Google Cloud Print is all set to be shut down starting January 1, 2021. That’s not new information per se, but if you are yet to pick out a replacement for Google Cloud Print, we have some options you can consider. Whether it’s to connect printers across your offices, manage and track print jobs and printing budgets, or any use case that you used Cloud Print for, you will definitely find some options here that can solve your cloud printing needs. So, here are 7 Google Cloud Print alternatives you can use.
It’s no secret that Cloud Print was quite popular. But now that it’s being shut down and joining the list of myriad of services that Google has killed over the years, there are a lot of other services that you can use to get similar features. You can connect to printers over the internet, set up printers in your home WiFi network, and do a lot more with these services.
- PaperCut Mobility Print
- directprint.io
- Ezeep
- ThinPrint
- Printix
- PrinterLogic
- YSoft
- Bonus: Use a Docker Hosted CUPS Instance
1. PaperCut Mobility Print
This is one of the best Google Cloud Print replacement software you will find. PaperCut Mobility Print offers a plethora of features and similar uses as Google’s soon to be defunct option.
The software supports Chrome OS, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. That means you’re pretty much covered no matter which platform you use. It supports Native UI printing with the ‘ctrl+P’ shortcut as well.
- Native printing support
- Encrypted print jobs and metadata
- Supports all major platforms
Pricing Model:
For large scale enterprises or companies that require all the features of Google Cloud Print and then some, directprint.io is a nice cloud printing solution to consider. In fact, it’s one of the recommended services for migrating from GCP.
What’s more, you don’t need to keep a track of printer drivers for your devices. Directprint.io handles all print jobs for you and provides support for all printers.
- Full integration with G-Suite
- Advanced print tracking features
- Secure printing
- No driver installation required for printers
Ezeep is yet another Google Cloud Print replacement that you can consider. In fact, it does a pretty good job of replicating GCP features that you might want to keep using long after GCP is dead.
Pricing Model:
Pricing for Ezeep varies by use-cases and organisation size. You can check out plans for shared workspaces, windows virtual desktops and more on the website.
For consumers and small groups, ThinPrint is a viable alternative to Google Cloud Print. The service supports all major platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android so you can print using basically any device on your network.
- Completely free
- Can convert regular printers into cloud printers
Pricing:
You can also check out Printix if you’re looking for an alternative to Google’s Cloud Printing solution. The service offers plenty of features that make it a viable cloud printing option for you to check out.
Pricing Model
Printix’s pricing model is based on the number of users in your organisation. Pricing starts at $1.49 per user per month (paid annually) for up to 50 users.
PrinterLogic is another recommended replacement for Google Cloud Print. The service brings a host of features making it a viable printing solution. Thanks to its Chrome extension, PrinterLogic makes it easy to migrate from GCP. Plus, it supports multi OS environments, so you can initiate print jobs from any endpoint.
Check out PrinterLogic (website)
YSoft is another option you can go with to solve your cloud printing needs. The service offers a wide range of features. With print authentication features you can assign user rights and workflows, plus identify users.
- Google Recommended GCP alternative
- Fact-based reports
- Workflows and integrations
If you are not interested in using third party solutions, you can actually host your own cloud printing service of sorts with Docker. It requires knowledge of servers, using the command line, etc. However, you will end up with your own, self hosted cloud printing solution.
Use These Google Cloud Print Alternatives to Continue Remote Printing
Google Cloud Print may be shut down now, but there are a lot of other options that you can consider moving on to. Some of these options are free, like PaperCut Mobility, whereas there are paid options with advanced features for enterprises that you can also take a look at, such as YSoft, Directprint, and others. Or, if you’re feeling up to it, you can host your own CUPS instance and get things done yourself.