The flexibility of SaaS suites, such as Google Workspace, allows companies to maintain productivity without requiring complex IT infrastructure. Features such as real-time document collaboration, video conferencing, and secure cloud storage became critical for teams working across different locations and time zones. Effective productivity suites like Google Workspace are transforming modern workplaces, encouraging businesses of all sizes to adopt them.
One of the key reasons for Google Workspace’s widespread adoption is its flexibility. It offers multiple subscription plans tailored to meet the needs of various organizations, ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. The available options include:
Other specialized editions are also ready to use to meet different business needs.
Among these, the Business edition stands out as a great option for most companies. However, choosing the right plan within the Business edition can be challenging as well. Two of the most popular options are Google Workspace Business Starter and Business Standard.
When comparing these two licenses, you’ll likely notice that they share many similarities. Both editions provide nearly the same suite of services, including (but not limited to):
Gmail – an enterprise-grade email system with multiple client access options, sophisticated routing configurations, and strong security features such as advanced phishing and malware protection.
Drive – a cloud storage service that enables collaboration and data sharing. It includes the Google Docs Editors suite, which allows users to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations efficiently.
Meet – a video conferencing tool that supports essential features such as screen sharing, dial-in access (connecting via phone), content delivery network (CDN) support for cross-regional streaming, and more.
Chat – an instant messaging solution designed for quick communication among team members and external partners.
Security and Data Management – both editions include fundamental security features such as two-step verification, password policies, and data-sharing controls. Additionally, they provide an alert center to notify administrators of security issues, audit tools, and a comprehensive logging system for monitoring activity.
Additionally, both editions have directory management functionality (where you can create and edit users and groups), basic device management features (like passcode enforcement and remote account wiping), and access to standard technical support.
When it comes to differences, the Business Standard edition offers several key advantages over Business Starter.
First, storage capacity is significantly higher. Business Standard provides 2 TB of pooled storage per user for Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive, whereas Business Starter only includes 30 GB per user (with an option to expand at an additional cost). Since storage is pooled, an organization with 50 Business Standard licenses can collectively use up to 100 TB of shared storage.
Second, Business Standard includes many Gemini AI-powered features. These include AI-driven Chat conversation summaries, automatic note-taking during Meet video conferences, and AI-assisted writing and editing in the Google Docs Editors suite.
Third, it unlocks advanced Meet features, such as noise cancellation, meeting recording, interactive polls, and Q&A functionality during video calls, enhancing collaboration and engagement.
Finally, compliance and data protection are more advanced in Business Standard. It offers Data Protection Insights reports to help manage sensitive information and provides the ability to select the geographic location for data storage, adding an extra layer of control and security.
For a full breakdown of features, refer to the Compare Google Workspace Editions article in the Admin Help Portal.
One might wonder if Business Starter has any advantages. Absolutely - it comes with one major benefit: it costs half as much as Business Standard. The table below highlights the current pricing (per user, per month) for both editions.
Both compared Google Workspace Business editions provide a good set of services. Whichever option you choose, you'll benefit from a modern suite of collaboration tools.
Ultimately, the right plan depends on your company’s size, data storage needs, and functional requirements:
Additionally, there may be situations where you need the advanced features of the Business Standard edition temporarily. For instance, if you are migrating from a third-party email solution, such as Microsoft Exchange Server, to Gmail, you can temporarily purchase a Google Workspace Business Standard license, which includes access to the Google Workspace Migrate tool. Once the migration is complete, you can downgrade to the more cost-effective Business Starter plan.
Pro Tip: If neither Business Starter nor Business Standard fully meets your needs, and Enterprise licenses seem too expensive, consider using Partial Domain Licensing (PDL). PDL allows you to mix different license types within the same organization, making it a flexible and cost-effective solution.
Common Use Cases for PDL:
Google Workspace offers businesses a powerful, flexible, and secure suite of collaboration tools. Whether you choose Business Starter or Business Standard, both editions provide productivity services like Gmail, Drive, Meet, Chat and others. The choice, in the end, depends on your organization’s needs - Business Starter is ideal for small teams with basic requirements, while Business Standard unlocks AI-powered tools, expanded storage, and advanced security features. Carefully assessing your company's storage, compliance, and collaboration needs will help you make the right decision for long-term success.
