Around vs Whereby
Around edges out Whereby in our comparison. Unique floating interface vs Easiest for guests to join — pricing, features, and when to pick each one.
Quick Verdict
Neither tool wins outright — both sit at 4.4/5. Around is the better pick for unique floating interface, while Whereby is stronger for easiest for guests to join. Your decision should come down to whether you need floating video bubbles or no download or account required more.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Around | Whereby |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Starting Price | Free + $10/user/mo | Free + $8.99/mo |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 312 | 567 |
| Best For | Pair programming sessions | Client video calls |
| Key Feature | Floating video bubbles | No download or account required |
Overview
Around lightweight video calls designed for remote teams with floating video bubbles. Whereby browser-based video meetings with no app download required. They compete in the Video Conferencing space, but they serve different types of remote teams.
Around scores higher overall (4.4/5 vs 4.4/5), but that doesn't tell the whole story. Whereby has strengths in areas where Around falls short — specifically clean, simple interface.
Pricing Comparison
Around starts at $10/user/mo with a free tier. Whereby starts at $8.99/mo with a free tier.
Both tools offer free plans, so your team can test them risk-free. The difference is what you get for free vs paid — Around's free tier focuses on unlimited meetings, while Whereby emphasizes 1 meeting room.
Key Differences
What sets them apart:
- **Around has** Floating video bubbles, Auto-mute and noise cancellation, Echo Prevention technology — things Whereby doesn't offer - **Whereby has** No download or account required, Personal meeting room URL, Screen sharing and recording — things Around doesn't offer
Around is built around unique floating interface. Whereby focuses on easiest for guests to join. If your team needs floating video bubbles, Around is the pick. If no download or account required matter more, go with Whereby.
Strengths & Weaknesses
**Around** - Strengths: Unique floating interface, Very lightweight on system resources, Great for pairing and collaboration, Excellent noise cancellation, Modern, thoughtful design - Drawbacks: Smaller user base, Not ideal for formal presentations, Limited webinar features, Newer company, less proven
**Whereby** - Strengths: Easiest for guests to join, Clean, simple interface, No software to maintain, Good privacy features, Embeddable on websites - Drawbacks: Limited meeting time on free tier, Fewer features than Zoom, Not ideal for large webinars, Limited admin controls
The dealbreaker test: if smaller user base is a problem for your team, Whereby is the alternative. If limited meeting time on free tier is worse, pick Around.
Who Should Pick What
**Pick Around if** your team prioritizes unique floating interface and needs floating video bubbles. It's the better choice when pair programming sessions is your primary goal.
**Pick Whereby if** easiest for guests to join matter more and you want no download or account required. It wins when your team's focus is client video calls.
**Consider both if** your team has different workflows — Around for very lightweight on system resources and Whereby for clean, simple interface.
The Verdict
Choose Whereby if:
4/5. Around is the better pick for unique floating interface, while Whereby is stronger for easiest for guests to join. Your decision should come down to whether you need floating video bubbles or no download or account required more.
Try Whereby →Full Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Around or Whereby?
For most teams, Around is the better pick — it scores 4.4/5 vs 4.4/5, and its unique floating interface gives it an edge. But Whereby wins if easiest for guests to join is your priority.
Which free plan is better?
Both offer free tiers. Around's free plan gives you unlimited meetings, while Whereby's includes 1 meeting room. Try both and upgrade the one that fits your team's workflow.
Which handles large meetings better?
For daily standups and 1:1s, either tool works. For all-hands meetings and webinars, Around's floating video bubbles give it an edge over Whereby.