Google’s G Suite legacy free edition expired this week, with users automatically moved to Workspace subscriptions – and pricing set to begin on August 1. After more than a decade, the decision to discontinue free access to the productivity and collaboration software was revealed in January.
Prior to December 6, 2012, Google offered a free edition of G Suite, often known as the legacy free edition of Google Apps, with fewer commercial features. Google discontinued supplying the legacy free edition to new users on December 6, 2012. After June 27, 2022, the G Suite legacy free edition will no longer be available for businesses. Your account will be instantly upgraded to a premium Google Workspace subscription, where we will continue to provide new features to assist businesses in transforming the way they work.
Google Workspace Business editions are intended for businesses with up to 300 employees. Monthly fees range from $6 to $18 per user, depending on the level of services selected. As a result, a firm with 300 users that formerly had free access to the G Suite will suddenly be charged between $21,600 and $64,800 each year. Organizations with more than 300 users must select the Enterprise edition, the pricing of which will be established in consultation with Google.
There will be no charges for anyone who switches to Workspace until August, with Google stating that you may ‘enjoy your new security and collaboration functionality at no cost until August 1, 2022.’
However, if you do not complete your upgrade by setting up billing before August 1, you will be disconnected from the service and will be unable to access your core services and data, including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and Meet. Additional Google services will remain available.
Qualified educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and individuals and families that have been using the G Suite legacy free edition for non-commercial activities are eligible to apply for free Google Workspace subscriptions.