Google Docs the Clear Leader in Web Office Market
Yesterday I requested some comparative data from Compete about Web Office products, as a follow-up to our 2007 review of the Web Office space. Specifically I wanted to know how Google Docs & Spreadsheets compared to Zoho or ThinkFree's word processing and spreadsheeting products. Also how Google Apps compared to Zoho, ThinkFree and others. The charts below answer both questions:
This shows that Google's word processing and spreadsheet products have a noticeable lead over what may be its nearest rival, Zoho. This is to be expected, seeing as Google is a big Internet company with a substantial 'built in' user base (via search). It does however prove that Google D&S is the market leader, at least with consumer use, something which a couple of commenters in our Web Office round-up questioned.
We see here that Google Docs is the clear market leader in comparison with its competitors, at least at the domain level. We can infer it is a similar situation for Google Apps as a suite. Again it's to be expected, given Google's bulk. Note that Microsoft's OfficeLive has crept up into second place, despite being a relatively benign product.
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As you mention briefly, although Gdocs are very useful apps, these numbers have 100% to do with distribution vector, and roughly 0% to do with the apps themselves. Gdocs adoption is early 100% tied to Gmail integration which they've done a really nice job of - obviously MSFT has some amount of similar leverage as well.
Startups in this space are going to need to find very viral distribution channels, pure functional excellence just won't cut the mustard.
M.
Posted by: mathew johnson | December 7, 2007 1:20 PM
I'll be curious to (hopefully)see how Live Documents stacks up against these guys in about a year or so.
Posted by: Jon | December 7, 2007 1:45 PM
Like #1 matthew said, the distribution model is key for Google. They've got a fantastic channel for distribution of web office access. Zoho is clearly disadvantaged here.
Ironically, the way to beat Microsoft probably lies in having a distro channel that competes favorably against their Windows monopoly. Zoho offers good quality, no cost apps. But that's not enough. Workers/consumers aren't thinking about them.
Zoho should look at a distro deal with Yahoo. Or...I think I see another Yahoo acquisition coming up!
Posted by: bhc3 | December 7, 2007 2:32 PM
Please could someone tell me the use case scenario for these apps (web office products). I really don't see for general applications like word processing, presentation e.t.c.
For specific apps, like collaborative designs maybe there is some hope but because these are niche markets, it would be easier to integrate them into already existing products than build products from the scratch.
People should just remove their heads from their ass and create things people really need not things they think people need.
Posted by: dvorak's disciple | December 7, 2007 4:43 PM
@#4: Think about losing your notebook/desktop (to a fire, fall, stolen, etc.). Maybe you are among the rare minority that has a daily backup, but chances you lose a lot of info.
If you store all your important data on a (securely backed-up) server, you don't lose what's more important: your information.
I had my recently acquired Sony Vaio stolen last week, but other than the 800 USD (not pennies, but still...) there is no information loss to regret.
Plus, when I get a new notebook, I won't need to install MS Office, like I didn't with the last one.
Posted by: MeTheGeek | December 7, 2007 7:30 PM
Take a look at LiveDocuments. It has emulated MS Office 2007. It is in testing phase but one launched I guess it will become the most used platform over google and zoho.
Posted by: Dan Rogers | December 7, 2007 10:23 PM
Very informative, thanks for sharing this information GM!
Nhick
http://www.itrush.com
Posted by: ITrush | December 8, 2007 4:29 AM
I wonder where LiveDocs and more importantly Buzzword will play out in 2008.
Posted by: Joseph | December 8, 2007 12:24 PM
i read a similar post on another blog last night. one guy made a very good point regarding the corporate world: why would someone want to use google over the internet when they could use their own work server. i guess i could use google docs/spreadsheets when i'm at home. but whenever i need excel or word, i just wait until i get to work.
Posted by: dan | December 9, 2007 3:06 AM
well it's not too surprising as google is the leader here as from my phychology as I use so many google products starting from Gmail,blogger,youtube wht not..it happens with a single id...
Posted by: sid | December 12, 2007 5:48 AM