Google Cloud Print is all established to be shut down starting January 1, 2021. Well, 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 is 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 find some options here that can solve your cloud printing needs. Therefore, here are 7 Google Cloud Print Alternatives you can use.
Google Cloud Print Alternatives to Continue Remote Printing
This is no secret that Cloud Print was quite popular. However, now that it’s being shut down and joining the list of the myriad of services that Google has killed over the years, there are many other services that you can use to get similar features.
You can now connect to printers over the internet, set up printers in your home WiFi network, and do a lot more with these services. Pricing structures & feature sets vary across these options. Although, we will try our best to present this information easy to understand to make your decision faster.
Ezeep
The Ezeep is yet another Google Cloud Print replacement that you can consider. This does an outstanding job of replicating GCP features that you might want to keep using long after GCP is dead.
The Ezeep has been around for 15 years, so clearly they know the business they are in. And, they offer impressive features for your cloud printing needs. Ezeep provides an easy set up in just a few clicks via its web interface. Also, you can quickly define access rules for printers on your network.
This service supports Windows 10, Mac, and Chrome, which means you can use it from whichever platform you want. There are native apps for iOS and Android to use cloud print services from your smartphone and print documents on the go.
For enterprises and privacy-conscious users, Ezeep offers advanced security options and strong privacy principles. Further, you get features like print tracking and reports, BYOD, & secure pull printing to prevent uncollected printed documents.
Printix
You can check out Printix if you’re looking for an alternative to Google’s Cloud Printing solution. This service offers plenty of features that make it a viable cloud printing option for you to check out.
So, Unlike ThinPrint, Printix isn’t a free service, but it makes up for that by bringing advanced features and IT support. Well, You get features like direct IP printing, mobile print, secure print, Chromebook printing, etc. Further, you can print with pretty much any device thanks to Printix’s support for Chrome, Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Since you are looking for GCP alternatives, chances are you are heavily invested in the G-Suite ecosystem as well. The Printix has Google Workspace integrations readily available for you. Those, you can deploy, control and manage your printing environment etc.
Printix helps IT by automatically installing printer drivers, monitoring printer, deploying client software and user behaviour, and providing actionable insights and reports.
YSoft
The YSoft is another option you can go with to solve your cloud printing needs. This service offers a wide range of features. So, With print authentication features, you can assign user rights and workflows, plus identify users.
You get fact-based audits of print, copy, and scan usage, along with the option to use pre-defined reports or custom reports for your cloud printing solution. The YSoft supports BYOD, so your users can send print requests from their own devices, and it supports secure mobile printing and fast guest printing as well.
This service also supports workflows and integrations with Microsoft SharePoint, Dropbox, and more. Moreover, you can implement governance rules for printing, including forced BW prints, double-sided pages, etc.
PaperCut Mobility Print
It is one of the best Google Cloud Print replacement software you will find. PaperCut Mobility Print offers many features and similar uses as Google’s soon to be a defunct option. This software supports Chrome OS, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. This means you’re pretty much covered no matter which platform you use. This supports Native UI printing with the ‘ctrl+P’ shortcut as well.
This Mobility Print is meant to be used within local networks, such as an office intranet. But, the company has launched a Cloud Printing feature in beta. So, This feature will let devices connect to your printers from outside the local network when needed. Well, That’s pretty cool, but it’s currently limited to Chromebooks and Windows devices. Mac support is coming soon.
Suppose you are worried about security and privacy, Mobility Print encrypts your print jobs and metadata. This is entirely free to use, making it a reliable option for individual users and even SMBs.
ThinPrint
For consumers & small groups, ThinPrint is a viable alternative to Google Cloud Print. This service supports all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, so you can print using any device on your network.
The ThinPrint connects all the printers in your local network so that you can print from any client device to any printer within your WiFi network. But, if you don’t have a WiFi printer, ThinPrint has you covered there as well.
You can now use its Cloud Printer Connector to convert your printers into cloud printers via a PC or Mac. Then, you can utilise the cloud printer to print wirelessly.
As I said earlier, ThinPrint is aimed at consumers and not enterprises. So, As such, you won’t get advanced features like budgeting and print tracking with ThinPrint. You won’t get features like secure pull printing as you get with Ezeep. Though, ThinPrint is entirely free and offers compatibility with pretty much every printer out there, so it’s a solid choice for your home network printing needs.
directprint.io
For large-scale enterprises or companies that require all the features of Google Cloud Print and then some, directprint.io is an excellent cloud printing solution to consider. It is one of the recommended services for migrating from GCP.
Direct print offers a driver app that’s a full-stack replacement for the Google Cloud Print functionality. This integrates with Chromebooks, Windows and macOS’ native printing solutions. So, That means you get a native printing experience while using cloud printing solutions, which is excellent.
What’s more, you don’t need to keep track of printer drivers for your devices. The Directprint.io handles all print jobs for you and provides support for all printers.
Well, Since it’s aimed at enterprises, you get advanced features as well. Direct print offers budgeting features for printers. Plus, you can keep track of print jobs with extensive print logs, and print charts. Many other features directprint.io brings to the table, including multiple printing modes to save toner and ink, blank page elimination, full G-Suite integration, and security.
PrinterLogic
The PrinterLogic is another recommended replacement for Google Cloud Print. This service brings a host of features, making it a viable printing solution. Thankfulness to its Chrome extension, PrinterLogic makes it easy to migrate from GCP. Moreover, it supports multi-OS environments so that you can initiate print jobs from any endpoint.
PrinterLogic is a serverless SaaS solution, and it can grow along with your business, so you’ll not need to change providers as you grow from an SMB to a large scale enterprise. This offers central print management features so that you can keep track of all print jobs in one place. What’s more, it supports Direct IP printing, which ensures that your data remains local (doesn’t leave the network) and secure.
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Final Words:
This Google Cloud Print may be shut down now, but there are many other options that you can consider moving on to. Well, 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, Direct print, and others. Instead, if you feel up to it, you can host your own CUPS instance and get things done yourself. Thus, which GCP replacement have you decided to go with and why? Let us know in the comments.