Comparison: Riverside vs Around
Verdict
Riverside is our clear winner with a 0.4-point rating advantage. It offers studio-quality recordings and is rated higher by users. Consider Around if unique floating interface or if it integrates better with your existing tools.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Riverside | Around |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Starting Price | Free + $15/mo | Free + $10/user/mo |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 789 | 312 |
| Best For | Remote podcast recording | Pair programming sessions |
| Key Feature | Local recording for max quality | Floating video bubbles |
Overview
Riverside and Around are both popular tools in the Video Conferencing space. Riverside Riverside is a recording platform that captures studio-quality audio and video, even with poor internet connections. Around Around reimagines video meetings for the way remote teams actually work.
This comparison will help you decide which tool is right for your team based on features, pricing, and use cases.
Pricing Comparison
Riverside pricing starts at $15/mo with a free tier available. Around pricing starts at $10/user/mo with a free tier available.
Both tools offer free plans, making it easy to test before committing. Riverside's free tier includes 2 hours recording/month, 720p video. Around's free tier includes Unlimited meetings, 8 participants max.
Key Features
Riverside key features include: Local recording for max quality, Separate audio/video tracks, AI transcriptions in 100+ languages, Magic editing (remove filler words).
Around key features include: Floating video bubbles, Auto-mute and noise cancellation, Echo Prevention technology, Deep Focus mode.
Both tools offer strong feature sets, but they excel in different areas. Riverside has slightly better overall ratings from users.
Pros and Cons
Riverside pros: Studio-quality recordings, Works even with poor internet, Excellent for podcasting.
Riverside cons: Not designed for regular meetings, Higher learning curve, Limited hours on lower plans.
Around pros: Unique floating interface, Very lightweight on system resources, Great for pairing and collaboration.
Around cons: Smaller user base, Not ideal for formal presentations, Limited webinar features.
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose Riverside if: Remote podcast recording, Video interviews, or if your team values studio-quality recordings.
Choose Around if: Pair programming sessions, Design reviews, or if your team needs unique floating interface.
Both tools integrate well with popular remote work tools and support teams of various sizes.
Final Thoughts
Full Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Riverside or Around?
Riverside is rated slightly higher (4.8/5) by users. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs. Riverside excels at remote podcast recording, while Around is better for pair programming sessions.
Is Riverside free?
Yes, Riverside offers a free tier with 2 hours recording/month. Paid plans start at $15/mo.
Is Around free?
Yes, Around offers a free tier with unlimited meetings. Paid plans start at $10/user/mo.
Can I use both Riverside and Around together?
Yes, many teams use both tools together. Riverside and Around can complement each other—Riverside for remote podcast recording and Around for pair programming sessions. Check each tool's integrations to ensure they work with your existing stack.