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Google Groups

Google Groups is a free discussion group platform from Google that allows people to have online conversations by email or on the web. It offers public and private groups to foster communication between specific teams, organizations, or wider interest-based communities.

What is Google Groups?

Google Groups is a discussion group platform offered by Google at no cost. It provides the ability for people to have conversations and discussions by email or directly through a web interface. Groups can be public where anyone can view the content or private where participation requires admin approval.

Some key features of Google Groups include:

  • Create and participate in topic-focused online groups that function through email or web forums
  • Public groups allow anyone to access content, while private groups require admin approval to join
  • Customizable group settings like post moderation, branding, layouts and more
  • File storage and photo sharing capabilities
  • Integration with other Google services like Google Drive and Google Calendar

Google Groups aims to help teams, organizations, communities and special interest groups foster communication and collaboration. Both work teams and casual organizations use it for discussions that don't require real-time back-and-forth. The platform consolidates conversations into an organized online group space rather than long email chains.

Overall, Google Groups provides a flexible, free online group communication system to have text-based conversations over email and the web. It enables information sharing between all group members through threaded discussions and shared file repositories.

The Best Google Groups Alternatives

Top Apps like Google Groups

Mailman, Groups.io, Dialog Messenger, TidyHQ, GroupSpaces, Fleep, Discut, Usenet.net, Gaggle Mail, Astraweb, XS usenet, Framalistes, Bigtent, Ripcord, FreeLists, Mobilize, Librelist, Wiggio, Nabble, Listeron, Ziggs, MUUT, GroupServer, Discuss, GingerHQ, Minsh, OnlineGroups.net, Allt.in, BinTube Usenet Access, 6Tribes, Yahoo! Groups, My Town Circle, Skarpline, Mazey, Usenet Web Gateway are some alternatives to Google Groups.

Mailman

Mailman is a free, open source mailing list management system. It provides a web-based interface that helps online communities manage mailing lists for email discussion and announcement lists. Key features of Mailman include:User subscription and unsubscription managementModeration and admin controlsList archiving and email gatewaySpam filteringComprehensive REST APIIntegrations with external...

Groups.io

Groups.io is an email group and mailing list hosting service launched in 2014. It provides robust tools for managing online groups, discussions, and communication.Some key features of Groups.io include:Email lists with advanced delivery options like digest modeFile storage and sharingPolls, calendars, and databasesAdvanced member management and admin...

Dialog Messenger

Dialog Messenger is a cloud-based business messaging platform designed for companies to have meaningful conversations with customers at scale. It enables businesses to connect with customers across 30+ messaging channels including SMS, WhatsApp, Apple Business Chat, Google Business Messages, Facebook Messenger, and more.Key features of Dialog Messenger include:Omnichannel messaging...

TidyHQ

TidyHQ is a cloud-based business management platform that helps organisations and teams streamline workflows and communication. Its key features include:Centralised client database to store all client information in one placeCalendar and scheduling tools to manage appointments and tasksInvoicing and payment processing to create, send and collect payments for professional...

GroupSpaces

GroupSpaces is an innovative online team collaboration platform designed to help teams, projects, and groups organize their work and effectively collaborate. It provides a central digital workspace for teams to share files, manage tasks and projects, communicate, and seamlessly work together.With GroupSpaces, teams get their own private group website...

Fleep

Fleep is a team communication and collaboration platform designed to improve productivity for teams and organizations. It brings together messaging, file sharing, task and project management, and third party app integrations into one unified workspace.Some of the key features of Fleep include:Messaging - Group chat rooms with threaded...

Discut

Discut is an open-source discussion platform built using React and Node.js. It allows website owners and app developers to easily integrate threaded conversations and discussions into their platforms. Some key features of Discut include:Real-time updates - Comments and reactions appear instantly without needing to refresh.Reactions - Users...

Usenet.net

Usenet.net is a premium usenet provider that offers users access to over 120,000 newsgroups with no data caps or speed restrictions. Founded in 2005, Usenet.net has become one of the most reliable usenet services available.Some key features of Usenet.net include:No expiration of downloads - with over 4,000 days...

Gaggle Mail

Gaggle Mail is a comprehensive email and collaboration solution built specifically for the K-12 environment. It brings together the power of Google Workspace for Education tools like Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Calendar into one integrated, easy-to-manage platform.With Gaggle Mail, school IT administrators can create and manage school...

Astraweb

Astraweb is one of the oldest and most well-known usenet providers. Founded in 2006, it offers access to usenet newsgroups for downloading binary files and discussions. Astraweb stands out with its industry-leading 23,000+ days of binary retention, meaning users can access very old files uploaded over 20 years ago.Some key features of...

XS usenet

XS Usenet is a usenet newsreader application designed for the Windows operating system. It provides access to the vast network of usenet newsgroups, enabling users to participate in discussions and download binary files.Some key features of XS Usenet include:Intuitive and easy-to-use interface for browsing, reading, and downloading from...

Framalistes

Framalistes is an open-source subscription list manager and mailing list software. Developed in PHP, it allows individuals and organizations to easily create and manage mailing lists and discussion lists. Some key features of Framalistes include:User-friendly web interface to manage subscribers, mailing lists, messages, and moreCustomizable templates for newsletters, digests...

Bigtent

Bigtent is an open-source web application that serves as an alternative to Meetup groups or other proprietary event management platforms. It aims to empower community leaders to foster in-person connections by providing tools to organize events, facilitate discussions, and grow mailing lists.Some key features of Bigtent include:Creating community...

Ripcord

Ripcord is a desktop chat application designed for efficient team communication and collaboration. It brings together messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, and other essential communication tools into one easy-to-use app.Some key features of Ripcord include:Group messaging with threaded conversationsVoice and video calling for up to 10 participantsScreen...

FreeLists

FreeLists is an easy-to-use email marketing and mailing list manager. It enables small businesses, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and nonprofit organizations to create professional email newsletters, send bulk emails, and manage contacts.With FreeLists you can:Create unlimited mailing lists and build your subscriber listDesign customizable sign up forms to capture leadsSend...

Mobilize

Mobilize is a no-code platform that allows anyone to build custom web applications, even if they have no prior coding experience. It features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes it simple to design application pages, forms, workflows, dashboards and more.Some key features of Mobilize include:Drag-and-drop app builder with...

Librelist

Librelist is a free and open source mailing list manager software. It provides a simple yet powerful platform to create and manage mailing lists. Some of the key highlights of Librelist include:Easy to install and use interface - Librelist comes with an intuitive web UI that allows quickly setting...

Wiggio

Wiggio is a free online project management and collaboration tool designed for small workgroups. It provides a central space where team members can communicate, share files, assign tasks, manage project to-do lists and calendars, take notes and more. Everything is accessible right from a web browser so people can participate...

Nabble

Nabble is an open-source communication and collaboration software designed for teams, communities, and organizations that need to have discussions and collaborate online. It provides a range of features including forums, chat rooms, wikis, blogs, and user profiles all in one integrated platform.Some of the key features of Nabble include...

Listeron

Listeron is an open-source, self-hosted alternative to Smartsheet for creating interactive lists, task and kanban boards to manage projects and tasks. Some key features of Listeron include:Interactive boards with various views like table, calendar, gallery, and timelineCard sorting and filtering to organize tasksReal-time collaboration allowing multiple users to edit...

Ziggs

Ziggs is a cloud-based project management and team collaboration software designed specifically for creative agencies and teams. It provides an intuitive visual interface to help creative teams plan projects, assign tasks, share files, provide feedback, track progress, and communicate in real-time.Some key features of Ziggs include:Visual task boards...

MUUT

MUUT is an open-source interface design application that can be used as an alternative to proprietary tools like Sketch and Figma. It is designed specifically for user interface and user experience (UI/UX) designers to create wireframes, prototypes, website mockups, mobile app designs, and other graphics for digital projects.Some...

GroupServer

GroupServer is an open source web application designed for building and managing online communities. It provides tools to help groups have collaborative conversations, share files and documents, post news updates, organize events and coordinate schedules.Some key features of GroupServer include:Discussion forums - Build public, private or hidden conversation...

Discuss

Discuss is an open-source discussion and community platform designed for organizations to facilitate conversations among their users, customers, employees or community members. It has a simple, easy-to-use interface that allows users to create topics or discussions within different categories and respond through threaded replies.Some key features of Discuss include...

GingerHQ

GingerHQ is an AI-powered software that helps improve your writing quality, readability, and professionalism. It uses cutting edge natural language processing and machine learning technology to detect grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style issues in your text.Whether you're writing an important email, blog post, or other documents, GingerHQ helps you...

Minsh

Minsh is an open source command line shell and scripting language for Linux and Unix systems. Developed as a free alternative to other popular shells like Bash and Zsh, Minsh aims to provide many of the advanced features power users want while remaining fast, lightweight, and easy to use.As...

OnlineGroups.net

OnlineGroups.net is an open source web application that provides tools for building and managing online communities and collaboration spaces. It is designed for non-profit organizations, grassroots groups, clubs, intranets, and other member-driven entities that need an integrated platform for communication and sharing.Key features of OnlineGroups.net include:Public...

Allt.in

Allt.in is an open-source knowledge management and note taking web application. It allows users to organize all their information including notes, web bookmarks, files, contacts, and more in one central place.Some key features of Allt.in include:Rich text notes with support for formatting options, checklists, code blocks...

BinTube Usenet Access

BinTube Usenet Access is a full-featured usenet service designed specifically for accessing binary newsgroup content. It gives you access to over 120,000 newsgroups with no caps or limits on speed or bandwidth usage.Some key features of BinTube Usenet Access include:Uncensored and unmoderated access to all newsgroupsUS and EU server...

6Tribes

6Tribes is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online (MMO) strategy game developed and published by Vibal Interactive. The game is set in the Stone Age era and has a cartoon art style.In 6Tribes, players start by creating their own village and managing resources such as food, wood, and stone to...

Yahoo! Groups

Yahoo! Groups is a free online platform that enables group communication, collaboration and organization. It has been around since 2001, allowing people to have ongoing conversations within a group format, share ideas, photos, files, links, calendars, databases and more.Some key features of Yahoo! Groups include:Group email lists - Have...

My Town Circle

My Town Circle is a hyperlocal social networking platform designed to foster neighborhood connections and build community. It allows residents of a neighborhood or small geographic area to connect with each other, share information and resources, exchange items and services, plan events, and collaborate on local projects and initiatives.The...

Skarpline

Skarpline is a user-friendly, cloud-based invoicing and time tracking solution designed to meet the needs of freelancers, consultants, designers, developers and other service professionals. It makes it simple to create professional invoices, track time and billable hours, manage expenses and get paid online.Key features of Skarpline include:Customizable invoice...

Mazey

Mazey is a comprehensive online collaboration platform designed to enhance team productivity and connectedness. It brings together features like video meetings, chat, document collaboration, whiteboards, and task management into a single intuitive interface.Some key features of Mazey include:Interactive whiteboards for brainstorming sessions, design sprints, sketching ideas etc.Built-in...

Usenet Web Gateway

Usenet Web Gateway is a web-based Usenet newsreader service that gives users access to Usenet newsgroups without needing to install a standalone Usenet client on their computer. It works by providing a gateway or bridge to Usenet servers through a web interface that can be accessed from any web browser...