Essential Lists of Free Tools for Successful Remote Working

This is the second part of our series of articles dedicated to remote working. The first article, Exclusive Possibilities Remote Working Offers You, was dedicated to those who are still thinking if they can do this job. Now, we pass to practical questions: what do we need to organize efficient working? Modern tools and technologies have become increasingly important for remote working and here you will find lists and short descriptions of some of them.

Often, first of all, we have to overcome the barriers of physical distance and create a virtual workspace that fosters teamwork, innovation, and productivity. These tools provide us with the ability to communicate in real-time, share files and documents, collaborate on projects, and track progress. They also help in managing tasks, organizing workflows, and ensuring effective time management.

These tools offer security features to protect sensitive data and ensure privacy: encryption, secure connections, and multi-factor authentication to safeguard information and maintain confidentiality.

Some of them we mentioned in different lists because one program can have not only its primary but additional functions, too. Some of us do not consider them and look for more programs when it’s possible to use only one.

A List of Communication Platforms for Remote Working

These platforms provide various communication options for remote working, and their free plans offer a range of features to facilitate effective collaboration. You can try all of them and choose one or more platforms for your routine – sometimes clients do not want to use what is comfortable for the worker. The choice is or lose the client or accept the platform he/she likes. This is why we have to be ready to work on another platform.

1. Slack: Slack is a popular communication platform that offers both free and paid plans. It allows remote teams to collaborate through channels, direct messaging, and file sharing.
2. Microsoft Teams: Microsoft Teams is another widely used platform that offers free communication and collaboration features. It enables remote workers to chat, make audio and video calls, and share files.
3. Google Hangouts: Google Hangouts is a free platform that allows remote workers to communicate through instant messaging, voice calls, and video conferences. It integrates with other Google Workspace tools for seamless collaboration.
4. Zoom: Zoom offers a free plan that allows remote workers to have video conferences, audio calls, and chat. It has become extremely popular for remote meetings and webinars.
5. Discord: Originally designed for gamers, Discord has become popular among remote teams. It offers free voice, video, and text communication, making it suitable for remote workers.
6. Skype: Skype has been a long-standing communication platform that offers free video and audio calls, instant messaging, and screen sharing. It is widely used by remote workers for one-on-one or group conversations.
7. Jitsi Meet: Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing platform that is free to use. It allows remote workers to have secure video meetings without the need for any account registration.
8. Mattermost: Mattermost is an open-source alternative to Slack. It offers a free version that provides team messaging, file sharing, and integrations with other tools.
9. Rocket.Chat: Rocket.Chat is another open-source communication platform that offers free messaging, audio, and video conferencing. It can be self-hosted or used on their cloud servers.
10. Trello: While primarily a project management tool, Trello also offers communication features. It allows remote workers to collaborate on tasks, share files, and communicate through comments and notifications.

Project management software for Remote Working

These project management software options provide free plans that cater to the needs of remote workers. They offer features to track tasks, collaborate with team members, and streamline workflows, making them suitable for remote project management.

1. Asana: Asana offers a free plan that allows remote workers to create projects, tasks, and subtasks. It provides a visual interface to track progress, assign tasks, and collaborate with team members. It also integrates with other tools for seamless workflow management.
2. ClickUp: ClickUp offers a free plan with unlimited tasks and users. It provides features like task management, goal tracking, time tracking, and collaboration tools. It also offers integrations with popular communication and file-sharing platforms.
3. Wrike: Wrike offers a free plan for small teams with basic project management features. It allows remote workers to create tasks, set priorities, and collaborate on projects. It also provides real-time activity streams and file-sharing capabilities.
4. Monday.com: Monday.com offers a free plan for up to two users. It provides a visual and intuitive interface for managing projects, tasks, and workflows. It allows remote workers to track progress, assign tasks, and communicate with team members.
5. Teamwork: Teamwork offers a free plan that supports up to 5 users. It provides project management features like task lists, milestones, time tracking, and document management. It also offers collaboration tools for remote teams.
6. Freedcamp: Freedcamp offers a free plan with basic project management features. It allows remote workers to create tasks, set priorities, and collaborate with team members. It also provides file sharing, discussions, and calendar integration.
7. Zoho Projects: Zoho Projects offers a free plan for small teams. It provides project management features like task lists, Gantt charts, time tracking, and document management. It also offers collaboration tools and integrates with other Zoho applications.
8. Bitrix24: Bitrix24 offers a free plan with project management features for up to 12 users. It provides task management, time tracking, document sharing, and communication tools. It also offers integration with other popular apps.
9. Airtable: Airtable offers a free plan that combines project management with a spreadsheet-like interface. It allows remote workers to create and organize tasks, collaborate with team members, and track progress. It also offers customizable views and integrations.

Virtual collaboration tools

These virtual collaboration tools offer free plans that enable remote workers to collaborate effectively, share files, and communicate seamlessly. They provide a range of features to enhance remote collaboration and productivity.

1. Google Workspace: Google Workspace offers a suite of collaboration tools including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. It allows remote workers to collaborate in real-time, edit documents together, and store and share files. It also provides communication tools like Google Meet and Google Chat.
2. Microsoft Office Online: Microsoft Office Online provides free web-based versions of popular Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It allows remote workers to collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real-time. It also offers OneDrive for file storage and sharing.
3. Dropbox: Dropbox offers a free plan that provides cloud storage and file-sharing capabilities. It allows remote workers to store and share files, collaborate on documents, and access them from anywhere. It also integrates with various other tools for seamless collaboration.
4. Evernote: Evernote offers a free plan for note-taking and collaboration. It allows remote workers to create and organize notes, capture ideas, and share them with team members. It also supports file attachments and collaboration features.
5. Miro: Miro offers a free plan for online collaborative whiteboarding and visual collaboration. It allows remote workers to brainstorm, create diagrams, and collaborate on virtual whiteboards. It also offers templates and integrations with other tools.
6. Slack: Slack, in addition to its communication features, also provides collaboration capabilities. It allows remote workers to create channels, share files, and collaborate on documents. It also integrates with various other tools for seamless workflow management.
7. Trello: Trello, mentioned earlier as a project management tool, also serves as a virtual collaboration platform. It allows remote workers to create boards, lists, and cards to track tasks and collaborate with team members. It offers file attachments, comments, and due dates.
8. Basecamp: Basecamp offers a free plan for small teams to collaborate on projects. It provides features like task management, file sharing, messaging, and scheduling. It allows remote workers to stay organized and collaborate effectively.
9. Slack: Slack, mentioned earlier as a communication platform, also offers collaboration features. It allows remote workers to create channels, share files, and collaborate on documents. It also integrates with various other tools for seamless workflow management.

Other useful tools and technologies

These tools and technologies are essential for remote workers to effectively communicate, collaborate, manage projects, and ensure productivity while working remotely. They provide the necessary infrastructure and capabilities to support remote work and enable remote teams to work seamlessly.

Project Management Tools:

Project management tools help remote workers manage their tasks, track progress, and collaborate with their team members. Some popular options include Asana, Trello, Monday.com, Basecamp, and Jira. These tools provide features like task assignment, deadline tracking, and file sharing.

File Sharing and Collaboration Tools:

Remote workers need tools to share and collaborate on files with their team members. Some popular options include Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Box, and Slack. These tools allow remote workers to store, share, and edit files in real time.

Time Tracking Tools:

Time tracking tools help remote workers keep track of their working hours and productivity. Some popular options include Toggl, Harvest, RescueTime, Clockify, and Hubstaff. These tools provide features like timer tracking, project tracking, and detailed reports.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs):

VPNs are essential for remote workers to securely access company networks and resources. VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and OpenVPN encrypt the internet connection and protect sensitive data.

Cloud Storage Services:

Cloud storage services are crucial for remote workers to store and access their files from anywhere. Popular options include Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, iCloud, and Box. These services provide ample storage space and file synchronization across devices.

Virtual Collaboration Whiteboards:

Virtual collaboration whiteboards like Miro, Mural, and Conceptboard allow remote workers to brainstorm, create diagrams, and collaborate visually. These tools provide a virtual canvas for remote teams to work together and share ideas.

Password Managers:

Remote workers often need to manage multiple passwords for different tools and platforms. Password managers like LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane, and KeePass help remote workers securely store and manage their passwords.

Virtual Private Meeting Rooms:

Virtual private meeting rooms like Sococo, Remo, and Spatial provide a virtual space for remote teams to meet and collaborate. These tools offer features like video conferencing, screen sharing, and virtual avatars for a more immersive meeting experience.

Task Automation Tools:

Task automation tools like Zapier, IFTTT, and Microsoft Power Automate help remote workers automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows. These tools allow remote workers to integrate different apps and automate actions based on triggers.