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HomeVideo ConferencingAround vs Webex by Cisco
Updated 6 days ago · Independent Analysis

Around vs Webex by Cisco

Capability Overview
Around logo - software comparison
Aroundvs Webex by Cisco
4.4G2+0.1 vs Webex by Cisco
Only in Around
  • Floating Video Bubbles
  • Auto-framing
  • Noise Cancellation
✓ Free planPart of Miro (80M+) users · est. 2020
Webex by Cisco logo - software comparison
4.3G2-0.1 vs Around
Only in Webex by Cisco
  • Video Meetings
  • Recording
  • Transcription
✓ Free planFrom $14.5/mo70M+ monthly users users · est. 1995
Quick VerdictIndependent Analysis

Around and Webex by Cisco are both Video Conferencing tools. Compare features, pricing, and ratings below to find the best fit for your team.


When to Choose Around vs Webex by Cisco

The question that matters: “In what situation will I regret choosing A over B after 3 months?”

Scenario: Lightweight standup calls for remote
Around
Lightweight standup calls for remote squads

Engineering teams running 15-minute daily standups on older laptops or during bandwidth-constrained hours use Around's low CPU usage to keep calls fluid without draining battery.

Webex by Cisco
Legal Teams Organize Discovery Calls

Law firms managing document review across multiple office locations use Webex Breakout Rooms to split 40+ paralegals into focused groups by case file, then reconvene for unified.

Scenario: Real-time client feedback during live
Around
Real-time client feedback during live demos

Sales engineers running back-to-back product demos use emoji reactions to gather instant sentiment from prospects-thumbs up for impressed, question marks for confusion-without.

Webex by Cisco
SaaS Support Handles Escalations Live

Support teams pair Screen Sharing with Video Meetings to walk customers through system failures in real time, while the meeting Recording captures the entire troubleshooting.

Scenario: Asynchronous design feedback with timestamped
Around
Asynchronous design feedback with timestamped notes

Product teams record design walkthroughs once, then async team members watch and drop meeting notes pinned to exact moments in the video. This eliminates scheduling 8 designers.

Webex by Cisco
Product Teams Run Distributed Feedback Sprints

Cross-continent product managers use Webex Whiteboard during video meetings to sketch feature flows, vote using Polls to rank priorities, and rely on Transcription to convert.

Around Unique Strength
Customer troubleshooting with minimal setup friction

Support teams jump into calls with customers experiencing issues and immediately screen share-no waiting for plugin installs or browser permissions dialogs. Noise cancellation.

→ Choose Around if this scenario applies to you. Webex by Cisco doesn't offer a comparable solution.
Webex by Cisco Unique Strength
Universities Scale Dissertation Defenses

Graduate programs conduct 80+ dissertation defenses per semester using Webex Recording and Transcription to create permanent, searchable archives required by accreditation bodies.

→ Choose Webex by Cisco if this scenario applies to you. Around doesn't offer a comparable solution.

Pricing Comparison & Plans
High· Verified May 28, 2026

Webex by Cisco logo - software comparison

Webex by Cisco Plans

Free tier available

Free

Free

Best for: Ideal for individuals or small teams needing basic video conferencing without a budget

  • Host meetings
  • Up to 100 participants
  • 50 minutes per session
View on vendor site
MOST POPULAR

Webex Meet

$15/user/mo
monthlyor$162/yrsave 7%

Best for: teams focused solely on robust video conferencing

  • Unlimited meetings
  • Up to 150 participants
  • Screen sharing
  • Meeting recording
  • Mobile app access
View on vendor site

Webex Suite: Meet + Call

$25/user/mo
monthlyor$323/yr

Best for: Perfect for organizations needing both advanced video meetings and integrated calling features

  • Supports up to 200 participants
  • Advanced reporting tools
  • Integrations with other apps
  • Priority technical support
View on vendor site

Enterprise

Contact Sales

Best for: Designed for large organizations requiring tailored solutions, extensive support, and specific feature sets

  • Supports up to 1,000 participants
  • Advanced security features
  • Interface customization
  • Dedicated support
View on vendor site

Webex Calling Integration

$8/user/mo
billed annually$96/yr

Best for: Suitable for businesses looking to integrate Webex calling capabilities into existing systems

  • Support for Cisco's Cloud Calling Solution
  • Cloud PBX integration
View on vendor site

Workforce Optimization

$40/user/mo
billed annually$480/yr

Best for: For companies aiming to improve team productivity and performance through advanced analytics and management tools

  • Add WFM
  • WFO
  • QM and Analytics
View on vendor site

Digital Engagement Integration with Webex Connect

Contact Sales

Best for: Ideal for businesses seeking to enhance customer interactions and automate workflows

  • Support for integrated CPaaS
  • Automation and proactive messaging
View on vendor site
Full Webex by Cisco Pricing Breakdown →

Capability Breakdown

15 differences found across 19 standardized features

Feature
Around
Webex by Cisco
Virtual Backgrounds
Breakout Rooms
Whiteboard
Polls/Q&A
Calendar Integration
API/SDK
Mobile App
Webinar Mode
Transcription
Noise Cancellation
End-to-End Encryption
Waiting Room
Hand Raise
Live Streaming
Analytics
Total (raw)
15
36
Around Features
  • Floating Video Bubbles
  • Auto-framing
  • Noise Cancellation
  • Screen Sharing
  • Emoji Reactions
  • Lightweight
  • Low CPU Usage
  • Meeting Notes
  • Calendar Integration
  • Auto-mute on Typing
  • Spatial Audio
  • Background Blur
  • Music Mode
  • Quick Meetings
  • Miro Integration
Webex by Cisco Features
  • Video Meetings
  • Screen Sharing
  • Recording
  • Transcription
  • AI Assistant
  • Breakout Rooms
  • Whiteboard
  • Polls
  • Chat
  • Calling
  • Virtual Backgrounds
  • Noise Removal
  • Gesture Recognition
  • Real-time Translation
  • Hardware Integration
  • Advanced Analytics Dashboard
  • Customizable Meeting Templates
  • Enhanced Security Encryption
  • Facial Recognition Technology
  • Personalized Avatars
  • Virtual Event Planning
  • Automated Meeting Summaries
  • Intelligent Meeting Scheduling
  • Real Time Feedback
  • Customizable Notifications
  • Integrated CRM Support
  • Automated Transcription Editing
  • Meeting Room Booking
  • Virtual Reality Integration
  • Advanced Collaboration Tools
  • Dynamic Content Sharing
  • Smart Meeting Reminders
  • Automated Attendance Tracking
  • Customizable User Profiles
  • Integrated Help Desk
  • Advanced Network Diagnostics

Strengths & Limitations

Evaluative strengths and weaknesses: not feature lists

Pros
  • +Floating video bubbles don't obscure your screen
  • +AI-powered noise cancellation (EchoTerminator)
  • +Auto-zoom and framing keeps faces centered
  • +Minimalist UI designed for collaboration, not just calls
  • +Lightweight CPU usage compared to competitors
Cons
  • Discontinued as a standalone product after Miro acquisition
  • Core features are now integrated into Miro's platform
  • No longer receiving dedicated updates or support
  • Limited functionality outside of the Miro ecosystem
  • Cannot be downloaded or used independently anymore
Pros
  • +End-to-end encryption by default, even on the free plan
  • +Advanced AI noise removal and voice optimization features
  • +Seamless integration with Cisco hardware (desk devices, room systems)
  • +Real-time translation into 100+ languages on paid plans
  • +Comprehensive suite includes calling, messaging, and polling
Cons
  • The user interface can feel cluttered and less intuitive than competitors
  • Resource-heavy desktop application can slow down older computers
  • Free plan has a restrictive 40-minute meeting limit
  • Mobile app functionality is less robust than the desktop version
  • Navigating the extensive settings and admin controls has a steep learning curve

At a Glance

User Rating
4.4/5vs4.3/5
Around
Webex by Cisco
Starting Price
Free tiervs$14.50/mo
Around
Webex by Cisco
Feature Count
15 featuresvs36 features
Around
Webex by Cisco
User Base
80.0Mvs70.0M
Around
Webex by Cisco

Oleh KemOleh KemFounder & Lead AnalystExpert verified·Updated 6 days ago·Our methodology
Around · Price & Data SyncLast verified: May 21, 2026 · CE-PRICING-2026W21-EDCA28 · ✓ Pricing updated May 21, 2026
Up to date
Webex by Cisco · Price & Data SyncLast verified: May 28, 2026 · CE-VIDEO-2026W21-C14559 · ✓ Pricing updated May 28, 2026
Up to date

Recent Price History

Webex by Cisco

Webex by Cisco added a new "Webex Meet" plan at $14.5/user/mo

Plan added · May 28, 2026

Webex by Cisco

Webex by Cisco removed the "Suite" plan

Plan removed · May 28, 2026

Webex by Cisco

Webex by Cisco added a new "Webex Suite: Meet + Call" plan at $25/user/mo

Plan added · May 28, 2026

Webex by Cisco

Webex by Cisco added a new "Webex Calling Integration" plan (Custom pricing)

Plan added · May 28, 2026

Webex by Cisco

Webex by Cisco added a new "Workforce Optimization" plan (Custom pricing)

Plan added · May 28, 2026

Around

Plan added · May 21, 2026

Around

Plan removed · May 21, 2026


Frequently Asked Questions


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