Softwr

AR VR · head to head

AltspaceVR vs Gather

AltspaceVR logo

AltspaceVR

AR VR

Social VR platform for events and meetups

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Gather logo

Gather

Remote Work

Virtual spaces for remote collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AltspaceVR shut down permanently on 10 March 2023. Microsoft closed it to concentrate on Microsoft Mesh, and altvr.com now redirects to microsoft.com; Gather no native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only
  • They diverge on capability: AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, Gather covers Proximity video chat.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AltspaceVR and Gather actually diverge.

Attributes where AltspaceVR and Gather differ
AttributeAltspaceVRGather
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsVr, Pc, QuestWeb
CategoryAR VRRemote Work
Founded19752020

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AltspaceVR

  • Event hosting
  • World building
  • Avatar system
  • Spatial audio
  • Microsoft accounts
  • Streaming
  • Custom content
  • Vr support

Only in Gather

  • Proximity video chat
  • Customizable spaces
  • Interactive objects
  • Screen sharing
  • Calendar
  • Slack
  • Google Workspace
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AltspaceVR

  • VR Gaming
  • AR Marketing
  • Virtual Training
  • 3D Visualization
  • Immersive Experiences

Gather

  • VR Gaming
  • AR Marketing
  • Virtual Training
  • 3D Visualization
  • Immersive Experiences

Both are used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization, immersive experiences, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AltspaceVR

  • Shut down permanently on 10 March 2023. Microsoft closed it to concentrate on Microsoft Mesh, and altvr.com now redirects to microsoft.com
  • Microsoft acquired it in 2017 and the closure came alongside wider cuts, so there is no path back
  • Mesh is aimed at business use rather than the consumer social VR AltspaceVR offered

Gather

  • No native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only
  • Limited API documentation compared to enterprise competitors
  • Scaling large virtual offices can impact performance

Pricing, plan by plan

AltspaceVR

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Event hosting
    • World creation
    • Social features

Gather

Free
  • 30-Day TrialFree
    • Up to 50 team members
    • All features included
    • Meetings and chat
  • Essential$12/month
    • All features
    • Meeting recordings starting at 20 hours
    • Meeting transcriptions starting at 30 hours

Which should you pick?

Choose AltspaceVR if

  • You need event hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Vr, Pc, Quest.
  • You also want world building.
AltspaceVR review

Choose Gather if

  • You need proximity video chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want customizable spaces.
Gather review

Questions people ask

Is AltspaceVR or Gather better?
Neither clearly leads. AltspaceVR starts at Free and Gather at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AltspaceVR or Gather?
AltspaceVR starts at Free and Gather at Free.
Does AltspaceVR or Gather run on more platforms?
AltspaceVR runs on Vr, Pc, Quest. Gather runs on Web.
Can I use AltspaceVR for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AltspaceVR best used for?
AltspaceVR is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
What can AltspaceVR do that Gather cannot?
AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, World building, Avatar system, Spatial audio. Gather covers Proximity video chat, Customizable spaces, Interactive objects, Screen sharing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Gather: What is a free trial of Gather like?

Gather offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required that includes up to 50 team members and access to all features including meetings, chat, AI meeting notes, and full office customization.

Source
Gather: How does Gather reduce meeting load?

Gather recreates natural office dynamics through spatial audio and proximity-based interactions, allowing colleagues to bump into each other and have quick conversations without scheduled calls. Teams report shorter, more organic conversations that wrap up in under 10 minutes.

Source
Gather: What platforms and devices does Gather support?

Gather works on web browsers and integrates with Slack and Google Chat. The platform supports audio/video calls, screen sharing, and custom workspace design.

Source
Gather: Does Gather work offline?

Gather is a web-based platform that requires an internet connection to function, though it emphasizes quick connection and low bandwidth requirements compared to traditional video conferencing.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on AltspaceVR

More on Gather

Keep looking

Other head to heads