You certainly don’t need to pay for Google Workspace when you start out because all the tools you will need are provided for free. Eventually, however, you may want to upgrade to a Google Workspace account.
One of the major advantages of Google Workspace is that it works well with teams; for example, administering your team with a collection of personal Gmail installs would be a nightmare. Google Workspace makes this easy.
Google Workspace offers several other advantages, such as 24/7 technical support, integrated team calendars, additional storage, video conferencing, and more. As your business grows, you should consider upgrading to G Suite. The entry-level plan starts at $6 per person per month.
One possible downside of using Google Workspace is that the global setup can be a bit intimidating with things like MX records. However, Google provides step-by-step instructions for your installation, so this shouldn’t be a problem. You can use the provided technical support if necessary.