Updated Apr 2026 · Comparison
Gather and SoWork both pioneered the virtual office space. Today they're built for different teams. Here's an honest, side-by-side look, so you can pick the one that fits where you're going.
Worth knowing before you choose
Per Gather's CEO, Gather is in maintenance mode. Bug fixes only, no new feature development, with parts of the product (like Gather AI) being wound down. SoWork is in active development, shipping new features daily.
The 30-second verdict
Both are solid products. SoWork pulls ahead on AI, customization, scale and roadmap velocity. Here's the quick read on which one fits which team.
Pick SoWork if
Most teams
You want unlimited AI meeting summaries, transcripts, and action items.
You want to toggle between an immersive 2.5D world and a Simplified Mode for focus days.
You need deep integrations: Zapier, Slack, Miro, GitHub, Google & Outlook Calendar.
You're scaling past 100 people and want volume pricing.
Basic starts at $5.40/user.
You want a tool that's still being actively built.
SoWork ships updates daily.
Gather might fit if
Niche cases
You have a small team (≤100) and want a single web-based plan with minimal config.
You're happy with a basic monthly AI quota rather than unlimited.
You prefer a flat 2D grid and don't need native mobile or desktop apps.
You don't need a steady stream of new features rolling in.
Feature-by-feature
The full breakdown.
No marketing fluff.
Every line is sourced from public docs and our own product. Hover any row for the longer answer.
Feature
SoWork
Gather
AI meeting outputs
Recordings, summaries, transcripts
Unlimited
No caps on recordings, summaries, or transcripts.
Capped
20–30 hours/month limit on transcriptions and notes.
Simplified Mode
For focus days & lower-spec hardware
Yes
One-click toggle between immersive 2.5D and Simplified UI.
Partial
Simplified view + Mini mode — but no 2.5D world.
Max active members
Per floor, simultaneous
200/floor
Up to 200 in-office at once. Unlimited floors.
Lower
Capacity is lower than SoWork; exact figure not published.
Integrations
Workflows that already exist
10+
Zapier, Slack, Miro, GitHub, Google & Outlook Calendar, more.
3
Google Calendar, GitHub, Spotify.
Customization
Build a space that feels yours
Custom maps
Custom maps, furniture, decor. Free map migration for Premium teams >30.
Templates
Quick-start templates and fun objects (go-karts).
Mobile + desktop apps
Work from anywhere
Native apps
iOS, Android, macOS, Windows. Real apps, real notifications.
Web only
Browser-based. Mini mode in menu bar.
SSO & SCIM
For org-grade security
Enterprise
Available on Enterprise plan.
Enterprise
Not on Essential; advanced permissions on Enterprise.
Roadmap velocity
Where the product is heading
Daily ships
AI summaries, action items, analytics - actively expanding.
Maintenance
Per CEO statements: maintenance mode. Gather AI being sunset.
AI that actually works
Every meeting, summarized.
Every commitment, captured.
Gather caps you at 20–30 hours of AI per month, and is sunsetting the feature. SoWork's AI runs on every meeting, with no quota. It writes the notes, surfaces the action items, and quietly gets out of your way.
Unlimited recordings, transcripts and summaries
Action items auto-assigned to attendees
Searchable across every meeting your team has had
Detailed team analytics for leaders
Plug in your team size.
See what each costs.
Why teams switch
01
AI on every meeting
Unlimited summaries, transcripts and action items, with no monthly cap to worry about.
02
An office, not a grid
Customizable 2.5D worlds inspired by The Sims. Place desks, decorate rooms, build culture in pixels.
03
Native apps everywhere
iOS, Android, macOS and Windows. Real apps with real notifications, not just a browser tab.
04
Integrations for your stack
Zapier, Slack, Miro, GitHub, Google +Outlook Calendar, The workflows your team already lives in.
05
Volume pricing that scales
Basic starts at $5.40/user/month billed annually. Premium matches Gather's rate but adds AI and analytics.
06
A roadmap that's still moving
SoWork ships product updates daily. New AI, new integrations, new features, every week.
Common questions
Everything teams ask before switching.
Is SoWork really cheaper than Gather?
Which product is more actively developed?
Can SoWork replace our chat and meeting tools?
Does SoWork work on slower computers?
What about teams over 100 people?
How customizable are SoWork offices?
How long does migration from Gather take?
Does SoWork support SSO and SCIM?
