Gather vs SoWork: Virtual Office Comparison (2026)

Worth knowing: SoWork is in active development, with new updates shipping daily. However, as per their CEO, Gather has gone into maintenance mode, and functionality will not meaningfully improve.

1. TLDR verdict

For teams seeking an AI‑driven virtual office with flexible immersive graphics, integrated chat/meetings and built‑in analytics, SoWork is the better choice. It offers a 2.5D world that can be switched to a Simplified Mode for teams preferring a traditional interface. SoWork’s AI captures meeting notes and action items automatically, and its pricing scales for teams of all sizes with volume discounts. When Gather is a fit: if you want a single plan with up to 100 members, a straightforward web‑based workspace and minimal configuration.

2. Fast comparison

SoWork is best for

• Teams needing spatial video calls, instant text chats and integrated AI‑meeting summaries.

• Leaders who require detailed team analytics to monitor participation and productivity.

• Companies wanting to switch between an immersive 2.5D view and a Simplified Mode.

• Teams valuing customizable environments inspired by The Sims.

• Organizations seeking integrations via Zapier, Slack, Miro, GitHub, Google & Outlook Calendar and more.

• Large teams expecting volume discounts when scaling beyond 100 users.

Gather is best for

• People who are happy with the current Gather functionality, as the product is now in 'Maintenance Mode' and will not receive meaningful updates (as per their CEO, publicly).

• Smaller teams (up to ~100 members) that prefer a single plan with unlimited meetings, chat and basic recording/transcription quotas.

• Teams wanting a “drop in” workspace focused on social interaction and quick conversations.

• Users who value built‑in fun elements like go‑karts, interactive gongs and simplified & immersive views.

3. Feature comparison table

4. Perks

SoWork perks

• Free migration from other virtual offices – SoWork rebuilds your map for Premium teams over 30 users.

• Free logo on avatar apparel (hoodies, hats, T‑shirts) for Premium teams over 30 users.

• Volume discounts for 100+ users.

Gather perks

• Free 30‑day trial with up to 50 members and limited recording/transcription hours.

• No other perks are stated publicly.

5. Definitions

• Active member vs seat – An active member is a user currently logged into the platform; a seat is a licensed slot that may or may not be active at any given time.

• AI meeting notes – SoWork and Gather both create transcripts of meetings, summarizes decisions, and creates action items. SoWork's is unlimited. Gather's is limited.

• SSO vs SCIM – SSO (single sign‑on) allows users to log in with a single identity provider; SCIM automates user provisioning. Both are Enterprise features in SoWork; Gather’s availability is not publicly stated.

6. Pricing + price math

Below is a sample calculation for 10, 25 and 50 users, assuming all seats are active. SoWork’s Basic tier is priced at $6 per user per month or $5.40 per user per month billed annually (10% discount), while its Premium tier costs $15 per user per month or $12 per user per month when billed annually (roughly a 20 % discount). Gather’s Essential plan is $15 per user per month with a 20 % discount when billed annually (≈$12 per user per month).

100‑user list price note: Both companies scale pricing for 100+ users, but you have to contact them to get pricing quotes.

7. UI / UX

• Onboarding flow – Each of SoWork and Gather offer smooth and simple onboarding flows, with free trials.

• Navigation clarity – SoWork’s immersive 2.5D interface includes avatars and rooms; the Simplified Mode simplifies navigation for first‑time users. Gather has a Simple Mode as well, but a flatter 2D look in their immersive mode.

• Time to start a meeting – In both SoWork and Gather, walk up to a colleague’s avatar or click their name to start a video call.

• Admin clarity – SoWork’s Enterprise tier includes role‑based admin controls and SSO/SCIM; roles are clearly defined for admin, member and guest. Gather also allows admins to set user roles (Admin, Member, Guest).

8. Artistic direction

• SoWork – Offers a 2.5D isometric world with a Sims × Animal Crossing aesthetic and vibrant, customizable environments. Users can decorate offices, place furniture and design custom maps. The Simplified Mode presents a cleaner, non‑world interface.

• Gather – Presents a flat, map‑based workspace. Avatars resemble pixel‑style characters; the atmosphere emphasizes fun and social interactions with objects like go‑karts, gongs and interactive elements. It offers simplified and immersive views but lacks 2.5D depth.

9. Ease of use

Simplified Mode is an important ease of use functionality: users can start with the simplified interface and later graduate to the immersive world. SoWork also minimizes friction by integrating chat, meetings and AI notes into one application; there is no need to juggle multiple tools. Gather reduces scheduling friction by enabling quick drop‑in conversations and offers a simplified view, but its plan caps meeting recordings and transcriptions. Friction points like high video loads are mitigated in SoWork by switching to Simplified Mode, which lowers CPU/GPU demand. Both platforms require stable internet connections; SoWork’s 2.5D view may be heavier but the Lite Mode (Simplified Mode) compensates.

10. Ease of doing business with

Pricing clarity – SoWork clearly lists Basic ($6 per user per month across monthly and annual billing) and Premium ($15 per user per month, or $12 per user per month when billed annually). Gather offers a single Essential plan at $15 per user per month, with a 20 % discount for annual billing (reducing the monthly equivalent to $12 per user).

• Procurement readiness – SoWork offers self‑serve signup and free migration; volume discounts require contacting sales. Gather offers a 30‑day free trial and contact‑sales for custom plans beyond the Essential tier.

• Admin controls – SoWork provides detailed admin roles, SSO/SCIM and analytics; Gather offers role assignment but lacks publicly stated SSO/SCIM for Essential.

• Security & compliance – Both vendors have data encryption; SoWork’s Enterprise includes SOC 2 compliance, while Gather’s security page is limited – verify during trial.

11. Customer support / service

• SoWork – Premium plan includes priority live support. Support channels include chat and email, with direct access to the founding team (as stated in SoWork marketing).

• Gather – Customer support details are not fully disclosed for the Essential plan; the company emphasizes a community and self‑service resources. Contact sales for SLA and response times.

• Verify during trial – Feel free to test live response times via chat or email.

12. CPU/GPU performance and battery

SoWork’s immersive 2.5D world uses more GPU/CPU resources than a flat UI, but is still ultra lightweight. Switching to Simplified Mode further reduces the load. Gather’s flat, 2D environment is somewhat lightweight. Neither company publishes exact performance numbers, so test on your hardware. For longer battery life on laptops, choose Simplified Mode.

13. Future direction

Gather is no longer meaningfully developing their virtual office software, and is actively sunsetting parts of their application (e.g. their Gather AI feature). What you see is substantially what you get, and it will not meaningfully improve - according to public statements made directly by their CEO.

In contrast, public signals show SoWork investing heavily in AI functionality (meeting summaries, action items, team analytics). The product roadmap emphasizes deeper integrations and analytics, suggesting a focus on productivity and organizational insights. Teams prioritizing work‑grade AI and analytics may prefer SoWork’s direction.