# Google Chat vs The Gathering Community

The clearest difference is chart position: Google Chat at #33 against The Gathering Community's unranked. Google Chat also leads on update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Google Chat ships an update weekly, The Gathering Community fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Chat | The Gathering Community |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (307K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-chat/id1163852619/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **307K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 46.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#33** | — |
| Size | 403 MB | 60 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [The Gathering (U.S.)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1423286217) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-chat/id1163852619)

**Currently charting:** #33 Top Free · Business (US App Store)

Connect, collaborate, and accomplish tasks with AI-powered messaging.  Streamline teamwork with integrations and smart features. Securely communicate with your team, whether in real-time or asynchronously.

**Highlights:** AI-powered conversation summaries, Automatic message translation, AI-powered search, Action item capture, Real-time huddles, Integration with Workspace apps, Smart chips for linking

**Features:** Siri integration

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient for contacting friends
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Efficient messaging
- 🚀 Seamless integration with Google Suite
- 👍 Useful for business communication

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy and unreliable
- 🤔 Confusing layout and UI
- 🔒 Concerns about privacy and security
- 🔋 High battery drain
- 🤔 Lacks key features from previous Google messaging apps

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent message delivery and notification issues
- Trouble uploading media and files
- Compatibility problems on older devices
- Frequent app crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- Add voice/video call functionality
- Improve group chat management
- Implement read receipts
- Allow customization and personalization
- Integrate SMS/MMS support


### The Gathering Community

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-gathering-community/id6748949404)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Chat free?

Google Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is The Gathering Community free?

The Gathering Community is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Google Chat or The Gathering Community have ads?

Neither Google Chat nor The Gathering Community shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Chat or The Gathering Community?

Google Chat ships an update weekly, and The Gathering Community fortnightly. Most recently, Google Chat was updated on October 20, 2026 and The Gathering Community on October 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*