Async.com review

'Voice memos that
move ideas forward'. How voice messages help with brainstorming

Screenshot 2024-05-15 at 12.41.50.png

What is Async?

Learn about the business' history and story

Async is a new productivity startup that aims to replace quick work calls with asynchronous voice messages. With apps available on web, macOS and iOS, Async provides a voice-optimized messaging platform where users can record short audio messages, get automatically generated transcripts, and carry on conversations at their own pace without the need for scheduling meetings. It allows users to share voice messages via personalized links that recipients can access without signing up. In this review, we'll take a closer look at Async's features, use cases, and overall effectiveness in streamlining voice-based business communication.

How does it work?

Quick demo and tutorial

Features & pricing

Quick overview of Async's main features and pricing

Pricing

Async offers a Premium plan at $15 per month, which includes a range of advanced features to enhance your voice messaging experience. Users can take advantage of a 7-day trial period to explore the benefits of Async Premium before committing to the monthly subscription.

Private Broadcasts & Extended Recording

Premium users can record a message once and share it with multiple recipients, starting private conversations with those who react. The plan also extends the recording limit from 5 minutes to 30 minutes.

Personalization & Productivity

Customize your personal URL, view read/unread status, access AI-generated summaries (TL;DR) of voice notes, include files in reactions, perform advanced searches, and upload audio files directly.

Screenshot 2024-05-15 at 16.44.11.png

Limitations and Areas for Improvement

While Async presents a compelling solution for asynchronous voice messaging, there are some limitations and areas where improvements could be made:

Requirement for Recipients to Sign Up

One potential drawback of Async is that recipients need to create an account to reply to voice messages. This extra step may discourage some users from engaging in conversations, especially if they are not familiar with the platform or hesitant to sign up for another service. To address this limitation, Async could consider offering a limited guest access feature that allows recipients to reply without creating a full account.

Potential Challenges with Voice Message Overload

As with any new communication tool, there is a risk of overload or misuse. If not managed properly, the ease of sending voice messages could lead to an influx of audio content, making it challenging for recipients to keep up. Establishing clear guidelines and etiquette around voice messaging will be crucial to prevent this issue. Async should focus on developing features that help users manage and prioritize voice messages effectively, such as smart notifications, priority inboxes, or the ability to set reminders for important messages.

Limited Integrations with Other Platforms

Currently, Async primarily functions as a standalone platform with apps and personalized links. While this approach has its merits, some users may prefer a more integrated experience with their existing communication tools. Exploring integrations with popular platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or email clients could make Async more accessible and convenient for a wider range of users.

Need for Robust Organization Features

As users adopt Async for their voice messaging needs, the amount of audio content generated within the platform will grow significantly. To ensure that users can easily find and reference past conversations, Async should prioritize the development of powerful search and organization features. This could include the ability to create folders or categories for different types of messages.

As Async continues to evolve, gathering user feedback and iterating on its offerings will be essential to overcoming limitations and delivering a seamless, productive voice messaging experience. By addressing these areas for improvement, Async can strengthen its position as a leader in the asynchronous communication space.

Vocal vs. Async: A Comparison

Vocal and Async are both platforms that facilitate asynchronous voice communication, but they cater to different use cases and offer distinct features.

Use Cases

  • Vocal: Vocal primarily focuses on integrating voice messaging into email clients like Gmail and Outlook. It allows users to easily record and send voice messages within their email workflow, making it ideal for businesses and individuals who heavily rely on email communication.

  • Async: Async, on the other hand, is a standalone platform with its own apps and personalized links. It is designed for teams, creators, and individuals who want a dedicated space for asynchronous voice conversations, separate from their email inbox. Async is suitable for remote teams, collaboration, and sharing updates with a wider audience.

Feature Comparison

Feature Vocal Async
Pricing Free plan with 1-minute recording limit, Pro plan at $21/month with unlimited recording Premium plan at $15/month with advanced features, 7-day trial available
Recording Limit 1 minute on Free plan, unlimited on Pro plan 5 minutes on Free plan, 30 minutes on Premium plan
Transcription Automatic transcription in multiple languages Automatic transcription (details not specified)
Customization Edit profile picture, message signature, and add CTA to voice notes Customize personal URL (async.com/yourname)
Embedding Voice messages can be easily embedded across platforms Not specified
Sharing Generate shareable links for voice messages Share via personalized links, private broadcasts to multiple recipients
Email Integration Dedicated Outlook Add-in, works seamlessly in Gmail and Outlook Not specified
Additional Features Pause recording, custom domain (CNAME), folders for voice note management, listen insights Read/unread status, AI-generated summaries (TL;DR), include files in reactions, advanced search, upload audio files
Voice Message Collection Allows users to create audio collection forms and share them via unique links Not specified

Conclusion

Vocal and Async both offer valuable solutions for asynchronous voice communication, but they cater to different user preferences and needs. Vocal is more tightly integrated with email clients, making it a convenient choice for those who primarily communicate via email. Async, as a standalone platform, offers a more focused and feature-rich experience for teams and individuals looking for a dedicated space for voice collaboration.

Ultimately, the choice between Vocal and Async depends on the specific requirements and workflows of the user or organization. Both platforms have their strengths and provide unique features that can enhance productivity and streamline communication in different contexts.