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Software · head to head

Zoom vs Google Workspace

Zoom logo

Zoom

Software

Video conferencing that's easy, reliable, and secure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Workspace logo

Google Workspace

Software

Everything you need to get work done, all in one place

From
€3.4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Zoom has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Zoom cost creep from add-ons increases pricing from $14/user to $25+/user when including Phone and advanced features; Google Workspace starter tier storage limited to 30 GB per user, requiring upgrade to Standard or higher for adequate document storage
  • They diverge on capability: Zoom covers HD video & audio, Google Workspace covers Gmail business email.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Zoom and Google Workspace actually diverge.

Attributes where Zoom and Google Workspace differ
AttributeZoomGoogle Workspace
Starting priceFree€3.4/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOSWeb
Founded20112006

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

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 Zoom

  • HD video & audio
  • Screen sharing
  • Recording & transcripts
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Breakout rooms
  • Polling & Q&A
  • Chat
  • Whiteboard

Only in Google Workspace

  • Gmail business email
  • Google Drive storage
  • Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
  • Google Meet video conferencing
  • Google Chat
  • Google Forms
  • Google Sites
  • Microsoft Office

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Google Calendar
  • Salesforce
  • Dropbox
  • Box

What people use each for

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

Zoom

  • Team meetingsnot Google Workspace
  • Webinarsnot Google Workspace
  • Virtual eventsnot Google Workspace
  • Online trainingnot Google Workspace
  • Telehealthnot Google Workspace

Google Workspace

  • Business email and calendar managementnot Zoom
  • Collaborative document editingnot Zoom
  • Video conferencing and meetingsnot Zoom
  • Secure document storage and sharingnot Zoom

Where each one falls short

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

Zoom

  • Cost creep from add-ons increases pricing from $14/user to $25+/user when including Phone and advanced features
  • Feature set is overwhelming with complex navigation and too many options
  • Limited analytics and coaching features compared to dedicated contact center platforms
  • Call recording and admin oversight lack strict governance needed for regulated industries

Google Workspace

  • Starter tier storage limited to 30 GB per user, requiring upgrade to Standard or higher for adequate document storage
  • Starter and Standard tiers both capped at maximum 300 users per organisation
  • Video meetings limited to 100 participants on Starter tier, 150 on Standard tier
  • Recording capabilities only available on Standard tier and above
  • eDiscovery, Vault, and advanced security features only available on Plus and Enterprise tiers

Pricing, plan by plan

Zoom

Free
  • BasicFree
    • 100 participants
    • 40-minute group meetings
    • Unlimited 1-on-1 meetings
  • Pro$14.99/month
    • 100 participants
    • 30-hour group meetings
    • Cloud recording (5GB)
  • Business$19.99/month
    • 300 participants
    • Single sign-on
    • Recording transcripts
  • Enterprise$25/month
    • 500 participants
    • Advanced admin features
    • Executive business review

Google Workspace

€3.4/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Workspace review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Zoom if

  • You need hd video & audio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want screen sharing.
Zoom review

Choose Google Workspace if

  • You need gmail business email.
  • You also want google drive storage.
Google Workspace review

Questions people ask

Is Zoom or Google Workspace better?
Neither clearly leads. Zoom starts at Free and Google Workspace at €3.4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Zoom or Google Workspace?
Zoom has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Zoom and €3.4/month for Google Workspace.
Does Zoom or Google Workspace run on more platforms?
Zoom runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS. Google Workspace runs on Web.
Can I use Zoom for free?
Yes. Zoom has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Google Workspace starts at €3.4/month.
What is Zoom best used for?
Zoom is most often used for team meetings, webinars, virtual events, online training. Of those, team meetings and webinars are not what Google Workspace is typically brought in for.
What can Zoom do that Google Workspace cannot?
Zoom covers HD video & audio, Screen sharing, Recording & transcripts, Virtual backgrounds. Google Workspace covers Gmail business email, Google Drive storage, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Google Meet video conferencing. Both handle Slack, Google Calendar, Salesforce, Dropbox.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Zoom: What are Zoom's main pricing tiers?

Zoom offers a free Basic plan with 40-minute limits for group meetings, Pro at $14.16/user/month, Business at $15.58/user/month with 300 participant capacity, and Enterprise with custom pricing. Additional costs apply for Phone ($10.50/user/month), Webinars, and Rooms.

Source
Zoom: What integrations does Zoom support?

Zoom integrates with Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, HubSpot, Zendesk, and many other business applications, though integration depth varies by partner.

Source
Zoom: Can Zoom be used for webinars?

Yes, Zoom Webinars is available as a separate product starting at $66.67 per month, providing larger audience capabilities and specialized webinar features.

Source
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Related pages

More on Zoom

More on Google Workspace

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