Real performance data from 10 virtual office platforms.
We tested CPU usage, audio quality, and the metrics that actually matter. Here's objective data from 2-hour sessions with 10 participants—everything you need to choose the right platform.
Methodology
Real hardware, real meetings, measured results.
Our Experience
5 years of experience building virtual spaces use it for work daily. Worked with 10k users, onboarded and supporting them.
Testing Machine
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 with identical setup across all platforms.
CPU: Ryzen 7 4800H • RAM: 16GB • GPU: RTX 3050
Limitations
We build Cosmos—bias exists, but we share raw numbers for transparency.
Call Quality
Core calling experience: audio, camera quality, and screenshare
Audio Quality
96kbps vs 24kbps = 4x clearer speech, less fatigue
Higher bitrate (96kbps vs 24kbps) = less compression = clearer audio with preserved nuances. This gives noise cancellation better input, reduces muffling, and maintains natural emotion/tone. Crucial for long sessions (2+ hours) to prevent fatigue and for international teams where compression artifacts obscure accents.
Camera Resolution
720p vs 360p = facial expressions vs pixelated blurs
HD video captures facial expressions and non-verbal cues essential for team bonding. SD creates pixelated blurs that miss micro-expressions. Higher resolution reduces meeting fatigue by making communication feel more natural and human.
Screen Share Resolution Quality
2880x1620 vs 2560x1440 = ultra-sharp text vs standard clarity
Most platforms deliver 2880x1620 resolution for ultra-sharp text and presentations. 2560x1440 provides good quality with slightly less detail. Higher resolution eliminates pixelation, making small text perfectly readable and reducing eye strain during long sessions.
Screen Share FPS & Adaptive Modes
upto 30fps vs upto 5fps = smooth presentations vs choppy slideshows
Cosmos adapts to your connection (up to 30fps), Kumospace caps at 15fps. Other platforms offer fixed rates: SoWork/Teemyco/WorkAdventure at 30fps, Gather at 10fps, Today.ly at 5fps. Adaptive screenshare ensures optimal experience regardless of network conditions, while low fixed FPS creates choppy experiences.
Crystal Clear Communication Matters
96kbps audio + 1280x720 video + 30fps screenshare = natural conversations without fatigue
Meeting Fatigue
Less brain effort to decode compressed audio = less exhaustion after 2+ hour sessions
Global Teams
Compression artifacts make accents harder to understand. Clear audio removes barriers
Creative Work
Design reviews need smooth 30fps screenshare. Code reviews need sharp 1440p text
Network Adaptation
SVC codec adjusts to network conditions in real-time. VP8/H.264 can't adapt
Experience Crystal Clear Communication
Join 500+ teams who chose 96kbps audio + 1280x720 video over compressed alternatives. Try Cosmos free for 14 days - no credit card required.
14-day free trial • No credit card required • Setup in 5 minutes14-day trial • No credit card • 5 min setup
System Performance
CPU usage varied by 2x, GPU by 18x, and RAM by 3x across platforms.
CPU Usage
12.4% vs 40% = 3x lower resource consumption, cooler laptop
Lower CPU = longer battery life + cooler operation + quieter fans. Each 10% CPU increase can reduce battery by ~20–30 minutes. Essential for all‑day remote teams who can't constantly charge.
GPU Usage
1% vs 18% = works on basic laptops, no discrete GPU needed
Minimal GPU load means excellent performance on integrated graphics (Intel/AMD). 18x less graphics processing than competitors; no dedicated GPU required. VP9 with SVC keeps video efficient.
RAM Usage
750MB vs 1.3GB = browser stays responsive with 20+ tabs
Efficient RAM use prevents crashes during important calls and leaves headroom for Slack, Notion, and design tools. 750MB vs 1,362MB is ~45% less memory. Works smoothly on 8GB laptops; many competitors feel heavy on 16GB.
Performance Efficiency Matters for All‑Day Teams
12.4% CPU + 1% GPU + 750MB RAM = cool, quiet, responsive laptops
Battery Life Impact
3x lower CPU usage = 3–4 hours more meeting time.
Hardware Compatibility
Runs smoothly on 2019+ integrated‑graphics laptops; no discrete GPU required.
VP9 with SVC Technology
Adapts to device and network in real‑time; far more efficient than static VP8/H.264.
Multitasking Performance
Low footprint keeps Slack, docs, and design tools responsive during calls.
Virtual HQ Cost Calculator
💡 Cosmos charges for concurrent users online. Others charge per registered member.
Complete Pricing Details for 25 Users
Monthly pricing • Compare all platforms
| Platform | Free TierFree | Monthly PricePrice Space/Member | vs Cosmos |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 4 online users (space capacity) | $9 per space | Base |
 | 12 users | $5 per member | 0.6x |
 | 4 users | Flat Rate Tiers ≤10 users: $588/year ≤50 users: $1,188/year Unlimited: $4,788/year | 0.3x |
 | 10 users | $6 per member | 0.7x |
 | 10 users | $7 per member | 0.8x |
 | None | $8 per member | 0.9x |
| 30-day trial only | $15 per member | 2x |
 | 10 users | $15 per member | 2x |
 | 15 users | $15 per member | 2x |
 | None | $20 per member | 2x |
 | 5 members + 50 guests | $20 per member | 2x |
↔ Scroll horizontally to see all columns
How Pricing Models Impact Different Organizations
The Industry Standard: Member-Based Pricing
Used by 8 of 10 platforms
The Alternative: Concurrent User Pricing
Used by Cosmos
What This Means for Your Organization
| Scenario | Your Reality | Member Pricing | Concurrent Pricing | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Course | 200 enrolled, 30 show up | $24,000/year | $3,600/year | $20,400 saved |
| Community Platform | 1,000 members, 100 active | $120,000/year | $12,000/year | $108,000 saved |
| Client Workshops | 500 invites, 50 attend | $60,000/year | $6,000/year | $54,000 saved |
Feature Comparison
Compare features across different platforms. Select up to 4 platforms to compare side by side.
| Feature | Cosmos Video | Gather | Kumospace | Tandem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Platform Core Guest Access Experience | 1-click access | 1-click access | Account creation required | Account + verification required |
Browser Compatibility | Chrome, Edge, Firefox | Chrome, Edge | Chrome, Edge | Limited browser support |
Mobile App Support | ||||
Desktop App | ||||
Video Codec Technology | VP9 (advanced) | VP8 (standard) | VP8 (standard) | H264 video, VP8 screenshare |
Security Certification | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR | SOC 2 Type II | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR |
Company Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States | United States | United States |
Uptime SLA Guarantee | 99.99% | 99.99% | - | |
Virtual Space Features Persistent Spaces (Always-On) | - | |||
Desk Assignment Feature | - | |||
Status Indicators | ||||
Space Customization Options | ||||
Proximity-Based Conversations | - | |||
Video & Audio Calling Max Audio Quality | 96 kbps (studio quality) | 24 kbps | 32 kbps | 32 kbps |
Camera Quality | 1280x720 15fps (HD) | 640x360 25fps | 1280x720 15fps (HD) | 1280x720 15fps (HD) |
Screenshare Resolution | High (2880x1620) | High (2880x1620) | Medium (2560x1440) | High (2880x1620) |
Screenshare Frame Rate | 30 fps | 10 fps | 15 fps | 15 fps |
Screenshare Optimization Modes | Text + Motion modes | Single mode only | Single mode only | 3 optimisation modes |
Maximum Participants | 200 | 500 | Not specified | 20 |
4G Network Compatibility | - | - | ||
Embedded Apps Support | Interactive objects only | Interactive objects only | - | |
Recording Capability | - | |||
AI Meeting Summaries | Beta | - | ||
Recording Storage | 3 hours per user | 2 hours per user | 3 hours per user | - |
Breakout Rooms | - | - | - | |
Screen Annotation Tools | - | |||
Virtual Background | ||||
Custom Background | Paid plans only | |||
Walk-up Conversations | - | |||
Background Noise Cancellation | - | |||
Live Captions | - | - | - | |
YouTube Co-watching | - | - | - | |
Whiteboard Integration | - | |||
Built-in Games | - | |||
Messaging & Communication Search Functionality | - | - | - | |
File Sharing Capability | - | |||
Public/Private Channels | - | - | ||
Threaded Conversations | - | - | ||
Persistent Chat History | Up to 6 months | - | - | |
Message Notifications | - | |||
File Size Limits | Not specified | Up to 25MB | Not specified | - |
Integrations & Admin Outlook Calendar Sync | ||||
Slack Integration | - | |||
Usage Analytics Dashboard | - | |||
Webhook Support | - | - | - | - |
SSO/SAML Support | - |
User Reviews & Ratings
Real user feedback from Product Hunt and G2. See what actual users think about each platform.
Trusted by 500+ Teams
"Best audio quality", "Great pricing", "Easy to use" - see why teams are choosing Cosmos over Gather, Kumospace, and other platforms.
14-day free trial • No credit card required • Setup in 5 minutes14-day trial • No credit card • 5 min setup
Final Verdict
Our methodology scores platforms based on real testing data, user reviews, and pricing analysis.
Best Guest Access
Cosmos, Gather, Teemyco, WorkAdventure, and Ro.am offer seamless no-login access
Performance Leaders
Cosmos and Tandem use least CPU. Cosmos and Spatial use minimal GPU
Audio Quality Champion
Cosmos delivers 96kbps - 4x better than 24-32kbps competitors
Pricing Value
Space capacity (Cosmos) saves $703/month vs per-user pricing at 50 users
4G Network Support
Only 5/10 platforms work reliably on mobile networks
Security Standards
Most have SOC 2. Kumospace adds HIPAA. SoWork lacks certification
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