2021 is shaping up to be the year that the world redefines what it means to collaborate. Now that the majority of the population is comfortable with remote work at a base level, this year is about taking supporting hybrid teams to the next level and creating new ways to collaborate independent of physical location. With the help of new apps and tech tools, even as we continue to grow further and further apart in distance we have never been more primed for collaboration.

Whether you typically connect face to face, virtually or somewhere in between, there is no shortage of tech tools available to help you work effectively with others. Let’s take a look at some of the top collaboration tools out there today, from the most popular apps that you’ve surely been using for years now to the newest tech tools to hit the market.

Top Remote Collaboration Tools

For distributed teams and remote workers in any field, there’s a need to stay connected and continuously collaborate (or communicate synchronously during core hours). 

To support remote or hybrid teams in 2021, consider investing in one of these remote collaboration tools.

1. Slack

Source: Slack

Every modern employee is familiar with this popular communication platform and with good reason. A remote communication and collaboration industry leader since 2013, Slack has grown into the go to messaging app for over 10 million daily users. As the years have gone by, Slack has evolved from a simple messaging app into the document storing, file management and community building resource that it is today.

Ways to Collaborate Using Slack

• Team channels for ongoing conversation, strategy and sharing wins
• Example: Marketing channel, sales channel, optimization channel
• Interest-based channels for networking and team building
• Example: Parent channel, dog lover channel, foodie channel
• One on one check ins or daily team standups
  
  

2. Conceptboard

Source: Conceptboard

A visual collaboration platform that connects teammates and clients from any location, Conceptboard offers users the opportunity to work solo or together on expansive digital whiteboards. Through the use of these digital boards, teammates have a secure virtual location where they are free to brainstorm, strategize and create all in one adaptable space.

Ways to Collaborate Using Conceptboard

• Product or app development
• Content strategy
• Brainstorming
• Project kickoffs
• Creative ideation
  
  

3. Google Workspace

Source: Google Workspace

Formerly known as G Suite, Google Workspace is the inclusive virtual location where you can find all of the Google tools you need to collaborate from a distance. For those Google users who have yet to take a deep dive into the workspace, you’ll find a comprehensive list of tools and apps that you can use to take remote collaboration to the next level. 

Along with the classic Google tools like Docs and Sheets, you’ll also find apps like:

• Google Meet— a video conferencing tool
• Google Sites— a website building tool
• Google Forms— a survey creator tool
• Google Currents— an employee engagement tool
• Google Jamboard— a digital whiteboard tool
• And more— check out all of Google’s collaboration apps here

Top Hybrid Collaboration Tools

For teams with members on flexible schedules— with some employees working remotely while others work onsite— you need collaboration tools that fit into your hybrid lifestyle. Check out these top hybrid collaboration tools to keep your team connected and collaborating, no matter where they are working from on any given day.

4. The Whiteboard Owl

True hybrid technology can be used on any device, which is why the Whiteboard Owl prioritizes supporting teams independent of location and workspace setup (it’s our whole mission at Owl Labs). This digital whiteboard app + accompanying whiteboard enhancing camera are intuitive and flexible enough to meet your hybrid team’s ever-changing needs, thanks to features such as auto-enhance, a view of the whiteboard along with a panoramic view of in-room participants, and auto-capturing of whiteboard content. 

Ways to Use Cloud-Based Whiteboard Apps

• Education and training
• Concepting
• New hire onboarding
• Creative design
  
  

5. ProofHub

Source: ProofHub

The Swiss Army Knife of hybrid collaboration software, ProofHub is an online project planning software that offers a wide range of customizable features. ProofHub offers tools from Gantt charts to calendars, Kanban boards to custom workflows. Topped off with a user-friendly mobile app and the ability to assign individual tasks, ProofHub is the ideal collaboration tool for any hybrid team.

6. Notion

Source: Notion

Notion is a versatile project management, team collaboration and internal website tool. With the ability to host internal wikis and use the project management side, your hybrid team can ramp up organization and documentation. Notion gives you the ability to take a single dataset like your editorial calendar and view it by owner, project, deadline or on a calendar. A great option for teams with various work styles and functions, Notion is user-friendly and simple to set up.

7. The Meeting Owl

We’re partial to this tool for collaboration— it was specifically designed for hybrid teams. The Meeting Owl is a unique video conferencing camera that serves teams with some members who are in-person and others are tuning in remotely. With a smart 360-degree camera that auto-focuses on the speaker, the Meeting Owl is designed to take the tech burden off employees and enable smoother hybrid meetings.

Top Collaboration Tools for WFA Teams

The Work From Anywhere lifestyle stops for no one and nothing. Teams made up of remote, distanced and flexible employees need tech tools that are just as flexible as their lifestyles. The following tech tools can be used on any device and from any location, making them the essential tools for team members living that WFA lifestyle.

8. Milanote

Source: Milanote

A completely digital organizational tool, Milanote is making waves as an app designed to help visual professionals who find themselves working on the go. Ideal for brainstorming, storyboarding ideas, and crafting presentations, thanks to Milanote’s simple drag-and-drop format the platform is as flexible and mobile-friendly as they come. And because you can upload files and images right into the platform, once you are in the Milanote zone there is nothing in the way between you and your creative work, even when working from the road.

9. Wrike

Source: Wrike

Designed with distanced teams in mind, Wrike is an internal project management tool that helps teams of all sizes streamline their collaborative efforts whether they are working down the hall from one another or ten time zones apart. With the ability to send messages while working on Tasks in Wrike, team members never have to miss a beat when working together on the platform. Additionally, new onboarding and training features allow for more effective remote training practices for new hires.

10. Blink

Source: Blink

Created for deskless workers in a constantly moving world, Blink is an inclusive collaboration software that can be used by employees in virtually any industry. Thanks to features like passwordless logins and data connection to any other tool, Blink is an intranet with mobile use in mind. Another one of Blink’s fan favorite features is the personalized feed that adapts to user behavior to deliver a daily curated feed designed to encourage productivity at every turn.

Whether you’re collaborating in-person or from either side of an ocean, the tools you use to stay connected matter. To stay updated on the latest collaboration tools, here is Tech 2021 Trends: From CES and Beyond.