What Google Workspace does well
- Best-in-class collaboration and real-time editing
- Gemini AI woven through Gmail, Docs, and Meet
- Reliability and scale that's hard to match
- Familiar to almost everyone you hire
Google Workspace Alternative: team workspace vs Google
Google Workspace charges per user, every month, forever. Team Workspace on our hosting is flat: one price for the whole team, your files on your own server, with no AI scanning your data.
Free migration · No contract · 30-day refund
Side by side
Team Workspace on Last Hour vs Google Workspace
The headline difference is the pricing model: per-user vs flat. The second is who can read your data.
| Team Workspace on Last Hour | Google Workspace | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | $49/mo flat for up to 100 users | Per user, every month |
| Entry cost | $49/mo total | About $7/user/mo (Starter), $14 (Standard), $22 (Plus) |
| 10-user example | $49/mo | About $70–$220/mo depending on tier |
| ✓ Included via private email | Gmail, included | |
| Files and docs | Team Files and office suite | Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides |
| Who holds the data | You, on your US server | |
| AI on your data | ✕ None, nothing scans your files | Gemini AI is integrated across apps |
| Software license | Open source (team workspace, private email) | Proprietary |
| Free migration | ✓ Done for you | Google Workspace Migrate, self-serve |
| Support | US-based engineers | Tiered, higher tiers pay for faster support |
Straight talk
Where each one wins
Where Google Workspace may still be the better fit
- Your team lives in Google Docs and Sheets all day
- You depend on Gemini AI features
- You want zero infrastructure to think about
- You need Google Meet at very large scale
Our honest take: Google Workspace is still the more capable collaboration suite, and the AI features are genuinely useful. If you're cost-sensitive as a team grows, or you simply don't want a third party reading your files, team workspace is the honest alternative and the price stays flat.
Making the move
How to switch from Google Workspace
Moving from Google Workspace to Managed team workspace on Last Hour Hosting is a guided process. Here is what it looks like, step by step.
Step 1
Use Google Takeout to export your Gmail, Drive, Calendar, and Contacts data.
Step 2
Send us the Takeout archive and we import mail, files, and calendars into team workspace.
Step 3
Set up the team workspace apps for files, calendars, contacts, and online documents.
Step 4
Update your DNS mail records and confirm mail and files sync on every device.
The upside
Why Managed Team Workspace is a strong Google Workspace alternative
- Your files, mail, and calendars live on your own server, so you are not tied to Google's account and advertising ecosystem.
- A flat $49/mo covers up to 100 users, while Google Workspace bills per user every month and raises tiers as you add storage.
- Team Workspace includes file sync, docs, calendars, and contacts in one private workspace rather than separate Google products.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Google Workspace cost per user?
Google Workspace Business Starter is about $7 per user per month, Business Standard about $14, and Business Plus about $22, billed annually. Costs scale with every user you add.
Is team workspace really a Google Workspace replacement?
For most small teams, yes. Team Workspace covers files, calendars, contacts, documents, chat, and video. The main gap is that Google's AI and some collaboration features are more polished. We're honest about that.
Can you migrate my Google Workspace data?
Yes. Email, calendar, contacts, and Drive files can be migrated from Google Workspace to team workspace. We handle the migration for you.
Can I keep using the Gmail interface after moving to team workspace?
Not Gmail itself, since it only works with Google accounts. You use a mail client like a standard mail client or the team workspace mail app, which handles IMAP mail fine. Many people find the switch straightforward after a day or two.
What happens to Google Docs files in Takeout?
Takeout can export Google Docs as Office formats like .docx and .xlsx. Those import into team workspace and open in its online office suite, so you keep editing without Google. Some complex formatting may need a quick review.