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Differences Between Google Chat and Slack

Google Chat is a business chat tool integrated into Google Workspace. Its biggest strength is its seamless integration with Gmail and Google Drive, and many updates, such as Gemini AI integration, a Meetings section, and a message scheduling feature, have been added for 2026.

Key New Features for 2026

1. Meetings Section (March 2026~)

Starting March 19, 2026, a new "Meetings" section has been added to the Google Chat conversation list. You can manage chats, notes, and shared files related to meetings all together in this dedicated section. Communication before and after meetings is centralized in one place, eliminating the hassle of searching for information.

2. Message Scheduling Feature

A feature to schedule messages to be sent at a specified date and time has been added. This allows you to work early in the morning and schedule a message to be sent at 9 AM the next morning, or send it at an appropriate time to an overseas team with a different time zone. Long-press the send button and select "Send later."

3. Unread Message Summarization by Gemini

Gemini automatically summarizes unread messages in Google Chat's home view. Even if you have many Spaces or DMs, you can grasp important information just by asking "Summarize yesterday's unread messages." It supports multiple languages, including Japanese.

4. Enhanced Security: Blocking Unknown Senders

The ability to block messages from unknown senders outside your organization and to require approval for join requests to Spaces has become available. This helps prevent phishing and spam attacks.

Distinguishing Between Spaces and Direct Messages

  • Direct messages: Ideal for one-on-one or small group (approx. 5 people or less) interactions
  • Spaces: Dedicated channels for ongoing topics like projects or departments

Steps to Create a Space

  1. In the Google Chat left menu, select "Spaces" → "Create a new space."
  2. Enter the Space name, emoji, and description.
  3. Add members (external users can also be added).
  4. Select "Threaded replies" (recommended if you want to organize by topic).

How to Share Files

You can directly share Google Drive files from the attachment icon in the message input field. File permissions are automatically adjusted to match the chat members. Files saved in Shared drives can also be pasted directly.

Integration with Google Meet

Clicking the video icon within a Space instantly starts a Meet call, inviting all members of that Space. Utilize the "Chat → Meet" integration flow to transition topics that cannot be resolved via text directly into a video conference.

Integration with Bots and Apps (New Apps in 2025)

Many new apps became compatible with Google Chat in 2025:

  • Trello: Notifies of task card updates
  • Confluence: Notifies of document updates
  • Miro / Lucidchart: Share and update whiteboards within Chat
  • Figma: Notifies of design changes
  • 1Password: Notifies of security alerts
  • Google Calendar bot: Automatically notifies of today's schedule

Customizing Notification Settings

You can configure settings by right-clicking a Space name → "Notifications":

  • Notify for all messages
  • Notify for @mentions only (Recommended)
  • Do not notify (Mute)

Setting important Spaces to "@mentions only" and information-gathering Spaces to "Do not notify" can prevent notification fatigue.

Summary

With the addition of the Meetings section in March 2026, Google Chat's integration with video Meet has been further strengthened. By combining Gemini's unread message summarization, message scheduling, and threaded Spaces, a sophisticated team collaboration environment comparable to Slack is now available. For teams already using Gmail and Google Drive, migrating to Google Chat will be seamless and most cost-effective.

▶ Check details and free trial on the Google Workspace Official Site