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Communication · head to head

Google Chat vs Microsoft Teams

Google Chat logo

Google Chat

Communication

AI-powered team messaging and collaboration

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Teams logo

Microsoft Teams

Communication

Meet, chat, call, and collaborate in just one place

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Teams has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Chat no separate Google Chat pricing available; included with Google Workspace subscriptions at no additional cost; Microsoft Teams resource-heavy application; slow to load and consumes significant CPU/memory compared to alternatives
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Chat and Microsoft Teams actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Chat and Microsoft Teams differ
AttributeGoogle ChatMicrosoft Teams
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
FoundedUnknown1975

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 Google Chat

Nothing recorded that Microsoft Teams does not also cover.

Only in Microsoft Teams

  • Chat & channels
  • Video conferencing
  • Screen sharing
  • File collaboration
  • Office integration
  • Live events
  • Phone system
  • Apps & workflows

What people use each for

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

Google Chat

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

Microsoft Teams

  • Remote meetingsnot Google Chat
  • Team collaborationnot Google Chat
  • Document sharingnot Google Chat
  • Project managementnot Google Chat
  • Webinarsnot Google Chat

Where each one falls short

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

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

Microsoft Teams

  • Resource-heavy application; slow to load and consumes significant CPU/memory compared to alternatives
  • Limited channel structure; maximum of 200 public and 30 private channels per team
  • Cannot invite guest users to specific channels; guest access grants full team visibility
  • Unable to chat during screen sharing; limits real-time collaborative communication
  • Limited customization options for branding and interface; cluttered UX compared to Slack
  • Channels cannot be moved between teams; requires manual replication for reorganization

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Chat

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Chat review.

Microsoft Teams

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited chat
    • 100 participants in meetings
    • 5GB file storage
  • Microsoft Teams Essentials$4/month
    • 300 participants in meetings
    • 10GB cloud storage
    • Phone & web support
  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic$6/month
    • Everything in Essentials
    • 1TB OneDrive storage
    • Web & mobile Office apps
  • Microsoft 365 Business Standard$12.5/month
    • Everything in Basic
    • Desktop Office apps
    • Webinar hosting

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Chat if

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

Google Chat review

Choose Microsoft Teams if

  • You need chat & channels.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want video conferencing.
Microsoft Teams review

Questions people ask

Is Google Chat or Microsoft Teams better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Chat starts at On request and Microsoft Teams at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Chat or Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Google Chat and Free for Microsoft Teams.
Does Google Chat or Microsoft Teams run on more platforms?
Google Chat runs on Web. Microsoft Teams runs on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Microsoft Teams for free?
Yes. Microsoft Teams has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Google Chat starts at On request.
What is Google Chat best used for?
Google Chat is most often used for reducing email overload in healthcare operations for clinical decisions, summarizing regulatory news rapidly for compliance teams, consolidating messaging platforms to reduce software licensing costs, coordinating distributed global teams across time zones rapidly. Of those, reducing email overload in healthcare operations for clinical decisions and summarizing regulatory news rapidly for compliance teams are not what Microsoft Teams is typically brought in for.
What can Google Chat do that Microsoft Teams cannot?
Microsoft Teams covers Chat & channels, Video conferencing, Screen sharing, File collaboration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Microsoft Teams: Does Microsoft Teams have a free tier?

Yes. Microsoft Teams offers a free Home tier with unlimited chat, 60-minute group meetings for up to 100 people, 5GB cloud storage, and basic file sharing, though limits are restrictive for growing teams.

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
Microsoft Teams: What are Microsoft Teams' paid plans?

Microsoft Teams Essentials costs $4/user/month (chat, calling, meetings, 10GB storage). Microsoft 365 Business Basic costs $7/user/month (includes desktop Office apps, 1TB storage). Premium plans with Copilot start at $23.50/user/month.

Source
Microsoft Teams: What are Microsoft Teams' primary features?

Teams provides real-time chat, video and voice calling, meetings with up to 300 participants, file sharing and storage integration with OneDrive, recording and transcripts, and deep integration with Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Microsoft Teams: What integrations does Teams support?

Microsoft Teams integrates with calendar apps (Outlook, Google Calendar), project management tools (Trello), and works with Zapier for custom workflow automation. Teams also has native connectors to many Microsoft 365 apps and third-party services.

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Related pages

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