This blog post was updated on June 12, 2024

It was originally published on October 15, 2020

What Is Google Workspace?

Google Workspace is the new name of Google’s suite of online productivity and collaboration tools. First launched as Google Apps in 2006, it was rebranded in 2016 as G Suite, which makes this its second rebranding.

Google Workspace includes the following applications:

• Gmail 

custom business email with phishing and spam protection and an ad-free experience.

• Drive

secure cloud storage with advanced features including shared drives and target audience sharing.

• Meet

video and voice conferencing with business tools including dial-in phone numbers, digital whiteboard, noise cancellation, etc.

• Calendar

shared calendars for easier scheduling, appointment booking pages, and browse and reserve conference rooms

• Chat

team messaging with features including, advanced chat rooms, threaded rooms, and guest access

• Docs

online word processing with real-time collaboration

• Sheets

online spreadsheets real-time collaboration

• Slides

online presentation builder with real-time collaboration

• Keep

shared notes and lists tool

• Sites

website builder

• Forms

online forms and survey builder

• AppSheet

no-code platform for building apps

The following Security and Management Solutions are available on all plans:

• 2-step verification

• Group-based policy controls

• Advanced Protection Program

• Endpoint management

While the following are only available on higher:

• Google Workspace Migrate tool

• Vault - Retain, archive, and search data

• Secure LDAP

• Data loss prevention (DLP)

• Cloud Identity Premium

• Context-aware access

• Security center

• S/MIME encryption

• Data regions

• Access Transparency

In addition, the following features are available at an additional cost:

• Assured Controls (includes Access Management)

• AI Classification

How Is Workspace Different From G Suite?

In 2020, Google launched major updates to its suite of productivity applications to drive deeper integrations across its apps bringing them closer together, with Gmail being the focal point. Examples of the new integrations include calendar and file management experience in Gmail and the ability to launch a video chat on one window while collaborating with colleagues on a document in real-time on another window.

So Google Workspace is the next evolution of Google’s suite of productivity applications with new features and integrations. These integrations, which were available in the early adopters program, have now come out of preview and the entire suite of tools has been rebranded along with new logos. The name Google Workspace is said to more accurately represent the suite of tools while clearly leveraging Google's brand name.

How Much Will Google Workspace Cost You?

Here’s the pricing of Google Workspace per user per month:

The cost of the Enterprise plan is not published and you need to contact sales to get the pricing information. However, if we are to guess, the cost of the Enterprise plan is likely to be around $22.00 per user per month or a little higher since that is how much you’d pay for a Microsoft 365 Business Premium.

For the latest pricing plans please visit the Google Workplace Pricing page

Here’s a detailed list of the applications and features included in Google Workspace:

What New Features Are Included In Workspace?

Familiar tools such as Gmail, Calendar, Drive, etc. have always been the mainstay of Google’s productivity suite but new features are regularly added for improved productivity, better collaboration, and enhanced security.

Among the most notable new features at the time of rebranding to Workspace were:

• Moderation controls, hand raising, polling and Q&A, breakout rooms, and attendance tracking in video conferencing

• The ability to create and collaborate on documents with guests in Chat rooms

• The ability to preview linked files in Docs, Sheets, and Slides without having to open them

• When you @mention someone in a document, Workspace will also pop up a ‘smart chip’, which will show you contact details and suggest actions.

In 2024, Google’s in-house Generative AI called Gemini was made available as a separately sold add-on to Workspace users. Gemini is an AI-powered assistant that, among other things, can be used as a productivity booster across all Workspace apps.

Add-Ons In The Google Workspace Ecosystem

• Google Meet Hardware

Google Meet Hardware is a video-conferencing solution for Google Meet. It is designed to bring a reliable, easy-to-join video meeting experience to your conference rooms. Its specially assembled set of components works together seamlessly with the Google Meets application to make high-quality video meetings convenient and headache-free.

We’ve talked about it in detail in the following blog posts:

• Which Google Meet Hardware Is Right For Your Conference Room

• Google Meets vs Zoom: Which One Is Right For Your Business?

• Chrome Enterprise

Chrome Enterprise is a special version of Google Chrome web browser designed specifically for the needs of enterprise environments. It offers features and tools that provide enhanced security, centralized management capabilities, and dedicated support, making it easy for IT administrators to manage and deploy the browser across multiple devices and users.

You can learn more about it here: Chrome Enterprise.

• Google Voice

Google Voice is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) business phone system. It allows users to make and receive calls, send text messages, and manage voicemail through a single phone number that can be used across multiple devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.

You can learn more about it here: Google Voice: Business Phone System & Plans.

Conclusion

To summarize, Google Workspace is Google’s suite of productivity and collaboration tools. Google continues to add new features that boost productivity, improve collaboration, enhance security, and make quality-of-life improvements in the apps.

Even with the repackaging of Google Workspace plans, at the bare minimum, you still get access to the core products, including business email, video meetings, and cloud storage. 

Some specific features, especially admin and security features may sometimes move to a higher plan, in which case you will have to pay a little more if you want continued access to them. But the overall experience with Workspace is still pretty consistent.

Do you need help migrating to or from Google Workspace? Click the button below to contact our Google Workspace migration specialists for a smooth, hassle-free transition.

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