In the age of working from home and all of the potential distractions that brings with it, some of us have faced challenges when it comes to being productive. Who hasn’t had a pet, baby, or partner interrupt a video conference at this point? While everyone is remote, it can be difficult to communicate with your colleagues and collaborate efficiently on projects. If you want to improve the efficiency of your team, here is a list of some of the best free team productivity tools to start using right now.
CROOW
CROOW is a project management software made for creatives, by creatives. This platform integrates functionality that you’d usually find split across multiple applications, better meeting the needs of creative teams. Some of the top features of CROOW include task tracking, project approvals, asset sharing and more. CROOW is a great teamwork collaboration tool, especially for teams operating remotely. Not only is it a one-stop-shop for the tools you need to increase productivity, CROOW is free for your team to take for a spin.
Zoom
Zoom is a name everyone has heard of these days, as it is taking the remote work world by storm. Zoom is a video conferencing software designed to improve communication, and is free to sign up for. Its main feature is video and audio calls up to 40 minutes long in the free version. Ranked #1 by customer reviews, Zoom is one of the best team productivity tools with its multitude of meeting and communication features. It also helps you maintain rapport with your remote colleagues — sometimes, communicating face-to-face is best, even when you’re not in the same place.
Slack
Despite its name, Slack is not a tool that helps you slack off. In fact, it is one of the best team productivity tools available. Slack is a messaging software your company can download for free that brings your team together through relevant channels. Messaging is quicker and more accessible than calling or emailing, and can help you collaborate on projects in real time. With file sharing, call capabilities, and instant messaging, Slack is one of the best teamwork collaboration tools for keeping everyone up to speed. When you want to avoid adding another email to someone’s inbox for a quick question, Slack is your answer.
Microsoft Teams
Typically only included with Microsoft Office 365 plans, Microsoft Teams is now offering a free version designed for small businesses. This free version can have up to 300 users and up to 250 meeting participants. Microsoft Teams includes innovative features like messaging, channels, search, and audio and video meetings. Its deep integrations with OneDrive and Office 365 services can fit in smoothly with your remote team if you already use these programs.
Google Drive
A free, simple-to-use, and easily accessible tool for team collaboration is Google Drive. With Google Drive, everyone on your team has access to store, share, and collaborate on files and folders, and can access them from any mobile device, tablet, or computer. Teamwork is integrated seamlessly into Google Drive by allowing teams to collaborate and access files while tracking updates and including comments, as well. Additionally, storing documents in Google Drive’s cloud will help prevent things from being lost due to hardware malfunction or team member changes.
Staying organized and avoiding project management mistakes will help make sure that your team is being the most efficient they can be. These teamwork productivity tools will help your company adjust to remote work and the rapidly changing work landscape — without breaking the bank.