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15 best team communication apps for business in 2023

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Communication is arguably the most important in-demand skill of business teams today.

And it’s especially true now that so many of us are working remotely. Effective workplace communication is key to happy workers and productivity, and part of having an effective workplace is having good communication—which is where communication apps come in.

Tools such as team chat not only make it easier to stay in touch with your coworkers but also increase productivity

Choosing the right team communication app

But choosing the best team communication app for your team or business can be a challenge. There are tons of tools out there, and committing to an app requires both serious time and resources on behalf of your team.

Which means that if you can make the right choice from the onset, you’re saving yourself a ton of time down the road.

So, we’ve put together this guide to help you pick the best team communication app for your business, with a breakdown of the top 15 options out there. We chose both established tools and up-and-coming platforms to give you a good mix. Check out some tips for choosing the best app, or skip ahead to the breakdowns below. 

Here are the top 15 team communication apps for businesses today:

  1. RingCentral
  2. Google Workspace (formerly Google Workspace)
  3. Slack
  4. Wire
  5. Chanty
  6. Trello
  7. Discord
  8. Flock
  9. Twist
  10. Troop Messenger
  11. Rocket.Chat
  12. Convo
  13. Proofhub
  14. Ryver
  15. TypeTalk

But first, let’s look at what makes a “good” team communication app.


Shopping for a team messaging tool? (Or just curious about what to look for?) Grab the free checklist to help you choose the right one for your team or business.

See what you need to do (and know) as you're deciding on a team messaging app with this checklist!

Happy shopping!


What’s the best team communication app? 15 options to look at

Now that we’ve highlighted what to look for, let’s break down the apps themselves.

All the apps below either are free, have a freemium plan, or offer demos so you can take a test drive for yourself.


1. RingCentral: The best team communication app for businesses of all sizes

We put ourselves on top of the list because okay, we might be a little biased, but also because we truly believe that RingCentral represents an all-in-one team solution with all the features necessary to keep your team on task.

Beyond traditional team chat, the platform offers built-in voice and video calling. Whether it’s a quick virtual check-in or a full-blown conference call, you can do all of the above—and then some in the app. Unlike team communication tools that require third-party integrations to use voice or video, both are built into our system by default.

Another neat feature is the face that you can create and assign tasks right in the app. Why pay for a separate tool when this comes with your team communication app?

insurance task in ringcentral app

Our platform also prioritizes productivity. For example, RingCentral’s instant messaging allows users to share documents and annotate them without leaving the platform. You can likewise quickly search between departments and channels to organize your coworkers’ conversations and find what you need in a snap.

🏆 Did you know: 

RingCentral is a PCMag’s Editors’ Choice Award winner because of its reliable service and easy-to-use app (among other reasons)!

Another huge upside of RingCentral is our variety of integrations. RingCentral has a ton of built-in integrations with popular project management platforms, CRMs, and other tools like HubSpot and Salesforce. For example, you can call your prospects from Salesforce directly with the integration:

ringcentral salesforce integration

Sharing your RingCentral meeting ID with customers or third-party collaborators is just a matter of a quick copy and paste, by the way. Instead of emailing back and forth to set up the details, why not just send someone a meeting link? RingCentral integrates with both Google Calendar and Outlook to automatically add meeting links to your invite:

google calendar's integration with ringcentral

RingCentral’s platform is not only super versatile, but it’s also very easy to use. No matter how big or small your business might be, it’s one of the best all-around apps for team communication regardless.


🤯 Besides all these perks, you could save up to $400 an hour in IT costs. 

Explore the RingCentral Advantage for small businesses:

💰 You can also use this calculator to see roughly how much your business could save by using RingCentral to support your team’s communication with each other—and clients.



2. Google Workspace (formerly Google Workspace): A communications suite that emphasizes ease of use

There’s a high chance that at least some of your teammates are already familiar with Google’s suite of tools.

From the free apps that come with Google Workspace (like Docs and Sheets) to the newly announced Google Workspace, intuitive tools are Google’s bread and butter.

Although the platform may not have the best unified communication app, the fact that their tools have a low barrier to entry and work seamlessly together is a point in Google’s favor. For example, consider the following:

  • Gmail for managing emails, messages, and notifications
  • Meet for video calls
  • Voice for voice calls
  • Docs and Sheets for collaborative documents
  • Drive for file sharing
  • Calendar for schedule management

google team communication

Using Google’s tools does require a bit of juggling between platforms, although they all work together easily enough. Getting on board with Google Workspace makes sense if your team is familiar with the tools above and you manage all your organization already via Gmail. If nothing else, you can try an à la carte combination of Google’s communication solutions for free to test the waters.


3. Slack: Integration-friendly team chat with serious name recognition

slack chat app

Slack’s popularity and user-base have grown quite a bit in recent months, especially among the startup crowd. With the explicit goal of replacing email, Slack’s key features include private channels, file sharing, and a slew of integrations, which include everything from productivity bots to your helpdesk software and beyond.

Slack might be one of the most-mentioned names when it comes to team chat, but its built-in features and functionalities are pretty aligned with the price you pay. Plus, if you use other communication channels too, like video conferencing and phone calls, then you’ll probably need other tools in addition to Slack to handle them. (Remember what we mentioned earlier about versatile tools?)

Although Slack is indeed a powerful tool, it’s definitely not the be-all, end-all of chat solutions for business. But if you’re looking for a stripped-down team messenger with less of a learning curve, it’s a good option.


4. Wire: The best team communication apps for teams that want a secure, open-source solution

wire team communication app

Workplace chat obviously needs to be secure, especially if you’re discussing sensitive customer information.

Tools like Wire were built with security in mind. Also noted in our breakdown of the most secure messaging apps, the platform is open-source and features end-to-end encryption. Additional features such as “self-destructing rooms” are also helpful for one-off meetings with people outside of your business. Likewise, you can make sure that conversations and files shared don’t stick around in your chat system if you don’t want them to.

Otherwise, Wire’s features such as video and text chat are fairly standard. If 007-level security is among your top priorities, however, give it a look.


5. Chanty: Cost-effective team chat, file sharing, and collaboration tools for smaller teams

chanty team messaging tool

If you’re eager for an alternative to Slack that’s simpler and cheaper without sacrificing much in terms of functionality, Chanty can do the trick. 

Because hey, group chat apps don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, nor should they skimp on features.

Beyond standard chat, voice messaging, and video, Chanty also includes a project management board (similar to Trello) to let you monitor the progress of projects and tasks. You can likewise leave comments on individual messages and tasks as an alternative to email.


6. Trello: Where project management and team collaboration meet

trello project managment tool

Trello is one of the web’s most popular project management tools that doubles as a communication app.

With Trello’s Kanban board, you can assign, monitor, and message teammates about projects in one place. This gives you a unified view of any given project, making it easier to collaborate and understand who’s accountable for what.  

Let’s be clear, though: Trello is not a chat app. Trello is all about task management.

That said, it integrates with many of the tools on this list—like RingCentral! For example, you can pull Trello boards, notifications, and updates in RingCentral without having to switch to your inbox.

If you’re more interested in collaboration without expecting your colleagues to be “on” in a team chat all day, Trello is a solid alternative. The fact that Trello has a forever-free plan is also an added bonus.


7. Discord: Surprisingly powerful team chat, voice, and video for less serious businesses

discord team communication app

Not all team chat apps center around texting.

In fact, tools like Discord shine because of their HD screen sharing and always-on voice chat. Although the platform was intended for gamers and livestreams, more and more businesses are using it as a sort of pseudo-Slack. 

The app allows for invite-only channels and user permissions like most chat apps, and the quality of its video and voice are surprisingly good for a totally free tool.

But because Discord isn’t really meant for business, it’s not exactly the most secure app. It’s lacking in traditional business integrations, too. That said, it’s a worthwhile tool for hip teams that isn’t too suit-and-tie. If you’re the kind of time that speaks primarily in gifs and emojis, give Discord a try.


8. Flock: An all-in one team chat and collaboration platform that won’t break the bank

flock team communication app

Flock is a team chat app with an emphasis on collaboration and organization.

For example, the platform includes features such as built-in to-do lists and team polling. You can actually assign due dates and deadlines for tasks, creating a much-needed sense of accountability for your teammates. Quick search and “pinned” items also make it pretty painless to organize your in-app conversations. 


9. Twist: Among the best free communication apps for teams looking to keep it simple

twist team communication app

Twist markets itself as a distraction-free chat app. For teams looking to focus on their work without letting their communication app get in the way, the platform’s simplicity is its strength.

At a glance, Twist doesn’t look much different than some of the chat apps listed above. However, features such as notification controls and the option to push-off conversation threads for later makes Twist somewhat of a stress-free platform. The app also has in-depth message history search to make finding past messages a cinch.

And since the app has a forever-free option, it’s also friendly to teams stuck on a shoestring budget.


10. Troop Messenger: Ideal for teams that want to temporarily add clients/vendors to conversations

troop team communication app


One of Troop Messenger’s most interesting features is the ability to temporarily add clients and vendors to conversations—and remove them when you’re finished. It allows for group chats with them, rather than extensive email threads.  This means you can use it for everything, not just internal communication.

With a range of interesting features including “respond later” tags, “burnout” (an unstored, private chat), and audio messages, it’s easy to control how you have conversations. The main downside is the limited length of the trial, which is only seven days. After that, prices vary from $5 to $25 per user per month.

Troop Messenger also has the option of self-hosting, allowing you to store everything on your own servers. This is an especially helpful feature for teams handling confidential and secure information.


11. Rocket.Chat: A customizable solution that can be hosted on-site

rocket.chat team communication app

Rocket.Chat is an open source solution, meaning it’s constantly evolving. Every user has access to the source code, allowing you to customize it and add or remove functionality as you like.

The customization aspect has led to a whole range of features, including live chat and real-time translation. The translation feature is especially useful for global teams, as it supports over 50 languages. It has a lot of integrations and plugins available, and if you’re not sure about customizing it yourself, there is a marketplace.

Rocket.Chat prides itself on high security standards, and there are two possible ways to use it: SaaS (software as a service), or self-managed.

The SaaS solution includes cloud hosting, and prices start at $2 per user per month. The self-managed solution has a free option, or starts at $30 per user per year. Just remember: if you choose self-managed, you’ll need your own servers.


12. Convo: An easy-to-use solution for super casual conversation

Convo has all the basic features you’d expect a team communication app to have, like file sharing and video calling. As well as the option for individual conversations and group chats, it also has a newsfeed.

convo team communication app

This newsfeed can be both a pro and a con, depending on your team. It’s a great way to keep up to date on company business, respond to relevant posts and keep up with the latest updates. But, it can also act as a bit of a distraction. If it isn’t well managed, it can quickly become overwhelming.

If you have an excellent remote management team, Convo has the potential to be a real game changer for your company. The poll feature lets you quickly gather opinions while the ability to monitor staff performance can help you work out weak points quickly. Just be aware of how similar to a social media platform it is, and make sure you’re not treating it like one.


13. ProofHub: A project management software with strong communication tools

proofhub team communication app

Unlike the others on this list, ProofHub doesn’t market itself as a “team communication app.” Instead, it describes itself as “all-in-one project planning software.” (Which means that for those of you who already have project management platforms that you’re happy with, you may be better suited looking elsewhere.) But for teams that want everything in one place, it’s a great solution.

As well as the standard conversational tools, you can assign tasks, divide them into workflow stages, and visualize your projects through Gantt charts. A dedicated calendar with automatic reminders is also included.

While it may not have as many unique features as some of the alternatives in this list, the combination of collaboration and productivity tools makes it a great solution for teams who don’t want to switch between solutions.

The pricing does mean it might not be great for smaller businesses. Instead of a per-user fee, it’s a flat rate starting from $45 a month. Teams of only two or three may be able to find cheaper options, but medium-sized businesses will find it a bargain.


14. Ryver: A collaborative tool with a focus on productivity

ryver team communication app

Ryver is described as a team collaboration app, meaning it includes communication features and some project planning tools. Task management options like checklists, tags and assignments are a useful addition, though it’s not as comprehensive as a dedicated project management platform might be.

It has a huge range of integrations, and can work with your pre-existing log in options, allowing for SSO (single sign on). The emphasis on productivity means it’s simple to use, with custom channels. This includes forums (company-wide discussions), team messaging, and individual conversations.

Beyond this, there’s the option to divide chats by topic or task, great for having specific, targeted conversations away from the broader ones. Importantly, even the lowest tier plan includes unlimited chat and unlimited file sharing, so you won’t be hitting any limits mid-meeting.


15. TypeTalk: perfect for anyone who wants to use their own custom bots

typetalk team communication app

TypeTalk has a particularly interesting feature for teams who want highly personalized experiences. The Open API and Webhooks allow developers to create their own bots and tools, as well as accessing data. This could be a bot that can automatically respond to keywords, or one that provides system alerts.

Beyond this, it has all the familiar features of great team communication tools: file sharing, topic groups, tagging, and so on. It integrates with nulab’s other programs (Cacoo and Backlog), as well as Github. This may initially seem limited, but the Open API means you can create more custom integrations tailored to you.

Pricing is based on the amount of users, with the lowest tier being five users at $10 per month. To really get the most out of TypeTalk, though, you need a strong development team, so make sure to factor that into your budget. 

Ready to pick the best team communication app for your business?

When it comes to business software, you’re obviously spoiled for choice.

Choosing the best team communication app really depends on your business’s needs and budget.

That said, we’ve seen RingCentral totally transform teams both big and small. Whether you need a simple chat platform to check in on your colleagues or a more robust virtual meeting solution, we’ve got you covered on the road toward better teamwork.

Originally published Nov 04, 2022, updated Oct 10, 2023

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