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COMPARE
Dock: the Google Workspace alternative you host yourself
- One workspace for chat and docs. Conversation, docs and tasks share a search.
- Self-hosted. Your files and messages stay on your server.
- No per-seat fee. Cost grows with your server, not headcount.
- All in one workspace. Chat, meetings, docs, Base, calendar, tasks, drive and AI agents together.
- Honest limits. Where Google Workspace is stronger, the table says so.
Why choose Dock over Google Workspace
| Detailed comparison |  Dock | Google Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing and limits | ||
| Price per user | No per-seat fee. Free to self-host; you pay your own server (about $20/month, estimate) | Per user, per month; Google lists a yearly option that saves 16%. Prices vary by region, so check Google |
| Where it runs | Your server. One Node process, one SQLite file | Vendor cloud |
| Storage | Your disk | Starter 30 GB, Standard 2 TB, Plus 5 TB per user (pooled); Enterprise 5 TB or more |
| Meetings | ||
| Meeting size | ✓Peer to peer for small calls; larger rooms with a LiveKit server | Meet: Starter 100, Standard 150, Plus 500, Enterprise 1,000 participants |
| Meeting recording | ✗Not built | ✓Standard, Plus and Enterprise (not Starter) |
| Workspace apps | ||
| Team chat | ✓Full messenger with threads and search | ✓Google Chat |
| Docs and wiki | ✓Yes | ✓Docs |
| Spreadsheets and slides | ✗Base covers tables only | ✓Sheets and Slides |
| ✗Not built (in progress) | ✓Gmail with your own domain | |
| AI and automation | ||
| AI agents in your workspace | ✓MCP server and bot API: connect Claude, Codex, Cursor and more | Gemini features (check Google for plan details) |
| You own and can move your data | ✓One SQLite file you can back up and move | ✗Vendor-hosted |
Google Workspace limits are from Google's public pricing page, viewed 14 October 2026. Prices are regional and promotional, so none are quoted here; check Google.
See how much you could save
150250500
YOU PAY TODAY
$0per monthWITH DOCK
$20per month, your serverSaves $0 / year
Estimate from the numbers you enter. Nothing is sent anywhere. Excludes migration time. All-in-one, self-hosted
Dock
Messenger
Meetings
Docs
Wiki
Base
Calendar
Tasks
Drive
Bots & MCPVS
Google WorkspaceGmailDriveDocsSheetsSlidesCalendarMeetChat
See Dock in action
Real screenshots of Dock with a fictional team.
Who should choose which
Choose Dock if: Teams that mostly want chat, docs and meetings together and can keep email elsewhere.
Choose Google Workspace if the stronger points in the table are what you need. Product details change, so check Google Workspace's current plans and documentation before you decide.
Questions
Can Dock replace Gmail?
Not yet. Team email is in progress.
Is Dock cheaper than Google Workspace?
Dock has no per-seat fee; you pay for your own server. Whether that is cheaper depends on your team size and what you pay Google Workspace. Use the savings calculator above with your own prices.