In 2020, G Suite was renamed to Google Workspace as part of a major reorganization of the app. Since then various plans have been migrated, and Google is now planning to get rid of the free old edition of G Suite services.
Google released G Suite Legacy Free Edition -formerly called Google Apps- 16 years ago and discontinued it in 2012. However, the company has made no significant changes to the free account in the last decade to date.
In an email Google sent to customers it said it would switch all remaining users to a paid subscription to Google Workspace based on usage. So, the only free Workspace accounts are for nonprofits and educational institutions only.
While all free accounts from the last few years that signed up with legacy G Suite plans to Workspace (including Gmail, Drive, Docs...) will have to pay, including the ability to use your own custom domain (not just Gmail.com).
Users are given until May 1, 2022 to choose a new plan or Google will choose based on what they are currently using. However, billing will not start for at least the initial two months if the account is automatically upgraded.
"Upgrading from the legacy free version of G Suite to Google Workspace takes only a few short steps and won't affect your end users. To help you with this transition, you'll have the option of a 12-month discount after July 1, 2022," Google wrote.
The plans provided start at USD 6 per user per month for Business Starter and go up to USD 18 per user per month. Small businesses with only one Gmail can also upgrade to Wordspace Individual for USD 9.99 per month (but not including dedicated email).
Google will suspend automatic upgrades of Workspace account registrations if forms of payment are not available until July 1, 2022.
"After a 60-day suspension, you will no longer have access to core Google Workspace services, such as Gmail, Calendar, and Meet. You may still retain access to additional Google services, such as YouTube and Google Photos. Enter a valid form of payment to restore suspended accounts," the internet search giant wrote as quoted from the 9to5Google page.
