15 Best Remote Work Tools To Stay Productive & Efficient

Remote work is no longer the future — it’s the present. The global shift toward distributed teams and flexible work arrangements has made it clear: success in the modern workplace greatly depends on having the right tools.

According to a recent Gallup poll, over 50% of U.S. employees are currently working remotely at least part of the time, and that number is expected to remain high. This article will explore the essential categories of remote work tools and provide examples to help individuals and teams optimize their productivity, collaboration, and well-being in the “anywhere workplace.”

We define a “remote work tool” as any software, application, or platform specifically designed to facilitate work done outside of a traditional, centralized workspace.

The Importance of Remote Work Tools

Remote work tools are the digital bridges that connect dispersed teams, enabling them to function as effectively — and often more effectively — than their in-office counterparts. They’re essential for:

• Bridging the physical gap: Video conferencing and instant messaging tools replicate the face-to-face interactions and quick conversations that would naturally occur in a physical office.
• Maintaining productivity & efficiency: Project management software, time trackers, and automation tools streamline workflows, minimize distractions, and keep projects on track.
• Fostering remote collaboration & communication: Shared document editing, collaborative brainstorming platforms, and clear communication channels ensure everyone is informed and stays connected.
• Supporting employee well-being: Scheduling tools help manage workloads and prevent burnout, while virtual teams and social spaces combat isolation and create a sense of community.
• Enabling asynchronous work: Tools like email and project management platforms with notification systems allow team members to contribute effectively, regardless of their time zone.

Key Categories of Remote Work Software

Based on the needs of remote teams and the tools available to address those needs, we can group remote work tools into several key categories. Each category plays a distinct role in creating a productive, collaborative, and secure remote work environment. Here are the 15 top remote work tools to stay productive.

1. Communication Tools

Communication tools bridge the physical divide, replacing hallway conversations and meeting room discussions with virtual alternatives. They keep remote employees connected, prevent isolation, and ensure information flows seamlessly across the organization.

Some examples of communication tools include:

• Instant messaging: For quick, informal communication (e.g., Slack).
• Video conferencing apps: For face-to-face meetings, presentations, and team building (e.g., Nextiva, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet (part of Google Workspace)).
• Unified Communication platforms: Combining voice, video, team chat, and sometimes even contact center features (e.g., Nextiva). This aims to reduce app switching.

2. Collaboration & productivity tools

These digital tools enable teams to create, refine, and deliver together despite physical distance. Productivity tools transform individual efforts into cohesive teamwork, providing the virtual equivalent of shared whiteboards, project walls, and document folders.

Some examples of collaboration tools include:

• Project & task management: For organizing, tracking, and managing work (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com, ClickUp). These tools help teams stay on schedule and meet deadlines.
• Collaborative document editing: For real-time co-creation and editing of documents, spreadsheets, and presentations (e.g., Google Workspace).
• Online whiteboards: For visual brainstorming, planning, and idea generation (e.g., Miro).
• All-in-one workspaces: Flexible platforms that combine features to help teams organize work (e.g., Notion).

3. Time management & focus tools

In a world full of digital distractions, these tools help remote workers master their time and attention. They create structure in the boundaryless world of remote work, helping professionals maintain productivity and work-life balance. Clockify is a good example.

4. Security & privacy tools

Security tools safeguard company assets and information in the distributed workforce, creating secure tunnels and digital vaults that keep sensitive information safe across home networks and personal devices.

Some examples include:

• Password Managers: For securely storing and managing passwords (e.g., LastPass).
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): For encrypting internet traffic and securing remote connections (e.g., NordVPN).

15 Best Remote Work Tools To Try

1. Nextiva

Communication & collaboration

Nextiva is a unified customer experience management (UCXM) platform combining voice, video, chat, and contact center capabilities in a single solution. It’s ideal for businesses of all sizes, particularly those with a strong focus on customer experience due to its advanced customer experience features and integrations.

Key features:

• Unified Communication: HD voice and video conferencing, team messaging, screen sharing.
• Contact Center: Call recording, call routing, IVR (Interactive Voice Response), analytics.
• Integrations: Seamless connectivity with popular CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot.
• Accessibility: Mobile and desktop apps for on-the-go and seamless communication.

Pricing: Starts at $20/user/month for the Digital plan. Core, Engage, and Power Suite plans offer progressively more advanced features at higher price points.

Best for: Businesses needing a comprehensive, all-in-one communication solution with advanced call handling and customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities.

2. Zoom

Video conferencing

Zoom is a leading video conferencing platform essential for virtual meetings, offering high-quality video and audio, screen sharing, breakout rooms, and recording capabilities. Zoom is known for its user-friendly interface and reliable performance, making it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes. Its extensive feature set and integrations with other productivity tools make it a versatile solution for various communication needs.

Key features: HD video/audio, screen sharing, breakout rooms, recording, integrations with calendar and productivity apps, encryption, waiting rooms, and passcode protection.

Pricing: Offers a free plan with a 40-minute limit on group meetings. Metered plans start at $10/license/month, with Regional Unlimited and Global Select plans designed for larger organizations with more demanding requirements.

Best for: Team meetings, client calls, webinars, organizations needing reliable video conferencing.

Considerations: Occasional glitches during recordings, variable video/audio quality depending on the internet access, and a 40-minute limit on group meetings in the free plan.

3. Google Workspace

Collaboration & productivity

Google Workspace is a suite of cloud-based productivity tools that facilitate document creation, communication, and collaboration. It emphasizes real-time editing and seamless sharing, providing easy access across devices and powerful search capabilities for efficient information retrieval.

Key features:

• Essential tools: Gmail for email, Google Calendar for scheduling, and Google Drive for cloud storage.
• Collaborative suite: Docs, Sheets, and Slides with real-time co-editing capabilities.
• Integrated communication: Google Meet for video conferencing and team meetings.

Pricing: Starts at $8.40/user/month for Business Starter. Business Standard and Business Plus offer increased storage capacity and additional features like recording capabilities in Google Meet.

Best for: Teams prioritizing collaborative document editing, cloud storage, and integrated communication tools within a cost-effective and user-friendly environment.

Considerations: The feature set may be less comprehensive for Google Meet than Zoom or Microsoft Teams, limiting advanced functionalities.

4. Slack

Instant messaging

Slack is a popular team communication platform enabling real-time communication through channels, direct messages, and voice/video calls. The platform centralizes communication and reduces reliance on email, offering organized channels, threaded conversations, and a powerful search function to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing. Its extensive app ecosystem allows it to connect with various other tools, streamlining workflows and creating a central hub for team interaction.

Key features: Organized channels, threaded conversations, powerful search, 2,000+ app integrations, message-to-task conversion, and guest user access.

Pricing: A free plan is available with limitations on message history and features. Paid plans start at $7.25/user/month for the Pro plan, with Business+ and Enterprise Grid plans designed for larger teams and organizations.

Best for: Teams that value transparent communication, require organized discussion spaces, and benefit from centralized information sharing and a reduction in email clutter.

Considerations: Can be expensive for large organizations and the potential for notification overload if not managed effectively.

5. Microsoft Teams

Video meetings

Microsoft Teams is an all-in-one communication and collaboration platform integrated with Microsoft 365, offering video conferencing, chat, file sharing, and real-time document collaboration. The platform provides a unified workspace for teams to connect, communicate, and collaborate on projects, leveraging the familiarity and capabilities of the Microsoft 365 suite. It works well for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, offering a seamless extension of their existing tools.

Key features: Video conferencing, chat, sharing, real-time document collaboration, integration with Microsoft 365 apps.

Pricing: Included with Microsoft 365 Business Basic (starting at $4/user/month) and higher plans.

Best for: Businesses already using the Microsoft ecosystem and wanting to unify communication and remote collaboration within their existing toolset to leverage the platform’s strong security features.

Considerations: The interface can be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive functionalities. Some features require a paid subscription for full access.

6. Miro

Team collaboration

Miro is an online collaborative whiteboard platform for real-time brainstorming, planning, and idea visualization. It provides a visual canvas where remote team members can come together to generate ideas, map out strategies, and design solutions collaboratively.

Miro offers many tools, including sticky notes, mind maps, diagrams, and various visual elements, making it ideal for design thinking, agile workflows, and collaborative problem-solving.

Key features: Sticky notes, mind maps, diagrams, integrations with project management and communication tools, infinite canvas for expanding ideas, and pre-built templates for various use cases.

Pricing: Free plan (limited), Team plan starts at $8/user/month (billed annually), Business plan at $16/user/month (billed annually) for more features and administrative controls.

Best for: Brainstorming, planning, visualizing ideas, collaborative design work, workshops, and agile sprints.

Considerations: Can become overwhelming with many users simultaneously editing a board. Performance can be impacted by very large boards containing extensive content.

7. Asana

Project & task management

Asana is a project management tool with a user-friendly interface and features for organizing, tracking, and managing work. It helps teams plan and structure work, providing various views (list, board, timeline, calendar) to visualize projects and adapt to different management styles.

Asana supports various project methodologies, including Agile and Scrum, and offers features like task dependencies, custom fields, and automation to streamline workflows.

Key features: Task management, project timelines, tracking progress, Agile/Scrum support, 200+ app integrations, custom fields and rules, workflow automation, and reporting dashboards.

Pricing: Free plan (limited), Premium plan starts at $10.99/user/month, Business plan at $24.99/user/month for more features and administrative controls.

Best for: Project organization, task tracking, managing complex workflows, and teams needing customizable solutions.

Considerations: Can be expensive for larger teams, especially when needing advanced features. Mixed reviews on the mobile app’s functionality and user experience.

8. Trello

Project & task management

Trello is a visual collaboration tool using Kanban boards for task and workflow management. It offers a simple and intuitive way to manage projects, providing a visual overview of tasks and their progress.

The platform is highly adaptable for various project types, from personal to-do lists to collaborative team projects. Its flexibility and ease of use make it a popular choice for individuals and teams who prefer a visual and less structured approach to project management.

Key features: Customizable lists, cards, due dates, simple and intuitive interface, power-ups for integrations and added functionality, and Butler automation for streamlining repetitive tasks.

Pricing: Free plan (limited), Standard plan starts at $5/user/month, Premium plan at $10/user/month, Enterprise plan at $17.50/user/month for more features and administrative controls.

Best for: Visual project management, simple task tracking, Kanban-style workflows, individuals, and small teams.

9. ClickUp

Project management & time tracking

ClickUp is another comprehensive project management tool with task management, document collaboration, goal setting, and time tracking. The remote work software is a unified workspace for all work needs, offering an array of features and customization options.

It’s highly adaptable to different project styles and team preferences, with features like custom fields, views, and automation to tailor efficient workflows. Its AI capabilities, such as ClickUp Brain, enhance productivity by automating tasks and generating content.

Key features: Task management, document collaboration, goal setting, time tracking, AI features (ClickUp Brain), highly customizable, unlimited tasks, and users on the free plan.

Pricing: Free plan (generous), Unlimited plan starts at $7/user/month, Business plan at $12/user/month, Enterprise needs a custom quote and offers more features and administrative controls.

Best for: Comprehensive project management, customizable workflows, teams needing a wide range of features, and organizations seeking AI-powered productivity enhancements.

Considerations: The sheer number of features can be overwhelming for new users, requiring a learning curve to utilize its full potential effectively.

10. Monday.com

Project management

Monday is a versatile project management platform with customizable workflows and integrations. It offers a visual and intuitive interface to manage projects, providing flexibility to adapt to various team structures and project needs.

The customizable dashboards and reporting features provide valuable insights into project progress and team performance. It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes, offering a scalable solution for managing projects from simple to complex.

Key features: Kanban boards, Gantt charts, dashboards, customizable dashboards, and reporting, integrations with various tools, and automation for streamlining workflows.

Pricing: Free trial, Basic plan starts at $9/user/month, Standard plan at $12/user/month, Pro plan at $19/user/month for more features and administrative controls.

Best for: Visual project management, customizable workflows, reporting and analytics, teams needing a flexible and scalable solution.

Considerations: Can be relatively expensive compared to some other project management tools, especially when needing advanced features or a large number of users.

11. Clockify

Time-tracking

Clockify is a time-tracking tool for monitoring work hours, project progress, and productivity. The remote work tool offers a simple and intuitive way to track time spent on assigning tasks and planning projects, providing valuable insights into time allocation and team performance.

Its detailed reports and integrations with other productivity tools make it a valuable asset for teams looking to improve efficiency and optimize workflows. Its free version for unlimited users makes it a budget-friendly option for businesses of all sizes.

Key features: Manual and automatic time tracking, detailed reports, integrations with productivity tools, free for unlimited users, project and task categorization, billable rates, and reporting.

Pricing: Offers a free plan. The Standard plan starts at $5.49/month and the top plan costs $12.99/month for more features and administrative controls.

Best for: Time tracking, project progress monitoring, budget-friendly teams, freelancers, and individuals.

Considerations: The interface is simple and may lack some advanced features found in paid time tracking tools, limiting customization or complex reporting needs.

12. Notion

Collaboration & productivity

An all-in-one workspace for note-taking, task management, wikis, and databases. Notion provides a flexible and customizable environment for individuals and teams to organize their work and knowledge.

It allows users to create custom workflows, build internal wikis, manage projects, and centralize information in a single, accessible platform. Its versatility and adaptability make it a popular choice for those seeking a unified workspace to manage various aspects of their work.

Key features: Customizable workspaces, templates, note-taking, task management, databases, kanban boards, wikis, integrations with other tools.

Pricing: Free plan (personal), Plus plan starts at $10/seat/month, Business plan at $15/seat/month for more features and administrative controls.

Best for: Centralized knowledge base, flexible project management, note-taking, individuals and teams seeking a unified and customizable workspace.

Considerations: Can have a steep learning curve for some users due to its extensive customization options and functionalities. Workspaces can become complex with extensive use, requiring careful organization.

13. Calendly

Scheduling & meeting management

Calendly is a scheduling tool for simplifying meeting bookings. It eliminates the back-and-forth emails and manual coordination often involved in scheduling meetings. It allows users to share their availability with others, who can then book a time that works for both parties, streamlining the process and saving valuable time. It integrates with various calendar applications and offers customization options to match individual preferences and branding.

Key features: Shared availability, automated scheduling, integrations with calendars, customizable booking pages, automated reminders, and follow-ups.

Pricing: Free plan (basic), Standard plan starts at $10/user/month, Teams plan at $16/user/month for more features and administrative controls.

Best for: Streamlining meeting scheduling, eliminating scheduling conflicts, and individuals and teams with frequent meetings.

Considerations: Limited features on the free plan, potentially restricting functionalities like integrations or customization options.

14. LastPass

Password management & security

LastPass is a password management solution that enhances security by securely storing and auto-filling login credentials. It eliminates the risks associated with password reuse while streamlining access to various accounts. Secure sharing features make it suitable for both individual and team use.

Key features:

• Password management: Password generation, encrypted vault storage, autofill functionality.
• Secure sharing: Safely share credentials with team members or family.
• Enhanced security: Multi-factor and two-factor authentication and a security dashboard with password health metrics for improved online safety.

Pricing: The plan for teams just getting started with password management starts at $4.25/user/month. The Business plan is available for startups and small businesses needing group management and enhanced control.

Best for: Individuals and teams prioritizing online security who need to manage multiple accounts and credentials safely and efficiently.

15. NordVPN

Security & privacy

NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) service that encrypts internet traffic to secure remote connections. It’s crucial for protecting sensitive data when working on public Wi-Fi networks, ensuring online privacy, and enabling secure access to company resources from any location.

Key features:

• Strong security: Strong encryption protocols to safeguard data from unauthorized access.
• Global access: Extensive network of servers worldwide for bypassing geo-restrictions and optimizing connection speeds.
• Privacy focus: Strict no-logs policy to protect user privacy.
• Advanced features: Kill switch to prevent data leaks, split tunneling for selective routing, dedicated IP options for specific needs.

Pricing: Typically priced between $4.99-6.99/month on annual plans, with monthly plans available at higher rates. Business plans are also offered for centralized team management and enhanced security features.

Best for: Remote workers who require secure connections on public networks, need to access geo-restricted content or company resources, and prioritize the protection of sensitive company data while working remotely.

Choosing the Right Remote Work Software

Selecting the right remote work tools is a crucial first step to successful remote work. Here’s how to approach it:

• Assess your team’s needs: Consider your team’s size, work style (e.g., synchronous vs. asynchronous), the types of projects you work on, and your budget. A small design team will have different needs than a large software development company.
• Prioritize integrations: Look for tools that integrate seamlessly with each other. For example, if you use Slack for communication, choose project management tools that have Slack integrations to streamline notifications and updates.
• Start small and scale: Don’t try to implement every tool at once. Begin with the essential tools for communication and project management, and then gradually add more specialized tools as needed.
• Get team buy-in: Involve your team in the selection process. Gather feedback on different tools and ensure that everyone is comfortable using them. This increases adoption rates.
• Training and support: Provide adequate training and ongoing support to help your team use the tools effectively. Many tool providers offer tutorials, webinars, and documentation.
• Regular evaluation: The needs of your team and the available tools will evolve. Regularly evaluate your toolset (e.g., every 6-12 months) to ensure it continues to meet your needs and that you’re taking advantage of new features and innovations.

The right remote work tools are not just helpful, they build a productive, collaborative, and engaged remote work culture. Carefully select and implement the tools outlined in this guide to help your team thrive in the remote workplace.

Remember to create a seamless and efficient digital work environment that replicates — and even surpasses — the benefits of a traditional office. And don’t forget to stay informed and adaptable for long-term success.

Why Nextiva Is a Top Choice for Remote Work

The traditional approach to remote work tools often involves juggling a multitude of separate applications: one for video conferencing, another for instant messaging, yet another for project management, and so on.

This can lead to “app fatigue,” decreased productivity, and communication breakdowns. A more effective approach is to embrace a unified business communication solution like Nextiva that consolidates essential remote work functions into a single, integrated solution. Nextiva fundamentally reshapes how we think about tool categories. Instead of separate categories, we have integrated capabilities within a single system.