Around vs Jitsi Meet: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between Around and Jitsi Meet is a common decision for video conferencing buyers in 2026. Jitsi Meet has been in the market since 2003, giving it a 17-year head start over Around (founded 2020). Around serves 200K+ users while Jitsi Meet has 20M+ users globally. Around differentiates with floating bubble ui and screen sharing, while Jitsi Meet leads with no account required and self-hostable. In this head-to-head comparison, Around earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 86/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

🔴
Around
Video Conferencing
86
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
🟡
Jitsi Meet
Video Conferencing
86
hiltonsoftware.co Score

Quick Comparison

Around
Jitsi Meet
Starting Price
$9/user/mo
Free
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
Users
200K+
20M+
Founded
2020
2003
Rating
4.3/5
4.3/5
Best For
Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on vide...
Privacy-conscious teams wanting free, open-source ...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

AroundJitsi Meet
90Ease of Use89
94Features92
95Value for Money87
82Customer Support79
84Integrations82
87Scalability91
90Learning Curve86

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Around
+Minimal screen real estate
+Fun social feel for teams
-Niche interface may not suit all
-Smaller user base
Jitsi Meet
+Completely free
+No account needed
-Quality drops in large meetings
-Limited enterprise features
AI Verdict

After comparing Around and Jitsi Meet across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Around takes the lead with a score of 86/100 versus Jitsi Meet's 86/100. Around's key advantages include "minimal screen real estate" and "fun social feel for teams". That said, Jitsi Meet has its own strengths — particularly "completely free" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Both Around and Jitsi Meet offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. Around's paid plans start at $9/user/mo while Jitsi Meet begins at Free. Evaluate which paid features — Noise cancellation, Team spaces (Around) vs End-to-end encryption, Screen sharing (Jitsi Meet) — justify upgrading for your team.

Bottom line: Choose Around if you need remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Go with Jitsi Meet if your priority is privacy-conscious teams wanting free, open-source video conferencing. Both are strong video conferencing tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.

CHOOSE AROUND IF:

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

CHOOSE JITSI MEET IF:

Privacy-conscious teams wanting free, open-source video conferencing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Around better than Jitsi Meet in 2026?
Around scores 86/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Jitsi Meet's 86/100. Around stands out for "minimal screen real estate" and is best for Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence. Jitsi Meet is known for "completely free" and suits Privacy-conscious teams wanting free, open-source video conferencing. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between Around and Jitsi Meet?
Both offer free plans. Around starts at $9/user/mo and Jitsi Meet at Free. When comparing value, consider that Around (founded 2020, 200K+ users) includes features like Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation. Jitsi Meet (founded 2003, 20M+ users) offers No account required, Self-hostable, End-to-end encryption. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between Around and Jitsi Meet?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Around excels at Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation, while Jitsi Meet focuses on No account required, Self-hostable, End-to-end encryption. Around's main advantage is "minimal screen real estate", though some users note "niche interface may not suit all". Jitsi Meet's strength is "completely free", but "quality drops in large meetings" can be a drawback. Both serve the Video Conferencing market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from Around to Jitsi Meet?
Switching between Around and Jitsi Meet is possible since both operate in the Video Conferencing space. Before migrating, export your data from Around and check Jitsi Meet's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Floating bubble UI, Screen sharing, Noise cancellation (Around) vs No account required, Self-hostable, End-to-end encryption (Jitsi Meet). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: Around or Jitsi Meet?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. Around is ideal for Remote teams wanting a less formal, always-on video presence, while Jitsi Meet fits Privacy-conscious teams wanting free, open-source video conferencing. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.

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