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Head-to-head · Team Communication Software

Google Chat vs Rocket.Chat

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Google Chat #3 in Team Communication Software 8.9/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Google Chat
Rocket.Chat #7 in Team Communication Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Rocket.Chat

Google Chat leads on 0 checks, Rocket.Chat on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Chat · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Google Chat

Google Chat scores higher on our rubric for team communication software: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Google Chat is the better fit for teams already working in Google Workspace. Rocket.Chat is the better fit for organizations needing open-source or self-hosted chat.

  • Google Chat fits best

    Teams already working in Google Workspace

  • Rocket.Chat fits best

    Organizations needing open-source or self-hosted chat

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Side by side

Feature Google Chat 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Rocket.Chat 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.6
Ranking #3 in Team Communication Software #7 in Team Communication Software
Best for Teams already working in Google Workspace Organizations needing open-source or self-hosted chat
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $7/user/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Live chat, Email, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Compliance SSO/SAML, 2FA SOC 2, GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 14 integrations 5,000+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Google Chat 0/3 · Rocket.Chat 0/3
Video meetings Not checked yet Not checked yet
External guest access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom retention controls Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Message history limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Meeting participant limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
File storage per user Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Persistent spaces and threaded discussions organize team topics.
  • Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Gmail, Calendar, and Meet work together.
  • Guest access, tasks, Gemini features, and third-party integrations broaden collaboration.
  • Channels, threads, direct messages, and searchable history
  • Self-hosted and cloud deployment options
  • Free Starter includes up to 50 users and unlimited push notifications
Cons
  • Advanced security and management controls require higher Workspace tiers.
  • Message history settings can vary by account and administrator configuration.
  • Google-centered workflows may fit less naturally with non-Google ecosystems.
  • Starter is capped at 50 users
  • Commercial, Government, and Defense plan prices are not public
  • Advanced deployment and security options sit in higher-tier plans
Our verdict

Google Chat is a cloud-based messaging and collaboration service for individuals, teams, and organizations. It combines direct messages, group conversations, persistent spaces, threaded discussions, file sharing, tasks, external guest…

Read the review →

Rocket.Chat is an open-source communications platform for teams and organizations that need channels, direct messages, threaded discussions, file sharing, searchable conversations, and integrations. It suits organizations that want to…

Read the review →
  1. Google ChatTeam Communication Software 8.9Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. Rocket.ChatTeam Communication Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Google Chat — where it wins

    • Persistent spaces and threaded discussions organize team topics.
    • Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Gmail, Calendar, and Meet work together.
    • Guest access, tasks, Gemini features, and third-party integrations broaden collaboration.

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced security and management controls require higher Workspace tiers.
    • Message history settings can vary by account and administrator configuration.
    • Google-centered workflows may fit less naturally with non-Google ecosystems.

  • Rocket.Chat — where it wins

    • Channels, threads, direct messages, and searchable history
    • Self-hosted and cloud deployment options
    • Free Starter includes up to 50 users and unlimited push notifications

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter is capped at 50 users
    • Commercial, Government, and Defense plan prices are not public
    • Advanced deployment and security options sit in higher-tier plans

More comparisons

All team communication software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update