Quick answer: around was a lightweight video calling platform built for remote teams seeking ambient collaboration without disruptive full-screen interfaces, but the service was discontinued and officially shut down in January 2025. While it was free to use and introduced an innovative floating bubble interface, organizations needing an active solution today should turn to alternatives such as Whereby, Slack Huddles, or Google Meet.
Overview: What Was Around?
Around was positioned in the Remote Work software category as an alternative to conventional video conferencing tools. It provided lightweight video calls for remote teams, specifically engineered for remote-first async and sync collaboration.
Unlike traditional video meeting software that consumes entire computer screens, Around was designed around an ambient presence concept. Its primary goal was to allow team members to feel present together throughout the day without the burden of full-screen video meetings. Participants joined calls through their web browsers without needing to install heavy software, making it fast and straightforward to connect.
Around Pricing and Plans
Around operated on a straightforward, accessible pricing model throughout its availability:
- Pricing Model: FREE
- Free Plan: Available (plan name: "Free", price label: "Free")
- Free Trial: Not applicable (hasFreeTrial: false)
Because the platform was free to use, teams of various sizes could test its ambient collaboration features without entering payment details or committing to subscription contracts.
Key Features of Around
Around offered several specific features tailored to low-friction team collaboration:
- Floating Bubble Video UI: Kept individual video feeds in compact, circular floating bubbles across the desktop. This interface minimized screen real estate usage and kept video unobtrusive so participants could continue working during discussions.
- Browser-Based Connectivity: Allowed users to enter calls directly through a browser window without requiring an app installation or heavy client downloads.
- Automatic Noise Cancellation: Filtered background sounds automatically without requiring manual audio tuning or complex audio setup.
- Background Blur: Provided background blurring that functioned without GPU-heavy processing, helping maintain device performance during calls.
- Screen Sharing with Cursor Highlighting: Enabled collaborators to share their displays with visual cursor emphasis to guide viewers through content.
- Reactions and Emoji: Offered in-call reactions to facilitate real-time, non-verbal feedback during team discussions.
- Slack Integration: Supported quick call launching directly from Slack channels and direct messages.
- Recording Support: Included native options to capture call audio and video for later review.
Pros: Why Remote Teams Chose Around
During its operation, Around earned praise for solving common frustrations associated with traditional video conferencing:
- Distraction-Free Screen Space: The non-intrusive floating bubble UI kept video feeds small while teammates worked, avoiding the cognitive fatigue associated with large video grids.
- Zero-Setup Audio and Video Enhancements: Automatic noise cancellation and background blur operated out of the box without complicated configurations or demanding heavy hardware processing.
- Frictionless Onboarding: Because it was browser-based with no heavy client required, new teammates or external collaborators could join calls rapidly.
- Built for Remote-First Workflows: The product was created specifically for remote-first teams balancing both synchronous conversations and asynchronous working styles.
Cons: Limitations and Discontinuation
Despite its strengths in design and convenience, Around had several distinct disadvantages:
- Discontinued Status: The service officially shut down in January 2025 and is no longer operational.
- Limited Meeting Management: Compared to comprehensive enterprise tools like Zoom, Around had limited recording options and lacked advanced meeting management features.
- Smaller User Base and Ecosystem: Around had a significantly smaller user base and smaller third-party ecosystem than market leaders such as Google Meet or Zoom.
- Absence of Enterprise Security: The tool possessed no enterprise security certifications prior to its shutdown.
- Best Suited for Small Teams: The tool was limited to small teams and was distinctly less feature-rich than Zoom when hosting formal or structured meetings.
Who Was Around Best For?
Around was the right choice for remote teams who wanted to feel present together throughout the workday without being locked into full-screen video calls. Its unique ambient presence concept required minimal screen real estate, making it one of the stronger options in its niche for lightweight, day-to-day coworker connectivity.
Who Should Not Use Around?
Around is not suitable for anyone looking to deploy software today because the service has been discontinued. Organizations seeking an active video calling or presence solution should instead evaluate active alternatives such as Whereby, Slack Huddles, or Google Meet. Furthermore, teams requiring enterprise security certifications or deep meeting management controls for formal conferences would not find their needs met by the platform.
Sources
- Around Official Website: https://www.around.co
Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash