Google Chat (formerly Hangouts Chat) is a team-oriented messaging app included with G Suite that features many tools to facilitate collaboration.
Slack offers message threads for teams and Rooms – similar to Channels in Slack – while Rooms provide deeper integration with G Suite such as file sharing and clickable video meeting links.
It’s free
Google Chat is a free messaging service designed for teams that offers a unified experience across desktop and mobile. Its features include direct messages and rooms; integration with Google Drive allows members to share documents and collaborate easily; it’s available as both a standalone app as well as integrated into Gmail on desktop and mobile platforms.
The Chat app is designed to reduce task-switching and create an integrated workspace, offering integrations with Google apps and third-party services such as video conferences via Google Meet and a file uploader for Drive document storage. Furthermore, chatrooms with up to 8000 participants can also be created.
Search the top menu to quickly locate specific conversations or messages, filtered by @mentions, images, files and links. Pin important discussions directly to the top for quick and easy access, edit or delete existing messages with one click or even if they have already been read!
It’s easy to use
Google Chat is an intuitive communication and collaboration platform, fully compatible with the Google Workspace applications as well as third-party tools for enhanced functionality. New users may take some time getting used to its interface; furthermore, consistent internet connectivity is required for real-time collaboration and accessing shared files.
With Google Chat, you can communicate with coworkers in private conversations or group chats – including sharing photos, videos, links to external websites or applications, pinning important conversations to the top of your screen for easy access, or using it within Gmail as either a pop out window or integration so that email continues while chatting!
Google Chat’s search bar is an effective way of quickly accessing information. You can search conversations or rooms directly, as well as all rooms and direct messages in general. Plus, @mentions can even be filtering results!
It’s secure
Google Chat provides numerous features that make it secure to use, including encryption, privacy measures and compliance with regulations. In addition to these security measures, there are integrations and bots which help book meetings, find flights or manage calendars; thus making the app one of the safest apps available today.
Chat makes sharing photos, links, and files with others simple – simply paste them in any new conversation or reply box and they’ll appear automatically with a preview. Plus you can pin important conversations directly to the top of your list for quick access!
Unfortunately, users can become complacent when it comes to using chat apps. Many students and teachers share images they wouldn’t want anyone else seeing; unfortunately, these images are stored with publicly accessible URLs that cybercriminals can access easily.
It’s fun
Google Chat is an internet-based messaging service that enables you to send text, photos, animated GIFs and videos. Spaces is a threaded group conversation designed for collaboration; and its app is compatible with dozens of other messaging services like Apple’s iMessage and Facebook Messenger.
Google’s productivity features are lighter compared to Slack or Microsoft Teams, yet can serve the needs of small teams adequately. You can create tasks and comment on previous chat messages from colleagues; however, for optimal performance you will likely require something like Sortd to track work assignments between teams as well as manage shared inboxes (such as projects@, sales@ or support@ mailboxes).
Google Chat stands out among other Google apps because of its seamless integration, including Hangouts and Duo. It’s simple and syncs seamlessly with Gmail contacts so it’s easy to locate those you need to chat with quickly. Plus, its Slash Command support enables quick insertion of kaomoji symbols quickly!