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Software · head to head

Gather vs LIFX

Gather logo

Gather

Software

Virtual spaces for remote collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LIFX logo

LIFX

Software

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Gather has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Gather no native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only; LIFX the Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.
  • They diverge on capability: Gather covers Proximity video chat, LIFX covers No Hub Required.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gather and LIFX actually diverge.

Attributes where Gather and LIFX differ
AttributeGatherLIFX
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebIOS, Android, Windows, MacOS
Founded20202012

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Gather

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

Only in LIFX

  • No Hub Required
  • 16 Million Colors
  • WiFi Direct
  • High Brightness
  • HomeKit
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings

What people use each for

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

Gather

  • VR Gamingnot LIFX
  • AR Marketingnot LIFX
  • Virtual Trainingnot LIFX
  • 3D Visualizationnot LIFX
  • Immersive Experiencesnot LIFX

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot Gather
  • Gaming setupnot Gather
  • Photography lightingnot Gather
  • Smart homenot Gather

Where each one falls short

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

Gather

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

LIFX

  • The Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

LIFX

On request
  • LIFX Bulb$40/month
    • 16M colors
    • WiFi direct
    • No hub required

Which should you pick?

Choose Gather if

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

Choose LIFX if

  • You need no hub required.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 16 million colors.
LIFX review

Questions people ask

Is Gather or LIFX better?
Neither clearly leads. Gather starts at Free and LIFX at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gather or LIFX?
Gather has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Gather and On request for LIFX.
Does Gather or LIFX run on more platforms?
Gather runs on Web. LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
Can I use Gather for free?
Yes. Gather has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LIFX starts at On request.
What is Gather best used for?
Gather is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what LIFX is typically brought in for.
What can Gather do that LIFX cannot?
Gather covers Proximity video chat, Customizable spaces, Interactive objects, Screen sharing. LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness.

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
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