Operations · Team communication and meetings

Google Chat

Team messaging and spaces included with Google Workspace

Best fit: SME · Mid-market
Visit Google Chat

Pricing · Alternatives · All tools

At a glance

Google Chat is the messaging app inside Google Workspace, offering direct messages, group chats and persistent spaces for teams and projects. It works inside Gmail or as a standalone app, and links to Drive files, Calendar and Meet. Gemini in Chat can summarise conversations, translate messages and help draft replies on eligible plans.

Category
Team communication and meetings
Best fit
SME · Mid-market
Pricing
See pricing below
In Adam’s stack
No

Who Google Chat is best for

Teams already on Google Workspace who want internal messaging without paying for Slack. It suits small to mid-sized businesses where most collaboration happens in Gmail, Docs and Sheets.

Key features

  • Spaces with threaded conversations, shared files and tasks
  • Direct and group messages inside Gmail or the Chat app
  • Gemini summaries, translation and message drafting
  • Chat apps marketplace including Asana, Jira, Salesforce and Trello
  • Webhooks, Chat API and Apps Script for custom automations
  • Migration tools for moving from Slack or Teams

Why it’s worth it

It comes at no extra cost with Google Workspace, so a Workspace business can run internal messaging without another per-user subscription.

Things to consider

  • The third-party app ecosystem is smaller than Slack's
  • Some features, including spaces and data loss prevention, are limited to Business and Enterprise plans
  • Chatting with people outside your organisation is less seamless than in Slack Connect

For Australian businesses

Google Workspace, which includes Chat, is billed in Australian dollars for Australian customers.

Google Chat pricing

Pricing as published by Google Chat

Included with Google Workspace at no additional cost. Some premium Chat features require Business or Enterprise plans.

Source: workspace.google.com/intl/en_au/products/chat. Checked 8 October 2026. Prices change often, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.

Alternatives to Google Chat

Other tools listed under Team communication and meetings. Tools from Adam’s stack are marked.

  • Slack

    In Adam’s stack

    Channels, huddles and thousands of integrations

    SMEMid-marketEnterprise

  • Microsoft Teams

    Chat and meetings inside Microsoft 365

    SMEMid-marketEnterprise

  • Google Meet

    In Adam’s stack

    Video meetings included with Google Workspace

    SMEMid-marketEnterprise

  • Zoom Workplace

    In Adam’s stack

    Meetings, webinars and team chat

    SMEMid-marketEnterprise

  • Webex

    Enterprise meetings and calling from Cisco

    Mid-marketEnterprise

  • Loom

    In Adam’s stack

    Async screen and camera video

    SMEMid-marketEnterprise

  • Zight

    In Adam’s stack

    Quick screen recordings and annotated screenshots

    SMEMid-market

FAQ

Google Chat: common questions

Is Google Chat free?

Google Chat is included with Google Workspace subscriptions at no extra cost. Personal Google accounts can also use it, but business features come with Workspace.

Google Chat vs Slack?

Google Chat is the cheaper option for Workspace users because it is bundled and connects natively to Gmail and Drive. Slack has a larger app ecosystem and stronger external collaboration, but it is a separate subscription.

What is Google Chat used for?

Teams use it for quick messages, project spaces, sharing Drive files and receiving automated alerts from other tools. Gemini can also catch you up on long conversations.

Can’t find a tool that fits?

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