In today’s remote and hybrid world, collaborating effectively is more critical than ever. Businesses that fail to embrace collaboration via cloud-based tools will quickly fall behind in an increasingly competitive landscape and may fail to actualize their best ideas. Collaboration platforms are further intensified due to businesses operating in geographically dispersed locations. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global market for collaboration platforms is expected to reach $16.60 billion by 2025. Collaboration platforms provide businesses with many benefits, including improved communication, increased productivity, and reduced costs.

Overview of Top Free Collaboration Platforms for 2022

With the rise of remote work and the gig economy, workers are more flexible. As a result, businesses are turning to collaboration platforms to help them stay connected. Here is an overview of the top free collaboration platforms for 2022.

1. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that enables workplace teams to communicate and collaborate more effectively. It provides a central location for all team communications and files. Its key features include:

  • Up to 100 participants per meeting: This feature allows businesses to use Microsoft Teams for company-wide meetings, product launches, training sessions, etc.
  • 5 GB of cloud storage per user: Microsoft Teams offers 5 GB of storage per user, making it a convenient way to keep important files safe and accessible.
  • Unlimited chat with coworkers and customers: This feature helps employees stay connected, share ideas, and work on projects.
  • File sharing, tasks, and polling: Users can easily share files and set up tasks and polls to help manage workflows more efficiently.
  • Data encryption for meetings, chats, calls, and files: This feature keeps conversations confidential and helps to protect important company information.

2. Slack

Slack is a cloud-based messaging system that allows users to easily communicate with each other in real-time. Slack provides a more efficient way to collaborate by enabling users to send messages quickly and receive responses. Its key features include:

  • Unlimited private & public channels: Slack offers both public and private channels. Public channels are open to anyone on the Slack team, while private channels are only accessible to invited members.
  • Searchable messages:  This feature allows users to search through all of the messages that have been sent in a Slack channel, and users can access the most recent 10,000 messages.
  • 1:1 voice and video calls: This feature is perfect for users when they need to have a quick conversation with someone or see their face while chatting. Slack also makes it easy to share files and screen share during calls.
  • File sharing: Slack’s file-sharing feature allows users to share images, PDFs, videos, and other types of files within Slack conversations.
  • Personalized notifications: With the personalized notifications feature of Slack, users can choose which notifications they want to receive and when they wish to receive them.

3. Google Workspace Essentials Starters 

Workspace Essentials Starters is a free collaboration and productivity suite by Google that enables users to collaborate with colleagues, stay organized, and get work done cost-effectively using Google’s tools. Its key features include:

  • Gmail: This feature allows users to get an email address with their company’s domain name.
  • Google Drive: Enables users to store and share files securely in the cloud.
  • Google Calendar: This feature helps users schedule events and track meeting invitations.
  • Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides: Enable users to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
  • Google Meet allows users to hold video meetings with 25 participants.

4. Discord 

Discord is a communication app for businesses, teams, and gamers that lets people come together online to discuss topics, share ideas, and collaborate. It has a server capacity for large groups and organizations, making it ideal for collaborative work. Its key features include:

  • Unlimited users: Discord allows users to add an unlimited number of users to their server
  • Unlimited message history: Discord keeps all messages in a server history, so users can always go back and reference old conversations.
  • Unlimited server storage: Discord offers unlimited storage for servers so that users can keep all of their files and media in one place
  • Screen sharing: Discord’s screen-sharing feature makes sharing your screen with other users easily
  • Video and voice chat: Discord offers both video and voice chat, so you can choose the best way to communicate with your team.

5. Trello

Trello is a collaboration platform that enables users to create boards where they can organize and track tasks. It provides a flexible and visual way to manage projects of all sizes. With Trello, users can add comments, attach files, create checklists, and more. Its key features include:

  • Up to 10 boards per workspace: Trello will enable users to create ten boards per workspace in the free version
  • Unlimited storage: Trello allows users to store unlimited files, with a maximum file size of 10MB
  • Custom backgrounds and stickers: Users can customize their boards with backgrounds and stickers
  • Assign tasks and due dates: It allows users to assign tasks to specific team members and set due dates
  • 2-factor authentication: Trello provides 2-Factor Authentication for an extra layer of security

6. Bitrix24 

Bitrix24 is a free collaboration platform that helps teams work together more effectively. It provides a central place for team members to share files, collaborates on projects, and stay updated on tasks. Bitrix24 also offers communication and task management tools and a CRM, making it essential for any small business. Its key features include:

  • Chats: Bitrix24 provides instant messaging and video chat for team members
  • HD Video calls (1-to-1): Bitrix24 provides high-definition video calls for team members
  • Videoconferencing (up to 48 people): Bitrix24 provides videoconferencing for up to 48 people
  • Online storage 5GB: Bitrix24 delivers 5GB of online storage for team members
  • Calendar:  Bitrix24 provides a shared calendar for team members.
  • CRM: Bitrix24 provides a built-in CRM system for team members.

Final Thoughts

Collaboration platforms provide the perfect opportunity for businesses to connect and work together on projects in real-time. These platforms are all easy to use and offer a variety of features that can help companies enhance their productivity and efficiency.

 

 



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