Discover the ultimate online collaboration tools to boost productivity at work.

Discover the ultimate online collaboration tools to boost productivity at work
 

I. What is Online Collaboration Tools?

Online collaboration is the process of people working together in real-time using the assistance of the Internet. Online collaboration tools are software applications that help all members of a team, including office-based or remote workers, to connect by:

II. The Best Online Collaboration Tools

1. Skype

Skype is a widely used tool for online communication, enhancing remote collaboration by enabling chatting as well as conducting video and voice calls across multiple devices. You can convene group meetings through group video calls and record important meeting content; you can also present to colleagues with the screen sharing option. Whiteboards, polls, Q&A are available options when using Skype for Business, integrated with Office 365.

Other useful app features include live subtitles (reading spoken words in audio or video calls) and Skype to Phone subscription allowing you to call landlines worldwide using your Skype account.

+ Best for: Screen sharing and recording presentations, recording video calls, and voice calls.
+ Price: Free. Skype for Business starts at $6/user/month
- Download Skype here.

2. Google Calendar

Google Calendar is an online calendar tool integrated from the G Suite app suite, specially designed for team collaboration to minimize planning time. Essentially, this tool provides smart scheduling for meetings and this schedule can be shared with Gmail, Google Drive, DeskTime. You may even receive reminders before the event occurs.

Additionally, you can easily access the calendar schedule from your laptop, tablet, or phone.

+ Best for: Scheduling meetings with colleagues
+ Free
- Download Google Calendar here.

3. Trello

Trello serves as one of the prime online collaboration tools, empowering both individuals and teams to achieve their goals by visualizing them. Its interface bears resemblance to the popular Solitaire card game, aiding in structuring tasks and tracking objectives flexibly and joyfully.

With Trello, setting up boards and task lists, as well as assigning responsibilities, is effortless. You can even drag and drop tasks across columns just like playing cards. Its enticing and user-friendly interface is easily adaptable, rendering it a favorite among medium-sized enterprises.

Ideal for: Project management, brainstorming, and idea collection. Free to use. Download Trello here.

4. Dropbox

For companies involved in creating, editing, and sharing content, Dropbox is certainly the tool you want to try. By using Dropbox, you can immediately send files and folders to people inside or outside the company, even if they are not Dropbox users.

Users can leave comments and collect feedback directly on their documents in real-time through Dropbox Paper. All changes are automatically synchronized, providing everyone with the latest versions in their Dropbox files and folders.

Additionally, you can utilize Dropbox Basic for securely storing, sharing, and accessing all files, or you can opt for Dropbox Business suitable for working groups as it provides advanced security features.

Best for: Secure file storage and sharing, document editing. Price: Free for Dropbox Basic, $11.20 per user per month for Dropbox Business. Download Dropbox here.

5. Basecamp

Basecamp is an all-in-one online collaboration and communication platform. This tool provides real-time message boards and group chats, schedules to-do lists, and stores documents, files, and folders. Basecamp also offers the feature of Check-in Questions, allowing you to ask questions to the team regularly. Additionally, you can forward customer emails directly to Basecamp.

Overall, Basecamp is an effective online collaboration tool that enhances accountability and improves communication.

Best for: Project management and team communication, especially in large organizations. Price: $99 per month for unlimited users. Download Basecamp here.

6. Jira

Explore the wonders of Jira, a tool designed for collaboration, planning, project tracking, and software release. It has become one of the premier online collaboration tools by simplifying the complex software development process into manageable tasks. Jira has evolved into a feature-rich collaborative solution for IT professionals.

With Jira, users can craft stories, plan sprints, and distribute tasks across the entire software team. Leveraging the insights provided by Jira, you can enhance team performance based on intuitive data.

Best suited for IT project management for software development teams, Jira offers unparalleled functionality. Starting at $10/month for small teams of up to 10 users. Download Jira now to elevate your project management experience.

7. WeTransfer

Discover WeTransfer, an online cloud-based platform that allows you to effortlessly transfer various types of files to other Internet users for free. With its sleek design and user-friendly interface, WeTransfer makes sending large or heavy files (up to 2 GB per transfer) a breeze.

For frequent users, consider subscribing to WeTransfer Plus, which enables unlimited file transfers and up to 500GB of storage, along with customizable backgrounds and email transfers.

Ideal for teams sending large files to clients and daily users alike. Pricing: Free. WeTransfer Plus: $10/month. Download WeTransfer here.

8. Proofhub

Proofhub stands out as a comprehensive project management tool. It offers an advanced online collaboration software providing an excellent platform for business operations and project planning, all while maintaining high productivity levels.

With Proofhub, you can assign tasks to individuals and define their roles by specifying who will handle which tasks. The Proofhub interface is available in over half a dozen languages, including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and German.

+ Best for: All-in-one task management if you need to bring your team and clients together under one roof.
+ Price: $45 per month for unlimited users
- Download Proofhub here.

9. Workplace by Facebook

Crafted by Facebook, Workplace serves as a collaboration and communication tool connecting team members through an internal social network. It offers features similar to Facebook, such as group participation, information sharing, and event organization.

Workplace by Facebook can also be a powerful tool for fostering diversity and enhancing workplace culture. For instance, you can conduct surveys to gauge employee opinions and develop deeper relationships with colleagues by engaging in conversations with them on the platform.

+ Best for: Building company culture and connecting with team members
+ Price: Free. Premium account $3/user/month
- Download Workplace by Facebook here.

10. Chanty

Chanty is a simple-to-use group chat tool with AI-powered algorithms that allow you to stay updated on important content. This tool also features integrated task management, ample storage space, and unlimited chat history.

+ Best for: Quick messaging with ample storage space.
+ Price: Free for groups with up to 10 members, Business package $3 per user/month
- Download Chanty here.