Online collaboration software is easy to use and makes it easy for teams of people to collaborate on various tasks. Collaboration is becoming the norm in the workplace. Employees are no longer expected or expected to work independently. This emphasis on collaboration should lead to improved efficiency and productivity (opens in a new window), but it is only possible if you have the right tools.
These tools can be used for everything, from cloud storage (opens in a new tab), for daily tasks, to video conference (opens in a new tab), and online meetings. All of these tools work on both mobile and desktop devices.
Everything should be easy to understand, simple to use, and clear. Each employee should have the ability to communicate with the right person at the right time, no matter where they may be located in the company. Then, solve the problem in a satisfactory workflow.
Collaboration is a new way of working. Here are our top picks for the best online collaboration tools.
1. Microsoft 365
Microsoft Office might not be the first platform that comes to mind when it comes to collaboration, but Microsoft 365 now has this feature built into the core of its cloud-based office suite.
This is because Microsoft Office remains the most important and widely used office suite. Even though there are many competitors like OpenOffice or Google Workspace (previously G Suite), they don’t have the same functionality and ease of use.
Microsoft Office will be the core of many businesses’ operations, so the migration to Microsoft 365 has many benefits, not to mention the possibility for teams to work together on the same set of documents. It could be anything, from work shifts in Excel to presentations in PowerPoint or client reports written in Word.
Added to that, Microsoft Teams (opens in a new window) is now available bundled with a variety of Microsoft 365 packages. This allows for Unified Communications integration with traditional office software.
Microsoft 365 is more appealing because it can be used with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Microsoft 365 is not only a great office suite; it’s also a solidly designed platform for sharing and collaborating with other teams.
2. Slack
Slack is a powerful collaboration tool with millions of users all over the world. You can access it from both your desktop and mobile devices. You can send files and direct messages (DMs), and you can organize conversations into different channels, such as one for technical support or specific projects.
Video calling is also possible with the app. The feature allows you to communicate with your colleagues directly about projects and work without the need to use a DM. Although this feature is not a replacement for cloud storage, it allows you to drag and drop files, as well as share them with your colleagues within Slack. It is compatible with Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box.
Slack also offers a free version. However, it does have limitations in terms of storage space, messages stored, and overall storage.
3. Asana
Asana is a well-known collaboration tool that has existed since 2008. Companies such as Intel and Uber use it to communicate.
It was created to make it easy for companies to keep track of their employees’ work and get the best results. The platform allows you to create to-do lists, remind yourself of deadlines, and send out requests to colleagues. The app allows team members to add comments to existing posts.
All your projects can be organized in a board or list format. There’s also a search function that allows you to quickly find past work. Asana can be used to organize your work and facilitate communication about the progress of your projects.
4. Trello
Trello is a project management tool that you may have come across if you have looked at online collaboration tools and project software. It is available on the web as well as through mobile apps. Trello allows you to easily organize and collaborate on projects.
You can use the platform to create boards or lists. These can be organized into teams and assigned different tasks. These boards allow you to create task lists and share delegated tasks with colleagues. You can also assign comments to cards, which is a quick way for others to provide feedback.
Trello also integrates with many apps like Evernote, GitHub, and Google Drive. The app is free to download, but premium options allow you to access more features.
Premium pricing unlocks many administrative features that will help you organize your business better. The Enterprise edition is priced based on the number of users and offers additional organizational management tools.
5. Podio
Podio is an online platform that allows for flexible, customizable communication between teams. It allows you to manage large amounts of work and delegate tasks among employees.
Podio is a business collaboration app that allows you to view and share files with others, get feedback, and see the status of your ongoing projects. All of these functions are combined into an intuitive interface.
Podio also comes with high-quality mobile apps that you can use when you are out and about and has a lot of integration with third-party services and apps like Evernote, Google Drive, Evernote, Zendesk, Evernote, and Dropbox.
6. Ryver
Ryver is a similar tool to Slack. It aims to provide your organization with a high-quality means of communication and an easy way for you to communicate tasks.
Ryver is a great option because you can create as many teams and categorize them as you like within the app. You can also use the platform for chats with individuals and groups, just like Slack.
You can also use some filters. You have the ability to control who sees what you post and say in the app. Additionally, you can join the most relevant teams. You can mark company posts to be reviewed later.
You can also access native clients on desktop and mobile, as well as Mac and Linux. A premium version is available for enterprises that offer workflow automation, Single-Sign-On (SSO), and advanced team management.
7. Flock
Flock, another similar application to Slack, is perhaps a bit easier to use and provides more communication tools.
Flock supports both 1:1 and group conversations as well as channels for different teams. Flock can be used to search messages, files, and links. It doesn’t matter who or where it was sent.
You can make audio and video calls, screen share, and use productivity tools like polls, note sharing, and reminders, and you can also assign tasks to members of the group.
Integrations are possible with third-party applications such as Google Drive or Twitter. Notifications appear directly in channels.
Flock offers a free tier, but search, storage, and integrations are subject to limitations. These can be opened up by the Pro plan, which also includes admin controls. The Enterprise plan offers additional storage and support, as well as more admin controls.
You might also be interested in other collaborative software
Many other collaboration tools are worth your attention. This is primarily because they use features differently or add additional features. We’ll be looking at additional online collaboration tools that might be worth your attention.
Visme (opens in a new window) was designed for online collaboration, presentations, and infographics. Analytics are available to help you determine which reports and presentations have the highest engagement and make adjustments. Visme is recommended for internal communications, sales, marketing, recruitment, education, and HR. Visme is priced to suit individual, business, or educational needs.
Basecamp (opens in a new tab) is an all-in-one collaboration and communication platform. It combines features from multiple software products into one place, making it easier to find information and keeping it all in one place. Chat, messageboards and to-do lists, along with automated check-in and scheduling, are just some of the features. You can also store all files and documents in one place. Basecamp is a collaborative software program that does not charge per user. Instead, it charges $99.99 for unlimited users. This could be a major advantage for larger companies.
Wrike (opens in new window) is a project management and scheduling software that allows you to easily see who is where in the process of completing a task. Although it is a standalone application, its strengths lie in the extensive list of integrations that include Google, Dropbox, and Microsoft. This allows Wrike to be used as a central platform that can be linked to many other software apps. It gives you more options and features than standalone software.
Monday.com (opens in a new window) is a platform that allows you to plan and track projects, as well as collaborate with others, in an intuitive way. This platform is easy to use and has drag-and-drop functionality. You can also use it as a central point of communication for your teams by integrating with Slack and Trello, Google Drive, Dropbox, and other platforms. These integrations allow monday.com to be used for a wider range of purposes than its standalone platform.
Which online collaboration tool is best?
Consider your actual needs before you decide which online collaboration tool you want to use. A casual user may decide that a cheaper option will be more cost-effective and still provide all the tools they would need. If you plan to use online collaboration tools to collaborate with large numbers of people or on a regular basis, you may want to consider the more expensive options.