Around vs Discord

Around was a video calling app designed for teams that collaborate in short, frequent sessions rather than long scheduled meetings. Instead of a full-screen grid, participants appeared as small floating heads on top of whatever app you were working in, so a call could run alongside a design file, code editor or whiteboard. Miro acquired Around in 2022, and the standalone Around app was shut down on March 31, 2025.

The experience centered on audio quality and low friction: AI noise and echo cancellation let people join from open offices or cafés without headsets, and auto-framing kept faces centered in the bubbles. Calls started from shareable room links, several people could share screens at the same time, and reactions and chat covered quick feedback. After the acquisition Around was offered free, and before the shutdown Miro moved its ideas into Video Calls inside Miro boards, which keep an Around-like floating mode and echo prevention.

Today Around is relevant mainly as a reference point: teams that relied on it need a replacement, and recordings could only be downloaded before the closure date. Miro users get the closest experience in Miro Video Calls; Tuple targets pair programming specifically; Slack huddles cover lightweight audio for teams already in Slack; and Zoom and Google Meet remain the default for scheduled meetings. Do not plan new work around the Around app, since it is no longer available for sign-up or use.

Discord is a communication platform, founded in 2015 in San Francisco by Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy, organized around servers: shared spaces with text channels, voice channels, video calls, forums, stages for live audio events and threads. It began as a voice chat app for gamers and has grown into the home of developer communities, open-source projects, creator fan bases and the user communities of many startups.

Server owners configure roles and permissions per channel, use AutoMod and bots for moderation, and connect integrations through webhooks and the developer platform, which also supports apps and activities inside Discord. Voice and video run with low latency, screen sharing works for streaming and support, and forums keep questions organized. Discord is free for nearly unlimited use; Nitro subscriptions add larger uploads, HD streaming and cosmetic perks, while server boosts unlock better audio quality and more customization for a whole community.

Companies use Discord for community support, developer relations and beta programs rather than internal work chat, where Slack and Microsoft Teams dominate with search, SSO, compliance and admin controls. Weak search, the permission model and a consumer-oriented interface can make it hard to run as an official business tool, and access depends on local regulation: Turkey, for example, blocked Discord in October 2024. Slack suits internal teams, Circle and Discourse suit structured, searchable communities, and Telegram suits broadcast-style groups.