Google Chat

What is Google Chat?

Google Chat is Google's team chat, with direct messages and Spaces integrated into Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Meet), the natural choice for organisations on Google Workspace. It provides direct and group messages and Spaces (channels or rooms) for team and topic based conversation, integrated directly into Gmail and Google Workspace, so chat lives alongside email, Drive files, Docs and Google Meet video, with threading, search and apps. Included in Google Workspace plans, Google Chat is the natural collaboration chat for organisations on Google Workspace, tying messaging into Google's productivity suite. For Google Workspace, Google Chat is a leading choice.

Google Chat's distinction is being Google's chat, integrated into Google Workspace and often bundled. For the many organisations on Google Workspace, it puts chat and Spaces alongside Gmail, Drive, Docs and Meet, so communication ties into the Google tools they already use, and it is included in Workspace plans, so there is no extra cost. That Google Workspace integration and bundling set it apart for Google organisations.

Who Google Chat is best for

Google Chat is best for organisations on Google Workspace that want team chat integrated with Gmail, Drive, Docs and Meet, included in their Workspace plan. It suits Google Workspace organisations. It is a weaker fit for teams wanting the best standalone chat experience and richest integrations, where Slack fits, Microsoft 365 organisations, where Teams fits, community and informal use, where Discord fits, or self hosted needs, where Mattermost fits.

Key features

The core strengths are direct and group messages and Spaces (channels or rooms), integrated into Gmail and Google Workspace alongside Drive, Docs and Google Meet, with threading, search and apps and bots. Google Chat offers tight Google integration and inclusion in Workspace. Its Google Workspace integration, Spaces, and bundling are its defining advantages for Google organisations.

Google Chat pricing

Google Chat is included in Google Workspace plans (from around 6 US dollars per user a month for Business Starter), so organisations on Workspace get it at no extra cost, and it is also available with free Google accounts in a basic form. Pricing effectively follows your Workspace plan. Costs follow Workspace licensing. Confirm details via the Google Workspace pricing page.

Integrations and ecosystem

Google Chat integrates natively with Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar and Google Meet, plus apps and bots and some third party integrations. Its deep Google Workspace integration, which ties chat and Spaces to the Google tools organisations use, is a signature strength, though its third party integration ecosystem is narrower than Slack's.

Google Chat and Workspace

Google Workspace integration and bundling are the signature strength: Google Chat puts messaging and Spaces alongside Gmail, Drive, Docs and Meet, so communication ties into the Google tools organisations already use, and it is included in Workspace, so there is no extra cost. For Google Workspace organisations, this is the main reason to use Google Chat.

Ease of use and support

Google Chat is well rated for Google Workspace integration, Gmail based access and simplicity, with Google support, though reviewers note it is less feature rich and polished than Slack for pure chat. Its G2 reviews praise Workspace integration and convenience, with fewer features and integrations than Slack the main considerations.

Is Google Chat worth it?

For organisations on Google Workspace that want team chat integrated with Gmail, Drive, Docs and Meet, included in their plan, Google Chat is a convenient, cost effective choice. The main caution is that it is less feature rich than Slack for pure chat, so teams wanting the best standalone experience may prefer Slack, Microsoft ones Teams, and community use Discord, but for Google Workspace Google Chat leads.