Around vs Vowel: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Around and Vowel comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Around
Video calls that don't suck
Best for you if:
- • You need team chat features specifically
- • Floating bubble interface
- • Less fatiguing calls
Vowel
AI-powered meeting platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.3/10)
- • You need transcription features specifically
- • AI meeting assistant and recorder
- • Transcription and meeting summaries
| At a Glance |  Around |  Vowel |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Team Chat | Transcription |
Rating | 83/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Around | Vowel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 83 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Team ChatVideo Conferencing | TranscriptionVideo Conferencing |
How Around and Vowel Compare
Around
Video calls that don't suck
Free tier available · 83/100 score
Vowel
AI-powered meeting platform
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Around is a team chat tool. Vowel is in transcription.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Around
Want the highest-rated option?
Around: 83/100. Vowel: 85/100.
Go with: Vowel
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Vowel
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Around is a team chat tool. Vowel is in transcription. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Vowel scores higher: 85/100 vs 83/100.
Key Takeaways
Vowel
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 83
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Around
- Better fit for team chat
The Bottom Line
Vowel (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Around or Vowel better?
Vowel scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Around and Vowel used for?
Around: Video calls that don't suck. Vowel: AI-powered meeting platform.
What does Around cost vs Vowel?
Around is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Vowel is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.