Best Collaboration Tools & Software for Any Team in 2023

Regardless of whether your team is a dynamic startup or part of a well-established multinational corporation, you'll find in this guide a suite of tools designed to address your unique requirements. We will explore various platforms that have demonstrated proficiency in project management, real-time communication, file sharing, and brainstorming sessions.

From the well-established industry titans to the latest innovative entrants, our list includes the very best options the internet has to offer. 

So, let's delve into the digital landscape of 2023, and explore how these collaboration tools can revolutionize your team's workflow.

What is collaboration software?

Collaboration software, often referred to as collaborative software or groupware, is a type of application designed to help individuals and teams work together more effectively. Essentially, it is a digital platform where team members can communicate, coordinate tasks, share files, brainstorm ideas, and track project progress in real-time, irrespective of their physical location.

By facilitating clear communication and fostering a cooperative environment, collaboration software ultimately aims to boost productivity, enhance team cohesion, and streamline workflow management. This digital tool has become indispensable in diverse industries, from tech startups to multinational corporations, reflecting the universal need for effective teamwork in the modern business landscape.

The best collaboration tools in 2023

So now you are probably wondering what tools tick what boxes and which is going to best suit your needs. Well, we have all of the very best collaboration tools listed here and we are going to deep-dive into each.

1. Mentimeter
2. Slack
3. Asana
4. Zoom
5. Google Workspace
6. Basecamp
7. Jira
8. Airtable
9. Confluence
10. Monday.com
11. Notion

Mentimeter: For meetings, workshops & brainstorming

Mentimeter lets anyone and everyone involved in meetings, workshops, and brainstorming sessions take an equal part. Designed to gather input from the masses, the interactive Word Clouds and polls are the ideal way to make these sessions a more inclusive experience. 

The benefits of this are numerous, the main one being that tapping into a group’s collective intelligence and leveraging the collective knowledge of a group means you can come to more concrete, well-thought-through, and debated decisions.

So if you want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these types of meetings, then there is only one option for you!

Slack: For easy communication

Slack is a communication-oriented collaboration platform used by millions worldwide. It provides an interface for real-time communication, file sharing, and integration with many other productivity tools.

Slack has become renowned for its clean design, intuitive user interface, and robust third-party integrations, making it a favorite among tech and non-tech teams alike.

Asana: For project management

A project management powerhouse, Asana helps teams organize and track the progress of tasks and projects. Asana stands out for its easy-to-use interface, powerful task management features, and the ability to view project timelines, making it excellent for project-based teams seeking transparency and accountability.

Zoom: For video calls, remote meetings, and hybrid syncs

Zoom is a video conferencing tool that also offers chat and collaboration features. Known for its high-quality video and audio, reliability, and ease of use, it became a go-to platform for remote teams during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zoom is incredibly useful for fully remote or hybrid teams that are looking to still run efficient meetings.

Google Workspace (formerly G Suite): For shared documentation

This suite of cloud computing, productivity, and collaboration tools from Google integrates email, chat, calendar, documents, and spreadsheets in one platform. Its popularity stems from its strong collaborative features in document editing and the wide use of Google services.

Jira: For agile teams

Created by Atlassian, Jira is a powerful tool designed for agile project management, often used by software development teams for issue and bug tracking. Its strength lies in customizable workflows, Kanban boards, and scrum boards. Jira can be a bit complex for beginners, but it's incredibly robust for those needing a tool with deep customization options.

Airtable: For a database

Airtable combines the structure of a relational database with the flexibility of a spreadsheet. It's an all-in-one collaboration platform that is useful for a wide array of tasks, from content pipelines to event planning. It offers a unique, visually appealing interface and a variety of templates that help teams manage and visualize their work in different ways.

Confluence: For organization

From Atlassian, Confluence is a collaboration software designed to help teams create, organize, and discuss work. It's especially useful for teams that need to share and collaborate on written content, and it integrates well with Jira, making it a popular choice for software development teams.

Monday.com: For creating workflows

Monday.com is a flexible platform that allows teams to create their workflows and processes. It can handle project management, task tracking, and team collaboration. With a clean and colorful interface, Monday.com is appreciated for its flexibility, as it can be customized to fit many different types of projects and workflows.

Notion: For a comprehensive workspace

Notion serves as a comprehensive workspace that integrates various functions such as writing, planning, collaboration, and organization. It effectively combines multiple work applications into a single platform. Although it may require more effort to learn, users highly appreciate Notion for its robust capabilities and the option to tailor-make their workspace.

How does collaboration software work?

Collaboration software works by creating a unified digital platform that fosters effective teamwork. It allows team members to communicate in real time, share and edit documents concurrently, manage project timelines, and assign tasks, all within a centralized workspace.

By connecting individuals regardless of their geographic location, collaboration software bolsters the productivity and efficiency of remote and in-office teams alike. 

Furthermore, many of these tools offer integration with other applications, meaning you can connect your email, calendar, and other software directly to the platform, simplifying your workflow.

Cloud-based collaboration software takes this a step further by making these functionalities accessible from any device with an internet connection, enabling seamless teamwork on the go.

Through these mechanisms, collaboration software is transforming the modern work environment, streamlining processes and facilitating clear, efficient communication in businesses across various industries.

What are the benefits of collaboration software?

Collaboration software brings a multitude of benefits that streamline operations and increase efficiency in today's digital work landscape. One of the primary advantages is improved communication, with tools offering real-time chats, video conferencing, and file-sharing capabilities, enabling swift and transparent information exchange. 

Collaboration software also enhances project management, with features such as task assignment, progress tracking, and deadline reminders that keep all team members aligned and projects on schedule. 

Importantly, this software promotes a seamless remote working experience, allowing teams dispersed across different locations to collaborate as effectively as they would in a physical office setting. By centralizing resources and workflows in one accessible platform, collaboration software significantly reduces the risk of information silos, ensuring everyone has the data they need when they need it. 

Furthermore, most collaboration tools offer integrations with other software, thereby streamlining workflows and reducing the need for context-switching. By boosting communication, facilitating project management, and enhancing remote work capabilities, collaboration software ultimately drives productivity and fosters a more efficient, unified team dynamic.

Important features in a collaboration tool

When selecting a collaboration tool, there are several key features to consider to ensure it fits your team's needs. First, look for a platform that facilitates effective communication. This could include instant messaging, video conferencing, and discussion threads.

File sharing and document collaboration are also essential features, allowing team members to work on projects simultaneously and share resources with ease. A robust collaboration tool should also include task management capabilities, such as task assignment, progress tracking, and deadline alerts.

For teams that juggle multiple projects, a tool that provides a holistic view of all ongoing tasks can be incredibly beneficial. Additionally, consider the software's integration capabilities. The ability to connect with other tools and services your team uses, such as email, calendar apps, or project management software, can greatly streamline your workflow.

Lastly, consider the tool's accessibility and user experience. A platform that's easy to navigate and accessible across various devices will help ensure adoption across your team.

By prioritizing these features, you'll be well-equipped to choose a collaboration tool that enhances productivity, fosters clear communication, and supports your team's overall workflow. Remember, the best collaboration tool isn't necessarily the one with the most features, but rather the one that best aligns with your team's specific needs.

One tool to rule them all

Now, if you happen to be looking for something that will help improve your presentations, run great surveys, boost your feedback culture, or make trainings better, then there is only one that happens to tick all of those boxes.

Mentimeter has a wide range of features that will help you do all of this and more. So why not discover Mentimeter's versatility for yourself, for free?