With the rise of remote work, more and more apps and services are being developed to help workers stay productive and efficient. Working from home or any location outside the office offers significant benefits like saving time and increasing flexibility, but it can also present unique challenges that can affect productivity, collaboration, and communication. Fortunately, there are numerous apps and services that can help remote workers manage their workload and boost their productivity, whether it’s handling to-do lists or conducting online meetings. Let’s explore some of the best remote work apps and services available today.
1) Slack
Slack is a popular messaging app that enables team members to communicate and collaborate in real-time. It comes with features such as instant messaging, voice and video calls, screen sharing, and file sharing. Slack allows workers to create separate channels based on topics, projects or teams, to keep conversations organized and easy to track. The app can integrate with other services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Trello, making it simpler to share and work on documents from within the app.
2) Trello
Trello is a project management app that provides a visual way to manage tasks and projects. It uses boards, lists, and cards to help you track the progress of different tasks and projects, helping you to stay focused and organized. Trello allows you to categorize tasks by priority, due date, stage of completion, or any other criteria you choose. Trello can also integrate with other apps, such as Google Drive, Slack, and Zapier, making it easier to coordinate workflows across apps and teams.
3) WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a popular instant messaging app that can be used for remote work too. It enables you to send text, audio, and video messages, and make voice and video calls, for free. It also has a groups feature that can be used for team collaboration. WhatsApp also allows users to make audio and video calls between up to eight people, which makes it ideal for conducting online meetings or checking in with coworkers.
4) Zoom
Zoom is a video conferencing app used for online meetings, webinars, and virtual events. It has features such as screen sharing, recording, virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms. Zoom caters for various business needs, with plans suitable for small teams up to large corporations. It also allows you to join a meeting through a browser or mobile device, making it easy for remote workers to participate from wherever they are.
5) Google Drive
Google Drive is a cloud-based file storage system that provides easy access to your documents from any device with an internet connection. It also has a range of collaboration features, such as sharing and commenting on documents real-time, which improves communication among team members. Google Drive comes with other productivity apps such as Google Sheets and Google Docs, which enables users to work on different types of documents and projects.
6) Toggl
Toggl is a time-tracking app used for productivity and to monitor how much time you spend on different tasks. With Toggl, you can set up specific projects and assign time allocation for each. Toggl also provides detailed reports on how much time you spend on different tasks, helping you to adjust your work habits and optimize your time management.
7) Asana
Asana is a project management app that enables you to manage projects and tasks with a team. Asana provides a shared view of all ongoing projects to keep everyone informed of progress and priorities. It is easy to use and comes with features such as commenting and tagging team members, project timelines, file-sharing, and status updates.
8) Evernote
Evernote is a note-taking app that helps users to keep track of ideas, tasks, and reminders. It provides a convenient way to capture all types of information and store it in one place. Evernote enables users to create and organize notes, to-do lists, and even store images, web pages, and audio recordings, which makes it great for freelancers or anyone who needs to take down notes in real-time.
9) Hubstaff
Hubstaff is a time-tracking app designed for remote teams. The app allows you to track the time for various tasks and projects, create timesheets, and generate reports. Hubstaff provides screenshots to show when you’re working and the amount of time spent on each task, making it easier for employers to monitor employee productivity and manage their workload.
10) Slackline
Slackline is a bot that helps you automate tasks in Slack. It can handle all sorts of tasks such as scheduling reminders, managing to-do lists, and creating polls. Slackline saves you time and ensures you don’t miss any important tasks, allowing you to focus on more pressing work.
11) Grammarly
Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps improve your writing skills. It is a useful tool for remote workers who need to communicate effectively in written form with colleagues, clients, or vendors. Grammarly checks your writing for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and even suggests alternative word choices to improve clarity and tone.
12) Canva
Canva is a design tool that enables you to create graphics for social media, blog posts, presentations, and other visuals. Canva is easy to use, with a variety of templates and tools that can turn even the least creative person into a designer. It also has a collaboration feature that allows team members to work together on designs and offer feedback.
13) Acrobat Reader DC
Acrobat Reader DC is a PDF reader that enables you to view, edit, and sign PDFs. It is a useful app for remote workers who work with contracts, invoices, or other documents that require signatures. Acrobat Reader DC allows you to sign documents electronically, saving time and increasing efficiency.
14) GitHub
GitHub is a code hosting platform used for software development projects. It enables remote teams to collaborate on software development projects, track changes, and manage workflows. GitHub provides version control tools that enable developers to keep track of changes, collaborate with others and deploy code efficiently.
15) OneDrive
OneDrive is a cloud file hosting service provided by Microsoft. It provides remote workers with access to files stored on their computers or mobile devices, allowing them to work from anywhere. OneDrive also provides collaboration features, such as sharing and editing files real-time, and automatic syncing of files across devices.
16) LastPass
LastPass is a password manager app that helps you store and manage passwords for various online accounts. It is a great tool for remote workers who have to manage multiple accounts across different platforms. LastPass securely stores all your login information, eliminating the need to remember passwords or write them down, which reduces the risk of data breaches.
17) RescueTime
RescueTime is a productivity software that tracks your digital activity and provides feedback on your daily work habits. It provides insights on how much time is spent on productive or unproductive activities, allowing you to adjust your habits and become more focused on the task at hand.
18) Skype
Skype is a video conferencing and instant messaging app that enables remote workers to stay connected with colleagues, clients, and vendors. It allows voice and video calls, instant messaging, and file sharing. Skype also has a screen sharing feature that makes it easy to collaborate on documentation and other projects.
19) MindMeiser
MindMeiser is a mind-mapping tool that enables remote workers to visualise their ideas, organize thoughts, and plan tasks. It provides a flexible way to organize your thoughts and ideas, and easily identify patterns and connections between different projects or tasks.
20) Dropbox
Dropbox is a popular file hosting service that provides secure cloud storage for documents, photos, videos, and other files. It enables remote workers to share, collaborate, and edit files in real-time, which improves productivity and simplifies workflows. Dropbox also integrates with other apps, further enhancing its functionality.
In conclusion, the above-listed apps and services are just a few of the many tools available to remote workers to help manage their workload, boost productivity, and facilitate communication with colleagues and clients. By utilizing these apps and services, remote workers can achieve a better work-life balance, improve collaboration, and enjoy the benefits of remote work without sacrificing productivity or efficiency.