Senior Software Engineer Manu Agarwal recently shared his experience on LinkedIn, offering an honest comparison of his time at Google and Microsoft. Rather than declaring one company better than the other, he explained how each played a unique role in his professional growth.
Google felt like representing a global brand
According to his LinkedIn profile, Agarwal currently works as a Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft. Before joining the company, he spent more than two years at Google's Bengaluru office.
Reflecting on his experience, Agarwal said working at Google often felt like being held to the standards of one of the world's most admired tech brands.
"I've worked at both Google and Microsoft. Let me tell you something nobody puts in their post. At Google, I felt like I was always being watched—not by managers, but by the brand itself."
He explained that every conversation, code review, and Slack message made him wonder whether it reflected what was expected of a Googler. According to him, it wasn't about pressure from managers but about constantly striving to meet the company's high standards and reputation.
Microsoft focused on growth and ownership
Agarwal described his experience at Microsoft as being very different. Instead of feeling defined by the company's brand, he said he felt trusted with greater ownership and responsibility.
"At Microsoft, I felt like I was being built. More ownership. More freedom to build. More responsibility—but yes, more growth."
He added that Microsoft encouraged him to dive deeper into solving problems rather than simply refining existing skills.
Summing up the contrast, Agarwal wrote:
"Google gave me polish. Microsoft gave me depth."
'Neither is better'
Despite comparing the two companies, Agarwal made it clear that he doesn't believe one is superior to the other.
"Neither is better. They're just different tools for different stages of your career. Where you work shapes how you think."
He advised professionals not to chase a company solely because of its brand value. Instead, he suggested choosing a workplace that aligns with the skills they want to develop and the direction they want their careers to take.
"Choose the culture that matches where you want to go—not just the brand that looks good on your profile. IMO both are very excellent companies to work."
LinkedIn users resonate with his perspective
Agarwal's post struck a chord with many professionals, who appreciated his focus on personal and professional growth rather than salaries or prestige.
One LinkedIn user commented, "Experience across different tech giants provides the most valuable perspective on true engineering culture."
Another wrote, "It's fascinating how companies can shape our careers like sculptors with clay—each stroke tells a different story!"
Two tech giants, two different cultures
Although Google and Microsoft are among the world's biggest technology companies, their work cultures are often seen as distinct.
Google has long been associated with innovation, cutting-edge technology, and an environment that encourages experimentation and technical excellence.
Microsoft, particularly under CEO Satya Nadella's leadership, has become known for its collaborative culture, continuous learning mindset, and giving employees greater ownership over products and long-term impact.
As Agarwal's experience suggests, choosing between the two may be less about which company is "better" and more about which environment best supports the kind of professional you want to become.
