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Communication

Around vs Rocket.Chat: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of Around and Rocket.Chat. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Around starts at Custom pricing and Rocket.Chat starts at Custom pricing. Compare all 4 pricing tiers side by side.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026

Around vs Rocket.Chat: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureAroundRocket.Chat
Starting PriceCustom pricingCustom pricing
Number of Plans13
Free TierNoYes
Pricing Modelfreemiumopen-source
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Around and Rocket.Chat are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible Communication tools. Together they offer 4 pricing plans with 21 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.

Rocket.Chat stands out with a free plan for getting started. Around uses freemium pricing while Rocket.Chat uses open-source pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.

Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Communication needs.

Pricing Plans
Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat
Try it free
Tier 1
Discontinued
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Video meetings app
  • Domain no longer resolves
Start with Discontinued
Starter
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Deployment & operational control
  • Secure messaging essentials
  • Real-time communications
  • Identity access management
  • Extensibility & customization
  • Mobility and endpoint access
  • Federated communications
  • Peer-to-peer community assistance
Start with Starter
Tier 2
Pro
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Deployment flexibility and scaling
  • Advanced customizations
  • Standard operational support
Start with Pro
Tier 3
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Mission-critical scalability and resilience
  • Real-time communications
  • Advanced identity and access controls
  • Audit and information governance
  • Zero trust security
  • Sovereign AI
  • Cross-agency collaboration
  • Operational continuity and support
Start with Enterprise

Swipe to compare plans →

Around

Lightweight video calling designed for remote collaboration

View all Around plans

Rocket.Chat

Open-source team communication platform you can self-host

View all Rocket.Chat plans
Our Pick

Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat offers a free plan, offers 3 tiers vs 1.

Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.

Best value: Rocket.Chat

Try Rocket.Chat free

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Around if:

  • You prioritize Around's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
  • You want Around's approach to incremental feature unlocking across its 1 pricing tier
  • You value Around's specific feature progression from free to advanced tier levels

Choose Rocket.Chat if:

  • You need a free plan with Deployment & operational control, Secure messaging essentials—Rocket.Chat offers no-cost access with no credit card required
  • You need 3 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
  • You want more features built-in—Rocket.Chat offers 17 additional features across its plans

Rocket.Chat offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Around requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Rocket.Chat a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Rocket.Chat's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately Custom pricing provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against Around's tiering starting at Custom pricing to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Rocket.Chat's 3 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Around's 1 tier structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, Rocket.Chat is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Around vs Rocket.Chat

How many pricing plans does Around have vs Rocket.Chat?
Around offers 1 pricing plan, while Rocket.Chat offers 3 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Around or Rocket.Chat offer a free plan?
Rocket.Chat offers a free plan, while Around does not. If budget is a concern, Rocket.Chat lets you get started at no cost.
Does Around or Rocket.Chat offer custom enterprise pricing?
Yes, both Around and Rocket.Chat offer custom enterprise pricing tiers with quote-based pricing. Contact each vendor for a tailored quote.
What pricing models do Around and Rocket.Chat use?
Around uses a freemium pricing model, while Rocket.Chat uses open-source pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do Around and Rocket.Chat compare for Communication?
Both Around and Rocket.Chat are Communication tools. Around offers 1 plan starting at Custom pricing, while Rocket.Chat offers 3 plans starting at Custom pricing. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Communication needs.

Sources

  1. Around Official PricingVendor pricing page
  2. Rocket.Chat Official PricingVendor pricing page

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