Around is a unique video conferencing platform developed by a dedicated startup, engineered specifically to reduce meeting fatigue and enhance hybrid work collaboration. Its core feature is an AI-powered "smart frame" that automatically crops participants into floating circular windows and uses noise suppression, creating a more natural and less distracting visual experience. The primary user is remote or hybrid teams who spend significant time in video calls and want to minimize distractions, improve focus, and feel more connected without the exhaustion. Teams typically open Around for daily stand-ups, brainstorming sessions, or pair-working, especially when multiple people are sharing screens or interacting closely. It integrates with calendar tools like Google Calendar and Outlook, and offers screen sharing, shared whiteboards, and collaborative notes.
Editorial check
How this page is checked
Source trail
around.co
External links are separated from Surfaced commentary.
Reader safety
Context before clicks
Product links and external services are not presented as guarantees.
Monetization
No affiliate flag
Ads and commerce links are kept distinct from editorial text.
Surfaced take
Why It’s Useful
Around offers a much less fatiguing and more engaging alternative to traditional grid-based video platforms like Zoom or Google Meet, which can feel overwhelming with many faces. For a remote design team, it allows natural visual collaboration, where team members appear as floating heads around shared screens, making feedback and co-creation feel more intuitive. A marketing team can use it for creative brainstorming sessions, leveraging its spatial audio to focus on who is speaking without visual clutter, fostering more fluid conversations. Around offers a generous free tier for unlimited meetings up to 45 minutes, with paid plans unlocking longer meetings, more participants, and advanced team features. A standout feature, often discovered later, is its "EchoTerminator" technology, which virtually eliminates echo even in challenging acoustic environments, making multi-speaker calls significantly clearer. Its distinct UI and specific focus on meeting fatigue, rather than being a general-purpose conferencing tool, limit its broader market appeal, despite its excellence in its niche. Around maintains a consistent update schedule, with a focus on AI enhancements and user experience improvements.
Enjoyed this? Get five picks like this every morning.
Free daily newsletter — zero spam, unsubscribe anytime.