Google Chat

What it is

Google Chat gives Google Workspace users direct messages, group chats and spaces (the equivalent of Slack channels) with threads, Drive file sharing, Meet huddles and Gemini summaries, inside Gmail or its own app. It is included in every Workspace plan; US prices per user a month with a 1-year commitment: Business Starter $7 (30 GB pooled storage per user, Meet up to 100 people), Business Standard $14 (2 TB, 150 people, recording) and Business Plus $22 (5 TB, 500 people); new customers get an introductory discount for the first 12 months. Business plans cap at 300 users. Message history can be kept by default and retained with Vault on higher plans. External people with a Google account can join external spaces, and people without one can be invited as guest accounts (5 free guests per paid license). Google's own migration service imports Microsoft Teams channels, but not Slack: moving Slack history needs a third-party tool or a custom app using the Chat import API. Anyone with a personal Google account can use Chat for free, without admin controls. Checked November 12, 2026 on workspace.google.com and Google's admin help.

Best for

• Teams that already run on Gmail, Drive and Meet
• Small companies that want chat without another subscription
• Working with clients who have Google accounts

What we like

• Included in Google Workspace, no separate chat bill
• Tight Gmail, Drive, Docs and Meet integration
• Guest accounts for people outside your company
• Gemini can search and summarize conversations on eligible plans

What to watch

• Fewer power features than Slack: no Slack-style workflows, weaker threads and notifications
• Small third-party app ecosystem
• No first-party Slack import; history needs a third-party tool or custom code
• Only makes sense if you buy Google Workspace