Are you deciding between Google Workspace Business Starter vs. Standard for your company’s communication and collaboration needs? The biggest differences come down to storage (30 GB vs. 2 TB per user), meeting capacity (100 vs. 150 participants), and certain collaboration features like shared drives and Google Meet recording. In this in-depth guide, you’ll learn about pricing, features, and real-world use cases so you can pick the right plan for your team—whether you’re a small startup or a growing business.
What Is Google Workspace?
Evolution from G Suite to Google Workspace
Google rebranded G Suite to Google Workspace to emphasize its integrated approach to productivity. Along with familiar apps like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive, you also have access to Google Meet for video conferencing and basic security/admin tools—all in a unified ecosystem.
Core Features Across All Plans
- Professional Email (yourname@company.com)
- Real-Time Collaboration (co-editing Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Basic Security & Admin (two-factor authentication, user management)
- Google Meet for video calls (with chat, screen sharing, etc.)
- 24/7 Basic Support for critical issues
Regardless of plan, you get the essentials to run your business communications on Google’s platform.
Google Workspace Business Starter vs. Standard – Quick Comparison
Pricing Overview
- Business Starter: ~$6 per user/month
- Business Standard: ~$12 per user/month
(Prices vary by region and may change. Check Google’s official site for the latest.)
Key Differences in Features
- Storage
- Starter: 30 GB per user
- Standard: 2 TB per user
- Meeting Capacity
- Starter: Up to 100 participants
- Standard: Up to 150 participants (+ recording feature)
- Shared Drives
- Starter: Not included
- Standard: Included (team-shared file storage)
- Security & Admin
- Starter: Basic controls
- Standard: More granular controls (but not as advanced as Business Plus or Enterprise)
Comparison Table
| Feature | Business Starter | Business Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Price (per user/month) | $6 | $12 |
| Storage | 30 GB/user | 2 TB/user |
| Google Meet Participants | Up to 100 | Up to 150 |
| Meeting Recording | Not available | Included |
| Shared Drives | Not included | Included |
| Security & Admin | Basic controls | Moderately advanced |
| Ideal For | Small teams/startups | Growing SMBs, bigger teams |
In-Depth Feature Analysis
Email and Collaboration Tools
Both Business Starter and Standard provide Gmail with a custom domain for professional branding. You also get Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for real-time collaboration. However, if your team needs shared drives to maintain a centralized repository of files, you’ll only find that in Business Standard.
For example, a marketing department might need a shared drive for branding assets, media libraries, or campaign folders accessible to all. This is a major advantage of Standard over Starter.
Google Drive Storage and Organization
- Business Starter: 30 GB per user—adequate for text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and light media use.
- Business Standard: 2 TB per user—much larger capacity for teams dealing with heavy design files, videos, or high-resolution imagery.
Tip: If you outgrow your 30 GB limit on Starter, upgrading is simple via the Admin console.
Google Meet Capabilities
- Business Starter:
- Up to 100 participants
- Basic features (screen sharing, chat)
- No meeting recording
- Business Standard:
- Up to 150 participants
- Meeting recording (saved to Drive)
- Additional tools like polls, breakout rooms, and attendance tracking
If your business relies on webinars or you regularly host large external meetings, Business Standard is likely a better fit.
Admin Console and Security
Both plans share:
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Mobile Device Management (basic)
- User and Group Management
Business Standard offers slightly more fine-tuning for admin controls, but advanced features (like Vault for eDiscovery or advanced data loss prevention) come only with Business Plus or Enterprise.
Does Business Standard include Vault?
No. Vault is included in Business Plus and higher. If you need it for compliance or legal holds, you’ll have to opt for a higher-tier plan.
Upgrading or Downgrading Between Plans
How to Upgrade from Starter to Standard
- Go to Admin Console: Visit admin.google.com and sign in.
- Open Billing: Find “Billing” in your dashboard.
- Choose Upgrade: Click “Change or Upgrade Plan” and pick “Business Standard.”
- Confirm Payment: You’ll see the new per-user cost. Confirm, and your plan updates immediately.
When Downgrading Might Be Necessary
You may downgrade if you need to cut costs or if your data usage drastically decreases. Keep in mind:
- You’ll need to reduce each user’s storage if they exceed 30 GB before the downgrade can happen.
- Features like meeting recording and shared drives will be lost on downgrading.
Real-World Use Cases
Small Startup Example (Business Starter)
A 5-person startup primarily works with documents and spreadsheets under 1 GB total. They rarely host calls with more than 50 participants. Business Starter is budget-friendly and meets all their collaboration needs.
Growing SMB Example (Business Standard)
A 25-person digital marketing agency regularly deals with large image files, video creatives, and client presentations. They also host 100+ person webinars and need to record them for later reference. Business Standard’s 2 TB storage and recording capabilities streamline team workflows and ensure no data bottlenecks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main difference between Google Workspace Business Starter and Standard?
Starter offers 30 GB storage, up to 100 participants in Google Meet, and no shared drives, while Standard offers 2 TB storage, up to 150 participants, shared drives, and meeting recordings.
Is Google Workspace Business Standard worth it for small businesses?
It can be, especially if you need extra storage, share large files, or want to record meetings. For extremely small teams with minimal storage needs, Starter might suffice.
Can I upgrade from Business Starter to Business Standard later?
Absolutely. You can upgrade at any time via the Google Admin console, and your extra storage and features take effect instantly.
How many participants can join Google Meet on Starter vs. Standard?
- Starter: Up to 100
- Standard: Up to 150 (plus the ability to record meetings)
How much storage does each Google Workspace plan offer?
- Business Starter: 30 GB per user
- Business Standard: 2 TB per user
Is there a free version of Google Workspace?
Google no longer offers a free “G Suite Legacy” for new signups. For strictly personal use, you can use free Gmail accounts, but for business features (custom email domain, admin controls), you need a paid Workspace plan.
Can I have external users in Google Meet?
Yes. Both Starter and Standard allow you to invite external guests to meetings, though advanced guest controls are more robust in higher-tier plans.
Does Business Standard include Vault for data retention?
No. Vault is a feature included with Business Plus and above. If you need eDiscovery or advanced retention policies, consider upgrading beyond Standard.
Can I record Google Meet sessions on Business Starter?
No. Meeting recording is available only from the Business Standard plan upward.
Which plan is better for a remote/hybrid team?
A remote team dealing with high-volume storage and frequent large meetings will find Business Standard more helpful due to its shared drives and recording capabilities. Smaller remote teams with minimal data needs could still manage on Starter.
Conclusion
When comparing Google Workspace Business Starter vs. Standard, focus on your team’s storage requirements, meeting size, and feature preferences:
- Choose Business Starter if you have a tight budget and minimal file sharing or meeting needs.
- Choose Business Standard if you want 2 TB of storage per user, shared drives, the ability to record meetings, and more robust collaboration features.
Both plans give you the core Google Workspace experience: professional email, real-time editing, and essential security controls. And if you ever outgrow your current plan, it’s easy to upgrade through the Admin console.
Ready to decide? Start with a free trial of either plan and experience Google Workspace firsthand. Then pick the plan that best supports your business goals—today and in the future.
