Is Google perplexing you? I mean, I know Google confuses us all, but are you specifically perplexed about the distinction between a Gmail, Google, and a g suite workspace?
Let me explain the difference between a Gmail Account, a Google Account, and a G Suite Account today. Google does a lot of things well, including confusing the hell out of us on a fairly regular basis.
One of the things you think they could do a better job of communicating is what our relationship, what our Google accounts are. But that is not the case. Almost everyone I know is perplexed by the distinction between a Gmail, a Google, and a G Suite Account.
The difference between Google Gmail and g suite workspace
Now, a Gmail Account, Gmail was founded in, what, 2004, you had to be invited into Gmail, do you remember that? Once upon a time, you had to be invited.
Now, most of us begin our relationship with Google with a Gmail account. The email address for all Gmail accounts begins with @gmail.com. They are now free accounts, or, more accurately, sort of free accounts.
They are supported by advertising, and Google, of course, collects information from us, so we are giving up a portion of our privacy in order to have access to all of these services.
We won't get into what that quid pro quo is, but remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and Google is getting plenty of value from providing us with a "free" Gmail account.
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Free services that Google gives us access
That Gmail address is also used to login to other free services that Google provides, such as Google Drive, Google Docs (which includes word processing and spreadsheets), Google Calendar, and all of the other Google services that are part of your Google Account that you can access through that Gmail Account.
Google Account
Now, the Google Account is similar to, but slightly different from, the Gmail Account, or it is an augmentation of the Gmail Account.
You can also sign in to get all of those other services, such as Google Calendar, Google Docs, and Google Drive, if you sign up for a Google Account rather than a Gmail Account. It's simply a different login, and then you can use your own address and email address.
Here's another angle to consider. Gmail Accounts are all Google Accounts, but Google Accounts are not all Gmail Accounts. You can have additional email addresses and logins to access your Google Account.
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G suite account
The other type of service that Google provides is the G Suite Account, which is a completely different beast. This is a paid service intended for businesses.
So instead of a single personal login, you have an administrator who can then designate different email addresses and accounts and control all of them, and you pay by the user and the services that are offered.
They can range from about $5 per user and up, but there is a lot of extra functionality attached. You now have access to most of the same things, including Google Drive, Google Docs, and a little bit more storage space.
A G Suite Account includes a few extra features such as Google Hangouts, video conferencing tools, and so on, but for the most part, it will look very similar to a regular Google Account.
The difference is that there is an administrative console and they can be administered as a business, and you can also use a G Suite Account to create a unique email address based on your business.
There are a few other distinctions, but this is the main distinction between a Google Account, a Gmail Account, and a G Suite Account.
So, for most of us, if you're happy with your Gmail Account, don't sweat it; your Gmail Account will access your Google Account and do everything you need.
If you own a business and need a custom email address and the ability to control multiple users, consider upgrading to a Google Suite, or G Suite Account, and researching the various price points and features available in G Suite.
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If you have a personal email address that is not a Gmail address that you want to use to access Google Services, create a Google Account with that account information and that email address.
That, I believe, explains everything. I'd love to hear your thoughts. If I've missed anything about Google Gmail vs g suite workspace or you can explain it better, please let me know.
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