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Online collaboration software has become a necessity nowadays, particularly as more and more people continue to work from home or remotely. It plays a crucial role in bringing together teams that are geographically dispersed, allowing them to work together in real-time, share files, assign tasks, and collaborate seamlessly. Choosing the right online collaboration software can be a daunting task, especially considering the numerous options available on the market today.
In this blog post, we will look at the top 7 online collaboration software that can help boost team productivity in 2021. We have carefully researched these software to ensure that they meet the unique needs of different teams and businesses. In the end, we will give our thoughts and opinions on each of the software and provide you with a comprehensive comparison table of their pricing, ease-of-use, and value for money.
Video Tutorial:
What is Online Collaboration Software?
Online Collaboration Software is a platform that allows team members to interact and collaborate in real-time in an online workspace. This type of software facilitates digital brainstorming, file-sharing, feedback, and progress tracking. It also helps teams to manage their projects, track assignments, and stay on top of deadlines. The software helps remote teams to stay in touch and collaborate with each other anytime, anywhere.
Best 7 Online Collaboration Software for 2023
1. Asana
Asana is a popular online collaboration software that is popular among remote teams globally. It is easy to use, and its interface is user-friendly. Teams can use Asana for project management, task management, and workflow management. It helps to track progress, assign tasks, communicate with team members and set deadlines. It also has a mobile app that you can install and use on the go.
Pros:
- Unlimited project and task tracking
- Supports integration with third-party apps
- Easy to use interface
Cons:
- The free package is limited
- The platform can become cluttered with projects and tasks that are not well organized
2. Trello
Trello is one of the best online collaboration tools that helps you to organize and prioritize your tasks. It uses a board and cards visual approach, making it easy to keep track of tasks and their progress. Trello allows individual members of a team to create cards to represent tasks and assign them to others. This helps to monitor the progress of the tasks in real-time and provide real-time feedback.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- The free package is sufficient for small teams
- Integrates with many enterprise tools
Cons:
- The free plan has limited features compared to the paid version
- There is no Gantt chart feature
- Limited functionality beyond basic task management
3. Slack
Slack is a team messaging application perfect for businesses of any size. It offers persistent chat rooms organized by topics, direct messaging, and private groups that make collaboration simple. It also offers robust search features and file-sharing abilities. Teams use Slack to communicate in real-time, share files and ideas, and collaborate to make decisions.
Pros:
- Integrates with Many enterprise tools like Dropbox and Google Drive
- Easy-to-use instant-messaging platform
- Real-time collaboration
Cons:
- It can become crowded with channels and messages to follow
- The mobile app version can become slow and glitchy
4. Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)
Google Workspace is an all-in-one package of collaboration tools designed for different types of businesses. It comes with a variety of applications such as Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides that allow teams to work together seamlessly. Teams can create and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations easily. The software also features Google Chat, which lets employees communicate with each other and integrate with other apps.
Pros:
- Offers a variety of management tools for project planning and goals
- Easy to set up and use
- Provides tools for remote work, like video conferencing and team messaging
Cons:
- The free version has limited storage capability
- Has some limitations on mobile devices
5. Zoom
Zoom has been a leading video conferencing tool throughout the pandemic. It offers video conferencing, webinars, and meetings. Teams use Zoom for online meetings, live training sessions, and webinars. Users can share screens, record sessions, and collaborate with a team. Zoom features HD video and audio, and users can join from desktop, mobile, or tablet devices.
Pros:
- Offers a free plan for hosting up to 100 participants for up to 40 minutes
- Easy to use interface
- Supports a variety of remote work scenarios
Cons:
- Has some security glitches
- The free plan has limitations compared to the paid plan
- The constant need for updates can be annoying
6. Monday.com
Monday.com is a collaboration platform that is popular among remote teams. Teams use it for project management, task organization, and team communication. It is easy to use, and it allows users to focus more on the work than on the tool used for management. Its interface is user-friendly, and the color-coding makes it easy to navigate.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Offers a variety of templates to start from
- Customizable to meet the needs of different team requirements
Cons:
- The prices for the paid version can be expensive compared to other software
- Workflows can become complex as they grow
7. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration software that has been gaining popularity as more businesses move to remote working. It provides a platform for video conferencing, messaging, and document collaboration. Teams can share documents, make video calls, and share messages similar to other platforms like Slack. The collaboration software is integrated into Microsoft 365, making it simple to use for teams that already use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in their daily work.
Pros:
- Integrates with Microsoft 365 suite of applications
- Easy to use interface
- Offers advanced security and compliance features
Cons:
- Some features require paid subscriptions
- Can be challenging to navigate if you’re not already familiar with Microsoft applications
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software:
| Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-Use | Value for Money | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asana | Yes | $10 p/m | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Trello | Yes | $12.5 p/m | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Slack | No | $6.67 p/m | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Google Workspace | Yes | $6 p/m | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Zoom | Yes | $14.99 p/m | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Monday.com | Yes | $10 p/m | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Microsoft Teams | Yes | $5 p/m | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
Our Thoughts on the Best 7 Online Collaboration Software for 2021
Online collaboration software offers a simple and straightforward way for remote teams to communicate, collaborate, and stay on top of tasks. While there are numerous online collaboration software available in the market, we have looked at the seven best in this blog post.
Asana is the best option for managing projects as it offers unlimited task tracking and is easy to use. Trello, on the other hand, offers a simple user interface with a board and card system to manage tasks. Slack’s ability to manage instant messaging, real-time collaboration, and file sharing makes it the best option for chat-based collaboration, while Microsoft Teams is the best option for Teams that already use Microsoft 365 tools.
FAQs about Online Collaboration Software
Q1: Can online collaboration software be used on mobile devices?
A: Yes, most online collaboration software have mobile apps that you can use on your smartphone or tablet device.
Q2: Can team members view a project’s progress in real-time using online collaboration software?
A: Yes, online collaboration software allows team members to view the progress of a project in real-time.
Q3: Do online collaboration software support integration with third-party applications?
A: Yes, most online collaboration software support integration with third-party applications.
Q4: Can online collaboration software be used for remote working?
A: Yes, online collaboration software is ideal for remote working as it allows teams to work together seamlessly, regardless of location.
Q5: Do online collaboration software offer free trials?
A: Yes, most online collaboration software offer a free trial period to prospective users.
In Conclusion
Online collaboration software is a must-have for any business or team that takes collaboration and productivity seriously. It helps to streamline workflows, tasks, and communication, which ultimately lead to better performance. We have looked at the top 7 online collaboration software that you can choose for your team. Whatever your choice, ensure that you select software that will meet your unique needs and help you achieve your goals.