Google Chat
Google’s team messaging app with spaces, threads and Gemini summaries, included with Google Workspace plans from $7 per user a month.
- Free plan
- Free trial
- Per user, seat or unit
- Cloud
- AI features
- Independent sources
- Verified 13 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- Independent third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is Google Chat?
Google Chat is Google’s team messaging app for direct messages and group spaces with threaded conversations, file sharing through Drive, Meet calls and Gemini AI summaries, included with Google Workspace business plans and free with personal Google accounts.
- Best forGoogle Workspace organisations
- Team size fitSolo and freelancers, Small teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises
- PricingIncluded with Google Workspace from $7 per user a month.
- Main limitationNot sold separately from Workspace.
- AlternativesSlack, Microsoft Teams, Zoho Cliq, Mattermost · compare all
Google Chat overview: who it is for and what it does.
Google Chat replaced Hangouts as Google’s messaging tool and lives inside Gmail, a standalone web app and mobile apps. Spaces hold team conversations, files and shared tasks, and huddles or Meet calls start from a chat.
Chat is not sold on its own. G2’s 2026 comparison lists Google Workspace at $7 (Business Starter), $14 (Standard) and $22 (Plus) per user a month, with Enterprise quoted, and notes that Gemini in Chat is not available on Starter.
Its integrations are mostly native to Workspace (Drive, Calendar, Meet). Slack, by comparison, has more than 2,600 integrations, so teams that rely on many third-party bots often prefer Slack.
Main problem it solves
Gives Google Workspace teams chat, spaces and quick calls without another tool or licence.
Typical customer segment
Organisations using Google Workspace, from small teams to enterprises.
Target users
- Workspace teams chatting in Gmail
- Project teams using spaces and tasks
- Managers catching up via Gemini summaries
Primary use cases
- Team spaces and threads
- Direct messages
- File sharing via Drive
- Quick Meet calls and huddles
- Shared tasks in spaces
What makes it distinct
- Included with Google Workspace at no extra cost.
- Built into Gmail.
- Gemini summaries on Standard and above.
Google Chat features explained.
Messaging
- Spaces and threads
- Group conversations with in-line threads.
- Direct messages
- One-to-one and group DMs.
- External users
- Chat with people outside your organisation (admin settings).
Workspace integration
- Drive files
- Share and co-edit files in chat.
- Meet and huddles
- Start calls from chat.
- Tasks in spaces
- Shared task lists.
AI and apps
- Gemini summaries
- Not on Business Starter.
- Chat apps and webhooks
- Bots and integrations.
- Admin controls
- Retention and history policies.
Google Chat pricing and plans.
Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 13 Nov 2026 against G2 · CloudFuze.
Pricing model
Included with Google Workspace per-user plans; free for personal Google accounts.
Free plan
Yes (personal accounts)
Free trial
Yes (Workspace 14-day trial)
Google Chat plans and prices (USD)
Google Workspace Business Starter
$7 per user a month
Annual or flexible
Chat included; no Gemini in Chat.
Business Standard
$14
Annual or flexible
Gemini features.
Business Plus
$22
Annual or flexible
Enterprise
Custom
Contact sales
Google Chat is part of Google Workspace; prices are Workspace prices from G2’s 2026 comparison. Check Google’s pricing page for your region.
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesGoogle Chat integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- Gmail, Drive, Calendar and Meet
- Chat apps and webhooks
- Third-party bots (fewer than Slack)
Supported platforms
- Web
- Gmail
- iOS
- Android
API
Google Chat API.
Data import and export
Not applicable.
Fewer third-party integrations than Slack.
Google Chat pros and cons.
Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Strengths
Limitations
Best for
- Google Workspace organisations
- Teams wanting chat inside Gmail
- Cost-conscious teams avoiding another licence
May be less suited to
- Teams that rely on many third-party bots
- Microsoft 365 organisations
Top Google Chat alternatives and competitors.
Slack
A channel-based team messaging platform with a free plan, per-user paid plans, and AI features that scale…
Explore →Related productMicrosoft Teams
Microsoft's chat, meetings and collaboration app, available free, as a $4 standalone plan or bundled in…
Explore →Related productZoho Cliq
A team chat and collaboration app from Zoho with channels, video meetings, bots and deep integration with…
Explore →Related productMattermost
A collaboration platform for secure messaging, playbooks, boards and AI agents that can run self-hosted, in a…
Explore →Google Chat compared with similar collaboration software.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Pricing model | Free plan | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chat | Per user, seat or unit | Yes (personal accounts) | Included with Google Workspace from $7 per user a month. | Google Workspace organisations |
| Slack | Per user, seat or unit | Yes | Free plan; Pro reported at $7.25 per user per month billed annually. | Teams that want real-time channel-based communication |
| Microsoft Teams | Per user, seat or unit | Yes | Free version; standalone Essentials at $4 and Microsoft 365 Business Basic at $7 per user… | Organisations already using Microsoft 365 |
| Zoho Cliq | Per user, seat or unit | Yes | Free plan. Reported prices: Standard $18 per month flat (up to 25 users), Professional $2… | Teams that already use Zoho CRM, Desk, Projects or Zoho One |
| Mattermost | Per user, seat or unit | Not documented | Plans are quote-based on Mattermost's site; third-party listings report Professional from… | Regulated or security-conscious organisations that need to control where data… |
| Coda (Superhuman Docs) | Per user, seat or unit | Yes | Free plan available; Pro reported at $12 and Business at $33 per Doc Maker per month… | Teams that want docs, wikis and trackers in one workspace |
Google Chat vs competitors: head-to-head comparisons.
Google Chat questions and answers
What is Google Chat used for?
Google Chat is used for team spaces and threads, direct messages, file sharing via Drive and quick Meet calls and huddles.
Does Google Chat have a free plan?
Yes. Yes (personal accounts). Free trial: Yes (Workspace 14-day trial).
How much does Google Chat cost?
Included with Google Workspace from $7 per user a month. Google Chat is part of Google Workspace; prices are Workspace prices from G2’s 2026 comparison.
What is the difference between Google Chat Google Workspace Business Starter and Business Standard?
Google Workspace Business Starter is listed at $7 per user a month (Chat included; no Gemini in Chat). Business Standard is listed at $14 (Gemini features). Confirm current plan contents with the vendor.
What are the main alternatives to Google Chat?
The main alternatives to Google Chat covered on Stack18 are Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoho Cliq and Mattermost. Slack may suit teams that want real-time channel-based communication. Microsoft Teams may suit organisations already using Microsoft 365. Zoho Cliq may suit teams that already use Zoho CRM, Desk, Projects or Zoho One. See the Google Chat alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.
What integrations does Google Chat support?
Documented integrations include Gmail, Drive, Calendar and Meet, Chat apps and webhooks and Third-party bots (fewer than Slack). API: Google Chat API.
What are the limitations of Google Chat?
Not sold separately from Workspace. Gemini in Chat not available on Starter. Far fewer integrations than Slack.
Which platforms does Google Chat run on?
Google Chat is documented as available on: Web, Gmail, iOS, Android.
When was the Google Chat profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 13 Nov 2026. 2 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- Google Chat vs. Slack: Which Is Better in 2026? G2 Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Slack vs Google Chat (2026) Comparison Guide CloudFuze Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
Secondary-source profile. Vendor pages were not reviewed directly for this profile. Facts and prices are corroborated across independent third-party sources and may differ from the vendor's current pages. Confirm with the vendor before buying.
Plan names, prices and features were checked against the sources listed on 13 Nov 2026. Capabilities were not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
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