Gather

gather.town
Team Collaboration
Weekend Project

Spatial video chat for remote teams

How to Replace Gather

Overview

Gather is a virtual office platform that combines video chat with spatial interactions, allowing remote teams to collaborate as if they were in the same physical space. Users can move avatars around a custom-designed space and have conversations with nearby participants.

Features

40 features across 16 categories

Access Control(1)

Guest Access

Invite external participants without requiring them to create accounts.

Also in: Kubernetes Dashboard, Lacework, LastPass

Accessibility(2)

Accessibility Features

Support for screen readers, keyboard navigation, and closed captions.

Mobile Support

Access Gather via mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

Also in: Justinmind, Justworks, Notion

Administration(2)

Capacity ManagementPremium

Set maximum participant limits and manage overflow queues.

Moderation ToolsPremium

Manage participants, mute audio, and enforce space rules.

Also in: Notion, Airtable, Smartsheet

Analytics(1)

Analytics DashboardPremium

Track space usage, participant engagement, and session metrics.

Also in: Hugging Face, Notion, Smartsheet

Awareness(3)

Activity Feed

View recent actions and updates from your spaces and colleagues.

Crowd AwarenessAI

Visual representation of crowded areas within spaces.

Presence Indicators

See real-time status of who is online and their location in spaces.

Collaboration(3)

Persistent Spaces

Spaces remain available 24/7 for asynchronous collaboration.

Screen Sharing

Share screens with spatial awareness, allowing multiple simultaneous shares.

Whiteboards

Built-in whiteboarding tools for real-time brainstorming and ideation.

Also in: Notion, Airtable, Obsidian

Communication(3)

Chat

Text messaging alongside video communication for seamless conversation.

Spatial Audio

Audio volume adjusts based on avatar distance, creating natural conversation dynamics.

Video Chat

High-quality peer-to-peer video communication with up to 100 concurrent participants.

Also in: Jobber, Jira, Insightly

Customization(6)

Avatar Customization

Personalize avatars with custom designs, skins, and accessories.

Custom AudioPremium

Upload and control audio effects and ambience in spaces.

Custom BrandingPremium

Add logos and custom themes to personalize spaces.

Custom Map Builder

Design personalized office layouts with drag-and-drop tools and pre-built templates.

Map ImportPremium

Import custom maps and designs from external design tools.

Room Templates

Pre-designed spaces for offices, conference halls, and social events.

Also in: monday.com, Obsidian, Smartsheet

Documentation(3)

Photo Mode

Capture high-quality snapshots of spaces and participants.

RecordingPremium

Record meetings and spaces for asynchronous viewing and archival.

Session HistoryPremium

Access logs of past sessions with participant data and timestamps.

Engagement(5)

Emotes and Reactions

Express yourself with pre-set animations and emoji reactions.

Forest

Built-in social space with games and relaxation areas.

Interactive ObjectsPremium

Create clickable objects and mini-games within spaces for engagement.

JukeboxPremium

Play background music in spaces with synchronized audio for all participants.

Networking FeaturesAIPremium

Facilitate connections with profile cards and interest-based matching.

Integration(1)

API AccessPremium

Programmatic control for custom integrations and automation.

Navigation(1)

Teleportation

Instantly move between different spaces without traversing the map.

Organization(3)

Event RegistrationPremium

Built-in registration system for managing attendees and capacity.

Room Scheduling

Schedule recurring or one-time gatherings with automatic reminders.

Rooms within RoomsPremium

Create nested spaces for hierarchical organization.

Performance(2)

Bandwidth Optimization

Adaptive quality based on network conditions for smooth performance.

Video Quality Settings

Adjust resolution and frame rates based on preferences and bandwidth.

Presentation(1)

Spotlight ModePremium

Highlight specific speakers or content for focused attention.

Security(3)

GDPR CompliancePremium

Data protection and privacy controls for regulated environments.

Private SpacesPremium

Create password-protected or restricted-access rooms for sensitive conversations.

SSO IntegrationPremium

Single sign-on via SAML/OIDC for enterprise authentication.

Pricing

Free

Free
  • Basic virtual office

Starter

$8/mo
  • Small teams

Professional

Popular
$15/mo
  • Growing teams

Business

$48/mo
  • Large organizations

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Gather

Monthly$8/mo
Yearly$96/yr
5-Year Total$480

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~3 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyVery Easy

Total Cost Comparison

1 Year
SaaS
$96
DIY
$240
3 Years
SaaS
$288
DIY
$720
5 Years
SaaS
$480
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 40 features at very easy complexity.

Build vs Buy

Should you build a Gather alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 40 features.

Buy Gather

Better Value
Monthly cost$80/mo
3-year total$2,880
Time to deployDays

Build Your Own

Development cost$24,000
Maintenance$360/mo
3-year total$36,960
Dev time~2 months

Buying Gather saves ~$34,080 over 3 years vs building.

Estimates based on 40 features and a BuildScore of 5/5. Actual costs vary.

Integrations

28 known integrations