Google Chat

Google Workspace's built-in team messaging, with spaces, threads and Gemini features alongside Gmail.

Verified facts: 5 of 5
Alternatives ranked: 6
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About Google Chat

Google Chat is the messaging part of Google Workspace. It offers direct and group messages plus spaces, which work like channels with threaded conversations, shared files and tasks, and it sits in the left sidebar of Gmail as well as in its own web, desktop-installable and mobile apps. Because it is part of Workspace, it ties in closely with Drive, Calendar and Meet: you can start a huddle or meeting from a conversation, open Docs in place, and add apps and bots through Chat APIs and Apps Script. Gemini features summarise conversations, translate messages and help draft replies on eligible plans. Chat is included with every paid Workspace plan at no extra cost, so there is no separate price, and personal Google accounts can use it for free. It suits organisations already on Google Workspace that want team chat without paying for another tool.

Best for: Organisations already on Google Workspace that want chat without another subscription.

What works

Included with Google Workspace at no extra cost
Tight links with Gmail, Drive, Calendar and Meet
Spaces scale to very large groups

Why people leave

Fewer third-party integrations than Slack
Threads and spaces feel less refined than Slack's
Best features require a Workspace subscription

Top Google Chat alternatives

See all 6

1
Slack
Richer integrations and a more polished channel experience, at extra cost.
68.8
2
Zoho Cliq
Similar suite-bundled chat for companies on Zoho apps.
59.6
3
Pumble
Cheap standalone chat with unlimited history on the free plan.
57.2
4
Zoom Team Chat
Bundled chat for organisations that standardise on Zoom Workplace.
53.6
5
Microsoft Teams
The equivalent built-in chat if the company moves to Microsoft 365.
52.1

Why people left Google Chat

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Google Chat: common questions

Is Google Chat free?

Google Chat has a free plan and paid plans.

Is Google Chat open source?

No, Google Chat is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Mattermost.

What platforms does Google Chat run on?

Google Chat is available for Web, iOS and Android.

What are the best alternatives to Google Chat?

The highest-ranked Google Chat alternatives right now are Slack, Zoho Cliq and Pumble. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 6 Google Chat alternatives

Google Chat facts

5 of 5 verified

Pricing: Included with Google Workspace; Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab); “All together now Chat is included with Workspace at no additional cost”
Space size: Up to 500,000 members; Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab); “Better together Keep the whole team aligned with persistent collaboration spaces that support up to 500,000 members.”
Free trial: 14 days (Workspace); Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab); “with a 14-day trial or by speaking with a Workspace customer specialist .”
API: Yes, plus webhooks; Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab); “Yes, Google Chat offers an API that allows custom development, as well as webhooks to connect services directly with spaces in Google Chat.”
Migration: From Slack, Teams or Workplace; Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab); “Businesses can migrate data from Slack, Teams or Meta Workplace to Google Chat”