What’s the best way to communicate with your colleagues? We looked at the best options out there and brought you the verdict. Here are the best and brightest team communication apps.
Effective and quick communication in the workplace is critical for business success, and the best way to do this is by investing in a team chat app. These apps improve your company’s internal communication, streamline daily operations, and boost employee productivity and engagement.
Fortunately, we’ve done some extensive research and put together a list of the top 15 options on the market so you don’t have to.
If you don’t have the time to read through our research, jump down to our quick comparison table.
Our Top Picks
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Best all-in-one team chat app
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Good for enhanced engagement and collaboration
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Good for task management
What to Look For in a Team Chat App
Here are some important things to look for when choosing the best business chat apps:
- Multiple types of communication: The more modes of communication an employee chat app includes, the more dynamic and streamlined communication in your company will be. These can include instant messaging, employee alerts, video conferencing, and more.
- File sharing: Look for a chat app that allows easy sharing of files, documents, images, and videos within the chat interface. It should also support collaborative features like real-time editing and commenting on shared files.
- Administrative features: Managers should be able to use their enterprise chat app to efficiently manage teams, and share information.
- Group chat capabilities: Business chat apps should allow managers to organize conversations into groups.
- Security and privacy: Choose an app that offers security measures like encryption, multi-factor authentication, and data access controls to protect your conversations and files.
- Search and archive: An effective team chat app should have powerful search functionality to help users quickly find past conversations and files. Additionally, the ability to archive old chats can be useful for reference and compliance purposes.
- Emojis, reactions, and GIFs: Fun elements like emojis, reactions, and GIFs can add a bit of informality and improve team dynamics and communication.
- Scalability: Choose a team chat app that can accommodate your current team size and easily scale as your company grows.
- Company newsfeed: A social media-style newsfeed allows you to share updates and announcements with your entire team at once.
The 16 Best Team Chat Apps of 2023
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Connecteam — Best all-in-one team chat app
Connecteam is an all-in-one team chat app with all the tools you need to keep your workforce connected, up-to-date, and engaged, no matter where they are working and even while on the go.
Let’s take a closer look at how Connecteam can keep your team stay connected:
Dedicated work chat to keep in touch with all employees
You and your employees can instantly reach each other with in-app chat, making it fast and easy to stay connected, collaborate, and share information in real time.
Managers and employees can instantly reach each other no matter where they are, ask questions, send updates, or share schedules.
As an admin, you have full control over communications allowing you to manage user permissions and remove inappropriate content.
Share updates and announcements with everyone on the company newsfeed
In the company social feed, you can reach your entire workforce with personalized company updates and announcements. You can also publicly recognize employees on a job well done, welcome a new employee, or wish a worker a happy birthday.
Employees can comment, like, respond, or send GIFs or emojis, too. To make it all easier, you can share updates with selected groups, schedule posts, set notifications and auto-reminders, and view actionable insights.
Keep everyone connected with the employee directory
With Connecteam’s employee directory feature, you can store all employee contact information in the app, like phone numbers and email addresses, along with other details, like food preferences and emergency contact information.
That way, all of your employees have an alternative way to reach each other outside of the in-app chat. You can also store client, vendor, or supplier contact details in the directory to keep these details readily available.
Store important documents in the Knowledge Base
The Knowledge Base acts as your team’s centralized library. You can upload, manage, and share important documents like training manuals, standard operating procedures, and company policies. Anything employees need to perform their jobs is accessible anywhere and anytime.
Use surveys and live polls to gather feedback and make informed decisions
With Connecteam’s surveys feature, you can create customized surveys and live polls to connect with employees from the field. Keep surveys anonymous and gather feedback on anything to make your employees feel heard. Then, use employee insights to make better-informed business decisions.
Use forms and checklists to ensure important processes are completed correctly
Create your own checklists and forms for any task, or choose from various customizable templates. The app enables you to include images, videos, or files, and have your employees sign checklists with e-signatures.
Add checklists to shifts or tasks or share them with the in-app chat so your employees know exactly what they need to do while on the job. The app makes it easy for your team to see what tasks are assigned to them, mark them as complete, and submit them – all from their mobile phones
As an admin, you’re instantly notified of submissions, which you can review from your admin dashboard. Easily spot any outstanding submissions and instantly follow up, if needed.
Simplify the scheduling process and share with your team with a click
With Connecteam’s employee scheduling feature, you never have to worry about your employees not getting their schedules on time. As a manager, you have a complete overview of everyone’s availability and work preferences from the app so you can create weekly schedules with ease. Use one of the premade scheduling templates or create your own to use on a regular basis.
Once you’ve published the schedule, employees are automatically notified on their phones so they won’t miss it. You can also announce it on the company newsfeed, and employees can even sync their schedules from the Connecteam app with Google Calendar. That way, their shifts are also scheduled in their personal calendars.
Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Try Connecteam here!
Key Features
Automatic notifications
Pros
Quick to set up and easy to use
Pre-defined ‘smart groups’ to address multiple employees at once
Total control over group chats for admins
Increases security by storing files on the cloud, not phones
Cons
Mote integrations in development
Pricing
Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users
Improve your internal communication with Connecteam secured chat
Let’s Get Started -
Jostle — Good for enhanced engagement and collaboration
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Jostle was specifically designed to help small businesses build a positive company culture and boost employee engagement. This communication tool allows workers to chat with instant messaging and boasts a wide variety of helpful features such as feedback polls and bulletin boards.
You can address your entire team at once, or to specific groups. You can also see who has and hasn’t read specific announcements. If you want to get employee feedback on a particular topic, create customized, company-wide polls and use the results to make better business decisions.
Learn more about JostleKey Features
- Private and group chats
- Social networking features
- Employee polls
- Mobile app access
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Enhances employee engagement
Cons
- Lacks customization options
- Limited integration with other tools
Pricing
Contact vendor for price Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: Yes — For up to 15 users
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Chanty — Good for task management
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
As company communication tools go, Chanty is one of the easiest to use. Instant messaging is incredibly safe and secure and the app also includes a wide range of other features, such as audio and video calls and screen sharing. Chanty is a useful team chat app and works well with other apps such as Google Drive and Dropbox.
Learn more about Chanty
This team chat app also includes task management features. You can turn any message into a task, create deadlines, and even change tasks to Kanban view.Key Features
- Team chat & collaboration
- Task management
- Audio & video conferencing
- File sharing
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Difficult to customize schedules
- Users report that notification settings don’t always work properly
Pricing
Starts at $2.55/user/month Trial: No Free Plan: Yes — Up to 10 team members
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Troop Messenger — Good for video calls and screen sharing
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
One of the better enterprise communication tools on the market, Troop Messenger helps businesses message and collaborate easier, while also maximizing work processes. It’s easy for employees to chat privately, voicenote each other, call, and have meetings with each other right from the app. This work chat app also allows you to send files and collaborate on projects.
Learn more about Troop Messenger
With the Forkout functionality, users can send text messages or attachments to multiple users or multiple groups at once. Screen sharing also simplifies video calls so that employees can follow along with discussions from wherever they are, regardless of where they are located.Key Features
- Group chat & messaging
- Video conferencing
- Screen sharing
- File sharing & collaboration
Pros
- Advanced security features
- Customizable interface
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Limited support options
Pricing
Starts at $2.5/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: No
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Pumble
Pumble — Good for small teams
Available on
- Web
Pumble’s work chat app promotes productivity and communication in the workplace with instant messaging tools and video chat.
Learn more about Pumble
Users can message each other privately, start threads, or create channels on any topic they want. Then, employees can join or be invited to as many channels as they need so everyone stays updated and connected. You can share files, send video messages, or send voice messages directly in the app.
Pumble is a great option for smaller companies because it offers a completely free plan for an unlimited number of users.Key Features
- Chat threads and channels
- Video messaging
- Search feature
- File sharing & collaboration
Pros
- Free plan
- Simple to use
Cons
- Limited capabilities and features
- Free plan does not include video or voice communication
Pricing
Free tool Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
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Microsoft Teams — Good for enterprise-level security
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
With enterprise chat apps like Microsoft Teams, it’s easier for employees to stay connected and have instant access to all important content at any time. Users can quickly share files and share ideas with each other, improving productivity and efficiency in the process.
Team members can chat, call, and collaborate on files directly in the app and host meetings of any kind. Managers can even lead team trainings via video or webinar, making this team chat app a great option for larger companies with frontline workers.
Learn more about Microsoft TeamsKey Features
- Integration with Microsoft 365 suite
- Team chat
- Video & audio conferencing
- File sharing & collaboration
Pros
- Integration with MS Office
- Robust security features
Cons
- High cost for advanced features
- Complex interface for beginners
Pricing
Starts at $4/user/month Trial: Yes — Up to 25 users Free Plan: No
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Beekeeper — Good for frontline workers
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Beekeeper isn’t only an employee chat app, but a complete employee management tool. Users can receive company notifications and send instant messages to other employees with encrypted data security so data stays safe and secure. The app also has surveys to gather feedback, digital forms, and task management tools so employees can streamline all their work processes.
Learn more about Beekeeper
Another perk is that Beekeeper has translation capabilities and can translate content into over 100 languages to make sure all workers understand what’s going on.Key Features
- Activity and news feed
- Audio calls
- Discussion threads
- File sharing
- Translation capabilities
- Surveys & feedback
Pros
- Easy to use
- Desktop and mobile access
Cons
- No image attachment capabilities
- More expensive than competitors
Pricing
Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: No
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Rocket.Chat — Good for companies with sensitive customer information
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
This business chat app promotes streamlined internal communication and allows managers and employees to share files, chat in real time, or switch to video or audio conferencing. A unique feature of Rocket.Chat is that it’s an open source communication app, meaning that it offers complete access to the source code. That way, if you have a developer on your team, they can fully customize, extend, or add new functionality to meet your company’s requirements.
Learn more about Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat also comes with lots of useful integration capabilities, like Slack and Salesforce.Key Features
- Open-source platform
- Internal communication
- Customer collaboration
- File sharing & collaboration
Pros
- Advanced integrations
- Exceptional security
Cons
- Need coding skills to maximize capabilities
- Users report poor customer support
Pricing
Starts at $7/user/month, minimum of 25 users Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: Yes
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Google Chat — Good for companies that use Google Workspace
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
As an integral part of Google Workspace, Google Chat is a great option for companies who already use other Google applications in their day-to-day. This employee chat app helps teams collaborate easily and efficiently with direct messages, video calls, and group chats. You can create dedicated virtual rooms to discuss projects for as long as you need, send images, videos, and links.
Learn more about Google Chat
The Google Chat app has an intuitive interface and syncs with Google Calendar so you can schedule meetings instantly following a conversation.Key Features
- Automatic notifications
- Video calls
- File sharing
- Chat history
Pros
- Integrates with Google Workspace
- Easy to navigate
Cons
- Need a Gmail account to use
- Poor customer support
Pricing
Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: No
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WhatsApp Business — Good for companies that don’t share sensitive data
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
WhatsApp Business has lots of cool features to improve communication and help your company thrive. It can be used for employees to message each other as well as for you to maintain relationships with your customers. You can create automated responses for when customers message you and even create a shop within the app.
While WhatsApp is a popular choice due to its intuitive chat feature and calling abilities, it’s not the best option for work-related communication. WhatsApp is less secure than some other options on this list, but companies do like it because it’s so easy to use.
Learn more about WhatsApp BusinessKey Features
- Tagging and mentioning capabilities
- Phone and video chat
- Emojis, GIFs, and stickers
- File sharing
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Can chat with both employees and customers
Cons
- Less secure than competitors
- Limited admin controls
Pricing
Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: No
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Flock — Good for file sharing
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
With the Flock team chat app, you can send private messages or start group channels to message multiple teams at once. Additionally, employees can share to-do lists, send reminders, and participate in polls directly in the app. Flock also integrates with other apps, like Google, MailChimp, Dropbox, Jira, Trello, and more.
Learn more about Flock
Flock also makes it easy to find information from previous chats. You can search for anything with the advanced search feature just by typing in a single word or phrase. Then, the app will locate all previous mentions of that keyword so you can find any documents, images, or chats.Key Features
- Activity news feed
- Alerts and notifications
- Audio/video conferencing
- Integrated search feature
Pros
- Desktop and mobile access
- Easy to use
Cons
- Notification lags
- Limited integrations
Pricing
Starts at $4.5/user/month Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: Yes — For teams with 1-20 members
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Wire — Good for communicating sensitive information
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Wire is an incredibly secure business chat app and is even trusted by government agencies and state and local governments. It provides top-level security by encrypting all messages and files without storing any information in the app. Wire also offers admins a surveillance service to track and record messages for specific users who they want to monitor. This team chat app includes video conferencing with screen sharing, private and group chat, file sharing, the ability to delete messages, and even a team management console.
Learn more about WireKey Features
- Video calls and screen sharing
- Private messages and timed messages
- Audio calls
- Group messaging
Pros
- Offers a free plan
- Good for team collaboration
Cons
- Users report poor customer support
- Audio calls can be difficult to hear
Pricing
Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: No
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Twist — Good for teams that don’t need immediate replies to chats
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Twist provides a messaging solution for remote and distributed teams. This business chat app is unique because it’s based on asynchronous communication, meaning that when you send a message, employees are not alerted. The idea is that you don’t expect an immediate response, reducing stress and tension for workers. This also allows them to focus on working and productivity instead of constantly checking their phones. The app also doesn’t include an indication light or icon to show if a user is online or not.
Learn more about Twist
However, you don’t need to worry about losing important messages within old conversations because Twist keeps chats organized with threads. You can also categorize channels by topic to gain better visibility of your team’s communication.
Twist integrates with lots of popular apps, like Asana, Google Workplace, and Zoom.
Key Features
- Threads and channels
- Private and group messaging
- GIFs and emojis
- File sharing
Pros
- Lots of integrations
- Allows team to focus more on work and less on checking their phones
Cons
- You can’t see if users are online or not
- Not designed for immediate responses
Pricing
Starts at $6/user/month Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
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RingCentral — Good for gaining insights and reporting
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Companies can send direct messages, set video chat meetings, and conduct phone calls with RingCentral. This work chat app integrates with over 100 different software such as Salesforce and Google Workspace and provides real-time insights on team workflows and communication. That way, you can make more informed business decisions. It’s also incredibly easy to add new users to the app and to different channels, so it’s a good option for companies that want to scale.
Learn more about RingCentralKey Features
- Phone calls and chat
- Detailed reports
- Video conferences
- Private messaging
Pros
- Chat with employees and clients
- Excellent customer support
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Difficult to use on Android
Pricing
Starts at $19.99/month + $19.99 per user Trial: Yes Free Plan: No
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Hive — Good for project collaboration
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Hive is both a team chat app and a project management software in one. Users can send direct or group messages to any of their teammates, making it easy to centralize all work communication. Also, users can attach files, integrate emails into conversations, and sync calendars.
To make the chat app more like texting, you can also @mention team members and respond with GIFS and emojis. Hive has a friendly, simple user interface and users report that they like its flexibility.
Learn more about HiveKey Features
- Task management
- Time tracking
- Chats integrate with calendars
- Emojis and GIFs
Pros
- Clean interface
- Advanced analytics
Cons
- Need to pay for add-on features
- Automations aren’t free
Pricing
Starts at $16/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes
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Spike — Integrating Key Communication Tools in One Place
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Spike for Teams is designed to address the complexities of workplace communication by integrating various essential tools into a single, streamlined workspace. This next-generation platform combines email hosting, a conversational email application, internal team chat, company-wide communication channels, document collaboration, video and audio meetings, and dedicated group chat.
Spike for Teams is the first solution that seamlessly combines internal and external communication in one platform, eliminating the need for separate services for internal chats and external emails. It recently added a Magic AI functionality to help write messages, send replies, and summarize documents.
Learn more about SpikeKey Features
- Combines internal team chat and external email into a single workspace
- Company-wide communication channels allow everyone to be on the same page
- Private group chats replace WhatsApp groups, long email threads, and iMessage groups
- 1-click video meetings eliminate the complexity around deploying Zoom, Google Meetings, or Webex
- Magic AI helps generate clear and compelling email messages in seconds.
Pros
- Simplifies security setup for IT with fewer vendors.
- Merges the simplicity of team chat with traditional email inboxes.
Cons
- Switching from Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 is required for the complete experience.
- The new email experience may pose challenges for those accustomed to Outlook or Gmail.
Pricing
Start at $6/month per user. Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes — Up to 3 Team Members
Compare the Best Team Chat Apps
| Topic |
Start for free
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Pumble |
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| Reviews |
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| Pricing |
Starts at just $29/month for the first 30 users
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Contact vendor for price
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Starts at $2.55/user/month
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Starts at $2.5/user/month
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Free tool
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Starts at $4/user/month
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Contact vendor for price
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Starts at $7/user/month, minimum of 25 users
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Contact vendor for price
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Contact vendor for price
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Starts at $4.5/user/month
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Contact vendor for price
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Starts at $6/user/month
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Starts at $19.99/month + $19.99 per user
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Starts at $16/user/month
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Start at $6/month per user.
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| Free Trial |
yes
14-day
|
yes
30-day
|
no
|
yes
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no
|
yes
Up to 25 users
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no
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yes
30-day
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no
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no
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yes
30-day
|
no
|
no
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yes
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yes
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yes
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| Free Plan |
yes
Free Up to 10 users
|
yes
For up to 15 users
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yes
Up to 10 team members
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no
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yes
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no
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no
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yes
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no
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no
|
yes
For teams with 1-20 members
|
no
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yes
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no
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yes
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yes
Up to 3 Team Members
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What Are Team Chat Apps?
Team chat apps are designed to help employees and managers communicate more efficiently and effectively from their phones. Using a business chat app is beneficial because it keeps work and personal messages separate, while employees can communicate with each through instant messages, video chat, and phone calls.
Users can also collaborate on projects and tasks by sharing work-related data and files with each other. They can respond to messages with written responses, emojis or GIFs.
How Do Work Chat Apps Work?
Team chat apps allow employees to chat with each other in real time. Users register and access the app from their phones, tablets, or desktop computers and exchange instant messages, share files, and collaborate with features like @mentions and reactions. The chat app may include other features, like project management capabilities, too. Notifications keep users informed, and search functionality helps find past conversations so employees can always access information.
What are the Benefits of Work Chat Apps?
Real time communication
Team chat apps enable instant messaging and video calls so team members can chat in real time and work quicker and more efficiently.
Easy information sharing
Users can share files, documents, images, and links within the chat app, making it easy to exchange information and collaborate on projects.
Organized discussions
Chats or channels help organize discussions based on topics or projects, ensuring that conversations stay focused and easily accessible.
Remote collaboration
Team chat apps are especially valuable for remote teams because they allow team members to stay in touch no matter where they are.
Integration with other software
Many team chat apps integrate with other tools like project management platforms, file-sharing services, and calendars, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity.
Mobile app accessibility
Mobile apps allow team members to stay connected and engaged on the go, making it easy to communicate while traveling or working remotely.
Team building and informal communication
Fun features like emojis, reactions, and GIFs encourage a sense of camaraderie and facilitate.
How Much Do Work Chat Apps Cost?
Paid plans of business chat apps depend on the features and capabilities they offer. Some solutions, like Troop Messenger that cost $125/month. Other solutions like RingCentral can be significantly more expensive, costing $1399.50/month for 21-50 users.
Connecteam is a more affordable option, with paid plans starting at as little as $29 per month for up to 30 users, plus just $0.50 per additional user per month. Compare that to Novade, where the Lite plan is $24 per user, per month for more than 5 users. For a 35-employee company, Connecteam would cost $32 per month, while Novade Lite would be $720 per month.
Connecteam also offers a Small Business Plan that’s free for life for teams of 10 or fewer people.
FAQs
Is a business chat app suitable for all my team members?
This really depends on the app. Some are much easier to use and implement than others. As team chat apps go, Connecteam is a great solution for companies with less tech-savvy employees and requires little to no training to start using.
Can the chat be monitored?
Yes, most apps allow managers to monitor messaging. There are a few tools that do not allow managers to control private messages. With Connecteam, all messages and comments can be monitored and deleted if they are inappropriate in any way. Furthermore, if for any reason you need to offboard an employee, they will not have access to the application or any chat history after leaving the company.
Do team chat apps work on every phone?
No. Before choosing a team chat app, you should ensure that it works on iOS and Android. In addition, some chat apps work better on desktop, and if most of your employees work on-the-go, this may not be a good solution for your company. The Connecteam team chat app is specifically designed for deskless employees, frontline workers, and remote teams who are rarely behind a desk.
The Bottom Line On Team Chat App
Work chat apps allow for quick interactions and data sharing during the day, and it helps to keep employees engaged and productive. When dealing with remote employees, there’s no better way to effectively manage them than with a team chat app.
The best business chat apps will be affordably priced, provide a free trial, are easy to use, and provide more than just a communication solution.
With the Connecteam all-in-one employee management app, you can easily streamline your internal communication, among many other features that help reduce day-to-day friction and expedite daily operations.