Google Docs vs Lex

Google Docs

• People and teams who draft and review documents together in a browser
• Organizations that already pay for Google Workspace
• Collecting edits and comments from collaborators outside the company

Lex

• Writers who want AI feedback on a draft instead of generated text
• People looking for a simpler shared-document editor with AI built in
• Trying several AI models on the same piece without separate subscriptions

Google Docs

• There is no standalone paid Docs plan; the business version comes only as part of Google Workspace, with Gmail, Drive and Meet.
• Gemini in Docs and eSignature are not in Business Starter; both start at Business Standard, $14 per user / month on a 1-year commitment.
• Offline editing on a computer works only in Chrome or Microsoft Edge with the Google Docs Offline extension installed.
• Google lists Docs for web browsers, Android, iPhone and iPad; no Windows or Mac desktop app is listed.

Lex

• Free accounts get 30 Ask Lex messages a day, 5 saved-prompt runs a month and a small daily AI budget; premium models need Lex Pro.
• Lex Pro's AI use is metered: the plan includes $30 of AI credits a month, and heavier use can be covered by overage credits sold at cost.
• Lex runs in a desktop or mobile browser. An iOS app is offered to Pro subscribers as early access, and no desktop app is listed.
• Track changes is marked as coming soon on the homepage.

Google Docs

Co-editing, comments and version history

Several people can edit one document at the same time, leave comments and assign action items. Earlier versions can be opened and restored, and sharing settings control who can view, comment or edit.

Smart chips and building blocks

Typing @ inserts people, files, calendar events and dropdown menus, or building blocks such as meeting notes, email drafts and review trackers.

Document tabs and pageless mode

A document can be split into tabs for each part of a project or report, and pageless mode removes page breaks for continuous writing.

Gemini in Docs

Drafts and restyles documents from prompts, drawing on a user's Drive, Gmail and Chat. Among Business editions it starts at Business Standard; Starter does not include it.

Word and PDF files

Microsoft Word documents can be edited directly without making a copy, or converted to Docs format. PDF files can be imported and worked on as well.

Offline editing

Documents can be opened, created and edited without a connection. On a computer this requires Chrome or Microsoft Edge with the Google Docs Offline extension.

Lex

Ask Lex

A chat panel for feedback, rewrites and brainstorming on the open document. Highlighting text, or tagging @Lex in a comment, asks about one passage. The AI model can be switched.

Checks

Runs line edits for brevity, grammar, readability and more, shown as highlights in the document. Clicking one shows the suggested edit and the reason for it.

Custom prompts and context

Saved prompts can be reused in Ask Lex and Checks and shared with others. Style guides and knowledge bases give the AI a voice to follow and background to draw on.

Versions and Rewind

Versions are named save points for trying another approach. Rewind is a timeline at the top of a document for scrubbing through past changes and restoring an earlier state.

Live collaboration and comments

A shared link gives edit or view-only access, with co-editing in real time and comment threads. Lex Teams is a paid add-on for unlimited group use of shared folders.

Export and API

Documents export to Word, PDF, Markdown, HTML and LaTeX, and an API can create, list and update documents with a key generated in settings.

Google Docs

• Personal Google Account$0

  Create, edit and share documents in a browser or the mobile apps, with comments, version history and offline access.

• Business Starter$7

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($8.40 flexible)

  Google Workspace with Docs and 30 GB of pooled storage per user. Gemini in Docs and eSignature are not included.

• Business Standard$14

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($16.80 flexible)

  2 TB of pooled storage per user. The lowest Business edition with Gemini in Docs and eSignature with Docs and PDFs.

• Business Plus$22

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($26.40 flexible)

  Everything in Standard with 5 TB of pooled storage per user, plus Vault, eDiscovery and advanced endpoint management.

• EnterpriseCustom

  No minimum or maximum user count, with data loss prevention, context-aware access and data regions; priced through Google sales.

Lex

• Free$0

  Documents, sharing and live collaboration with 30 Ask Lex messages a day, 5 saved-prompt runs a month and a small daily AI budget.

• Lex Pro$14.99

  per month, billed yearly ($179.88); $24.99 billed monthly

  Premium AI models, $30 of included AI credits a month, much higher usage limits, priority support, early access to new features and a money-back guarantee.

Google Docs

• Annual discount

  Save 16% with a 1-year commitment

  Business Starter is $7 per user per month on the Annual/Fixed-Term Plan against $8.40 on the Flexible Plan. Standard drops from $16.80 to $14 and Plus from $26.40 to $22.

• Nonprofit

  Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0

  Eligible nonprofits get Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0, or Business Standard at $3.50 and Business Plus at $6.16 per user per month on a 1-year commitment.

• Education

  Education Fundamentals at no charge

  Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals, which includes Docs, is available at no charge to qualifying institutions.

Lex

• Annual discount

  40% less with yearly billing

  Lex Pro billed yearly is $179.88, which works out to $14.99 a month against $24.99 when billed monthly.

• Education

  Discounted pricing for students and academics

  Lex says it offers discounted pricing for students and academics, arranged by emailing the company. The size of the discount is not published.

• Nonprofit

  Discounted pricing for nonprofits

  Lex says it offers discounted pricing for nonprofit organizations, arranged by emailing the company. The size of the discount is not published.