Softwr

Communication & Collaboration · head to head

Google Chat vs Webex by Cisco

Google Chat logo

Google Chat

Communication & Collaboration

AI-powered team messaging and collaboration

From
On request
Rated
-
Webex by Cisco logo

Webex by Cisco

Communication & Collaboration

A simpler, smarter way to work

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Webex by Cisco has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Chat not sold as a standalone product; it is included only with paid Google Workspace subscriptions (Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus); Webex by Cisco listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL)

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Chat and Webex by Cisco actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Chat and Webex by Cisco differ
AttributeGoogle ChatWebex by Cisco
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown1984

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

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 Google Chat

Nothing recorded that Webex by Cisco does not also cover.

Only in Webex by Cisco

  • Video and audio conferencing
  • Screen sharing and annotation
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Recording and playback
  • Meeting transcription
  • Chat and messaging
  • Calendar integration
  • Breakout sessions

What people use each for

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

Google Chat

No use cases recorded yet. See the Google Chat review.

Webex by Cisco

  • Video conferencingnot Google Chat
  • Webinarsnot Google Chat
  • Virtual eventsnot Google Chat
  • Trainingnot Google Chat
  • Enterprise communicationnot Google Chat

Where each one falls short

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

Google Chat

  • Not sold as a standalone product; it is included only with paid Google Workspace subscriptions (Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus)
  • Gemini AI features inside Chat, including message summarization and conversation insights, are limited to Business and Enterprise tier Workspace plans

Webex by Cisco

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL)

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Chat

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Chat review.

Webex by Cisco

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited 1:1 meetings
    • Group meetings (40 min limit, 100 participants)
    • HD video
  • Pro$13.5/month
    • Unlimited meetings (500 participants)
    • Cloud recording and storage
    • Advanced scheduling
  • Business$18/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Custom branding
    • Advanced security
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited everything
    • Dedicated account manager
    • Custom deployment

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Chat if

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

Choose Webex by Cisco if

  • You need video and audio conferencing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want screen sharing and annotation.

Questions people ask

Is Google Chat or Webex by Cisco better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Chat starts at On request and Webex by Cisco at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Chat or Webex by Cisco?
Webex by Cisco has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Google Chat and Free for Webex by Cisco.
Does Google Chat or Webex by Cisco run on more platforms?
Google Chat runs on Web. Webex by Cisco runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use Webex by Cisco for free?
Yes. Webex by Cisco has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Google Chat starts at On request.
What can Google Chat do that Webex by Cisco cannot?
Webex by Cisco covers Video and audio conferencing, Screen sharing and annotation, Virtual backgrounds, Recording and playback.

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