But working from home raises a number of challenges, and those challenges become even more of an issue when those remote workers have to collaborate with other team members. To keep productivity and morale up, teams will need tools to come together online, to collaborate in real-time, and work as though they were still in the same building. This is vital. And these days trying to make do using email, the odd to-do list, and video conferencing alone just doesn’t cut it.
Integration is key, and team members working remotely need the right online collaboration tools and project management tools that bring together features such as instant messaging, video calls, screen sharing, and time tracking to help them get the job done. Let’s take a look at the best online collaboration tools currently on offer.
Google Workspace includes remote collaboration tools including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and communication tools including Hangouts Meet and Chat.  Pricing starts at $6 per month and user. Pros

CheapIntegrates well with other Google tools

Cons

Poor choice for those not in the Google ecosystemNot as fully features as some collaboration tools No free tier

Jira integrates with over 3,000 different apps and third-party services. There’s a free version for those with under 10 users, and pricing starts at $7.50 per month and user. Also, teams can get cloud-based editions of Jira Software, Confluence, Jira Service Desk, and Jira Core at no charge. They can be accessed at www.atlassian.com/free. Learn more here. Pros

CheapLots of featuresDecent free version

Cons

Can be quite daunting in terms of features

There’s a free plan available for small teams, and prices start at $6.67 per month and active user. A 99.99% guaranteed uptime SLA is available for higher-priced plans. Pros

Good priceLots of featuresWidely usedDecent free planFantastic integration with other tools

Cons

Can be quite a steep learning curve

There’s a 30-day free trial. After that, prices start at $16.58 per month and user (minimum three users). Pros

Good integration with Google toolsEasy to set up and use

Cons

PriceyNo free tier

There’s a free plan available, and prices start at $10.99 per month and user. Paid plans come with priority support and Premium Academy trainings. Pros

Decent free planGood support and trainingsBread integration

Cons

Not the cheapest by farMight be overkill for some users

Despite their differences, you can integrate the two platforms together. Microsoft Teams offers a free plan, while SharePoint starts at $4 per month and user. Pros

Great choice for those using Microsoft toolsGood free planDecent price

Cons

Best avoided by those not using Microsoft tools

A limited free plan is available, and paid plans, which include larger file attachments, unlimited team boards, and app integrations, start at $10 per month and user. Pros

Free planPricey compared to some of the competition

Cons

Free plan has limitsNot as fully-features as some other offerings

With a big upturn in working from home and remote working, it’s fortunate that we no longer have to try to make do with ad-hoc systems of cobbled together services, with email in one app, video conferencing in another, file sharing in another, and projects and to-do lists somewhere else completely. Integration is key to not only efficiency and productivity, but also when it comes to providing support for remote workers. Giving remote workers the tools they need to collaborate in real-time, and to do so using a platform that makes that as simple as possible allows team members to get on with their projects, rather than be fighting with the tools to get the job done. If a free trial is offered, it’s advised you take the opportunity to test the service before paying.