On Thursday, Google announced an increase in subscription prices for its Workspace services in certain regions. The tech giant explained that the rise in cost corresponds with the new inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) features across various Workspace applications in all plans. This means that all users with a Workspace subscription will now have access to the complete range of Gemini AI tools, previously available only as a $20 monthly add-on in the United States and ₹1,950 in India.
Google Integrates Gemini AI Features into Workspace Plans
In a blog post, the company based in Mountain View detailed the restructuring of its Business and Enterprise Workspace subscription options. Prior to this update, businesses were required to pay a base fee for standard access to Workspace applications, as well as an additional cost to utilize the integrated Gemini tools.
Google has now eliminated the Gemini add-on fee and included these AI features in its Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, and Enterprise plans. In the United States, this results in a $2 increase (approximately ₹173), making the lowest tier’s new monthly rate $14 (roughly ₹1,200), up from $12 (approximately ₹1,040). Interestingly, there have been no reported changes to pricing in India; however, the pricing page now highlights AI features as part of the subscription benefits.
In addressing the price increase, Google noted, “A customer using the Workspace Business Standard plan with a Gemini Business add-on previously paid $32 per user, per month. Now, that same customer will pay just $14 per user, per month — only $2 more than they were paying for Workspace without Gemini.”
The updated offerings will allow Workspace users to leverage Gemini across Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Meet, Chat, Vids, and more. Additionally, subscribers will benefit from the Gemini Advanced chatbot and have access to all available Gemini models. The subscription also includes NotebookLM Plus, an upgraded version of Google’s AI-powered research assistant platform.
This change presents substantial added value for organizations that were either previously utilizing the Gemini add-on or considering acquiring the AI tools. However, companies that were content with the basic Workspace features will now face higher costs for these services.
