Around vs Riverside.fm: Complete Comparison (2026)

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

In comparing Around and Riverside.fm in 2026, Riverside.fm is the stronger choice for podcasters and video creators recording high-quality remote interviews due to studio-quality local recording. 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. Riverside.fm provides Local recording, Separate tracks, Video and audio from $15/mo with a free tier. For teams prioritizing value, Riverside.fm delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 78/100. Around and Riverside.fm 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 Riverside.fm reports 2M+ active users (founded 2019).

Around vs Riverside.fm at a Glance

Around
Riverside.fm
Starting Price
$9/user/mo
$15/mo
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
User Rating
4.3/5
4.6/5
Best For
Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on vide...
Podcasters and video creators recording high-quali...
Users
200K+
2M+
Founded
2020
2019
hiltonsoftware Score
69/100
78/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
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Around
Video Conferencing
69
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
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Riverside.fm
Video Conferencing
78
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED

What are the main differences between Around and Riverside.fm?

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

AroundRiverside.fm
83Ease of Use86
75Features78
70Value for Money75
63Customer Support71
58Integrations65
61Scalability65
72Learning Curve76

What are the pros and cons of Around vs Riverside.fm?

Around
+Minimal screen real estate
+Fun social feel for teams
-Niche interface may not suit all
-Smaller user base
Riverside.fm
+Studio-quality local recording
+Separate audio tracks per guest
-Not for live streaming or meetings
-File upload after recording

Which is better, Around or Riverside.fm?

After evaluating Around and Riverside.fm across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Riverside.fm earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 78/100 versus Around at 69/100. Riverside.fm stands out for "studio-quality local recording" and "separate audio tracks per guest". Around delivers competitive advantages in "minimal screen real estate", making Around a viable alternative.

Both Around and Riverside.fm offer free plans. Around paid plans start at $9/user/mo while Riverside.fm begins at $15/mo. ROI depends on which features justify upgrading.

Bottom line: Choose Around for remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Choose Riverside.fm for podcasters and video creators recording high-quality remote interviews. Both Around and Riverside.fm are established video conferencing platforms.

CHOOSE AROUND IF:

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

CHOOSE RIVERSIDE.FM IF:

Podcasters and video creators recording high-quality remote interviews.

Around vs Riverside.fm: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Around better than Riverside.fm in 2026?
Riverside.fm outperforms Around in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 78/100 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. Riverside.fm is the stronger option for Podcasters and video creators recording high-quality remote interviews due to studio-quality local recording. For teams needing local recording, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Riverside.fm.
How does Around pricing compare to Riverside.fm in 2026?
Around starts at $9/user/mo and includes a free plan. Riverside.fm starts at $15/mo and offers a free plan. Around includes features like Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation. Riverside.fm provides Local recording, Separate tracks, Video and audio. Around serves 200K+ users while Riverside.fm serves 2M+ users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between Around and Riverside.fm?
Around specializes in Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation, earning a 69/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Riverside.fm focuses on Local recording, Separate tracks, Video and audio, scoring 78/100. Around is best for Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Riverside.fm is best for Podcasters and video creators recording high-quality remote interviews. Both Around and Riverside.fm serve the Video Conferencing market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from Around to Riverside.fm?
Migrating from Around to Riverside.fm is possible since both operate in the Video Conferencing space. Export data from Around and verify Riverside.fm import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation (Around) versus Local recording, Separate tracks, Video and audio (Riverside.fm). Running both Around and Riverside.fm in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is Around or Riverside.fm better for small business?
Both Around and Riverside.fm offer free plans. Around (69/100) is ideal for Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Riverside.fm (78/100) fits Podcasters and video creators recording high-quality remote interviews. 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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