On average, a Google internal tool is better than a commercially equivalent tool elsewhere, especially if it's developer critical.
For example the code search, testing, code review tools are amazing and better than any commercial equivalent.
Other tools like the bug database are on par with the industry.
Others like the food, directory and interviewing tools are still pretty damn good and even if they are lacking some polish, are often far more functional than the average commercial equivalent.
And of course they are hit and miss - because there are so many of them. The ones that are commonly used are well funded and have lots of people working on them.
I no longer work at Google but still consider it a role model for how companies should take tooling seriously.
For example the code search, testing, code review tools are amazing and better than any commercial equivalent.
Other tools like the bug database are on par with the industry.
Others like the food, directory and interviewing tools are still pretty damn good and even if they are lacking some polish, are often far more functional than the average commercial equivalent.
And of course they are hit and miss - because there are so many of them. The ones that are commonly used are well funded and have lots of people working on them.
I no longer work at Google but still consider it a role model for how companies should take tooling seriously.