Collaboration is no longer a choice for businesses to make, but rather a necessity. Companies of all sizes are relying more and more on online collaboration software to get the job done quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.  

The right online collaboration tool should make it easy for teams to work together on a variety of tasks with minimal effort. From cloud document storage for managing daily tasks to video conferencing for virtual meetings, these tools need to be clear, easy to understand, simple to use and reduce the risk of miscommunication.  

To help you make the most out of your team’s efforts, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best online collaboration tools available in 2023:  

Microsoft 365

Share and edit documents, now with messaging 

Microsoft Office is the most utilized and important office suite available, and Microsoft 365 has capitalized on this by offering an all-encompassing cloud-based platform that makes collaboration easier than ever before. With features such as messaging, editing documents, and sharing resources, Microsoft 365 provides users with the ability to work together seamlessly. Additionally, Teams which is bundled in many of their packages allows for unified communications between members of a team.  

Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of using Microsoft 365 is its accessibility from any device – be it Windows, Mac, Android or iOS – so teams can collaborate regardless of what they are using. Furthermore, with prices starting as low as $7 per month or $70 per year, Microsoft 365 is highly affordable for businesses.  

In conclusion, Microsoft 365 offers a comprehensive suite of tools that makes collaboration easier and more efficient than ever before. With the added benefit of cross-platform compatibility and low prices, it’s no wonder why so many companies are turning to this platform as their go-to choice for office suites.

Slack

Stay in touch with your team instantaneously 

Slack has become a byword for collaboration and is easily one of the most popular tools in this roundup. It’s an app-based platform that covers all manner of communication needs, including private messaging, video and audio calls, file sharing, and more. 

The beauty of Slack is twofold: first, it includes a range of features bundled into one suite; second, it requires minimal setup to get up and running, meaning teams can be communicating with each other within minutes. And all content remains searchable – so there won’t be any confusion over which files were shared or what was discussed during meetings as everything can be found quickly in the archive.
For those looking for some extra control, Slack also offers powerful third-party integrations, allowing users to sync up with other tools like Dropbox and Google Drive. 

Slack is available for free on a basic plan or from around $7.25 per user per month for the Standard tier – there are higher tiers of Business+ and Enterprise Grid if your needs require them. 

Google Workspace

For enterprise-level workflows 

Google Workspace is the business version of Google’s popular consumer app suite, and it comes with a host of features that are tailored to larger businesses. The primary focus here is on communication and collaboration, with Google Docs, Sheets and Slides included in the package along with real-time messaging. The main advantage of Google Workspace is its versatility – you can use it for just about anything from simple file sharing to full-fledged project management. It’s also highly secure and integrates with other services such as Slack and Zoom so you can keep all your collaboration in one place. 

With Google Workspace’s Business Plus tier starting at around $18 per user each month, it’s easy to understand why so many companies have made the switch to this comprehensive platform. 

Advanced features such as voice commands for creating documents, custom email addresses, video calls and storage on Google Drive make this an ideal choice for those looking for enterprise-level workflows. The Google Workspace package also includes powerful security features such as two-factor authentication and mobile device management, so businesses can rest assured that their data is safe and secure. All in all, Google Workspace provides an impressive suite of tools for business collaboration that’s sure to meet the needs of most teams. 

Miro

A whiteboard in the cloud 

Miro is a digital whiteboard platform that enables teams to collaborate in real-time. It’s great for visualizing ideas, creating diagrams, collecting data, and planning projects – all without the need for an actual physical whiteboard.  

What makes Miro unique is the sheer amount of features it offers, such as its ability to embed images, videos, and audio files into one canvas. This makes it easy for teams to create visually appealing presentations with minimal effort – perfect for creative agencies or anyone who needs to communicate complex concepts quickly.  

Teams can also make use of pre-made templates designed specifically for project management or brainstorming sessions, or simply start from scratch with blank canvases. Miro also includes integrations with popular apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox and Slack. It has a free tier available for basic users, or from around $8 per month on the starter plan.  

Zoom

The go-to video conferencing tool 

Zoom is the go-to virtual communication tool of 2020; it’s a great way to quickly connect with colleagues and collaborate on projects in real time, even if teams are not in the same room – or country for that matter! The platform offers high-quality audio and video calls (up to 1,000 participants!), screen sharing capabilities, whiteboard drawing tools, and the ability to record calls for later review.  

What makes Zoom stand out is its flexibility; it’s available on both desktop and mobile devices, so teams can take part in meetings no matter where they are. It also offers a range of integrations with popular apps such as Google Calendar and Slack – making it even easier to organise meetings with colleagues.  

Zoom is free for one-on-one meetings or from around $14.99 per month for up to 100 participants, depending on which plan you choose. 

 Asana

The perfect tool for task management  

Asana is another popular option when it comes to project and task management. It is designed to help teams of all sizes stay organized, track progress, and hit deadlines – without having to switch between multiple tools. 

This online collaboration tool has a much more structured approach, allowing users to assign tasks with dates and sub-tasks as well as link documents, images, or spreadsheets so that everyone involved can access the same information. This makes it ideal for those who require a bit more structure in their workflow. In addition to its basic tasking system, there are also features such as a calendar view (for tracking upcoming work) and a timeline view (for seeing progress on deliverables). 

 Asana also has a range of integrations with third-party tools such as Slack and Dropbox, making it even easier to be productive when working in teams. It is free for up to 15 members and then costs from $10.99 per user per month for the Premium plan. 

 Trello

Visualize workflows with Kanban cards 

Trello is one of the most popular project management software out there, and it’s been around since 2011. It’s an app that allows you to organize projects and tasks into boards, lists, and cards. This makes it a great way for teams to track progress on various projects they may be working on. 

You can customize each board with backgrounds, labels, due dates and more, which makes it easy to keep tabs on where things are at any given moment. You can also invite other users to collaborate on your boards so everyone is kept in the loop about what needs to get done.  

What’s also great about Trello is its integration with other services such as Dropbox and Google Drive for storing files and documents. There are also various apps you can use in combination with Trello, such as Slack for instant messaging and Zoom for video conferencing.  

In a nutshell, we think Trello is an excellent collaboration tool and it’s great for teams of any size. It has robust features that make it easy to organize projects and track progress, plus it’s free to use (for the most part).  

The Premium pricing plan has additional features and integrations, but it’s still relatively affordable compared to other similar tools. All in all, Trello offers great value for money and is well worth a look if you need to get organized with your projects. 

Airtable

An app for presenting data in a visual way 

Airtable is an online collaboration and project management software that helps teams organize their tasks, store files, and keep everyone up to date on progress. The main feature of Airtable is its ability to present data in a visually appealing way. It does this by allowing you to create tables, customize fields, and create different views for the same dataset. This makes it easy to locate information quickly or track changes over time.  

It also integrates with other tools such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Slack for additional collaboration capabilities. What’s more, Airtable has an API so you can integrate it with your existing systems and databases for additional flexibility. 

The biggest drawback of Airtable is its pricing, which can be quite expensive if you’re looking for more than just the basic features. However, if you require a comprehensive project management tool that offers great visuals and collaboration capabilities, it could be worth investing in.  

All in all, Airtable should serve as a valuable addition to your team’s workflow. It makes collecting data and keeping track of progress easy, plus its visual nature helps break down complex information into manageable chunks. We think it’s well worth considering if you’re looking for a powerful project management tool.  

Podio

A mobile-friendly collaboration tool 

Podio is a fantastic collaboration tool for businesses of all sizes, and has been designed to integrate with different teams and departments. It offers project management tools such as task lists and workflows, allowing users to see the progress of projects quickly and easily.  

One of the best features of Podio is its mobile-friendly design – users can access their files from any device they choose, making it easy to stay on top of tasks while away from their desks. It offers a generous amount of integration with top third-party services and applications such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, and Zendesk. There’s also an in-app messaging function that allows teams to communicate without having to switch between apps or programs. 

With all these features at hand in one place – Podio makes it easy to stay productive anytime anywhere. 

When it comes to pricing, Podio has three plans: Basic (for free), Plus ($9/£6/AU$12 per user per month) and Premium ($14/£9/AU$18 per user per month). The Basic plan is great for smaller teams, but those requiring more advanced features will probably want to opt for the Plus or Premium plans.  

Viuport

A design collaboration platform 

Viuport is a cloud-based platform that brings teams together in the same virtual space. It enables users to create and share videos in real-time, with the ability to leave comments, draw on the video, create polls, and more. Viuport also has a range of collaboration tools such as task management, file sharing, screen sharing, and whiteboarding. These features make it easy to stay on top of projects without having to switch between multiple applications or programs. Plus, its mobile platform makes it easy for teams to collaborate while they’re away from their desks. 

Additionally, Viuport integrates with popular apps like Dropbox and Google Drive for easy file sharing. When it comes to pricing, Viuport is free for up to 5 users, but there are Pro and Enterprise plans available with more features. 

8 factors to consider when choosing a collaboration platform 

When choosing a collaboration platform, it’s important to consider the following factors:  

Features – What are the main features of each platform? Are there any additional integrations or tools that would be useful for your teams? 

Ease of Use – How easy is the platform to use? Is there a learning curve or is it intuitive enough for new users?  

Cost – How much does the platform cost and what do you get in return? Does the cost justify its features and usability?  

Scalability – Can the platform scale with your team’s needs as they grow?  

Security & Privacy – Does the platform have adequate security measures in place to protect your data? 

Integration – Can the platform integrate with other programs or applications that you use? what kind of third-party integrations are available?  

Mobile Accessibility – Is the platform optimized for mobile devices, making collaboration from anywhere possible? Does it have an app for iOS and Android devices? 

Support – What kind of customer support does the platform offer? Is it readily available for users to get help quickly when needed? 

These are just a few of the factors to consider when choosing a collaboration platform. Every team has different needs, so it’s important to do your research and find one that fits your unique requirements.  

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