Around vs Loom: Complete Comparison (2026)

By Elena Kowalski, Security & Enterprise Editorยท12 years of experienceยทUpdated 2026-04-24ยท8 min read

In comparing Around and Loom in 2026, Loom is the stronger choice for remote teams replacing meetings with async video walkthroughs due to excellent for async communication. Around excels for remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence with minimal screen real estate. Around offers Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation starting at $9/user/mo with a free plan. Loom provides Screen recording, Webcam recording, Comments from $12.50/user/mo with a free tier. For teams prioritizing value, Loom delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 84/100. Around and Loom compete in the video conferencing segment of the SaaS market, where cloud-native solutions, API integrations, and workflow automation drive enterprise and SMB adoption. Other leading video conferencing tools include Zoom, Google Meet, Webex. Around serves 200K+ users globally (founded 2020) while Loom reports 25M+ active users (founded 2016).

Around vs Loom at a Glance

Around
Loom
Starting Price
$9/user/mo
$12.50/user/mo
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
User Rating
4.3/5
4.7/5
Best For
Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on vide...
Remote teams replacing meetings with async video w...
Users
200K+
25M+
Founded
2020
2016
hiltonsoftware Score
69/100
84/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐Ÿ”ด
Around
Video Conferencing
69
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
๐ŸŽฌ
Loom
Video Conferencing
84
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED

What are the main differences between Around and Loom?

Around and Loom differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. Loom leads in 7 of 7 categories.

AroundLoom
83Ease of Use89
75Features82
70Value for Money78
63Customer Support71
58Integrations73
61Scalability72
72Learning Curve78

What are the pros and cons of Around vs Loom?

Around
+Minimal screen real estate
+Fun social feel for teams
-Niche interface may not suit all
-Smaller user base
Loom
+Excellent for async communication
+Fast share via link
-5-min limit on free plan
-Not for live meetings

Which is better, Around or Loom?

After evaluating Around and Loom across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Loom earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 84/100 versus Around at 69/100. Loom stands out for "excellent for async communication" and "fast share via link". Around delivers competitive advantages in "minimal screen real estate", making Around a viable alternative.

Both Around and Loom offer free plans. Around paid plans start at $9/user/mo while Loom begins at $12.50/user/mo. ROI depends on which features justify upgrading.

Bottom line: Choose Around for remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Choose Loom for remote teams replacing meetings with async video walkthroughs. Both Around and Loom are established video conferencing platforms.

CHOOSE AROUND IF:

Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence.

CHOOSE LOOM IF:

Remote teams replacing meetings with async video walkthroughs.

Around vs Loom: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Around better than Loom in 2026?
Loom outperforms Around in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 84/100 compared to 69/100. Around excels in Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation, making Around the better choice for Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Loom is the stronger option for Remote teams replacing meetings with async video walkthroughs due to excellent for async communication. For teams needing screen recording, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Loom.
How does Around pricing compare to Loom in 2026?
Around starts at $9/user/mo and includes a free plan. Loom starts at $12.50/user/mo and offers a free plan. Around includes features like Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation. Loom provides Screen recording, Webcam recording, Comments. Around serves 200K+ users while Loom serves 25M+ users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between Around and Loom?
Around specializes in Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation, earning a 69/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Loom focuses on Screen recording, Webcam recording, Comments, scoring 84/100. Around is best for Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Loom is best for Remote teams replacing meetings with async video walkthroughs. Both Around and Loom serve the Video Conferencing market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from Around to Loom?
Migrating from Around to Loom is possible since both operate in the Video Conferencing space. Export data from Around and verify Loom import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation (Around) versus Screen recording, Webcam recording, Comments (Loom). Running both Around and Loom in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is Around or Loom better for small business?
Both Around and Loom offer free plans. Around (69/100) is ideal for Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Loom (84/100) fits Remote teams replacing meetings with async video walkthroughs. Evaluate both during trial periods.

Reviewed by Elena Kowalski, Security & Enterprise Editor. Last updated: 2026-04-24. Pricing verified: March 2026.

Read our scoring methodology to understand how the hiltonsoftware Score is calculated.

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