Collaboration tools are rapidly becoming the heart of many internal communication strategies. Why force your employees to jump from email, to video and messaging apps, when they can access all the features they need for communication and teamwork in the same simplified space?
Collaboration platforms are more than just places to share files and launch conference calls. These convenient tools provide a central hub where team members can share information and work together to achieve crucial goals. What’s more, because these environments are hosted on the cloud, they’re accessible to team members anywhere. That means that remote and mobile workers stay in the loop.
With the right collaboration platform, you can achieve improved productivity and efficiency with any team. However, for many small businesses, it’s hard to find the extra cash for an immersive collaboration solution. Fortunately, there are a number of free versions available that can provide you with all the functionality you could need.
1. Slack
Probably the best-known tool for collaboration in the marketplace today, Slack help to introduce the world to a new style of teamwork. Designed to help people communicate and collaborate in an easy-to-use environment, Slack offers everything from team and private messaging, to powerful smartphone apps so that people can stay connected on the go.
One major differentiating feature of Slack is how many other tools it can integrate with. With a robust app marketplace, you can customise your Slack experience to suit you. Other features include:
- Easy-to-use platform for communication with intelligent search
- Streamlined workflow with API for unique development
- Integrate with a host of other services, including Trello, Asana, and Google Drive
- Access calling and video chat features
- Share files and documents with drag-and-drop functionality
2. Microsoft Teams
While the best version of Microsoft Teams is available for a price (just like with Slack), the free version is well worth your consideration too. If you’re only running a small business, then you’ll get more than enough functionality from the free version of Microsoft Teams to replace your reliance on Skype for Business.
This sensational platform is one of the fastest-growing in the world, bringing together reliable chat, file sharing, messaging and more in a shared workspace. The free version of Microsoft Teams is also available for as many as 300 people. Features include:
- Unlimited messaging and search
- Built-in audio and video calling
- Up to 10GB team storage plus 2GB for each individual person
- Integrated real-time content creation with Office 365 apps
- Unlimited app integrations with over 100 business apps
- Communicate inside or outside of your organisation with a secure infrastructure
3. Workplace from Facebook
Just like Microsoft and Slack, Facebook offers a range of paid packages for those who want to upgrade the functionality of their chat technology. However, if you’re a small business that wants to put team collaboration to the test for the first time, you can always try the free version of Workplace from Facebook. If you use Facebook, then you’ll feel more than comfortable using Workplace.
The solution is designed to be as simple and accessible as possible, allowing all members of a team to come together in an immersive communication landscape. Picking up Workplace is a breeze, making it excellent for companies that might struggle with adoption. Features include:
- Unlimited groups where you can chat, share files, and post about anything you choose
- Multi-company groups where you can invite external freelancers and contractors into the mix
- Direct integration with file storage apps like Google Drive and Dropbox
- Unlimited file storage
- Video calls, phone calls and chat apps for desktop and mobile
4. Podio
Podio is a collaboration platform built around the premise of putting everything you need into a single platform. This tool is a powerful app with a lot of room for customisation. However, it also means that you might have a hard time getting used to it at first if you’re a small business. With the free version, you get plenty of fantastic tools, including task management, workflow management, and messaging.
If you’re a small company or a freelancer, the free version should be more than enough to help you get started with the basics of keeping your teams up to date with things like file sharing. There’s no video calling here, but you can integrate with a bunch of other tools. Features include:
- Easy task management to keep track of your projects
- Messaging to connect with members of your team
- File sharing and mobile apps
- Extensions and add-ons for Podio
- The Podio API to create new integrations
5. Chanty
Chanty is a team chat application that makes it easy to communicate and collaborate with your team. As well as sharing instant messages, you can also tap into video and audio calls, and share your screen with other people in your team.
Similar to Slack in style, Chanty is a quick and simple way to keep the members of your team connected. You can also benefit from unlimited search history – even if you’re using the free plan. The search function is incredibly easy to use too. New features are being added to Chanty all the time, but some of the basic capabilities include:
- Quick and easy search function (unlimited)
- Instant messaging and group messaging
- Audio and video calling
- File and screen sharing
- Integrations with third-party apps
6. ClickUp
Finally, if you’re looking for a simple and free collaboration tool to improve the productivity in your teams, then ClickUp could be just what you need. This productivity and project management tool is used by companies like Airbnb, Nike, and Google. The solution combines task management and time tracking capabilities with things like instant messaging and the ability to share files and videos.
ClickUp comes with things like custom notifications, dedicated assignments, and the option to collaborate on documents in real-time. There’s no video conferencing built-in, but there are a lot of other ways to communicate and collaborate. Features include:
- Real-time collaboration or document collaboration
- Instant messaging and text notifications
- Workflow management with assignments and deadlines
- Custom access rights for compliance
- Custom notifications
Which Free Collaboration Software is Best?
There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for choosing the perfect collaboration software. Fortunately, there are plenty of free tools out there that you can test for your team. From Microsoft Teams, one of the leading solutions in the market today, to Slack and Workplace by Facebook, you’re sure to find something that enhances and improves your team’s productivity.
