Around vs Zoom: Complete Comparison (2026)

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

In comparing Around and Zoom in 2026, Zoom is the stronger choice for teams and businesses of any size needing reliable video meetings due to reliable and widely adopted. 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. Zoom provides Video meetings, Webinars, Breakout rooms from $13.33/user/mo with a free tier. For teams prioritizing value, Zoom delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 89/100. Around and Zoom 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 Google Meet, Webex, Loom. Around serves 200K+ users globally (founded 2020) while Zoom reports 300M+ daily active users (founded 2011).

Around vs Zoom at a Glance

Around
Zoom
Starting Price
$9/user/mo
$13.33/user/mo
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
User Rating
4.3/5
4.6/5
Best For
Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on vide...
Teams and businesses of any size needing reliable ...
Users
200K+
300M+ daily
Founded
2020
2011
hiltonsoftware Score
69/100
89/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐Ÿ”ด
Around
Video Conferencing
69
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
๐Ÿ“น
Zoom
Video Conferencing
89
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED

What are the main differences between Around and Zoom?

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

AroundZoom
83Ease of Use86
75Features80
70Value for Money75
63Customer Support76
58Integrations74
61Scalability73
72Learning Curve76

What are the pros and cons of Around vs Zoom?

Around
+Minimal screen real estate
+Fun social feel for teams
-Niche interface may not suit all
-Smaller user base
Zoom
+Reliable and widely adopted
+Great webinar features
-40-min limit on free plan
-Privacy controversies

Which is better, Around or Zoom?

After evaluating Around and Zoom across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Zoom earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 89/100 versus Around at 69/100. Zoom stands out for "reliable and widely adopted" and "great webinar features". Around delivers competitive advantages in "minimal screen real estate", making Around a viable alternative.

Both Around and Zoom offer free plans. Around paid plans start at $9/user/mo while Zoom begins at $13.33/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 Zoom for teams and businesses of any size needing reliable video meetings. Both Around and Zoom are established video conferencing platforms.

CHOOSE AROUND IF:

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

CHOOSE ZOOM IF:

Teams and businesses of any size needing reliable video meetings.

Around vs Zoom: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Around better than Zoom in 2026?
Zoom outperforms Around in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 89/100 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. Zoom is the stronger option for Teams and businesses of any size needing reliable video meetings due to reliable and widely adopted. For teams needing video meetings, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Zoom.
How does Around pricing compare to Zoom in 2026?
Around starts at $9/user/mo and includes a free plan. Zoom starts at $13.33/user/mo and offers a free plan. Around includes features like Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation. Zoom provides Video meetings, Webinars, Breakout rooms. Around serves 200K+ users while Zoom serves 300M+ daily users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between Around and Zoom?
Around specializes in Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation, earning a 69/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Zoom focuses on Video meetings, Webinars, Breakout rooms, scoring 89/100. Around is best for Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Zoom is best for Teams and businesses of any size needing reliable video meetings. Both Around and Zoom serve the Video Conferencing market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from Around to Zoom?
Migrating from Around to Zoom is possible since both operate in the Video Conferencing space. Export data from Around and verify Zoom import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation (Around) versus Video meetings, Webinars, Breakout rooms (Zoom). Running both Around and Zoom in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is Around or Zoom better for small business?
Both Around and Zoom offer free plans. Around (69/100) is ideal for Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Zoom (89/100) fits Teams and businesses of any size needing reliable video meetings. 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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