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Google Docs

Browser-based word processor, free with a Google Account

Free plan · from $7/moDocs & WikisChecked Oct 5, 20264.8 on the App Store
Visit workspace.google.com
Google Docs, as pictured on workspace.google.com
How Google Docs presents itself. Image from workspace.google.com.

Our verdict

First of our top three docs and wiki tools

For: Most people

Google Docs is free with a personal Google Account, and several people can write, comment on and revise the same document at once, with version history and sharing settings for who can view, comment or edit. It runs in a browser and on iPhone and Android, edits Word files directly, and its iPhone and iPad app averages 4.8 from about 3.3 million ratings. Know the limits: no Windows or Mac desktop app is listed, and offline editing on a computer needs Chrome or Microsoft Edge with an extension. The business version comes only with Google Workspace, from $7 per user a month on a 1-year commitment, and Gemini in Docs starts at Business Standard, at $14.

See all three and how we rank

What is Google Docs?

Google Docs is an online word processor in which several people can write, comment on and revise the same document at once. It is free with a personal Google Account and is also part of every Google Workspace business plan. Gemini drafting and eSignature are reserved for Business Standard and higher editions.

Google Docs has a free plan. Paid plans start at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). See every plan

Good for

  • 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

Worth knowing

  • 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.

Key features

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.

Google Docs pricing

Starts at
$7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter)
Free plan
Free with a personal Google Account: anyone signed in can create, edit and share documents. Some features, such as joining a Meet call from a document, need a Google Workspace plan.
Free trial
14-day Google Workspace trial
Personal Google Account$0Create, edit and share documents in a browser or the mobile apps, with comments, version history and offline access.
Business Starter$7per 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$14per 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$22per 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.
EnterpriseCustomNo minimum or maximum user count, with data loss prevention, context-aware access and data regions; priced through Google sales.

Read from workspace.google.com on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Google Docs before you buy.

Pricing in detail

Ways to pay less

  • Annual discountSave 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.

    Stated on knowledge.workspace.google.com
  • NonprofitGoogle 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.

    Stated on google.com
  • EducationEducation Fundamentals at no charge

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

    Stated on edu.google.com

What people say about Google Docs

4.8

out of 5 for the iPhone and iPad app

  1. 5 stars88%
  2. 4 stars7%
  3. 3 stars2%
  4. 2 stars<1%
  5. 1 star2%

3,262,473 ratings on the App Store in the United States, read Oct 7, 2026. It rates the app, not everything the product does. See the listing

Often praised

  • Several people editing one document at the same time, with comments and no copies sent back and forth, is the feature reviewers and a commenter single out. App Store reviews · Hacker News
  • Reviewers say they start a document on one device and carry on with it on another, such as a phone or tablet away from the desk and a computer later. App Store reviews

Often criticised

  • It is described as having fewer features than Microsoft Word, by reviewers who otherwise like it and by a commenter. App Store reviews · Hacker News
  • The phone and tablet app draws complaints in reviews from 2018 to 2024 that are not made of the desktop version, such as lag on long documents and awkward handling of comments. App Store reviews

Based on 9 App Store reviews, six of them more than three years old, and about 15 Hacker News comments from late September and early October 2026, most of them passing mentions, read Oct 7, 2026. These are themes summarised in our words, not our own verdict. Follow the links to read what was said.

Google Docs reviews, and where to read more

Works with

Google Docs alternatives

All Google Docs alternatives comparedAll docs and wiki tools

Common questions

Is Google Docs free?

Google Docs has a free plan. Free with a personal Google Account: anyone signed in can create, edit and share documents. Some features, such as joining a Meet call from a document, need a Google Workspace plan. Paid plans start at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).

How much does Google Docs cost?

Google Docs lists 5 plans. Personal Google Account: $0. Business Starter: $7 per user / month, 1-year commitment ($8.40 flexible). Business Standard: $14 per user / month, 1-year commitment ($16.80 flexible). Business Plus: $22 per user / month, 1-year commitment ($26.40 flexible). Enterprise: custom pricing. Prices were read from workspace.google.com on Oct 5, 2026.

What platforms does Google Docs work on?

Google Docs is available on Web, iOS and Android. It also has a browser extension.

Does Google Docs offer any discounts?

Google Docs publicly lists the following: Save 16% with a 1-year commitment; Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0; Education Fundamentals at no charge.

How is Google Docs rated?

Google Docs's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3,262,473 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 7, 2026. That is the store's rating of the app, not a score from us.

Is Google Docs any good?

We have not tested Google Docs, so this is what reviewers say. Often praised: Several people editing one document at the same time, with comments and no copies sent back and forth, is the feature reviewers and a commenter single out. Often criticised: It is described as having fewer features than Microsoft Word, by reviewers who otherwise like it and by a commenter. The reviews page has every theme with its sources.

Does Google Docs have a Windows app?

No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Google Docs is listed for Web, iOS and Android.

Does Google Docs have a macOS app?

No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Google Docs is listed for Web, iOS and Android.

Is Google Docs open source?

Google Docs is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 5, 2026.

Does Google Docs work offline?

Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.

Does Google Docs have an API?

Yes. Google Docs offers a public API, according to its own site.

What does Google Docs integrate with?

Google Docs's listing names Gmail, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Meet, Google Calendar and Google Chat. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.

Does Google Docs have a student discount?

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

Does Google Docs have a free trial?

Yes. 14-day Google Workspace trial.

Who makes Google Docs?

Google Docs is made by Google.

What are the alternatives to Google Docs?

The closest alternatives to Google Docs in our directory are Microsoft Word, Zoho Writer, Dropbox Paper, Proton Docs and ONLYOFFICE. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Google Docs.

Sources for this page

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026. What people say is linked where it appears.