15 outstanding messaging apps list for your remote teams
What is the best messaging app list for remote teams?
The best messaging app list for remote teams includes tools like Troop Messenger, Chanty, Slack, and Twist that offer secure chat, calls, file sharing, and easy collaboration.
Here is the quick view:
- Pick apps with secure chat, calls, and file sharing.
- Match the tool to your team size and budget.
- Most offer a free plan, so you can test first.
Part of managing a remote team is strong communication. Without a clear grasp of tasks and each person’s work, remote work will not click. So this messaging app list breaks down the best tools to keep your team in sync.
Good communication also drives success on shared projects. It is hard enough to keep a business running from home. Meanwhile, managing your remote teams is another task. So along with online tools, it is best to use secure messaging apps.
Top messaging apps for your team
- Troop Messenger
- Chanty
- Proofhub
- Brosix
- Rocket.Chat
- Hangouts Chat
- Connecteam
- Ryver
- Slack
- Facebook Workplace
- Convo
- Flowdock
- Twist
- Glip
- Flock
Significance of messaging apps to virtual teams
These secure messaging apps let you and your remote workers connect anytime and anywhere. Today, there are over 2.7 billion deskless workers or mobile employees across the globe. That amounts to over 80% of the global workforce.
These workers often cannot answer nonstop calls. So they may not have easy access to work email either. As a result, chat apps keep them in sync even when they are far from an office. For a wider view, see the real benefits of virtual teams.
With these tools, team members can send texts, group messages, or voice notes fast. So no urgent task sits unattended.
How remote teams can benefit from these messaging apps
Chat apps like Facebook Messenger, Slack, and Viber have broken down communication barriers. So people can stay in touch anytime, from any place. Let us explore the benefits these apps bring.
Enhanced communication
Chat apps let you and your team talk any time of day. Teamwork is hard when you are not in the same room. So these tools help you share messages, ideas, documents, and videos with ease.
Project management
Project management is far easier with these tools. Because everyone can talk clearly, mix-ups drop. In addition, the apps help you manage tasks and projects in one place. Many teams pair them with cloud collaboration tools for even more control.
Organization
Another plus is that these apps support group work. For example, Facebook Messenger lets users create group chats and video calls. So the whole team stays on track. As a result, you can monitor progress on each task.
Time-saving
Remote work is no excuse for missed deadlines. Messaging apps help staff save time while they work together. So a well-run remote team saves you money and effort. Strong remote collaboration habits make this even easier.
Employee accountability
The main goal of these apps is to boost internal communication. Through them, staff can post regular updates on their work. As a result, they feel a stronger sense of ownership over their role.
Improved employee engagement
Messaging apps do more than help you track staff. They also unite your remote workforce. So they lift engagement across the team. In addition, better peer contact boosts everyone’s output.
Solidifies remote team relationships
Used well, this messaging app list can build healthy work bonds. Whether in person or by chat, connecting with peers builds a warm culture. In turn, that opens more room for growth and new ideas. It also strengthens your wider remote work culture.
Top 15 messaging apps to consider
Now you know the perks of using messaging apps while your staff work from home. So let us jump into the main list. Below are the top 15 messaging and chat apps to choose from.
1. Troop Messenger
Besides chat, Troop Messenger has many features for remote teams. For example, it offers voice and video calls, screen sharing, group chats, and audio messaging. It also supports file sharing, file preview, content filtering, and end-to-end encryption.
This secure app works on Mac OS, Android, Windows, Linux, Web, and iOS. Pricing: It has a free plan. The Premium plan is $1 per user each month. Meanwhile, the Enterprise plan starts at $3 per user each month.
2. Chanty
Chanty’s features include one-on-one or group chat, audio and video calls, and screen sharing. It also has a Teambook feature. So each member can view all messages, contacts, and tasks in one place.
Chanty pairs with tools like Trello, Google Drive, and Dropbox. It runs on Windows, iOS, Android, Web, and Mac OS. Pricing: The free plan covers teams of up to 10 members. Meanwhile, the Business plan starts at $3 per user each month.
3. Proofhub
Proofhub is team communication software with all-in-one features. It allows private chats and group chats among members. It also has an @mention feature. So users can loop in the right staff for a discussion.
Pricing: This app has a 14-day free trial. It supports Windows, Android, iOS, and Web. The Essential plan is $45 each month for unlimited users. Meanwhile, the Ultimate plan is $89 each month for unlimited projects and users.
4. Brosix
Brosix has many features like chat rooms, screen sharing, video and audio calls, and file sharing. It also supports unlimited file transfer sizes. In addition, it uses end-to-end encryption on all channels.
Brosix runs on Linux, Mac, Web, Windows, and iOS. Pricing: The Startup plan is free for up to 3 users. The Business plan is $4 per user each month. Meanwhile, the Premium plan is $6 per member when billed yearly.
5. Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat is a communication and collaboration tool. For example, its features include real-time chat, video calls, file sharing, and audio calls. It also offers translation, admin transparency, and user-name limits.
It supports Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, and Linux. Pricing: Rocket.Chat has a freemium plan, a Pro plan ($3 per user each month), and an Enterprise plan (price on request).
6. Hangouts Chat
Hangouts Chat is a communication channel from Google. It lets remote workers connect across different platforms with ease. Its features include screen sharing, voice calls, HD video calls, and custom admin controls.
It supports iOS, Android, Web, and Mac OS. Pricing: The Basic plan is $5 per user each month, with up to 30 GB of storage. The Business plan is $10 per user each month. Meanwhile, the Enterprise plan is $25 per user each month.
7. Connecteam
Connecteam is more than a chat app. It also offers employee management tools for remote teams. Its highlights include private, end-to-end encrypted chat by category (location, project, and department), an employee directory, an HR suggestion box, and surveys.
It supports iOS, Android, and Web. Pricing: The Basic plan is $29 each month for up to 200 users. The Advanced plan is $59 each month. Meanwhile, the Expert plan is $119 each month, both for up to 200 users.
8. Ryver
Ryver uses Active Response Technology for team collaboration. This app allows video calls, group chats, conversation search, screen sharing, and file sharing. So teams can find and share what they need fast.
It supports iOS, Windows, and Mac. Pricing: The Starter plan is $49 each month for up to 12 users. The Unlimited plan is $99 each month for unlimited users. Meanwhile, the Enterprise plan is $399 each month.
9. Slack
Slack is one of the most used communication tools across remote teams. For example, it offers easy text messaging, file sharing, and auto-sync across devices. So work stays in one shared space.
It supports Linux, Mac OS, Web, Android, Windows, and iOS. Pricing: Slack has a freemium plan, a Standard plan ($6.67 per user each month), and a Plus plan ($12.5 per user each month).
10. Facebook Workplace
Facebook Workplace has one-on-one and group messaging. So departments can talk in private. It also offers collaboration features and admin controls. In addition, it uses APIs for bots and custom integrations.
It supports Web, Android, and iOS. Pricing: It has a free Standard plan and a Premium plan for $3 per user each month.
11. Convo
Convo helps simplify remote collaboration across teams. Its key features include file, image, and video sharing plus custom notifications. So it works on web, desktop, and mobile.
Convo supports Android and iOS. Pricing: Convo has a free plan. Meanwhile, its Pro and Enterprise plan prices are available on request.
12. Flowdock
Flowdock is team chat software with a range of inbox and chat features. It supports up to 35 integrations. Its special tools include message tags, custom emojis, gifs, and file sharing.
It supports Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. Pricing: It has two plans. The Standalone plan is $3 per user each month. Meanwhile, the Enterprise plan is $9 per user each month.
13. Twist
Twist is another trusted tool for remote teams. It helps people focus on work while they engage in real time. Its highlights include automated reporting, voice and video calls, and search.
It supports Windows, iOS, and Android. Pricing: Teams can use the free plan or the Unlimited plan at $5 per user each month.
14. Glip
Glip is a collaboration app from RingCentral. It offers free messaging, video calls, and task management. It also allows screen sharing, file sharing, and voice calls.
It supports iOS, Android, Web, and desktop apps. Pricing: Besides its free plan, it has a Standard plan for $5 per user each month.
15. Flock
Flock is another known tool for online collaboration. For example, it has a drag-and-drop feature for file sharing and a preview button for shared files. In addition, more than 60 third-party apps can plug into Flock.
It supports iOS, Android, and Web. Pricing: Flock has a free plan, a Pro plan ($4.50 per licensed user each month), and an Enterprise plan (price on request).
There are also other messaging apps online, both free and paid. As you can see, these tools do more than power real-time chat. Most also come with features that support strong teamwork. To go deeper, explore this guide to building effective remote teams.
Frequently asked questions
What is a messaging app for remote teams?
It is a tool that lets remote staff chat, call, and share files in one place. So teams stay in sync even when they work far apart.
Which messaging app is best for a small team?
Free plans from Troop Messenger, Chanty, or Slack suit small teams well. So you can start at no cost. Then upgrade as the team grows.
Are messaging apps secure?
Many use end-to-end encryption, such as Troop Messenger, Brosix, and Connecteam. So your chats stay private. Still, check each app’s security settings before rollout.
Do these messaging apps support video calls?
Yes, most do. Apps like Chanty, Rocket.Chat, and Glip offer video and audio calls. As a result, you can host meetings without a separate tool.
How do I choose the right messaging app?
First, list your must-have features. Next, match them to your team size and budget. Finally, test a free plan before you commit.
Key takeaways
- A strong messaging app list keeps remote teams in sync anytime, anywhere.
- The best apps offer secure chat, calls, file sharing, and easy collaboration.
- Most tools have a free plan, so you can test before you pay.
- Match each app to your team size, budget, and must-have features.
- Good chat tools lift engagement, accountability, and project management.
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