The verdict
On the data we hold, it's close: neither pulls ahead on features, a free plan or AI access. The choice comes down to how you work.
What the data says
- Both cover 3 of the 3 features we compared.
- Both have a free plan, so you can try each before you pay.
- Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
- In our HR ranking, Confluence places 1 and Google Docs 4 of 27.
Side by side
| 7 points compared | ||
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | $5.42/mo | €6.80/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server | Yes | Yes |
| AI summary + action items | Yes | Yes |
| Guest / external access | Yes | Yes |
| Template library | Yes | Yes |
| Links |
Plans and pricing
Confluence
- FreeFree forever for up to 10 users.Free
- StandardPer user per month; price shown in the page's structured data for 1 to 300 users.$5.42/mo/seat
- PremiumPer user per month; connects work across teams; price for 1 to 300 users.$10.44/mo/seat
Google Docs
- FreeFree with any Google account.Free
- Google Workspace StarterBusiness plan with 30 GB per user; Docs is included.€6.80/mo/seat
Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.
Who each is for
Choose Confluence if…
Product, engineering, marketing and operations teams that already use Jira and want specs, documentation and shared knowledge in a wiki that sits next to their issue tracker.
Choose Google Docs if…
Teams and founders who want shared, real-time document editing in the browser, with comments, suggestions and version history, without installing anything.
Other options worth a look
From $8/mo yearlyBring teams together on an infinite whiteboard to brainstorm, diagram and run workshops in real time.HR· Free plan
From €8.25/moOrganise team communication through channels, direct messages, huddles and file sharing in one place.HR· Free plan
From $8.33/mo yearlyAutomatically transcribe and summarise meetings across Zoom, Google Meet and Teams with searchable AI chat.HR· Free plan
From $3/mo yearlyCentralises standard operating procedures, quizzes and onboarding materials in a searchable knowledge base.HR· Affiliate link
- From $299/moThe Bloom Growth Operating System: scorecard, meetings, goals and issues on one platform, the software half of the EOS/Traction category.
HR
From €15.33/mo yearlyAI assistant built into Zoom that generates meeting summaries, action items and automated follow-up tasks.HR· Free plan
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