As remote work becomes the norm, having reliable remote work software and systems in place is crucial for virtual teams to operate efficiently and effectively. These tools provide virtual teams with the infrastructure they need to thrive.
In this guide, we’ll cover essential remote work systems and discuss key factors to consider when choosing the right tools for your unique business needs.
Table of Contents
Remote Work Systems for Communication
For remote teams, communication is paramount. Choosing the right communication tools can significantly impact team cohesion and overall organizational productivity, especially in asynchronous work environments. When selecting a tool, consider ease of use, availability of integrations, pricing, and features that suit your team’s needs.
Slack
Slack is a channel-based messaging platform that has become synonymous with modern workplace communication. Starting at $7.25 per user per month for the Pro plan, Slack offers real-time messaging, file sharing, voice chat, and extensive integration capabilities.
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Pros |
Cons |
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User-friendly interface with channels for organizing conversations by topic or team. |
Higher pricing compared to some alternatives. |
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Extensive third-party integrations. |
Limited video conferencing features. |
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Powerful search function for tracking conversations and files. |
Servers can become cluttered in larger organizations. |
Teams
Microsoft Teams is a comprehensive collaboration platform that offers chat, video meetings, file storage, and native integrations with Microsoft apps. Teams subscriptions start at $4 per user per month for the Essentials plan.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Deep integration with the Microsoft Office suite. |
Interface can feel cluttered, creating a learning cure for new users. |
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Comprehensive video conferencing capabilities. |
Limited customization options. |
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Robust security and compliance features for enterprise use. |
Can be resource intensive. |
Google Meet
Google Meet is an easy-to-use video conferencing tool that’s part of the Google Workspace suite, available with Google Workspace subscriptions starting at $6 per user/month.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Integrated with Google Workspace for seamless scheduling via Google Calendar. |
Limited feature set compared to other video conferencing tools. |
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Simple interface, with no app download required. |
Requires Google Workspace subscription for extended functionality. |
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High quality video conferencing with live captioning and transcripts available. |
Limited third-party integrations. |
Zoom
Zoom is a leading video conferencing platform known for its reliability and ease of use. Pro plans start at $149.90 per user per year.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Superior video and audio quality. |
Meeting duration limits on basic plan. |
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Extensive meeting controls and feature set, including strong screen sharing capabilities. |
Bandwidth-intensive. |
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Scalable for large meetings. |
Has been subject of privacy concerns and occasional security issues. |
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Many third-party integrations. |
Requires installation of their app, which can be a barrier for some users or organizations. |
For a more in-depth comparison of the best remote work communication tools, check out our Meet vs Teams vs Zoom blog post.
Remote Work Systems for Collaboration
Collaboration tools help teams share ideas and work together on projects. One of the biggest areas of struggle is collaboration for remote teams. These tools help you overcome any potential hurdles with shared documentation, note sharing, brainstorming, and more. When selecting a collaboration tool, think about ease of integration, scalability, security, and ease of use.
Miro
Miro is a digital whiteboard platform that’s ideal for brainstorming and workshops. Plans start at $8 per user/month.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Infinite canvas, excellent for visual collaboration. |
Performance can lag with large boards. |
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Wide range of customizable templates. |
Limited offline capabilities. |
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User-friendly with drag-and-drop functionality. |
Can be expensive with higher pricing for more advanced features. |
Figma
Figma is a collaborative interface design tool that’s becoming increasingly popular for both design and non-design teams. Professional plans start at $12 per editor per month.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Real-time collaboration on design projects. |
Primarily focused on design use cases, limiting its broader applicability. |
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Powerful prototyping and design tools. |
Steeper learning curve for non-designers. |
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Integrated version control. |
Higher cost for advanced features. |
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Limited offline functionality. |
Remote Work Systems for Project Management
Project management tools are essential for keeping remote teams aligned and projects on track. This remote team software is where you document workflows, track KPIs, manage project progress, and consolidate notes. Consider your team’s project management methodology, reporting needs, necessary integrations, and desired level of workflow automation when selecting a tool.
Trello
Trello is a visual project management tool based on the Kanban methodology. Standard plans start at $5 per user per month. Tasks are typically managed in a card format that you move through the project journey.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Intuitive, card-based user interface with little-to-no learning curve. |
Limited reporting capabilities. |
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Flexible workflow customization. |
Basic feature set compared to other project management alternatives. |
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Strong mobile apps. |
Limited view options. |
Microsoft Planner
Microsoft Planner is a task management tool included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, offering straightforward project organization capabilities.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Included with Microsoft 365. |
Limited customization options. |
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Easy to use. |
Basic reporting features. |
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Strong integration with Teams. |
Requires Microsoft 365 subscription. |
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Built-in task templates. |
Limited automation options. |
For a more in-depth Planner vs Trello comparison, check out this blog post.
Monday.com
Monday.com is a flexible, customizable work management platform. This type of project management software is more robust than a typical Kanban board, empowering teams to manage more complex projects with multiple stakeholders, milestones, and budgets. Basic plans start at $9 per user/month.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Highly customizable workflows |
Can be expensive for large teams. |
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Intuitive, visual user interface |
Learning curve and feature complexity can be overwhelming for new users. |
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Extensive automation options |