Confluence vs Microsoft 365 — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Confluence and Microsoft 365 to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Microsoft 365 takes the lead with a 4.5 rating and is best for enterprises and teams needing desktop office apps. Confluence (4.0) is the better pick if you need engineering teams using jira who need documentation connected to their project work..
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Confluence | Microsoft 365 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.0(345) | ★★★★★ 4.5(520) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | subscription |
| Starter Price | $6.05/user/mo (Standard) | $6/user/mo (Business Basic) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web, ios, android, mac | Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
| Learning Curve | medium | Easy |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Engineering teams using Jira who need documentation connected to their project work. | Enterprises and teams needing desktop Office apps |
| Verdict | situational | Enterprise Standard |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Confluence | Microsoft 365 |
|---|---|---|
| Team wikis and documentation | — | |
| Deep Jira integration | — | |
| Page templates | — | |
| Whiteboards | — | |
| Macro extensions | — | |
| AI features | — | |
| Office Apps | — | |
| Teams | — | |
| OneDrive | — | |
| Outlook | — | |
| Copilot AI | — |
Confluence
Pros
- ✓Deep Jira integration connects docs to project work
- ✓Free tier supports up to 10 users
- ✓Enterprise-grade permissions and admin controls
Cons
- ✕Editing experience is less delightful than Notion
- ✕Can become messy without governance — pages proliferate
- ✕Marketplace extensions vary wildly in quality
Microsoft 365
Pros
- ✓Desktop apps are still best-in-class
- ✓Excel has no real competitor
- ✓Copilot AI is powerful
Cons
- ✕More expensive than Google Workspace
- ✕Can feel bloated
- ✕Teams UX divides opinion
The Bottom Line
Both Confluence and Microsoft 365 are solid tools in the Cloud Storage & Collaboration space. Microsoft 365 edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and is the better choice for enterprises and teams needing desktop office apps. However, if you prioritize engineering teams using jira who need documentation connected to their project work., Confluence is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.