What is the difference between Google Meet and Around?

Google Meet is best for Google Workspace users who need simple video calls, while Around is best for Remote teams wanting lightweight, always-on video. Google Meet starts at Free and Around starts at Free.

Is Google Meet or Around cheaper?

Google Meet starts at Free with a free tier. Around starts at Free and is free.

Is there a free alternative to Around?

Both Google Meet and Around offer free tiers.

Google Meet vs Around

Google Meet is video conferencing built into Google Workspace with screen sharing, recording, and live captions, while Around is lightweight video calling tool with floating bubbles, noise cancellation, and minimal screen space. Google Meet is built for google workspace users who need simple video calls, whereas Around targets remote teams wanting lightweight, always-on video.

At a glance

	Google Meet	Around
Best for	Google Workspace users who need simple video calls	Remote teams wanting lightweight, always-on video
Starting price	Free	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	—	—
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	—	—
Captions	✓	—
Floating UI	—	✓
Lightweight	—	✓
Noise Cancellation	—	✓
Recording	✓	—
Screen Sharing	✓	✓
Workspace Integration	✓	—

Google Meet

Strengths

Screen sharing built into every call with no plugins or extensions needed
Includes Captions as a core feature, purpose-built for video conferencing workflows
Free for 60-min group calls — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Includes recording alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Call quality depends heavily on participants' internet connections
Mobile experience lags behind the desktop version in features and polish

Try Google Meet → Full review

Around

Strengths

Includes Floating UI as a core feature, purpose-built for video conferencing workflows
Includes Noise Cancellation as a core feature, purpose-built for video conferencing workflows
The core product is free with no paywalled essentials
Includes screen sharing alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

May lack some advanced features
Some advanced features require upgrading to a paid plan
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Call quality depends heavily on participants' internet connections

Try Around → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Both Google Meet and Around are free. You can try both without spending a dollar.

Feature gaps: Google Meet offers Captions, Recording and Workspace Integration that Around lacks. Around brings Floating UI, Lightweight and Noise Cancellation that Google Meet does not have. Both share Screen Sharing.

Team fit: Google Meet is geared toward any size teams, while Around is aimed at small teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Where each tool shines: Google Meet's biggest strengths are: screen sharing built into every call with no plugins or extensions needed. includes captions as a core feature, purpose-built for video conferencing workflows. Around's biggest strengths are: includes floating ui as a core feature, purpose-built for video conferencing workflows. includes noise cancellation as a core feature, purpose-built for video conferencing workflows.

Watch out for: With Google Meet, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Around, the main complaint is that may lack some advanced features.

Choose Google Meet if...

You need a tool built for google workspace users who need simple video calls
You specifically need Captions and Recording
You care about includes captions as a core feature, purpose-built for video conferencing workflows
Your team size fits the any size profile Google Meet is designed for
The free tier works for you: free for 60-min group calls

Choose Around if...

You need a tool built for remote teams wanting lightweight, always-on video
You specifically need Floating UI and Lightweight
You care about includes noise cancellation as a core feature, purpose-built for video conferencing workflows
Your team size fits the small teams profile Around is designed for