When a remote team is able to collaborate well it can mean a number of things, but the end result is the same, every member feels included and the team produces higher quality work faster. But how do you get to this stage?
What tools should you use to get there? Is working from home really so bad after all? In this article we’ll look at some of the best free collaboration tools for remote teams.
Top Collaboration Tools for WFA Teams
The Work From Anywhere lifestyle stops for no one and nothing. Teams made up of remote, distanced and flexible employees need tech tools that are just as flexible as their lifestyles. The following tech tools can be used on any device and from any location, making them the essential tools for team members living that WFA lifestyle.
Milanote
Source: Milanote
A completely digital organizational tool, Milanote is making waves as an app designed to help visual professionals who find themselves working on the go. Ideal for brainstorming, storyboarding ideas, and crafting presentations, thanks to Milanote’s simple drag-and-drop format the platform is as flexible and mobile-friendly as they come. And because you can upload files and images right into the platform, once you are in the Milanote zone there is nothing in the way between you and your creative work, even when working from the road.
Slack
A collaboration tool which needs no introduction
Slack is without doubt a mighty collaboration tool, with millions of users around the globe. It’s an incredibly smart platform, and you can get it on mobile and desktop devices. It allows for the sending of direct messages (DMs) and files to a single person or a group of employees, and there’s the ability to organise conversations into different channels (perhaps for specific projects, one for technical support, general chat, and so forth).
The app also supports video calling. You can use the feature to talk to your colleagues about projects and work in-depth, without having to type everything into a DM. While this isn’t a replacement for cloud storage services, you are able to drag, drop and share files with your colleagues directly within Slack. It’s also compatible with services such as Google Drive, Dropbox and Box.
To round things off, Slack even has a free version, although unsurprisingly it has limitations (in terms of the number of messages stored, overall storage space and so forth).
REASONS TO BUY
+Excellent interface+Impressive free version
REASONS TO AVOID
-Some might want more depth in security
- Read our full Slack review.
Asana
Organisation to the max
Asana has been around since 2008, making it a veteran in the collaboration arena, and companies such as Intel, Uber, Pinterest and TED all use it as their core method of communication.
It’s been designed as an easy way for companies to track the work of employees and to get the best possible results. Using the platform, you can create to-do lists for ongoing projects, set reminders for upcoming deadlines and send requests to colleagues. Team members can also assign comments to posts within the app.
You can organize all your projects in a list or board format, and there’s a search function so you can locate past work quickly. In short, Asana is a very effective way to stay super-organized and facilitate conversations when it comes to updates on how work is progressing.
REASONS TO BUY
+Project tracking+Handy integrations
REASONS TO AVOID
-Other apps have better comms features
- Read our full Asana review.
Trello
An app for organising all your projects
If you have ever looked into project management software and online collaboration tools, then no doubt you’ve come across Trello. Available on the web and with mobile apps, it lets you easily organize projects and work on them with colleagues.
The platform allows you to work with boards or lists, which can be organised by teams and different tasks. And within these, you can set up to-do lists and delegate amongst colleagues. There’s also the option to assign comments to cards – a quick way to give feedback to others.
Furthermore, Trello boasts a number of integrations with apps such as Evernote, GitHub, Google Drive and Slack. You can download the app for free, but there are premium options available which give access to more features.
The Premium pricing tier unlocks a number of additional administrative features for better organization. There’s also an Enterprise edition which is priced according to the number of users required, and provides some additional organizational management features.
REASONS TO BUY
+Clean, easy-to-use interface+Free version
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not many comms features
- Read our full Trello review.
Ryver
An easy-to-use collaboration platform
Ryver is similar to Slack, aiming to give your organisation a highly effective means of communication, and an easy way to talk over tasks, ensuring that deadlines are met.
What makes Ryver a compelling option is the fact that you can create as many teams as you want within the app, and easily categorise them to boot. As is the case with Slack, you can use the platform to set up chats with groups and individuals.
There are some interesting filters, too. You can control who sees the things you say and post in the app, and obviously enough, join the teams that are most relevant to you. All company posts are located within a Facebook-style newsfeed, and you can mark posts to come back to them later on.
There’s also a host of native clients across mobile and desktop, including Mac and Linux. There’s also a premium version for enterprise which offers workflow automation, Single Sign-On (SSO), and advanced team management.
REASONS TO BUY
+Easy-to-use interface+Comprehensive platform
REASONS TO AVOID
-Rivals have more features
- Read our full Ryver review.
Wrike
Source: Wrike
Designed with distanced teams in mind, Wrike is an internal project management tool that helps teams of all sizes streamline their collaborative efforts whether they are working down the hall from one another or ten time zones apart. With the ability to send messages while working on Tasks in Wrike, team members never have to miss a beat when working together on the platform. Additionally, new onboarding and training features allow for more effective remote training practices for new hires.
Blink
Source: Blink
Created for deskless workers in a constantly moving world, Blink is an inclusive collaboration software that can be used by employees in virtually any industry. Thanks to features like passwordless logins and data connection to any other tool, Blink is an intranet with mobile use in mind. Another one of Blink’s fan favorite features is the personalized feed that adapts to user behavior to deliver a daily curated feed designed to encourage productivity at every turn.
Whether you’re collaborating in-person or from either side of an ocean, the tools you use to stay connected matter. To stay updated on the latest collaboration tools, here is Tech 2021 Trends: From CES and Beyond.
Flock
A communication-focused Slack alternative
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REASONS TO BUY
+Easy to use interface+Neat productivity tools+Free to use
Flock is another application very similar to Slack but is arguably a little less daunting to use and offers more comprehensive communication tools.
Flock supports channels for different teams as well as 1:1 or group conversations. Users can search through messages, files and links and Flock will find it no matter who sent it and where.
There are audio and video calls and screen sharing as well as productivity tools such as polls, note sharing and reminders, while users can assign tasks to certain members of the group.
There’s also integrations with third party applications like Google Drive and Twitter, with notifications appearing directly in channels.
Flock has a free tier, but searches are limited to 10,000 messages, there is a 5GB storage limit and only five third party integrations are permitted. A Pro plan adds unlimited search, 10GB of storage per user, and admin controls, while the Enterprise plan ads 20GB of storage per user, more admin controls and dedicated support.
- Read our full Flock review.
Salesforce Chatter
If you’re primarily looking for a social networking app, Chatter is geared toward knowledge-sharing through forums to connect people and information. Chatter’s social network extends beyond employees to include partners and customers, creating a secure environment for collaboration.
Chatter’s cost is low, but the features are limited. Organizations desiring a basic, easy-to-use collaboration app will be satisfied, but those seeking a more interactive experience may be disappointed.
Kissflow
Unlike other vendors, Kissflow offers a collaboration app that links seamlessly with any productivity software, including G Suite, Microsoft, Jira, and more. There’s no need to introduce a new way to manage documents; simply connect existing systems through pre-built integrations.
Employees can celebrate achievements, discuss company or industry news, or address project matters in channels. Need an internal poll for informed decision-making? Send out a survey with a few clicks and collect data in a snap.
Modules for managing projects, processes, and cases inside Kissflow enable team members to control all work in one tab. Don’t waste time wondering who’s responsible for what task or attending dull meetings for project status updates. A bird’s eye view on the dashboard reveals all the info you need.
Conclusion
If you work with a remote team, there are different collaboration tools at your disposal. Many tools allow you to easily chat, share files and even video call. With so many platforms and apps available, it can be hard to choose the best tools for your company. I have listed out the best tools out there.