How is Google Chat different from Hangouts?
How is Google Chat different from Hangouts?
Google Chat is the modern, upgraded replacement for Google Hangouts, specifically built for Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). Here's a breakdown of how Google Chat differs from Hangouts:
Key Differences Between Google Chat and Google Hangouts
| Feature | Google Chat | Google Hangouts |
|---|---|---|
| Designed For | Business & team collaboration (Google Workspace) | Casual conversations (older consumer product) |
| Group Collaboration | Uses Spaces (chat rooms with threads, roles, tasks) | Simple group chats only |
| Threaded Conversations | Yes (within Spaces) | No – only linear chats |
| Google Workspace Integration | Deep integration with Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive, Docs, Meet, Tasks | Limited integration |
| Bots & Apps | Supports bots and 3rd-party app integrations (e.g., Asana, Trello) | No bot support |
| Security & Admin Controls | Enterprise-grade security, data loss prevention, retention rules | Basic security, limited admin tools |
| Interface | Modern UI, part of Gmail and standalone at chat.google.com | Older UI, at hangouts.google.com (now deprecated) |
| Mobile Support | Google Chat mobile app (Android/iOS) | Hangouts app (discontinued) |
What Happened to Hangouts?
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As of November 2022, Hangouts has been fully shut down.
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All users have been migrated to Google Chat.
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If you try to access Hangouts, it redirects you to Chat.
Summary
| Google Chat is a... |
|---|
| ✅ Business-ready chat tool |
| ✅ Replacement for Hangouts |
| ✅ Core part of Google Workspace |
| ✅ Integrated with Gmail, Meet, Calendar, and Drive |
