5 Best Remote Team Management Tools: A Professional’s Guide

In today’s world remote work is a whole different ball game compared to the traditional office setup.  

Here without the right management things can easily turn into an absolute chaos. And I bet you’ve already got some idea and that’s why you came out looking for the right remote team management tools. 

With my experience in managing both remote and in-office teams, I’ve learned that the right tools can make or break your team’s success. 

This article is just about sharing a professional’s pick of the right set of tools for the right set of jobs.

So, let’s dive into the well tested tools list that could be a game-changer for you.

Best Remote Team Management Tools

When searching for suitable remote team management tools, an infinite number of choices becomes another problem. 

So I’ve carefully categorized only the better serving tools based on different needs. 

Here you go:

Best Time Tracking Software: Apploye

Best Project Management Software: Trello

Best Communication Platform: Skype

Best Document & File Sharing Platform: G Suite

Best Virtual Brainstorming Software: Miro

Apploye: Time Management and Tracking Tool

Where does all the time go?

Time management is a whole new challenge when you’re not in the same physical space. This is perhaps the single most powerful reason that can bring the team’s productivity to the knees. 

A good tracking tool helps keep everyone accountable. Plus, it’s great for planning workloads and making sure no one’s burning out.

Using a remote employee monitoring app like Apploye could be eye-opening for you. It has a long list of features including time tracking, app and website tracking, screen monitoring, productivity measuring, etc. 

From personal experience, I find it’s time tracking worthwhile as it gives you full control over your team’s time management and productivity. 

It provides insights into how work hours are spent, ensuring accountability and helping in identifying areas for productivity improvement.

They’ve a live product demo option in case you want to give it a free try. Check this out: Apploye Time Tracker.

Features:

• Time tracking to record work hours with precision.
• Screenshots and activity levels to monitor work progress.
• Websites & app tracking to check on time wasters.  
• Detailed reports providing insights into productivity and time allocation.
• Timesheet and payroll management to streamline administrative tasks.

Pricing: Starts from $5 to $7/month.

Trello: A Comprehensive Project Management Tool

A solid project management tool is the backbone of any remote working team. It helps you assign, manage, organize, and track your tasks and helps your team avoid any disaster before your project deadlines.

Trello is one of the top project management tools that’s dominating the industry for quite some time. 

And why shouldn’t it? 

It brings on all the necessary functionalities of project management along with many power up options. Trello’s flexible and intuitive interface makes task management accessible for everyone, ensuring that your team stays on the same page and deadlines are met with ease.

As this comes in both free and paid versions you can always give it a try and check if it’s fit for your job or not. 

Features:

• Visual boards, lists, and cards to organize and prioritize projects.
• Customizable workflows to suit different project needs.
• Easy collaboration with team members on specific tasks.
• Integration with various apps for enhanced functionality.
• Deadlines, checklists, and attachments to keep all project details in one place.

Pricing: Starts from free to $17.50/month.

Skype: Real-Time Communication Platform

Communicate without being distracted. 

Unlike other communication platforms in skype you can bring your team together without letting them get distracted at all. 

It’s a hub for real-time communication, ensuring everyone stays connected and informed. The app’s generic design makes it easy for anyone to use, fostering a more cohesive team environment.

Features:

• High-quality video conferencing for individual or group meetings.
• Instant messaging for quick, text-based communication.
• Group chats to keep team conversations organized.
• Screen sharing for effective presentations and collaborative work.
• Call recording to catch up on missed meetings.

Pricing: Free

G Suite: Document Collaboration and Sharing Software

G Suite revolutionizes how your team collaborates on documents. It offers a seamless, real-time editing experience, making it simple for your team to work together on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, regardless of their location.

You can also store your files on the drive and make it accessible to the whole team.

Features:

• Real-time editing and collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Secure cloud storage for easy access and sharing of files.
• Integrated calendar for scheduling and managing team events.
• Customizable access controls to secure sensitive information.
• Compatibility with various file formats for hassle-free data import/export.

Price: Starts from free to $18/user.

Miro: Virtual Whiteboard for Brainstorming

Who doesn’t miss the physical whiteboard for a brainstorming session? Thankfully, virtual whiteboards come pretty close. They’re fantastic for sparking creativity and getting those ideas flowing.

Miro is your team’s digital canvas for brainstorming and idea mapping. 

This virtual whiteboard fosters creativity and collaboration, allowing your team to visualize and develop ideas in a dynamic, interactive environment.

Features:

• Infinite canvas for brainstorming and idea mapping.
• Interactive widgets and templates for structured brainstorming sessions.
• Real-time collaboration for simultaneous input from team members.
• Integration with popular tools like Jira and Asana for streamlined workflows.
• Commenting and voting features to facilitate group discussions and decision-making.

Conclusion

Managing a remote team is an adventure, and these tools have been my trusty companions. They’ve helped my team stay coordinated, connected, and most importantly, happy. 

Each team is unique, so give these tools a try and see what works for you. Remember, at the end of the day, it’s all about creating an environment where everyone can thrive, no matter where they are.

Happy remote working.