Top 10 Most Effective Remote Work Tools in 2024-2025

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Most effective tools for remote work in 2022

Remote Work Tools: Overview

With the emergence of technology and the evolution of the internet, connecting to anyone from anywhere in the world is feasible. All thanks to the remote work tools that have helped employees connect online for work post-pandemic. Days are gone when it is hard for managers to track the productivity of the employees sitting in a remote location or collaborate with them on a task. With better visibility of work through technical tools, employers have become more confident in offering remote work, now.

The skepticism around remote work that balked employers to let employees work remotely is a bygone. In fact, it is observed that the productivity of workers has increased multifold following the remote or hybrid model of working post-pandemic. Now an average employee spends 30 minutes extra on a laptop and ends up working more than they used to work in the office.

With the advancement of technology and the availability of many tools to connect remotely, organizations have shunned the traditional way of working from the office. It is in fact intriguing how these tools have managed to give a seamless service for employees to collaborate and work efficiently without having to present in person. So, let’s see what these tools are and how they have drastically evolved remote work culture.

What is Remote Team Collaboration?

Remote collaboration is the method through which geographic distance is eliminated that acts as a hindrance to teamwork, using collaboration tools. This enhances productivity and communication among the team members in remote locations to reach a common goal. The main aim of remote collaboration tools is to bring the employees remotely working together.

How to Make Remote Team Collaboration Work?

Working from the office is suitable for conducting ad-hoc meetings and connecting with the respective individual to finish the task. However, when working remotely this could negatively impact the team’s efficiency if the coordination is not managed properly. Hence, when working from a remote location – it is absolutely essential to keep certain guidelines in mind.

#Communication

Communication is an imperative aspect of working remotely without which the team can’t function effectively. Since it is not feasible to communicate in person when working from a remote location, communication with other team members has to be mindful.

Every team member must be well-equipped and experienced to handle chatting or video conferencing tools. They must know how to host a meeting or schedule to effectively communicate with their peers as and when needed. Also, finalize work criteria that every team member must follow in order to stay on the same page with others.

#Maintain transparency

Transparency is the biggest challenge when it comes to working from remote locations. It can become the key reason for low productivity, lack of trust, and lack of enthusiasm in employees. However, to avoid any transparency issues, it is essential to coordinate with the team members first than going straight to the leaders. One can simply conduct a small video call, or send out an email to update the team.

#Set clear expectations

To ensure the remote team works as per the organization’s expectations, team leaders must define clear goals and objectives. Collaboration tools can help employees to accomplish their goals but if the expectations are not stated clearly by the leaders, it is pointless to use these tools. Thus, team meetings can be a great way to explicate the desired results and work expectations from each team member clearly.

#Support your peers

When working from a remote location it is easier for team members to get distracted easily and may lose the right track. There could be instances where a member may feel ignored or lost due to the absence of peers while working.

At times, it could be difficult for some employees to adapt effectively to remote work culture and may consume more time to come in sync. Therefore to foster productivity and efficient team collaboration, supporting each other is the best way to run things smoothly in a team and maintain a healthy work environment too.

We deliver best remote teams

How to Choose the Best Tools for Remote Work?

Though the market is flooded with collaboration tools, making the right choice of tools to collaborate with your team must be done mindfully. Here are some Don’ts enlisted when you have to pick some for your team.

Find the solution to your problem, not technology

Organizations can get into a loop of purchasing unnecessary tools if they don’t recognize the exact problem they are facing against what they would be getting from the tool. It is a vicious circle of expenditure if one gets easily lured by the latest launches in the market.

Before finalizing the tool, it is extremely important to figure out the exact need of the organization. Whether you want to connect with the employees effectively or want marketing campaigns to work, or perhaps you need more sales. These kinds of questions will help you finalize the perfect tool.

Check features

With any new software just be clear about its security features and admin controls. Make sure to choose a chat tool that offers end-to-end encryption and has multi-factor authentication. It must be easier for you to be able to revoke access and maintain data. Employee onboarding should be quick and when the individual leaves, the access should be turned off quickly.

Be clear about compatibility of softwares

Make sure all the devices and toolsets that your employees are using have compatibility with the software of the collaboration tool else it is bound to create a great hassle afterward. Always remember when you try to make multiple solutions work that doesn’t have interoperability, it is a big mistake.

Select employee-friendly tool

Always try and work on a tool that is liked by most of the employees. For instance, Zoom and Slack today are one of the most used collaboration tools because they are simple to use and provide seamless coordination for chats and video calls.

Top Performing Remote Work Tools

Remote collaboration tools have made life easy for professionals and organizations to collaborate and sync their tasks after easily coordinating with their teammates. Here are some of those popular tools:

#Tools for Project Management

1. ProofHub

Project management is a tedious task but with the tool like ProofHub you need not worry. ProofHub is a highly effective project management tool that is used by organizations like Taco Bell, NASA, etc. Its robust features eliminate the dependency on myriad other tools to run the project. Moreover, it is a highly scalable solution for handling all the project activities.

It offers all the project tools like team chat, time tracking, calendar, etc. The latest version of ProofHub is 100% cloud-enabled and is highly congenial for work from home culture. It ensures data security and offers safe telecommuting.

Features

  • Task Management
  • Time Management
  • Project communication
  • Collaboration
  • Project planning
  • Project reporting

2. FileStage

Filestage is a task organizing and automating feedback tool that helps the teams to get their project deliverables approved quickly. It also helps clients to annotate deliverables like images, documents and videos for marketing projects Moreover, you get all your files, versions, approval decisions and versions in one platform. With filestage, you can also view your version history, get feedback, invite unlimited reviewers and share unlimited files.

Features

  • Project dashboard
  • Deliverable version management
  • Build review and approval process

3. GanttPro

GanttPro is one of the best tools to build plans and timelines, ensure collaboration, track workflow and limit expenses. The ready-made Gantt chart templates offered by this tool make things smoother for quick start. The best part of working with this tool is it can control multiple projects simultaneously.

Features

  • Task Management
  • Collaboration
  • Import & Export
  • Time management
  • Budget tracking
  • Templates

4. Trello

Best known Kanban boards that one will ever come across! Trello is the most sought-after tracking platform that gives a clear idea of individual tasks in a particular project. One of the biggest reasons Trello is such a renowned platform is it is free to use and doesn’t have many limitations.

Features

  • Detailed & Quick Overviews of Front/Back Cards
  • Easy, Drag-and-Drop Editing
  • In-Line Editing
  • Easy Organization with Labeling, Tags, and Comments
  • Progress Meter Checklist
  • Card Records Archive
  • Easy Upload (Local Devices, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box)
  • File Attachment

#Tools for team communication

1. Zoom

Zoom has observed tremendous growth during and post pandemic. It has become an industry leader in video conferencing. This collaboration tool has proved itself to be the best platform for conducting 1:1 sessions and virtual conferences. Zoom has been adapted by 75% companies worldwide and has so far been touted as the most useful tool for remote collaboration.

2. Chanty

Chanty is a highly efficient communicating application that comes with technically advanced features like turning messages into tasks and switching to kanban view. Team members can easily stay organized using this simple tool but the only limitation here is – it is a paid application.

3. Slack

Slack is one of the most popular applications for telecommunication and instant messaging. It also helps in file sharing, powerful search and multiple integrations. Slack also keeps the team organized and focused by providing spaces for conversations, tools and more. Using slack one can also automate routine actions and streamline work by connecting with Google Drive and Office365, etc.

#Tools for File Sharing and File Management

1. Dropbox Business

Dropbox is a file hosting service that offers file synchronization, client software and cloud software. It is a regular dropbox but highly optimized for collaboration and integration that allows you to integrate Google Docs, Sheets, Dropbox Paper and Trello on one platform. Dropbox Business is also integrated with Zoom and Slack.

Features

  • Live chat feature
  • JustCast for podcast hosting
  • View illustrator files without the use of Adobe Software

2. Files.com

Files.com is a file management system that encrypts files and allows its users to share files from a cloud server. You don’t need to create a special user profile because the tool provides a secure file exchange. One of the most rewarding features of Files.com is the third-party integrations it comes with, like – WebDAV, AWS S3, Azure, etc.

Features

  • Real-time collaboration through MS Office
  • Generate links to share data
  • Supports storage upto 5TB

3. Apple iCloud

Apple iCloud is a computing service and cloud-based storage that allows users to store and share content with other team mates and helps keep backups and file syncs updated across all Apple devices.

Features

  • Store files and share with private link
  • Share numbers, pages, media library and keynote files
  • Allow collaboration

Bonus Read: Managing Remote Teams: An In-depth Handbook

Remote Work Trends for 2024 – Stats

  • 64% of the employees between 24 to 35 age group work from remote locations occasionally. (Source: Forbes)
  • Industries that have the highest number of employees working remotely belong to technology, financial services, and healthcare.
  • 16% of the companies in the world operate 100% remotely. (Source: Forbes)
  • 35% of workers say they are more productive when working from home. (Source: Forbes)
  • 78% of employees say remote work helps them balance their work and personal life (Source: Owl Labs)

Key Takeaways on Remote Work Tools

Remote work is the new norm and since many countries across the world have been seamlessly doing business remotely, these remote work tools have sorted most of the organizational and collaboration parts. They have proved to be highly beneficial when it comes to maintaining transparency, productivity, effective communication, and management. If you too are a remote worker or hold a remote working team, these tools will be handy to guarantee effectiveness.

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author
Meenakshi Kalyani
AUTHOR

Meenakshi is a writer at OpenXcell. Her writing is a reflection of the deep knowledge that she has of the silicon world. Corroborated by intriguing facts and innovative ideas, her articles present every aspect of constant technological evolution. When she is not penning, you will find her painting, traveling, or introspecting her emotions to craft a piece on @sutured_emotions.

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