DigiWorks

List of The Best Remote Work Tools

Jan 24, 2023 • 9 min read

Remote working is becoming increasingly popular because it allows employees to work from home while saving money on commuting costs and renting office space. However, there are many challenges associated with remote work. For example, you might not be able to meet face-to-face with clients or colleagues. This article lists some of the best remote work tools out there:

You’ll learn:

  • Remote communication tools
  • Remote scheduling tools
  • Remote project management tools
  • Remote file-sharing and cloud storage tools
  • Time-tracking software

Ready to build your remote team?

Use the DigiWorks platform to hire, manage, and pay remote talent from all over the world.

What are the different types of remote working tools?

With such a large number of people now working remotely, it is important to know what tools you use to communicate effectively and efficiently. Here we look at some of the most common communication tools used today.

Communication Tools

Email – This is still one of the best ways to communicate quickly and easily. However, email can often seem impersonal and inefficient. If you want to really connect with someone, try sending a personalised email rather than just a generic one.

Chat – Instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, iMessage, etc., are great for quick chats. They allow you to see your contacts in real time and make it easy to send messages and photos. You can also add stickers and emojis to your chat conversations.

Video calling – Skype, FaceTime, GoToMeeting, Webex, etc., are all good video calling platforms. These apps let you call anyone else who uses the same app and hold virtual meetings. There are many free options out there too.

Voice calls – VoIP apps like Viber, Line, RingCentral, etc., allow you to make phone calls via Wi-Fi or 3G/4G networks. Some even offer free international calling.

Phone calls – Of course, you can always pick up the phone and talk face to face. But if you prefer to do things digitally, apps like Skype, Facetime, and Zoom are great alternatives.

Remote communication tools

Slack

Communication is essential for any remote team. Slack is a great app to keep team members up to date about what we’re working on and how things are progressing. In addition to keeping us in touch, Slack makes collaboration easier. You can easily add files to projects, chat with teammates, and even hold video team meetings and online meetings with screen share with the entire team.

Slack is one of the most popular ways to collaborate today with a wide range of features. Whether you’re looking for a simple messaging app, a collaborative document editor, or a full-featured project management system, there’s something here for every type of team.

There are many great app integrations that can be built into Slack, including integration with Google Docs, GitHub, Trello, Zapier, Asana, and more.

Zoom

The coronavirus pandemic has forced many people around the world to work remotely. And while it might seem like there are plenty of ways to communicate online, Zoom is one of the most popular options. With a few simple steps, you can join meetings hosted by coworkers and friends across the globe.

To start, make sure you’re signed into your account and have the latest version of Zoom installed. Then, open up the app, select “Meeting,” and choose “Host.” You’ll see a list of participants and the date/time of the event. Click on the name of someone you want to invite, and then tap “Invite.” If you’re having trouble getting started, check out our guide here.

Once everyone is invited, you can begin chatting. To do this, just select “Chat” under the Meeting tab. Once the chat window opens, type in the person’s email address or phone number. They’ll receive a notification with instructions on how to join.

If you’d like to keep things short and sweet, you can set up a quick call with a single button press. Under the Chat tab, select “Call.” Enter the contact information, and hit “Start Call.”

You can also host video conferences for groups of up to 50 people. Just go to the Meetings tab, select “Video Conferencing,” and follow the prompts.

For those looking for something more robust, paid versions of Zoom include additional features such as screen sharing, whiteboards, and screen recording capabilities.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is an all-in-one communications tool designed for teams. It has a simple interface and you can use it to communicate within your organization and work together seamlessly across devices.

With Microsoft Teams, you can:

  • Collaborate across your organization without installing any additional software
  • Communicate instantly with colleagues, customers, partners, and prospects
  • Share information easily and securely
  • Work together regardless of location or device
  • Use the same tools and processes that you already know and trust

Remote scheduling tools

The rise of remote working has meant that people are spending less time in the office. This shift has led to a number of changes in how businesses operate. One such change is the way employees schedule meetings and collaborate. While some companies still use traditional meeting rooms, many others now rely on online platforms like Zoom, Slack and Microsoft Teams.

These tools help keep track of everyone’s schedules. They allow you to quickly see what everyone else is doing and make sure no one misses important events. You can even set up recurring meetings, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to add someone to every single meeting.

Remote scheduling tools reduce email clutter. When everyone works remotely, there’s less email traffic. Instead of sending out dozens of emails to remind people of upcoming meetings, you can just send out a reminder once.

HubSpot Meetings

Use HubSpot Meetings to build a custom event page with forms that allow visitors to book an appointment with you. You can send the meeting invite via email, add it to your site, or embed it on your blog. With HubSpot Meetups, you can host unlimited events without paying per attendee.

Setmore

Setmore is a great way for teams to manage their schedules and book appointments online. The free basic plan includes up to four staff logins.

The basic plan also integrates with third-party apps like Zapier and Facebook.

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The app lets you manage your calendar, send reminders and set up meetings. The app is essentially an appointment and scheduling program.

There is a free version available with limited staff logins. The pricing plan with paid options offers more logins and be customized according to your branding.

Remote project management tools

Project management platforms or software help companies make sure everything goes smoothly. Remote teams often use it because it makes collaboration easier. But there are some drawbacks to working with project management tools. Here are three things you need to know about them.

1. You Need A Plan

Before you start managing projects remotely, you need to figure out how you’ll collaborate. Will you use email, Slack, video calls, or something else? Set up your plan now. If you don’t have one, you might find yourself scrambling later.

2. Keep Your Team In Sync

If you’re managing a team that works remotely, you need to ensure that everyone stays on the same page. This includes keeping track of deadlines, communicating important information, and making sure people aren’t missing anything. Tools like Trello and Asana can help you do this.

3. Stay Organized

You’ll probably need to organize your tasks, files, and share documents online. Some software tools allow you to sync folders across multiple devices. Others let you upload files directly into specific sections of your project. Try different ones until you find what works best for you.

Basecamp

Basecamp is an online collaboration tool that allows teams to work together on one project simultaneously. It offers a free starter plan for small teams and individual projects as well as a paid option with unlimited users and features.

Ready to build your remote team?

Use the DigiWorks platform to hire, manage, and pay remote talent from all over the world.

Remote file-sharing and cloud storage tools

With remote file sharing, you don’t have to use your computer to access files stored on another computer. You can simply log into the account and download the files. This way, you can access your files even if you are away from home.

Cloud storage offers similar functionality. Instead of storing your files locally, you store them online. This gives you access to your information no matter where you go. If you lose your phone or laptop, you won’t lose your files because you already uploaded them to the cloud.

Google Drive

The popular cloud storage platform and file-sharing solution Google Drive now includes a web browser version. With the browser version, you can upload documents, edit spreadsheets, make presentations, and view images. You can also download files to your computer.

You can sign into your Google Account to manage your files. If you’re signed in, you’ll see your recent activity, plus folders where you’ve stored files. You can add new folders and change existing ones.

If you want to work offline, you can enable Offline Mode. In Offline Mode, you won’t lose any changes if you switch off your internet connection. When you turn on your device again, you’ll find your latest edits waiting for you.

You can also send files via email. Just select “Share” and choose how many recipients you’d like to include. Then enter the emails addresses and hit Send.

You can also drag and drop files directly onto the Google Drive window. To do this, simply hold down the Ctrl key while dragging. You can also copy files to Google Drive by clicking the “+ Add file” button, selecting the file you want to move, and hitting Copy.

Dropbox

Dropbox is an online file-sharing solution. This allows you to store all of your important documents and photos in the cloud. You can access it from anywhere via web browser, mobile apps or desktop clients.

There are two different plans available, with the basic option being a free option with storage of 2GB.

It allows users to create, store and share cloud content from Dropbox Paper, Google docs, etc.

Time-tracking software

Clockify (Free)

The clockify app makes it easier to manage time spent on different projects. You can easily assign people to projects and see what they are working on. With a simple swipe, you can switch between projects and quickly check progress. You can even set up recurring billing and receive invoices automatically.

Toggle

Toggle has a free sign-up and offers paid options with practical features like calendar app integration and time audits.

Having a range of team collaboration and communication tools in your remote toolkit can make working with remote team members much more easier.

The DigiWorks platform has been helping small businesses grow their remote teams through vetted VAs and remote teams.

Contact DigiWorks today to find out more about remote work tools or how to get connected to vetted high-quality remote team members from around the world.

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About DigiWorks

DigiWorks is an easy-to-use platform that helps small businesses and start ups hire amazing remote talent from around the world. DigiWorks offers a way for you to hire, manage and pay people from all countries. If you find an amazing virtual assistant from Philippines, a content writer from Nigeria, or operations manager from South Africa – manage and pay your entire team from one platform with no hassle.