{"id":20728,"date":"2021-08-19T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T08:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/?p=20728"},"modified":"2023-01-16T16:48:51","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T16:48:51","slug":"business-group-chat-apps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/business-group-chat-apps\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Best Business Group Chat Apps for Effective Collaboration"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Group chat is a secure way of enabling teams to share information and ideas in real-time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a place where employees can <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/\">talk and collaborate<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> without distractions, so they can resolve any problems that pop up without interrupting their workflows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While group chat for consumers has been around for some time, it&#8217;s only in recent years that businesses have woken up to their full potential. The business group chat apps market is now seeing significant growth as the demand for unified communication (UC) software booms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is a group chat?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The group chat allows employees to send instant messages between multiple participants in an organisation, enabling them to converse privately and securely.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Benefits of group chat in your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Group chat is a dynamic form of communication that doesn\u2019t slow the flow of information like email or office memos. It can benefit companies in various ways\u2014especially when there\u2019s a need to make rapid decisions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s also an effective way of keeping records of decision-making points within conversations in rapidly changing situations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Group chat offers the following benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces the need for face-to-face meetings that can undermine a company\u2019s productivity. The group chat allows participants to resolve points of disagreement that might otherwise have necessitated setting up and managing a formal meeting.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Group chat enables a more natural flow of information. Traditional forms of communication can suppress a natural back and forth flow of conversation. Group chat encourages participation in conversations in real-time. This can lead to an improved quality of information shared.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important information can be shared instantly, which offers big benefits to companies that work in fast-moving industries. Critical knowledge can be quickly disseminated in real-time, emphasising responding and coordinating responses in an agile way.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Group chat <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/us\/en\/blog\/benefits-of-using-im-in-business-communication\/\">increases camaraderie<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> amongst co-workers. By increasing employee engagement, group chat could help to reduce staff turnover.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>What to look for in a group chat app<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all group chat apps are created equal. Some key features to look out for, however, include:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 1. Chat history<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chat histories enable you to look back at past conversations and track down relevant information. This offers the potential to boost efficiencies, and in some cases, may even help you archive electronic communications for legal reasons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2. Ability to broadcast messages<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means you can send information to select groups and hone messages, so they resonate with them. This is a more efficient way to share important team updates or announcements that are time-sensitive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 3. Share files<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/file-sharing-app\/\">Sharing files<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should be easy using click and drag, making collaboration between team members easy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20734\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20734\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20734 size-full\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/file-sharing-integrations-with-dropbox-and-box-RingCentral-UK.gif\" alt=\"file-sharing-integrations-with-dropbox-and-box-RingCentral-UK\" width=\"800\" height=\"699\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20734\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>How to share files with RingCentral<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 4. Ease of navigation<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apps should be a piece of cake to get to grips with, with clear user interfaces and keyboard shortcuts to enable users to move quickly between channels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 5. Search and filtering functionality<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teams should be able to access past conversations for relevant information quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 6. Organise conversations<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not every discussion needs to involve the whole team, so choosing a chat app that organises conversations so some members can join or not join should be a priority.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Best group chat apps for teams<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to apps for teams, you\u2019ll want one that delivers on communication, collaboration, and control. Here are some top team group chat apps to pick up the slack where other comms channels fall:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Best all-around apps<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 1. RingCentral: <em>Helps teams chat, work, and meet securely<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RingCentral is a one-stop communication app for businesses with many useful features to boost teamwork, including group chat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teams can stay on the same page effortlessly with dedicated threads for projects and topics and can message anyone, anywhere\u2014including customers and partners by inviting them to converse in real-time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users can chat one to one via voice or video within multiple shared chat spaces and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/screen-share.html\">screen share<\/a>, so everyone is kept in the loop. All data is archivable and easily retrievable, too, so teams can keep track of notes and files that can be found via keywords or by filters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With RingCentral\u2019s app, users can assign tasks with task management features and switch to telephone calls from any chat\u2014or flip to a video meeting in just one click.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-20735\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/RingCentral-MVP-all-in-one-communication-tool.png\" alt=\"RingCentral-MVP-all-in-one-communication-tool-209\" width=\"447\" height=\"564\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/RingCentral-MVP-all-in-one-communication-tool.png 447w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/RingCentral-MVP-all-in-one-communication-tool-238x300.png 238w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 447px) 100vw, 447px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2. Microsoft Teams: <em>Great for larger organisations<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Microsoft Teams, your account is your organisation or \u201corg\u201d, and users are invited into one or more teams with those teams broken down into channels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conversations within channels are threads, making things even more granular and giving the most organisation layers in any team chat app. It sounds a bit confusing, but overall the effect is streamlined and tidy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video and audio calls dominate, and users can schedule meetings and set agendas or hop on calls spontaneously. Collaboration features include integration with the Microsoft suite of tools for creating appointments and notes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has a host of useful features and full integration with the Microsoft suite and third-party apps like <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/microsoft-teams.html\">RingCentral<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can be tricky to set up and roll out, especially when installing the free version.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Best Android group chat apps<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 1. Troop Messenger: <em>For cross-platform usability<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The troop is a group chat app that lets users seamlessly share in-house data with third-party apps, making the business process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multiple group settings include those around files, images, and document sharing, with the ability to add attachment options\u2014location, file, link, or camera for mobile app. Troop Messenger is available on Android but also has multi-platform and cross-platform functionality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy to use with seamless UI and UX<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wide range of features, including one-to-one messaging, group chat, voice-video calls, and screen sharing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some users report that Troop could use better integration options.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2. Google Hangouts: <em>Perfect for startups looking for a low-cost, all-in-one messaging solution<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hangouts is a platform that enables users to set up new chats and engage seamlessly in various communications channels, whether one-to-one or in a group scenario. Highlights include HD group conferencing and voice calls, screen sharing, the ability to set calendar events, and custom options for administration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20736\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20736\" style=\"width: 512px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20736\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Google-Hangouts-group-chat.png\" alt=\"Google Hangouts group chat-868\" width=\"512\" height=\"386\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Google-Hangouts-group-chat.png 512w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Google-Hangouts-group-chat-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20736\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hangouts.google.com\/\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s free and easy to use<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of security and integration with other apps<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Best iOS group chat apps<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 1. ProofHub: <em>Simple, powerful software for project communications<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ProofHub provides the perfect environment for team communication and enables workers to chat both within an office, remotely, or with clients. The app allows one-on-one chats and new group chats to @mention team members to bring them into the loop when necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ProofHub uses project planning software that gives team members the right tools to organise projects. There\u2019s the ability to assign, filter, and view data based on individual priorities. Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and tasks are useful features.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20737\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20737\" style=\"width: 512px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20737\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ProofHub-iOS-group-chat-app.png\" alt=\"ProofHub iOS group chat app-329\" width=\"512\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ProofHub-iOS-group-chat-app.png 512w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ProofHub-iOS-group-chat-app-300x237.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20737\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.proofhub.com\/\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy to set up with no learning curve required<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No per-user fee with simple pricing plans<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It could be more intuitive and easier to navigate between projects.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2. ConnectTeam: <em>Tailored customer support<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ConnectTeam is an all-in-one <\/span><strong><a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/how-our-product-management-team-innovates-while-working-from-anywhere\/\">team management solution<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that incorporates effective tools to help boost workplace productivity. Users can access one-to-one or multiple private chats, along with immediate updates and social media posts. Chats can be created per location or projector by simply browsing the provided business directory for contacts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s also an analytics feature and HR suggestion box. The basic plan allows for up to 200 users, and it\u2019s possible to trial ConnectTeam for free.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20738\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20738\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-20738\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ConnectTeam-group-chat-640x569.png\" alt=\"ConnectTeam group chat-464\" width=\"640\" height=\"569\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ConnectTeam-group-chat-640x569.png 640w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ConnectTeam-group-chat-300x267.png 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ConnectTeam-group-chat.png 651w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20738\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/connecteam.com\/\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users cite great personalised support\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Competitively priced and easy to use<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Room for improvement, with some minor bugs reported<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 3. Chanty: <em>Comes with a host of useful integrations<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chanty lets teams communicate and send direct messages quickly, bringing all aspects of communication together\u2014from chat and video to screen sharing and project management.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The app integrates with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Github, amongst others. Chanty allows users to inject a little fun into the working day with custom emojis and animated gifs.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20739\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20739\" style=\"width: 1860px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20739 size-full\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Chanty-group-chat-app.png\" alt=\"Chanty group chat app\" width=\"1860\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Chanty-group-chat-app.png 1860w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Chanty-group-chat-app-300x174.png 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Chanty-group-chat-app-640x372.png 640w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Chanty-group-chat-app-768x446.png 768w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Chanty-group-chat-app-1536x892.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1860px) 100vw, 1860px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20739\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chanty.com\/\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The free version includes an unlimited message history<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uses a task-based approach that boosts productivity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No group video chats<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 4. Facebook Messenger: <em>Simple and integratable<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facebook Messenger provides a straightforward way to chat with co-workers. All that\u2019s required to start a messenger room is to drop a link and wait for people to join.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20740\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20740\" style=\"width: 512px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20740\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Facebook-Messenger-business-chat-rooms.png\" alt=\"Facebook Messenger business chat rooms-496\" width=\"512\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Facebook-Messenger-business-chat-rooms.png 512w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Facebook-Messenger-business-chat-rooms-300x219.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20740\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.messenger.com\/rooms\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50 people can participate in a room, and there\u2019s no time limit. Also, it\u2019s free to use, and you can switch between viewing modes and share screens. If you\u2019re using the mobile app, you can apply fun filters to lighten the mood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Very simple to use. There\u2019s no need to download a specific app or log in to an account.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facebook has drawbacks in terms of privacy and transparency<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Best group chat desktop app<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 1. Mattermost: Self-hosted team chat app<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mattermost is an open-source chat app where users can <\/span><a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/?s=Business+chat\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>collaborate with others<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in an ultra-safe environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conversations are organised into channels along with threads\u2014although all posts within threads are also posted on the main channel. Mattermost has search functionality that allows users to filter via the channel, user, or date, while video chat is handled by third parties.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20742\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20742\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-20742\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mattermost-Self-hosted-team-chat-app-640x398.png\" alt=\"Mattermost Self-hosted team chat app-661\" width=\"640\" height=\"398\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mattermost-Self-hosted-team-chat-app-640x398.png 640w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mattermost-Self-hosted-team-chat-app-300x187.png 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mattermost-Self-hosted-team-chat-app-768x478.png 768w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Mattermost-Self-hosted-team-chat-app.png 1288w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20742\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mattermost.com\/\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free if you download Mattermost\u2019s open-source version and install it on the company server<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy to use and scalable<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only suitable for companies seeking an <a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/definitions\/enterprise\/\">enterprise<\/a>-grade security solution<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2. GroupMe: <em>Free group messaging for smaller businesses<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GroupMe provides a private chat room for a smaller group, enabling greater coordination between group members. With native apps for iOS, Android, and Windows phones, users can send messages on the go. As well as on desktop when at the office\u2014for those Windows or Linux device devotees\u2014or from a tablet anywhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20741\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20741\" style=\"width: 512px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20741 size-full\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GroupMe-Free-group-messaging-for-smaller-businesses.png\" alt=\"GroupMe Free group messaging for smaller businesses-984\" width=\"512\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GroupMe-Free-group-messaging-for-smaller-businesses.png 512w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GroupMe-Free-group-messaging-for-smaller-businesses-300x176.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20741\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/groupme.com\/en-US\/\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GroupMe doesn\u2019t require an app. Users can add anyone from their phone book, and they\u2019ll immediately be able to chat in a group. It\u2019s also possible to group chat directly over SMS.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allows for gigantic chat groups<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Includes useful features like mute options<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No ability to search within messages, only in chat titles<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Tips for effective group communication<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving communication requires considered strategy and a degree of effort. Make the most of group chat by using the following tips:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Tailor group chat spaces\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rule out noise and irrelevant conversations. Make sure small groups don\u2019t grow so big they\u2019re out of control. Customise chat to individual teams, whether to a chat room, channel, project, or location.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Make use of your admin toolkit.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manage your group chat spaces on a granular level. Custom controls could include the ability to create and shut chat rooms, add or remove users, or locker rooms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Check chat histories<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check back on the chat history. This helps if you\u2019re new to a group, can\u2019t remember something, or are looking for what\u2019s new. A little research via keyword or date can help to find the topic you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Broadcast messages<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is useful if you need to announce something urgently. Plus, the team won\u2019t be left wondering if they need to post a response.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business chat apps are more than simply tools. And they\u2019re the face of the modern office. And they\u2019re just as valuable for employees sharing a physical space as for getting people together <\/span><a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/13-remote-working-tools-every-team-should-have\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>remotely<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simply typing in a quick message can bring in many helpful replies, enabling staff to solve problems in real-time and continue working without interruption.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding the right group chat app can take a little homework, however, and it\u2019s important to create a wishlist of features you\u2019ll require \u2013 whether that be file-sharing or chat histories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s also essential to select an app that keeps conversations confidential. Taking the time to identify your ideal app is well worth the effort. You\u2019re sure to be rewarded, both in terms of boosted productivity and employee engagement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Group chat is a secure way of enabling teams to share information and ideas in real-time.\u00a0 It\u2019s a place where employees can talk and collaborate without distractions, so they can &hellip; <a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/business-group-chat-apps\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;10 Best Business Group Chat Apps for Effective Collaboration&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":244,"featured_media":20732,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-use-case.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>10 Best Business Group Chat Apps for Effective Collaboration | RingCentral UK Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Finding the right group chat app can take a little homework, however, and it\u2019s important to create a wishlist of features you\u2019ll require \u2013 whether that be file-sharing or chat histories. 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LEARN HERE!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/blog\/business-group-chat-apps\/","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"RingCentral Team","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":":\/gb\/en\/blog\/business-group-chat-apps\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/business-group-chat-apps\/"},"author":{"name":"RingCentral Team","@id":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/cc4f043d2b478862a8622c28b0ebd08c"},"headline":"10 Best Business Group Chat Apps for Effective Collaboration","datePublished":"2021-08-19T08:00:11+00:00","dateModified":"2023-01-16T16:48:51+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/business-group-chat-apps\/"},"wordCount":2021,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/#organization"},"articleSection":["UC - Collaboration"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":[":\/gb\/en\/blog\/business-group-chat-apps\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/business-group-chat-apps\/","url":":\/gb\/en\/blog\/business-group-chat-apps\/","name":"10 Best Business Group Chat Apps for Effective Collaboration | RingCentral UK Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/#website"},"datePublished":"2021-08-19T08:00:11+00:00","dateModified":"2023-01-16T16:48:51+00:00","description":"Finding the right group chat app can take a little homework, however, and it\u2019s important to create a wishlist of features you\u2019ll require \u2013 whether that be file-sharing or chat histories. 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