The 7 best online collaboration tools for remote workers
Companies today face a unique set of challenges. Whether navigating remote work, managing rapid growth, or staying competitive in fast-changing markets, success hinges on effective collaboration. But here’s the thing—collaboration isn’t just about getting work done. It’s about fostering a culture where teams feel connected, empowered, and ready to tackle big goals together.
The right tools don’t just streamline workflows; they create an environment where communication flows naturally, projects stay on track, and everyone feels like they’re part of something bigger.
So, if you’re looking to elevate how your teams work together, here are seven tools that can make a world of difference:
1. Slack: The Best Team Communication App
How do you replace the buzz of an office when everyone’s working remotely? Slack has become the go-to virtual workspace for many startups.
Think of Slack as your digital office hub—a place for real-time chats, quick updates, and team bonding. Need to share a quick idea? Create a channel. Want to celebrate a win? Use an integration like HeyTaco to give shoutouts with a fun twist.
Startups like Buffer and Zapier use Slack not only for work updates but also to foster team culture. Zapier, for instance, leverages Slack’s status feature to let teammates signal when they’re “heads down” on deep work. It’s simple, clear, and keeps interruptions at bay.
2. Zoom: The Best Video Conferencing App
What’s the next best thing to meeting in person? A great video call. For startups juggling investor pitches, team meetings, and client demos, Zoom is indispensable.
Zoom’s reliability is what sets it apart. Whether you’re hosting a one-on-one check-in or a company-wide all-hands, the platform ensures clear video and audio. Startups like Help Scout even use it for casual hangouts like themed “Troop Talks,” building a sense of camaraderie among remote teams.
And with features like gallery view, seeing everyone on a call brings a feeling of togetherness—like your team is just a little less spread out.
3. Loom: The Tool for Asynchronous Video Updates
Ever wished you could explain something without scheduling yet another meeting? Loom has you covered.
Loom lets you record quick video messages—perfect for walkthroughs, feedback, or updates. Imagine a product manager giving a visual demo of a feature for developers who can watch it on their own time.
The magic of Loom is in its simplicity: no back-and-forth emails, no need to wait for everyone to hop on a call. Just record, share, and let your teammates digest the information when it suits them.
4. Notion: The Best Project Management Software
Notion is a powerhouse for companies juggling multiple moving parts. It’s not just a project management tool—it’s your team’s knowledge hub, too.
Need to track sprint plans or product roadmaps? Notion’s customizable templates let you do that and more. Create task boards, embed timelines, and assign responsibilities—all in one place. But where Notion truly shines is as a knowledge management tool. Use it to build internal wikis, onboarding guides, or documentation for key workflows, ensuring every team member has access to what they need.
Companes often face the challenge of information silos, where critical details get lost in email threads or Slack channels. Notion solves this by centralizing knowledge and keeping your team informed and aligned.
5. Miro: The Collaborative Whiteboard
Creativity thrives when teams can brainstorm together, and Miro makes it possible—even remotely. This digital whiteboard lets teams map out ideas, design workflows, and visually collaborate in real time.
Imagine your marketing and design teams planning a campaign: Miro provides a shared space to sketch ideas, organize tasks, and refine strategies together. Even for distributed teams, it replicates the hands-on feel of a physical whiteboard session, keeping everyone engaged and inspired.
6. Make: Workflow Automation for Business
Repetitive tasks can drain a team’s energy—especially in a fast-moving startup. Make (formerly Integromat) automates workflows, freeing up your team to focus on what really matters.
Think of Make as your silent teammate. It connects your favorite apps and moves data between them automatically. For example, you can set up a workflow to send Slack updates when a customer submits feedback via Google Forms or sync task updates from Notion to your email.
Why waste hours on manual updates when Make can do it in minutes?
7. MeetGeek: For Meeting Recording and Insights
Meetings often contain valuable information, but taking detailed notes can be challenging. That’s where Meetgeek steps in.
Meetgeek records your Zoom meetings and provides searchable transcripts, so you never miss a key point. Imagine a startup founder reviewing a recorded investor meeting to refine their pitch or a product manager revisiting user feedback shared during a team call. With Meetgeek, meetings become actionable resources.
Why These Tools Matter
Every startup faces the challenge of balancing speed with quality. The tools your team uses can either enable smooth collaboration or create bottlenecks. These seven tools not only address specific pain points but also foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
Platforms like Slack and Zoom keep communication flowing, while Notion and Make ensure projects stay organized and on track. Meanwhile, tools like Loom and Grain enable teams to work smarter by turning meetings and updates into actionable insights.
Choosing the right tools isn’t just about productivity—it’s about empowering your team to do their best work, no matter where they are. So, which one will you add to your toolkit today?
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