A team’s ability to collaborate has significantly improved in recent years. It used to be that a document had to be passed around an entire office, while different employees took turns commenting on it and suggesting changes.

However, thanks to advances in technology, multiple people are now able to make comments on and edit a document at the same time.

The internet is full of valuable tools that can help any organization improve its ability to work together. However, some tools are better than others.

The following apps are some of the best tools that you and your team can use to collaborate more efficiently.

Google Apps

Everyone knows that Google is more than just a search engine, but did you know that Google Apps can fulfill pretty much any collaborative need your company or team has.

Need a document reviewed? No problem. Just upload it to Google Docs and several people can go over it at once.

Other tools Google offers are a calendar that can easily integrate other team members, instant messaging, video chat, and many more.

With so much versatility, it makes sense to pick Google if you are looking for a place to start when improving your team’s ability to work collaboratively.

Slack

Slack is an instant messaging app designed for team collaboration. I know at first this may not sound like an essential app, but slack has truly perfected instant messaging.

Each conversation in slack is organized into different channels that can be set on public or private–depending on who you want to have access. You also have the freedom to direct message any member of your team.

Another exceptional feature of this app is that it allows its users to quickly share files via instant message. All you have to do is drag them from your desktop. This is much simpler than having to open your email every time you want to share a document, and your co-workers will appreciate a less crowded inbox.

Additionally, Slack offers a search bar, which allows you to scan previous conversations for topics and files. It also includes the ability to integrate with multiple devices and even other apps.

No matter what your collaborative needs are, Slack is a great way to make your team’s communication more productive, efficient, and transparent.

Basecamp

Some of the other apps discussed in this post are valuable whether you are working in a team or solo. However, that is not the case when it comes to Basecamp.  Its entire purpose is to help a company or team work together.

The app functions as a shared space that integrates a variety of tools that make it almost impossible for a team using Basecamp to not collaborate. It features six basic tools, which are instant messaging, a message board, to-do lists, weekly schedules, automated check-ins, and a documents and files folder.

Basecamp’s founder also claims that he uses the app to manage his own team, so it’s reassuring that they are using their own product.

Do

Do is an app designed to make meetings more productive. The app does this in multiple steps.

First, the app keep track of and helps you to prepare for meetings in several ways: it  alert you when meetings are taking place and who they are with, it allows you and your team to share relevant documents, and it creates a place where everyone can take notes in preparation for the meeting.

Next, Do increases accountability and transparency by allowing a team’s leader to track what topics need to be brought up in a meeting, how well they were discussed, and enables team members to assign “follow-ups” to other members who attended the meeting.

Last and most importantly, the app provides several valuable insights on your meetings. Insights such as detailed and structured overviews of your team’s meetings, as well as statistics on how each person in the meeting spent their time.

Trello

Trello is an app you can use to organize and prioritize your projects. The app is an online board, made up with lists, that represents an efficient workflow.

On each list, you are able to add a large number of functions for your team to see. These functions include due dates, check lists, notes, attachments, and more.

You can also create lists that are not related to a particular workflow, but instead consist of personal notes, brainstorming sessions, or whatever else you and your team decide to include.

Having to learn any of the tools mentioned above can seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be.

What you have to remember is that it’s not important that you use every tool available to you, but that you find the couple of apps that work really well for you and your team.

After you have decided what apps will be best for you and your team, you will be well on your way to having a highly efficient collaborative team.