Around
Hubstaff
| Feature | Around | Hubstaff |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $10.99/mo | From $4.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Best For | remote-teams, quick-standups, pair-programming, distributed-teams | remote-team-managers, field-service-companies, agencies, construction-teams |
| Founded | 2020 | 2012 |
| Floating Video | ✓ | ✗ |
| Auto Leveling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Noise Cancellation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Screen Sharing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Reactions | ✓ | ✗ |
| Virtual Backgrounds | ✓ | ✗ |
| Time Tracking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Gps Tracking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Screenshots | ✗ | ✓ |
| Activity Levels | ✗ | ✓ |
| Payroll | ✗ | ✓ |
| Geofencing | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Around Pros
- Lightweight and fast
- Minimal floating interface
- Good noise cancellation
- Reduces meeting fatigue
✗ Around Cons
- Limited features vs Zoom
- Smaller user base
- No recording on free
✓ Hubstaff Pros
- GPS and location tracking for field teams
- Automated payroll from tracked hours
- Activity level monitoring
- Geofencing for job sites
✗ Hubstaff Cons
- Can feel invasive to employees
- Screenshot feature raises privacy concerns
- No free plan available
The Verdict
Around is built for remote teams and quick standups, with a focus on floating-video and auto-leveling. Hubstaff targets remote team managers and field service companies and leads with time-tracking and gps-tracking.
On pricing, Hubstaff is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $4.99/mo compared to $10.99/mo for Around. That $6/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Around has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Hubstaff requires a paid subscription from day one.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.