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Communication · head to head

Flock vs Google Chat

Flock logo

Flock

Communication

Organized team communication platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Chat logo

Google Chat

Communication

AI-powered team messaging and collaboration

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Flock has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Flock the Starter plan only makes the most recent 10,000 messages searchable and caps public channels at 10; Google Chat no separate Google Chat pricing available; included with Google Workspace subscriptions at no additional cost
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Flock and Google Chat actually diverge.

Attributes where Flock and Google Chat differ
AttributeFlockGoogle Chat
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, Macos, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded2014Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Communication).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Flock

  • Team chat
  • Channels
  • Threads
  • File sharing
  • Polls
  • Integrations
  • Mobile apps
  • Slack

Only in Google Chat

Nothing recorded that Flock does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Flock

  • Team messaging with channels, direct messages and file sharingnot Google Chat
  • Running polls, to-dos and reminders inside a chat workspacenot Google Chat
  • Video conferencing and screen sharing for small teamsnot Google Chat

Google Chat

  • Reducing email overload in healthcare operations for clinical decisionsnot Flock
  • Summarizing regulatory news rapidly for compliance teamsnot Flock
  • Consolidating messaging platforms to reduce software licensing costsnot Flock
  • Coordinating distributed global teams across time zones rapidlynot Flock
  • Collecting project references and decision history in searchable channelsnot Flock

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Flock

  • The Starter plan only makes the most recent 10,000 messages searchable and caps public channels at 10
  • Starter storage is 5 GB for the entire team, against 10 GB per member on Pro and 20 GB per member on Enterprise
  • Starter allows a single team admin and a single approved domain
  • Group video calls and screen sharing require the Pro plan; Starter is limited to 1-1 video calls
  • Group video calls are capped at 20 participants even on Enterprise
  • Single Sign-On and Active Directory sync are Enterprise only
  • Enterprise is quote only, with no published rate, and is positioned for organisations with 100 or more members
  • Unlimited auto-join and announcement channels require Enterprise; Starter and Pro get one of each

Google Chat

  • No separate Google Chat pricing available; included with Google Workspace subscriptions at no additional cost
  • Chat features are limited to Business and Enterprise Workspace plans

Pricing, plan by plan

Flock

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited chats
    • Channels
    • File sharing
  • Pro$5/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Advanced search
    • API access

Google Chat

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Chat review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Flock if

  • You need team chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
  • You also want channels.
Flock review

Choose Google Chat if

Nothing in the data separates Google Chat from Flock on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Google Chat review

Questions people ask

Is Flock or Google Chat better?
Neither clearly leads. Flock starts at Free and Google Chat at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Flock or Google Chat?
Flock has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Flock and On request for Google Chat.
Does Flock or Google Chat run on more platforms?
Flock runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android. Google Chat runs on Web.
Can I use Flock for free?
Yes. Flock has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Google Chat starts at On request.
What is Flock best used for?
Flock is most often used for team messaging with channels, direct messages and file sharing, running polls, to-dos and reminders inside a chat workspace, video conferencing and screen sharing for small teams. Of those, team messaging with channels, direct messages and file sharing and running polls, to-dos and reminders inside a chat workspace are not what Google Chat is typically brought in for.
What can Flock do that Google Chat cannot?
Flock covers Team chat, Channels, Threads, File sharing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Flock: Does Flock offer a free plan?

Yes, Flock's Starter plan is free and supports teams with 1-20 members, including 10,000 searchable messages and 5 GB storage.

Source
Google Chat: How much does Google Chat cost?

Google Chat is included in Google Workspace subscriptions at no additional cost. Pricing depends on your Workspace plan selection, not on Chat specifically.

Source
Flock: What does Flock's Pro plan include?

The Pro plan supports teams with 20-100 members and offers unlimited messages, 10 GB per team member storage, and a 30-day free trial with no credit card required.

Source
Google Chat: Which Google Workspace plans include Google Chat?

Google Chat is included with all Google Workspace subscriptions. Some features are available exclusively in Business and Enterprise plans.

Source
Flock: How does Flock charge for external guests?

External guests are free for 90 days from date of invitation. After 90 days, guests are charged at the same rate as other team members.

Source
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