Best free option: Nextcloud (Strong). Switching saves about $84 USD a year.
$84 USDa year
≈$119.76 CAD (converted from USD)
Every pick below has a free version.
3 alternatives
Covers most of the same work, with trade-offs noted on each card.
Best for self-hosting files, calendar and contacts
You run the server or pay a host. Email needs a separate mail service, so it replaces the storage and collaboration parts of Workspace. Free version: The Nextcloud server is free to self-host. Enterprise subscriptions with support start at 71.29 EUR per user a year (100 users).
Right for specific needs, or not yet mature enough to recommend widely.
Best for free business email on your own domain
The free plan is email only, with 5 GB per user, no IMAP or POP and no file storage. Paid Workplace plans add the other apps. Free version: Free Mail plan: up to 5 users, one domain, 5 GB mail each, no file storage and no IMAP or POP.
Best for private encrypted email without ads
Covers the Gmail part only. Apps are open source and end-to-end encrypted, but the free plan stores only 500 MB to 1 GB of mail. Free version: Free: 1 user, 1 email address and 500 MB of mail storage, rising to 1 GB by completing the Get started checklist.
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How each alternative covers what people use Google Workspace for. Numbers link to editor notes.
| Feature | Nextcloud | Zoho Workplace | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business email on a custom domain | NoNote 1Mail is a client only; it needs your own mail server | YesNote 2Free Mail plan supports one custom domain for up to 5 users | NoNote 3Custom domains need a paid plan; the free plan has one address |
| Productivity | |||
| Docs, Sheets and Slides with live co-editing | PartialNote 4Office editing needs Collabora Online or ONLYOFFICE as a separate server | NoNote 5Document apps come with paid Workplace plans | NoNote 6Proton Mail alone has no document apps |
| Storage | |||
| Cloud storage and file sharing | YesNote 7Self-hosted file storage with desktop and mobile sync clients | NoNote 8The free plan has no file storage | NoNote 9The free plan has 500 MB of mail storage, rising to 1 GB |
| Meetings | |||
| Video meetings | PartialNote 10Talk handles calls; large calls need extra components | NoNote 11Meetings are part of paid plans | NoNote 12No video meetings |
| Calendar | |||
| Shared calendars and contacts | YesNote 13Calendar and Contacts apps with CalDAV and CardDAV sync | PartialNote 14Calendar and contacts come with Zoho Mail | PartialNote 15Calendar and contacts are part of a Proton account |
| Administration | |||
| Admin console and single sign-on | PartialNote 16Admin settings, groups and quotas; single sign-on through apps | PartialNote 17Admin console for up to 5 users | NoNote 18The free plan is for one user |
| Parity score | 58% | 33% | 8% |
Not covered by any free alternative yet: Docs, Sheets and Slides with live co-editing, Video meetings, Admin console and single sign-on. See all feature gaps
Switching saves about $84 USD / ≈$120 CAD (estimated from the USD price) a year. Prices checked ; ≈ means converted from USD.
Based on Google Workspace Business Starter, per user, annual plan. Price source. USD to CAD at 1.4257 as of Oct 7, 2026.
Last verified . Ranking: tier first, then the published score.
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Google Workspace is a product of Google, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for Google Workspace: Web, iOS, Android.