Zoom vs Around
Zoom edges out Around in our comparison. Most reliable video platform vs Unique floating interface — pricing, features, and when to pick each one.
Quick Verdict
Zoom has a narrow lead (4.6 vs 4.4), but both are competitive. Pick Zoom if most reliable video platform matter more to your team. Pick Around if unique floating interface align better with your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Zoom | Around |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Starting Price | Free + $13.33/mo | Free + $10/user/mo |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 4,521 | 312 |
| Best For | Team meetings and standups | Pair programming sessions |
| Key Feature | HD video and audio | Floating video bubbles |
Overview
Zoom video meetings, webinars, and virtual events platform. Around lightweight video calls designed for remote teams with floating video bubbles. They compete in the Video Conferencing space, but they serve different types of remote teams.
Zoom scores higher overall (4.6/5 vs 4.4/5), but that doesn't tell the whole story. Around has strengths in areas where Zoom falls short — specifically very lightweight on system resources.
Pricing Comparison
Zoom starts at $13.33/mo with a free tier. Around starts at $10/user/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 — Zoom's free tier focuses on 100 participants, while Around emphasizes unlimited meetings.
Key Differences
What sets them apart:
- **Zoom has** HD video and audio, Breakout rooms for group work, Virtual backgrounds and touch-ups — things Around doesn't offer - **Around has** Floating video bubbles, Auto-mute and noise cancellation, Echo Prevention technology — things Zoom doesn't offer
Zoom is built around most reliable video platform. Around focuses on unique floating interface. If your team needs hd video and audio, Zoom is the pick. If floating video bubbles matter more, go with Around.
Strengths & Weaknesses
**Zoom** - Strengths: Most reliable video platform, Easy to join meetings, Feature-rich for all use cases, Strong mobile apps, Excellent webinar capabilities - Drawbacks: 40-minute limit on free tier, Can be expensive for small teams, Security concerns in early versions, Resource-intensive on older devices
**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
The dealbreaker test: if 40-minute limit on free tier is a problem for your team, Around is the alternative. If smaller user base is worse, pick Zoom.
Who Should Pick What
**Pick Zoom if** your team prioritizes most reliable video platform and needs hd video and audio. It's the better choice when team meetings and standups is your primary goal.
**Pick Around if** unique floating interface matter more and you want floating video bubbles. It wins when your team's focus is pair programming sessions.
**Consider both if** your team has different workflows — Zoom for easy to join meetings and Around for very lightweight on system resources.
The Verdict
Choose Around if:
6 vs 4.4), but both are competitive. Pick Zoom if most reliable video platform matter more to your team. Pick Around if unique floating interface align better with your workflow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Zoom or Around?
For most teams, Zoom is the better pick — it scores 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5, and its most reliable video platform gives it an edge. But Around wins if unique floating interface is your priority.
Which free plan is better?
Both offer free tiers. Zoom's free plan gives you 100 participants, while Around's includes unlimited meetings. 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, Zoom's hd video and audio give it an edge over Around.