5 Best Internal Communication Tools for Your Business (2023)
Find the right internal communication tool that scales with your business and boosts productivity.
Work is evolving, and it’s crucial to stay relevant by equipping ourselves with the best tools. Over the past few years, internal communication software has undergone major improvements, connecting people seamlessly across various locations.
If you run a business with multiple locations or are planning to scale in the future, you might want to consider a flexible internal communication tool.
What Impact Can a Good Internal Communication Tool Have on Your Business?
As businesses increasingly adopt the hybrid work model, teams now comprise employees working both from the office and from home. An internal communication tool can bridge these communication gaps, helping everyone stay connected through audio and video meetings – just as they would if they were seated together in the same conference room.
An internal communication tool also facilitates seamless collaboration, enabling teams to exchange ideas via messages and calls. It allows employees to work simultaneously on multiple projects while also empowering administrators to take full control of their organization’s communication. This focus on communication helps businesses improve their productivity and efficiency.
What to Look for in an Internal Communication Tool?
With numerous internal communication tools available on the market, finding the right one for your business can be challenging.
To make this decision easier, here are some key features to consider:
- Messaging: The most fundamental feature that any internal communication tool should offer is messaging. This serves as the backbone of internal communication and helps teams interact with each other.
- Audio and Video Collaboration: Given the rising adoption of the hybrid work model worldwide, businesses can use internal communication tools to bring employees together remotely, fostering a sense of unity within the workforce. In this context, audio and video conferencing have become essential.
- Other Collaboration Features: File sharing, task management, reminders, group chats, calendars, and notes are some of the other collaboration features that an internal communication tool should offer.
- Scalability: Your internal communication tool should be able to adapt to your needs as your organization grows. Adding new users or purchasing additional licenses should be a straightforward process.
- Security Standards: Important security standards and certifications to look for include GDPR compliance, HIPAA compliance, and ISO/IEC 27001, 27017, and 27018. The internal communication tool should also feature security and privacy policies that align with your business needs.
- 6ntegration with Other Platforms: A well-integrated platform can save time by reducing the need to switch between apps, allowing employees to focus on crucial tasks. This contributes to increased productivity and better time management by centralizing all relevant information in one interface.
- Customization and Platform Capabilities: A flexible tool offers customizations to meet your specific needs. Choose a communication tool that provides white-labeling options and a platform for developing custom tools tailored to your business.
- Customer Support: When selecting an internal communication platform, prioritize providers with excellent customer service and reliable uptime. This ensures that you can have your issues addressed promptly and minimizes the risk of service disruptions.
- User-Friendliness: Regardless of how robust the software is, it should be easy to understand and navigate to facilitate smoother work processes.
- Alignment with Your Requirements: Ultimately, the right internal communication tool for you will depend on your business’s specific needs, budget, and workforce.
Top 5 Internal Communication Tools for Every Business
Internal communication tools have become essential for every organization, offering a growing range of features and flexibility. Despite the multitude of options available, certain tools are often preferred for various reasons.
Here, we explore the top five internal communication tools most favored by businesses.
1. Zoho Cliq
Zoho Cliq is a popular choice for SMBs but also offers enterprise-level features. Its primary focus is to provide businesses of all sizes with robust security. Users can create channels, host video meetings with up to 10,000 participants, utilize networks for dedicated external collaboration, customize modules, white-label the product, and build custom integrations.
Zoho Cliq offers a free plan as well as an unlimited plan featuring all premium functionalities, starting at a reasonable $3 per user per month.
2. Slack
Slack revolutionized the internal communication landscape with its vibrant UI and feature set when it first launched. It has since become a favorite among startups for daily communication. Slack includes essential features like channels, audio and video conversations, messaging, and security and compliance measures, along with options for external collaboration.
Although Slack offers intuitive features, its pricing can be a bit steep for startups and small businesses, starting at $7.25 per user per month. Slack also provides a free plan for those interested in exploring the product.
Learn more about tips to use Slack.
3. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft has been a leading player in cloud software since the industry’s inception and continues to be widely used by enterprises. Microsoft Teams is often bundled with other Microsoft 365 apps, offering seamless integration. Features include online meetings, file storage and sharing, task management, and robust security measures.
Microsoft Teams offers pricing starting at $4 per user per month, along with a free plan that includes limited features.
4. Google Workspace
Google Workspace is a comprehensive suite that includes a range of collaboration apps such as Gmail, Drive, Meet, Calendar, Chat, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Keep, Sites, Forms, and Jamboard. These tools collectively facilitate seamless communication and enhanced productivity.
The Business Starter pack for Google Workspace is priced at $7.20 per user per month, and a free trial is also available.
5. Troop Messenger
Troop Messenger is a business collaboration platform offering features like messaging, audio and video calling, file sharing, notifications, and screen sharing to foster team cohesion.
Troop Messenger provides three paid plans: Premium at $2.50 per user per month, Enterprise at $5 per user per month, and Superior at $9 per user per month. For access to the complete set of collaboration features, the Superior plan is recommended.