Google Apps - Different Editions

Different Editions

Google Apps is available in a number of distinct editions. Each edition has a limit on the number of individual user accounts that may be created. Google Apps launched with a default user allotment of 200 users in the standard (free) edition, which was shortly changed to 100 users. In addition, users could request to have their user limit increased through a manual process taking (at least) 1–2 weeks for approval. In January 2009, the cap was changed so that all new accounts would receive only 50 users as opposed to 100, and could not request more without payment. This was confirmed as relating to the launch of the Google Apps commercial reseller program. Existing Standard Edition users before January 2009 kept their old allocation, in addition to the ability their "request" more users, though these limit requests are now commonly answered with suggestions to "upgrade your subscription". In 2011, the limit on the free Google Apps product was further reduced to 10 users, effective for new users. On December 6, 2012, Google decided to discontinue Google Apps Free Edition (Standard Edition). New business customers will be redirected to register for Google Apps Business Edition while existing Google Apps Standard Edition accounts will continue to be operational.

The subscription level of a Google Apps edition is billed based on the total number of available users in the Apps account, and the edition features apply to all users accounts in that subscription. It is not possible to purchase upgrades for a subset of users: to increase the user limit, subscriptions must be purchased for all accounts. For example, an upgrade from a "Standard" limit of 50 users to allow up to 60 users would involve paying for 60 users, whether they are used or not.

Google Apps Partner Edition / Google Apps for ISPs

Same as standard edition with the following exceptions:

• No limit on number of mailboxes
• Google API is available to use to manage and provision accounts
• Paid service with tech support available with pricing starting at $0.35 per mailbox per resellers such as http://www.ikano.com or http://www.linkgard.com.

Google Apps for Business (formerly Google Apps Premier Edition)

• US$50 (40 EUR, 33 GBP) per account per year, or US$5 per account monthly
• Text ads optional
• Integrated Postini policy-based messaging security
• Conference room/resource scheduling
• 99.9% e-mail uptime guarantee
• APIs available for Single Sign On
• 24/7 phone support
• Google Video, a service similar to YouTube with private groups (discontinued)
• Limited to sending email to 2000 external recipients per day per email account.
• Storage space 25 GB in each account, allocated for use across all products including e-mail.

Google Apps for Education (formerly Google Apps Education Edition)

Same as Google Apps for Business except for the following:

• Free for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities with up to 30,000 users
• No ads for faculty, staff, or students
• Google may serve ads to accounts not associated with enrolled students, staff or volunteers
• Storage space 25 GB as of June 24, 2011

Google Apps for Non-profits (formerly Google Apps Education Edition)

Same as Google Apps for Business except for the following:

• Free for accredited 501(c)(3) non-profit entities with less than 3,000 users
• Large non-profits eligible for 40% discount on Google Apps for Business
• No ads for faculty, staff, or students
• Google may serve ads to accounts not associated with staff or volunteers
• Storage space 25 GB as of June 24, 2011

Services by type of account