A knowledge base article about What's the difference between Google Groups, bConnected Lists, and CalGroups? provided by the UC Berkeley IT Service Hub - Knowledge Portal

Google Groups is the Google App that allows users to manage and use groups for discussion forums, email lists, calendar invitations, and to share content in Google Apps.
bConnected Lists is the brand name for Berkeley’s mailing list service, powered by Google Groups. bConnected Lists has replaced CalMail mailing lists. List membership is primarily managed on an ad hoc basis, and may include non-Berkeley.edu addresses.
CalGroups is an access management system run by the CalNet Identity and Access Management team. CalGroups are created in Grouper (outside of Google) and can be set up to sync group data to Google Groups and other services such as CalShare. Groups in CalGroups can include membership information from source systems like UCPath and SIS, and can also be created and managed programmatically.
View more information about using the CalGroups - Google Groups Sync.
View CalGroups vs. Lists comparison chart.

Do I create a CalGroup group that syncs to Google Groups or create a bConnected List directly?

	CalGroups Synced with Google Groups	bConnected Lists	Resources
I may want to use my groups beyond the Google Suite (ex. access control for my applications, access to Active Directory resources).	✅		https://calnet.berkeley.edu/calnet-departments/calgroups
I want members of my groups to be automatically removed if they are no longer affiliated with your organization or the university.	✅		https://calnet.berkeley.edu/calnet-departments/calgroups/calgroups-user-guide#Access
I want to create my groups from official groups automatically derived from Systems of Record (ex. groups by HR assigned Department Code).	✅		https://calnet.berkeley.edu/calnet-departments/calgroups/user-guide/official-group-definitions
I want to create groups derived from my applications in the Google Suite.	✅		https://calnet.berkeley.edu/calnet-technologists/calgroups-integration/calgroups-api-information
I am certain I only want to use groups only for the Google Suite and plan to update them manually should members leave.		✅	https://bconnected.berkeley.edu/collaboration-services/bconnected-lists
I want to create mailing lists that are not sourced from official campus Systems of Records and don't intend to use them anywhere else besides the Google Suite.		✅	https://bconnected.berkeley.edu/collaboration-services/bconnected-lists
I want to include non-Berkeley email addresses in my groups.		✅	https://bconnected.berkeley.edu/collaboration-services/bconnected-lists

What are the differences in group management?

	CalGroups Synced with Google Groups	bConnected Lists/Google Groups Only
Where do I create the group?	CalGroups	bConnected Lists
Which type of account should I use to create the group?	Your own CalNet account (after your CalGroup folder space and admin group is created)	Your departmental SPA for institutionally owned groups or your own CalNet account for non-departmental related groups
Where do I manage the group?	CalGroups to manage members and sync setting; Google Groups to manage Google Group settings See CalGroups - Google Sync Tips and Tricks for help including limitations	Google Groups
Which type of account should I use to manage the group?	Your own CalNet account (after your folder’s admin group is created)	Based on which account created the groups: either your departmental SPA for institutionally owned groups or your personal account for non-departmental related groups
How is group ownership/management determined?	Via the folder admin group set up for you in CalGroups which automatically makes you a manager of your synced Google group	Via the account that created the group