Why Remote Teams Are Switching from Gather Town to SoWork

What once felt like a delightful alternative to Zoom fatigue has, for many teams, become an outdated tool for modern remote work.

Gather Town emerged at a time when charm and novelty mattered more than structure. Its pixel-art environments and spatial audio gave teams a reason to smile during long lockdowns. But as remote work matured, expectations shifted.

Now, an increasing number of remote-first organizations are moving beyond nostalgia. They’re switching to SoWork — a platform built not for momentary delight, but for sustainable, asynchronous collaboration.

In this article, we’ll explore why teams are leaving Gather behind and choosing SoWork as the foundation for their long-term virtual headquarters.

🔍 Quick Comparison: Gather Town vs SoWork

🎮 From Novelty to Necessity: Gather’s Appeal — and Its Limits

There’s no denying that Gather struck a chord. In its early days, it offered a welcome reprieve from back-to-back video calls. Teams could wander between rooms, play games, and “bump into” each other — all within a charming, video game-like setting.

However, the same design that made it whimsical also made it impractical. As teams settled into long-term remote operations, they realized that looking like a game didn’t make it function like an office.

“We onboarded into Gather in our first remote quarter. It felt exciting — until we needed it to support actual workflows.”
— Remote Operations Manager, Fintech Startup

Gather simply wasn’t built to scale with the evolving demands of distributed work.

A Different Philosophy: SoWork Builds Habits, Not Just Hype

Where Gather prioritizes serendipity, SoWork prioritizes rhythm.

Rather than relying on users to figure out how and when to engage, SoWork guides teams through built-in rituals that mirror the cadence of real offices — without the overhead of being constantly online.

Within SoWork, teams can:

• Host scheduled and async standups
• Block off deep work time — individually or as a group
• Share video recordings
• Leave presence cues with ghost mode
• Surface Slack messages and meeting content directly in the space
• Automate meeting summaries and integrate and connect with Zapier and email

These aren’t surface-level features — they’re the scaffolding for long-term team cohesion.

“We needed more than just a digital hangout. SoWork gave us a virtual HQ that actually supported how we worked — not how we wished we worked.”
— Product Lead, Global Marketing Agency

Sustained Use vs. Short-Term Excitement

For many teams, Gather provides an engaging entry point into the world of virtual collaboration. But over time, its utility diminishes. There’s a reason for that: Gather was not designed to drive long-term behavior.

Its lack of daily structure, async tools, and integrated workflows leaves teams unsure of how to consistently show up. Without nudges or rituals built into the platform, usage becomes sporadic — and eventually fades entirely.

SoWork avoids this pitfall by embedding behavioral design into the platform’s core.

Teams don’t have to create engagement strategies from scratch. Instead, SoWork automates and encourages consistent habits through:

• Calendar-integrated standups and check-ins
• Repeatable work blocks that foster alignment
• Ambient presence tools (like ghost mode) to reduce video fatigue
• Async communication features that reduce meeting overhead
• A layout that mirrors real office dynamics without the pressure to perform

These tools aren't just conveniences. They're intentional mechanisms that encourage long-term engagement without forcing synchronous interaction.

“With Gather, we were constantly debating when to log in. With SoWork, we show up because it’s where the work happens.”
— Chief of Staff, Remote Design Agency

Real Collaboration Isn’t Always Real-Time

One of the defining shifts in modern remote work is the move away from synchronous-first communication.

Gather relies on real-time presence. It has chat and a mobile app, but async communication is limited — if someone’s offline, it’s hard to leave updates or keep work moving.

SoWork acknowledges the reality of distributed workforces. It enables teams to stay connected without requiring constant presence.

Key async tools include:

• Async audio messages: Share updates without coordinating schedules
• Status indicators: Communicate availability or mood nonverbally
• Ghost mode: Let others know you’re around and focus on deep work — without engaging directly
• Flexible check-in flows: Allow updates to be left and reviewed on your own time

These features empower global teams to communicate meaningfully, regardless of location, time zone, or preferred work rhythm.

“We operate across five time zones. Gather became a blocker. SoWork gave us async tools that made time zone friction disappear.”
— Director of Engineering, Remote Infrastructure Team

Connecting the Dots with Deep Integrations

For remote teams, tool fragmentation can kill momentum. Jumping between a virtual office, calendar, Slack, and docs creates friction — especially when none of it feels unified.

Gather provides a charming interface, but it largely exists in isolation. Limited integrations mean that most of the day’s real work happens elsewhere, breaking the illusion of a true virtual office.

SoWork, by contrast, embeds productivity into the environment itself.

The platform allows users to:

• Access Google or Outlook Calendars directly inside the office
• Receive Slack alerts and messages in context
• Automate meeting notes and embed summaries into the workspace
• Create productivity overlays — like timers, task boards, or shared note views

This means your team isn’t constantly switching tabs or context — they’re operating in one cohesive environment.

“SoWork became our team’s dashboard. It’s not just where we talk — it’s where we work.”
— Operations Manager, Remote SaaS Startup

A Changing Landscape: From Fun to Functional

Gather was tailor-made for a moment in time — one defined by urgent transition and collective Zoom fatigue. It delivered joy, levity, and novelty during an otherwise difficult chapter of remote adaptation.

But today’s remote teams face a different set of challenges.

They aren’t seeking playful distractions. They’re searching for structure, continuity, and communication systems that flex across time zones, work styles, and growth cycles. As a result, the industry is seeing a clear migration — away from recreation-first platforms like Gather, and toward workflow-centric environments like SoWork.

The reason is simple: engagement without utility is temporary. Real collaboration must be intentional, repeatable, and adaptive.

SoWork’s appeal lies not in replacing the office’s aesthetic, but in reimagining its function — transforming it into a digital headquarters where rituals, presence, and productivity converge.

What Teams Are Saying About the Switch

"Running a virtual company is hard. This solved 98% of my pain points."
— CEO, Greg C.

"Great product with great customer service."
— Customer Support Representative, Katie L.

"Immediate Productivity Results and Workplace Happiness"
— Chief Technology Officer**, Jt G.**

These aren’t isolated opinions. They reflect a broader trend: companies want remote tools that support sustainable culture — not just digital charm.

SoWork or Gather? Choosing What Your Team Needs Most

Make the Switch — with Support

SoWork isn’t trying to replace Gather’s vibe. It’s building what remote teams actually need next: deep focus, flexible collaboration, and a digital home that doesn’t fall apart after onboarding.

👉 Try an Office for Free — and build a space where your team wants to work, every day.

FAQ: Switching from Gather to SoWork

Can I import my Gather Town office into SoWork?

Direct imports aren’t available, but our onboarding team will help you rebuild your office — often improving it in the process.

Does SoWork work in a browser, or do I need to download something?

You can use SoWork in-browser, with the option to download the desktop app for improved performance and video quality.

Is it really free to try?

Yes — there’s no commitment to explore the platform. And when you switch from Gather, you’ll receive 50% off for your first 2 months.

Will my team miss the fun of Gather?

Not likely. SoWork supports social moments, spontaneous chats, and games — but within a workspace that also supports meaningful, focused collaboration.