Google Workspace review

Google Workspace is the strongest option when several people need to work on the same file at once. Docs, Sheets and Slides run in the browser, show other editors live, and support comments and action items, and Google says anyone with a Google Account can create in Docs. Leaving Microsoft Office is easier than it used to be because Docs can edit Word documents directly without making a copy, leaving the original intact, and documents can be created and edited offline. Paid Business plans add a custom email address, Meet video calls and admin controls; Business Starter includes 30 GB of pooled storage per user, a Gemini assistant in Gmail and meetings for 100 participants, while Business Standard raises storage to 2 TB and Business Plus to 5 TB. Business plans come with a 14-day trial and are limited to 300 users. We could not confirm USD prices from our location, so check the pricing page for your region. The main limit is fidelity: Docs is its own editor, so layout-heavy Office files deserve a check after import.

Who it is for

teams that co-edit documents in the browser

Price

Docs free with a Google Account; Business plans per user per month (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Docs, Sheets and Slides with co-editing, comments and action items
• Edits Microsoft Word documents directly without making a copy
• Offline access to create and edit documents
• Business Starter includes 30 GB pooled storage per user, Business Standard 2 TB and Business Plus 5 TB
• Gemini AI assistant and video meetings for 100 participants on Business Starter

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Anyone with a Google Account can create in Docs without paying, according to Google
• Strength: Real-time co-editing with comments works in any browser
• Strength: Paid Business plans add custom email, Meet and admin controls
• Weakness: Some features, such as joining a Meet call from a document, need a paid Workspace plan
• Weakness: Business Starter, Standard and Plus plans are capped at 300 users
• Weakness: Complex Word and Excel files may need checking after import, since Docs is a different editor

Key facts

• Free use: Docs, Sheets and Slides with a Google Account
• Free trial: 14 days on Business plans
• Business storage: 30 GB pooled per user (Starter) to 5 TB (Plus)
• User cap: 300 on Business plans

Where it ranks

Google Workspace is No. 3 in our Best Microsoft Office Alternatives verdict.