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With so many different remote working software systems available, figuring out which is the best fit for your needs is tough. You know you want a tool to support collaboration and maintain productivity regardless of physical distance, but you need to figure out which tool is best. In this post, I'll help you make your choice easy by sharing my insights on the best remote working software for bridging geographical gaps and ensuring smooth communication based on my personal experience as a seasoned remote worker for many years.

What is Remote Working Software?

Remote working software covers a suite of tools that facilitate communication, team collaboration, and productivity for remote employees. These tools achieve this through features like video conferencing, instant messaging, file sharing, and task tracking that replicate the ease, efficiency, benefits, and functionalities of working in a physical office. Many include time tracking, scheduling, and project management features as well.

Remote working software has become critical to business success due to the increase in globally distributed teams. These tools help improve teamwork and collaboration across distances and time zones, and are easily accessed from anywhere, including from mobile devices.

Overviews of the 10 Best Remote Working Software

Here’s a brief description of each remote working software system that showcases their best use case, noteworthy features, and pros & cons. I’ve also included screenshots to give you a snapshot of their user interface too.

Best remote working software within a global payroll platform

  • Free demo available
  • Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people
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Rating: 4.8/5

Deel is a remote working software solution that helps organizations manage and pay distributed teams. Using their global-first, all-in-one HR platform you can hire remote employees and contractors from anywhere in the world and Deel will manage your international tax and compliance obligations on your behalf.

Their platform covers both HR and payroll functions and includes additional tools such as their '1 on 1' feature that integrates Deel with Slack to enable easy team communication and coordination. This feature is part of their Deel Engage plan, which has a strategic focus on supporting remote teams more effectively. Other features within that module include employee engagement surveys, paid time-off management tools, and automation for common HR tasks.

Deel Engage also helps distributed teams coordinate meetings across different time zones, and easily share talking points and agendas in advance of each team meeting. By integrating '1 on 1' with Deel Engage, their global platform becomes even more supportive of an essential digital hub for truly remote organizations.

Deel Standout Features and Integrations

Features include international hiring tools, onboarding & offboarding workflows, global payroll functionalities, multiple currencies and payment methods, remote communication tools, tax and compliance management, international benefits, meeting collaboration tools, and advanced IP protection.

Integrations are available with Ashby, BambooHR, Expensify, Greenhouse, Hibob, Netsuite, Okta, OneLogin, Quickbooks, Slack, Xero, Workday, and Workable. They also have an Open API that supports additional custom software integrations as well.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Offers additional employer of record (EOR) services as well
  • Simplifies global payroll across 150+ currencies
  • Helpful time zone meeting coordination feature

Cons:

  • No free trial available
  • No mobile app available

Best remote working software to engage teams

  • Free demo available
  • From $3/user/month
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Rating: 4.7/5

Nectar is an employee recognition platform that focuses on improving the employee experience by understanding user interactions and boosting engagement. It integrates with various HRIS, SSO, and collaboration software to offer a comprehensive solution for recognizing and retaining employees.

Why I picked Nectar: Nectar stands out as an excellent remote working software due to its comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance employee engagement, recognition, and overall company culture. One of the key features of Nectar is its robust employee recognition system, which allows both managers and employees to send meaningful shoutouts to celebrate great work.

 Additionally, the platform allows for the creation of custom challenges, such as wellness activities and feedback surveys, which can be used to engage employees in various company initiatives. The ability to send recognition directly from Slack or Microsoft Teams further enhances its usability, making it easy for employees to participate in the recognition process without having to switch between different platforms.

Nectar Standout Features & Integrations

Features include shoutouts, anniversary and birthday milestone notifications, a drag-and-drop interface for designing communications like newsletters and announcements, and five reward options for employees.

Integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, BambooHR, ADP, Namely, Paylocity, Zenefits, Workday, Rippling, Gusto, Netsuite, G Suite, Okta, OneLogin, and Azure AD.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Allows companies to design their own challenges
  • Insightful analytics and reporting
  • Diverse range of reward options

Cons:

  • May not be the best for scalability
  • Rewards can be expensive so users have to save up on points

Best for organizational visibility and building connection

  • Free trial available
  • From $1.50/user/month
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Rating: 4.8/5

Sift is a people search engine that includes employee profiles and a dynamic org chart that helps remote employees get to know their colleagues and familiarize themselves with how they connect with other people at their company.

Why I picked Sift: This software provides a useful database for remote staff to figure out who their colleagues are, figure out who to go to for certain things, and generally get to know other remote team members. Users can share information like their skills and experience, interests, photos, contact info, and more.

The advanced org chart capabilities of the software allow users to visualize and navigate the entire workforce in a digital environment. Staff can be grouped by departments and teams, and you can easily keep records of who’s who as your company grows.

Sift Standout Features & Integrations

Features include customizable employee profiles, dynamic org chart visualizations, directory search, custom filters, analytics dashboards, and mobile and desktop apps.

Integrations are available with various HR and IT systems, such as Microsoft Teams, UKG Pro, Azure AD, Google Workspace, OKTA and more.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Provides transparency into its intelligence model
  • Comprehensive risk assessment and real-time risk intelligence
  • User-friendly interface and customizable features

Cons:

  • Limited automation capabilities
  • Limited API connections and integrations

Best remote working software for collaboration across multiple teams

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $7.25/user/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.5/5

Slack is a communication and collaboration platform that allows teams to communicate and work together in real time through instant messaging, file sharing, and integrations with other tools and services.

The software provides public channels for members across organizations to start multiple conversations. In addition, private channels enable interaction within smaller teams, and direct channels help send messages directly to colleagues.

Slack incorporates feeds from social media into the application and blends them with ongoing conversations in various channels. Plus, files such as PDFs, images, documents, and spreadsheets can be shared easily via drag and drop.

Slack archives messages, notifications, files, and projects, all of which can be searched for later. Slack allows users to customize their notifications and reduce their scope. All changes are reflected in the native applications available for iOS and Android.

Slack Standout Features and Integrations

Features include real-time messaging and communication, channels, file sharing, voice calls, and video conferencing.

Integrations available natively include Asana, BambooHR, Github, Google Drive, Help Scout, HubSpot, Jira, Salesforce, Trello, and Zendesk. 

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • A huge number of integrations
  • Feature-rich
  • Widely used for business messaging

Cons:

  • Video calls are basic
  • Switching workspaces is awkward

Best remote working software for visual collaboration

  • 30-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $8/user/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.8/5

Miro is a visual collaboration tool for small to midsize businesses. The software features a digital whiteboard that can be used for research, idea creation, building customer journeys, defining user story maps, wireframing, and other collaborative activities.

Remote team members can collaborate easily using Miro whiteboards. They can draw with a stylus, write on sticky notes, or drop files into the conversation. The whiteboard toolkit enables users to write down ideas, create mockups and schemes, and leave feedback on the input of other team members. You can create boards using preloaded templates, convert them into presentations, or save them as PDFs. 

Miro includes an integrated library of icons, wireframes, and other content. Users can also upload files, images, and documents from their computer or Google Drive. The software offers advanced security and management features, including secure sign-on and auto logouts.  

Miro Standout Features and Integrations

Features include screen sharing, embedded video, a large library of content, pre-built templates, frameworks, and widgets.

Integrations include Airtable, Asana, Atlassian, Box, Figma, Jira, Microsoft 365, Notion, Slack, and Zoom.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Flexible templates
  • Wide range of features
  • Shared team whiteboards

Cons:

  • Takes time to learn
  • Overwhelming at first

Best remote working software for time and attendance tracking

  • 30-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $5/user/month
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Rating: 3.8/5

TimeTrex is a comprehensive workforce management solution that excels in time and attendance tracking, making it an ideal choice for remote working environments.

Why I picked TimeTrex: I like that TimeTrex offers flexible tracking options. Employees can clock in and out using web browsers, mobile apps, or even biometric devices, offering multiple layers of convenience and security. This versatility ensures that no matter where an employee is working, their hours are accurately logged. Additionally, TimeTrex supports remote approval workflows, enabling managers to review and approve timesheets from anywhere.

Remote work requires transparency and accountability, and TimeTrex provides detailed reports that help businesses monitor attendance patterns, track overtime, and analyze labor costs. This level of insight is invaluable for remote teams, as it allows managers to identify trends and make data-driven decisions for workforce management.

TimeTrex Standout Features & Integrations

Features include automated employee scheduling, HR management, automated tax calculations, real-time labor cost tracking, compliance management, leave management, customizable reporting, and multi-language support.

Integrations include QuickBooks, ADP, Paychex, Sage, Xero, Microsoft Dynamics, and Google Calendar.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integrated payroll and HR management
  • Advanced scheduling tools include shift planning and time-off management
  • Various ways for employees to clock in and out

Cons:

  • Initial setup can be challenging
  • User interface looks outdated

Best remote working software for employee recognition and rewards

  • 60-day free trial
  • From $2/user/month
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Rating: 4.7/5

Bonusly is a peer-to-peer recognition and rewards platform that employees can use to give each other small bonuses in the form of points, which can then be redeemed for rewards. The platform operates on a peer-to-peer recognition model, where employees can publicly recognize and appreciate their colleagues for their contributions, efforts, or any other notable achievements. It's to help teams feel more connected, especially when they're working remotely.

Recognition can be given in real-time and can take various forms, such as a thank-you note, a shout-out, or a specific mention of a job well done. Users can also include hashtags like #Teamwork, #Innovation, or #CustomerService in their recognition messages to highlight specific areas of accomplishment or company values. Employees can also use Bounusly to redeem earned points for various rewards, such as gift cards, charitable donations, or even custom rewards specific to the organization.

Bonusly also provides analytics and reporting features, which allow companies to track and measure employee recognition activity. This data can provide valuable insights into employee engagement, team dynamics, and overall performance trends.

Bonusly Standout Features and Integrations

Features include a customizable incentives program that offers automated, manual, and claimable awards, a dashboard with participation metrics and a recognition breakdown, and automated milestones that allow you to recognize birthdays and anniversaries and create shared company traditions.

Integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Workday, Zenefits, Paychex, Bamboo HR, Sage, Namely, and ADP.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Allows for GIFs and images to be used in shout-out posts
  • Fosters a positive workplace environment for remote workers
  • Offers rewards from high-quality brands

Cons:

  • Available rewards are limited in certain countries
  • Limited filtering and searchability

Best remote working software for collaboration within the Microsoft ecosystem

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $4/user/month + free version available
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Rating: 4.3/5

Microsoft Teams is a popular, cloud-based group messaging solution that helps teams collaborate on documents and projects. Its key features include messaging, conferencing, and file sharing.  

Perfect for organizations already using Microsoft technology, this software helps users store files online, manage documents, create groups, and receive notifications. It can be customized for each team, and users can communicate through instant messaging, calling, online meetings, and web conferencing. 

The team communication and collaboration tool can be used to work on files within Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint.

This app enables local and remote workers to collaborate on content in real time and near-real time across different devices, including laptops and mobile devices. It acts as the hub of team collaboration for Microsoft Office 365 users.

Microsoft Teams Standout Features and Integrations

Features include messaging, conferencing, file sharing, virtual meetings, an open application processing interface, assistant bots, conversation search, contact search, and multi-factor authentication.

Integrations include ADP, Asana, BambooHR, Delve, GitHub, Microsoft Office, Planner, Power BI, Trello, and Zendesk. 

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Easy implementation
  • High level of security
  • Flexible product architecture

Cons:

  • Limited flexibility
  • Confusing file structures

Best remote working software for building a knowledge base

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $10/user/month
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Rating: 4.5/5

Tettra is a knowledge base software solution that organizes scattered company information to answer your team’s frequently asked questions directly in Slack or Microsoft Teams. When someone asks a question in these apps, Tettra sends a new or existing answer. You can also send notifications for new and updated pages so your team reads what you write.

The software routes questions to the right expert so they can answer asynchronously, then shows them appreciation with ‘thank yous.’ Subject matter experts can confirm that key pages are accurate with regular verification. Your team can also ask for updates if something doesn't look right.

Tettra Standout Features and Integrations

Features include knowledge management, revision history, wiki building, trusted answers, workflows, quick setup, and portable knowledge. 

Integrations include GitHub, Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, and Slack. 

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Information is easy to find
  • Suggests pages to create
  • Easy to set up and use

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • Lacking live collaboration options

Best remote working software for video capture

  • 14-day trial + freemium plan available
  • From $8/user/month (billed annually)

Loom is a popular video recording and screen sharing solution that allows teams to communicate without wasting hours in non-productive meetings. 

Remote team members can record their screen or a specific application in addition to live recording for any video session. Loom generates a custom URL for every video session, which can be shared with other users. 

Loom's editing tools make it easy to edit, trim, and add CTAs and custom thumbnails. Video owners can use access controls to set video privacy filters, restricting visibility for users who don't have a password or URL link. Loom is also available for Apple mobile devices via an iOS app.  

Loom Standout Features and Integrations

Features include fast recording, screen sharing, link sharing, video editing, emoji reactions and comments, access controls, and advanced reporting. 

Integrations include Dropbox, GitHub, Gmail, InVision, Jira, Notion, Salesforce, Slack, Zendesk, and Zoom.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Built-in video editor
  • Great sharing features
  • Quick, easy video creation

Cons:

  • Videos are public by default
  • No option to change default settings

The 10 Best Remote Working Software Comparison Chart

This comparison chart summarizes basic details about each of my top remote working software selections. You can view pricing details and the availability of free trials or demos side-by-side to help you find the best system for your budget.

Tools Price
Deel Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people
Nectar From $3/user/month
Sift From $1.50/user/month
Slack From $7.25/user/month (billed annually)
Miro From $8/user/month (billed annually)
TimeTrex From $5/user/month
Bonusly From $2/user/month
Microsoft Teams From $4/user/month + free version available
Tettra From $10/user/month
Loom From $8/user/month (billed annually)
Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.

Compare Software

Other Options

Here are a few more worthwhile options that didn’t make the best remote working software list:

  1. Cooleaf

    Remote working software for advanced messaging tools

  2. ClickUp

    Remote working software for project management

  3. monday.com

    Remote working software for collaboration and productivity at scale

  4. Wrike

    Remote working software for remote work management

  5. SuperOps

    Remote working software for remote monitoring and management

  6. Connecteam

    To easily manage frontline employees and daily operations

  7. Agile Hero

    For global team management

  8. Intelogos

    Remote working software for detailed employee analytics

  9. ActivTrak

    Remote working software for managing employee productivity

  10. Asana

    Remote working software for cross-functional work

Selection Criteria for the Best Remote Working Software

Perhaps you're wondering how I selected the best remote working software for this list? To build this top 10 list, I evaluated and compared a wide range of remote working software with positive user ratings.

After determining my long list of top choices, I further honed my list by using the selection criteria below to see how each platform stacked up against the next one. I also drew on my own experience of working remotely for 3+ years to pinpoint the features that add a lot of value.

Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best remote working software for this article:

Usability

Remote workers may come from diverse backgrounds with a varying range of technical experience. That’s why it’s essential that the tools they use are simple to understand. For this reason, I selected remote working software with an intuitive user interface, clear navigation, and easy access to key features. 

Functionality

When you rely on software to do your job, you can’t afford any limitations on its capabilities. Each tool must deliver best-of-breed functionality for a given task. That’s why the software I chose for this list offers a wide range of features that support the needs of different types of users.

Support for Collaboration

Top remote working software should make it easy for team members to work together, regardless of their location. With this in mind, I sought out tools that facilitate clear communication with team members and other stakeholders. 

Software Integrations 

One of the huge advantages of software-as-a-service (SaaS) is that tools no longer need to operate in a silo. Various applications can work together to create a frictionless experience for the users. With this top of mind, I selected solutions that integrate with the most popular business applications, especially those most commonly used by remote teams.

Pricing

As teams grow bigger, the subscription costs for multiple SaaS apps can become a significant concern. Users need access to first-class working tools, without busting the company budget. This is why I look for systems that offer excellent value for price on a per-user basis, even as an organization scales to large numbers. 

If you’re running a small business or team, you may be able to get away with using a free plan (also knowns as a freemium plan) to get you started. However, paid plans will often offer you a better return on your investment (ROI) if you can afford one. 

Remote Working Software: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the queries that I hear over and over again regarding the use of remote working tools. 

Are there different types of remote working software? 

There are different types of remote working software available, covering functions such as video conferencing, project management, file sharing, and collaboration. You can also find tools to assist with time tracking, communication, and messaging.  

How can I tell which remote working software is right for my business?

To determine which remote working software is right for your business, consider the needs and requirements of your team, as well as your budget. Start by identifying the specific tasks and processes that you need to support, and then look for software that offers the features and functionality required to support those tasks.  

Other Resources

In conclusion, remote working software is a critical tool for companies and teams looking to enable remote work and maintain productivity, communication, and collaboration. Many different types of remote working software are available, each designed to meet specific needs and requirements.  

If you found this article helpful, you may also want to check out our articles on how to onboard remote employees and remote team-building activities. We also have a great list of 32 Proven Tips to Help You Work From Home More Effectively too. Or, if you're specifically focused on trying to manage projects remotely, this guide to 12 Remote Project Management Best Practices & Strategies is also worth a read.

Working from home, from co-working spaces, or even while on the move is undoubtedly the trend of the future. With the right software, you can reap the benefits of remote teams and set your company on course for greater success. And now that you know exactly which tools to use, there’s nothing to stop you from scaling up your operations accordingly. 

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Related read: 10 Best Team Communication Apps for Hybrid Teams

Kim Behnke
By Kim Behnke

Kim Behnke is an HR Tool Expert & Writer for People Managing People. She draws on her 9 years of human resources experience and her keen eye for systematic processes to support her analyses of the top HR tools on the market. She is passionate about maximizing efficiencies and streamlining workflows to ensure internal systems run smoothly. Kim's HR experience includes recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training and development, policy development and enforcement, and HR analytics. She also has degrees in psychology, writing, publishing, and technical communication, and recently completed a Certified Digital HR Specialist program through the Academy to Innovate HR. When away from her desk, she can usually be found outside tending to her ever-expanding garden.