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, Outlook Contact List, and UW-Madison Google Groups to help identify which service would work best for your needs.
group features
Feature Microsoft 365 Groups UW-Madison Google Groups Outlook 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 external members (ex. @gmail.com) ✓ ✓ ✓
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