Google Meet is Google's video meeting tool, browser based and integrated into Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Docs), the natural choice for organisations on Google Workspace wanting simple, integrated video. It provides real time video and audio meetings joined by a link directly in the browser (no download), with screen sharing, recording, chat, captions and increasingly AI, integrated tightly with Google Calendar for scheduling and the rest of Google Workspace. Available free (with limits) and included in Google Workspace plans, Google Meet is the simple, integrated video option for the many organisations and schools on Google Workspace. For Google Workspace, Google Meet is a leading choice.
Google Meet's distinction is being Google's video, browser based and integrated into Google Workspace, often bundled. For organisations on Google Workspace, it puts meetings alongside Gmail, Calendar and Docs with one click scheduling and joining, runs in the browser with no download, and is included in Workspace, so there is no extra cost. That Google integration, browser simplicity and bundling set it apart for Google organisations.
Google Meet is best for organisations and schools on Google Workspace that want simple, browser based video meetings integrated with Gmail, Calendar and Docs, included in their Workspace plan. It suits Google Workspace organisations. It is a weaker fit for teams wanting the most feature rich standalone meetings and webinars, where Zoom fits, Microsoft 365 organisations, where Teams fits, or those wanting free, self hosted meetings, where Jitsi fits.
The core strengths are real time video and audio meetings in the browser (no download), screen sharing, recording (on paid plans), chat, live captions, and tight Google Workspace and Calendar integration for scheduling and joining, with AI features. Google Meet offers simplicity, browser access, and inclusion in Workspace. Its Google integration, browser simplicity, and bundling are its defining advantages for Google organisations.
Google Meet is free (with limits on meeting length and participants for personal accounts) and included in Google Workspace plans (from around 6 US dollars per user a month for Business Starter), with higher tiers adding recording, larger meetings and features. So Workspace organisations get it at no extra cost. Pricing effectively follows your Workspace plan. Confirm details via the Google Workspace pricing page.
Google Meet integrates natively with Google Calendar, Gmail, Docs and the rest of Google Workspace, with some third party integrations. Its deep Google Workspace integration, which lets users schedule and join meetings in one click from Calendar and Gmail, is a signature strength, though its standalone feature set and integrations are narrower than Zoom's.
Google Workspace integration and browser simplicity are the signature strength: Google Meet puts meetings alongside Gmail, Calendar and Docs with one click scheduling and joining, runs in the browser with no download, and is included in Workspace. For Google Workspace organisations, this convenience and bundling are the main reason to use Google Meet.
Google Meet is well rated for simplicity, browser access, Google integration and reliability, with Google support, though reviewers note fewer features than Zoom for advanced needs. Its G2 reviews praise ease, browser access and Workspace integration, with fewer advanced features the main consideration.
For organisations and schools on Google Workspace that want simple, browser based video meetings integrated with Gmail, Calendar and Docs, included in their plan, Google Meet is a convenient, cost effective choice. The main caution is fewer advanced features than Zoom, so teams wanting the most feature rich meetings or webinars may prefer Zoom, Microsoft ones Teams, but for Google Workspace Google Meet leads.
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