Alternatives · Team Chat
Google Chat alternatives
Google Chat compared with 5 alternatives: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoho Cliq, Lark and Pumble.
Google Chat has a free plan. Paid plans start at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace). All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google ChatThis tool | Free plan · from $7/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Slack | Free plan · from $7.25/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Microsoft Teams | Free plan · from $4.00/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Zoho Cliq | Free plan · from $16.20/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Lark | Free plan · from $6/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Pumble | Free plan · from $2.49/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Google Chat
- Free plan · from $7.25/mo
Slack
Channel-based team messaging with huddles, workflows and AI
- Slack starts at $7.25 per user / month, billed annually. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
- Only Slack lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Slack also covers workflow automation, documents and video calls.
- Google Chat also covers tasks.
Suits: Teams that want conversations organized by channel rather than email threads
- Free plan · from $4.00/mo
Microsoft Teams
Chat, video meetings and calling tied into Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Teams starts at $4.00 per user / month, paid yearly. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
- Only Microsoft Teams lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Microsoft Teams also covers transcription, noise cancellation, whiteboard and video calls.
- Google Chat also covers tasks.
Suits: Organizations that already pay for Microsoft 365
- Free plan · from $16.20/mo
Zoho Cliq
Team chat, calls and meetings from the Zoho suite
- Zoho Cliq starts at $16.20 per month for up to 25 users, billed annually (Standard). Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
- Only Zoho Cliq lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Zoho Cliq also covers whiteboard, workflow automation and video calls.
- Google Chat also covers tasks.
Suits: Organizations already using Zoho apps such as Zoho Projects, Desk or Mail
- Free plan · from $6/mo
Lark
All-in-one suite of chat, meetings, docs, email and workflows
- Lark starts at $6 per user / month, billed annually. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
- Only Lark lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Lark also covers transcription, wiki, calendar, workflow automation, documents and video calls.
- Google Chat also covers tasks and file sharing.
Suits: Teams of up to 20 that want free chat, docs and meetings in one app
- Free plan · from $2.49/mo
Pumble
Team chat with unlimited message history on the free plan
- Pumble starts at $2.49 per seat / month, billed annually. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
- Only Pumble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Pumble also covers video calls.
- Google Chat also covers tasks.
Suits: Teams that want a free chat app without a message-history cap
Limits worth knowing in Google Chat
- Chat is not sold on its own: a business gets it by paying for a Google Workspace plan that also covers Gmail, Drive and Meet.
- Gemini in Chat is left out of Business Starter, and Google marks some listed features as coming soon or limited to Business and Enterprise plans.
- There is no desktop app: computers use the web interface or Chat inside Gmail, and the apps are for phones and tablets.
- Business Starter, Standard and Plus can be bought for a maximum of 300 users.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Google Chat?
The alternatives to Google Chat in this directory are Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoho Cliq, Lark and Pumble. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Google Chat.
Is there a free alternative to Google Chat?
Yes. Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoho Cliq, Lark and Pumble have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Google Chat alternatives work on Windows?
The Google Chat listing does not include a Windows app. Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoho Cliq, Lark and Pumble list one.
Which Google Chat alternatives work on macOS?
The Google Chat listing does not include a macOS app. Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoho Cliq, Lark and Pumble list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.