Google Workspace vs Fastmail
A detailed comparison of Google Workspace and Fastmail to help you choose the best tool for your needs in 2026.
Google Workspace
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is Google's cloud-native productivity suite with Gmail, Docs, Drive, and Meet. Business plans start at $7.20/user/month, which can be costly for large teams.
PRICING
Business Starter $7.20/user/month; Business Standard $12/user/month
Fastmail
Privacy-focused email and calendar without Google tracking
RATING
Live Data
Google Workspace
Fastmail
💡 Data sourced from FMHY (Free Media Heck Yeah) and updated regularly. GitHub stars reflect real-time community adoption.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Detailed breakdown of features, pricing, and capabilities
| Feature | Google Workspace | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Paid Business Starter $7.20/user/month | Freemium |
| Open Source | ||
| Self-Hosted | — | |
| User Rating | — | |
| Migration Difficulty | N/A | — |
| Best For | General use | — |
Why Choose Fastmail Over Google Workspace?
Privacy-focused email and calendar without Google tracking
KEY FEATURES
Pros & Cons
Google Workspace
KNOWN FOR
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is Google's cloud-native productivity suite with Gmail, Docs, Drive, and Meet. Business plans start at $7.20/user/...
PAIN POINTS
- Per-user monthly cost
- Vendor lock-in with Google ecosystem
- Limited offline functionality
Fastmail
Why Consider Switching from Google Workspace?
Reduce per-user costs
Self-hosted privacy option
Avoid vendor lock-in
Common Google Workspace Pain Points
Per-user monthly cost
Impact: $7.20-18/user/month adds up quickly
Vendor lock-in with Google ecosystem
Impact: Difficult to export and migrate data
Limited offline functionality
Impact: Most features require internet connection
How to Migrate from Google Workspace to Fastmail
- 1
Export Gmail contacts and emails (using Google Takeout)
- 2
Export Google Drive files
- 3
Set up Zoho Workplace or Nextcloud
- 4
Migrate email using IMAP migration tools
- 5
Import contacts and calendar data
- 6
Update DNS for custom domains
Pro Tips
- Google Takeout can export all your data in one go
- Zoho has a free tier for up to 5 users
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate my Google Drive files to Zoho?
Yes, Zoho supports importing Google Drive files. You can also download files from Google Drive and upload to Zoho Docs.
Is Nextcloud difficult to self-host?
Nextcloud has easy installation scripts and supports one-click installs on many hosting providers. Technical comfort helps but it's not extremely difficult.
Other Google Workspace Alternatives
Not sure Fastmail is right for you? Check these other options: