out of office" message | ✓ | |||
E-mail Open Tracking | ||||
Click-Through Tracking | ||||
Allows Non-Office 365 Contacts/Members | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
List Administration via E-mail | ✓ | |||
Data-Driven Lists Possible | ||||
Members List Hidden | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Better for server-generated messages | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Managing Office 365 account permissions | ✓ | |||
Service account be a member of | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Service account be owner/creator of | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Footers | ✓ | |||
Listname in subject | ✓ | |||
Email address format | somename@office365.wisc.edu | somename@g-groups.wisc.edu | no address exists | 0000abc1223def@wisc.edu |
See Also
- Microsoft 365 - Getting Started with Groups
- Microsoft 365 - Make a Group Hidden or Unhidden within Global Address List (GAL) or make Members Hidden from non-members
- UW-Madison Google Workspace - Create a Google Group
- Microsoft 365 - Use Security Groups to Manage Permissions
- Microsoft 365 - Use Manifest email groups to moderate email messages