Comparison
Clario vs Google Workspace for small-business email
Google Workspace is a full productivity suite. Clario focuses on one thing: business email for small teams, with shared mailboxes and AI that can handle the routine work. Here is how they differ and when to pick each.
| Clario | Google Workspace | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | ||
| Focus | Business email and shared team inboxes | Full suite: Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, Meet, Calendar |
| Own domain email | ||
| Own domain email | Yes, with guided DNS checks | Yes |
| Shared mailboxes | ||
| Shared mailboxes | Built in — shared addresses with team access | Through Google Groups / collaborative inbox |
| AI in a thread | ||
| AI in a thread | Analyse, ask about the thread and draft replies on every plan | Gemini features, depending on plan |
| AI that runs the inbox | ||
| AI that runs the inbox | Agent answers from your policies, prepares quotes and invoices, with approvals and an undo window | Not a core feature |
| Documents and video calls | ||
| Documents and video calls | Not included — use your existing tools | Included |
| Trial | ||
| Trial | 30 days, no card | Free trial available |
| Setup and support | ||
| Setup and support | Set up with you by the Builtapps team | Self-serve or through a reseller |
Reviewed October 2026 from publicly available information. Features and prices change — check with each provider before deciding.
Choose Clario if
- Most of your work happens in customer email threads
- You want shared inboxes without extra tooling
- You want AI to answer routine emails and prepare quotes — with approval
Choose Google Workspace if
- You need Docs, Sheets, Drive and Meet in one subscription
- Your company already runs on Google tools
- You need enterprise admin and device management
Questions
Before you decide.
Can I keep Google Docs and Drive if I move email to Clario?
Yes — documents and storage are separate from where your email is hosted. Many teams keep their file tools and move only email.
Will moving email cause downtime?
We plan the DNS change with you and migrate mailboxes before switching MX records, so mail keeps flowing.
Does the AI send emails on its own?
Only if you allow it. The agent starts in shadow mode, asks for approval and learns which actions it may take, with daily limits and an undo window.
