Compare Google Chat vs. Google Hangouts

Google Chat is a cloud-based AI-powered messaging and collaboration platform built to help businesses and teams communicate more effectively while staying connected across projects and departments. Gemini AI enhances team collaboration by summarizing conversations, surfacing action items, translating messages, brainstorming ideas, and helping users quickly catch up on ongoing discussions. The platform supports direct messaging, team collaboration spaces, real-time huddles, and integrated communication tools that simplify both internal and external teamwork. Google Chat works seamlessly with Google Workspace applications including Gmail, Google Meet, Google Calendar, Google Drive, and Google Tasks, allowing users to collaborate without constantly switching between apps. Persistent collaboration spaces support large-scale communication for organizations while helping teams maintain ongoing discussions, share files, and organize project-related content in one centralized environment. Businesses can also launch instant huddle meetings directly from conversations to solve problems quickly and improve decision-making in real time. The platform supports integrations with a wide range of third-party business applications including Jira, Salesforce, HubSpot, Trello, Datadog, Workday, and ServiceNow to streamline workflows and centralize operational communication. Organizations can further customize workflows using Chat APIs, Apps Script, and no-code automation through Gemini in AppSheet to create tailored collaboration tools. Security features such as phishing protection, malware detection, content moderation, encryption, and real-time data loss prevention help businesses protect sensitive information while maintaining secure communication across teams.

Utilize Hangouts to stay connected with others by sending messages, initiating free voice or video calls, and engaging in discussions with either individuals or groups. You can create group chats that accommodate up to 150 participants, allowing you to communicate with all your contacts at once. Enhance your conversations with status updates, images, videos, maps, emojis, stickers, and animated GIFs to express more. Transform any chat into a complimentary group video call with a maximum of 10 participants. You also have the ability to call any phone number globally, with free calls to other Hangouts users, and you can link your Google Voice account for seamless phone calls, SMS messaging, and voicemail features. Stay connected across multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, and the web, ensuring that your chats are synchronized on all your devices. You can even send messages to your contacts at any time, regardless of whether they are currently online or offline, making communication more flexible than ever.