collaboration tools

9 Asynchronous Communication Tools To Embrace With Your Hybrid Team in 2024

You use Google docs or Microsoft 365. Slack and Zoom are part of your vocabulary. Perhaps you have a favorite project-management platform. But with a hybrid team, you may want to consider revisiting or expanding the real-time collaboration tools that you use. 

First, there’s the fact that without a proper way to disseminate information, things will end up falling through the cracks or you’ll waste a lot of time going back and forth. Then, there’s visibility. In order for a hybrid team to thrive, transparency is crucial. And with people working asynchronously, a spreadsheet just won’t cut it for keeping everyone up to date with projects. Finally, things like approval processes and brainstorming can get clunky when done virtually without the right tools. 

To help you reduce friction and collaborate effectively with a hybrid workforce, here are some of the best asynchronous communication tools to keep your team connected. 

1. Hive 

Hive software overview

Hive is a highly customizable project management platform that helps team scollaborate from anywhere. Hive centralizes all of your tasks and communications in one place, including features like team messaging, native email, collaborative note-taking, and @mentions all within the app. You can also use over 1,000 integrations to create dashboards and help your team work more efficiently, make better decisions, and keep everyone in the loop.

In addition to it’s asynchronous collaboration features, Hive is best known for it’s flexible project views. With just one click, you can view any project as a Gantt chart, Kanban board, Calendar, List, Table and more. This helps team members easily visualize important tasks and actions in the way they work best. Hive is the most customizable productivity platform on the market, so whatever your needs may be, Hive can likely help.

Hive offers a free 14-day trial, as well as a free-forever plan for teams up to 10. Hive Starter plans begin at $5 per user, per month, making it the most affordable paid plan on the market. For unlimited project management needs, Hive Teams starts at $12 per user, per month.

2. Ashore 

ashore app dashboard

“Instead of scheduling an endless loop of meetings to give feedback, go over new changes, then give more feedback, real-time collaboration allows you to do those things in the moment. This doesn’t just save time, it prevents potentially detrimental miscommunications,” according to Cody Miles, founder and CEO of Ashore, an app that allows you to create proofing dashboards and review all sorts of file types in one place. 

With features like markup tools and contextual commenting, Ashore lets users tie their feedback to a specific place on a page. It also allows you to customize your review/approval workflows. “Automatic notifications and reminders, for example, help keep everyone on track, checklists ensure nothing slips through the cracks, and integrations improve efficiency, communication, file sharing, and streamline your collaborative process.” 

3. Loom

loom screen recording tool

Loom makes asynchronous communication a breeze by offering a simple way to create quick video updates for your team and cut down on meeting time. 

You can capture your screen and record yourself on camera simultaneously, which allows you to explain things clearly and with visual breakdowns. To share the recording, you’ll just need to copy-paste a link – no account creation required for the recipients. 

4. Bondle 

bondle app dashboard

Want a platform that allows you to store assets, sign documents, and manage relationships with both your team and clients in one place? Meet Bondle. Martin Luenendonk, an entrepreneur, startup enthusiast, and the co-founder of Founder Jar, uses it to run all operations. 

“As compared to internal collaboration tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams, Bondle is a single tool that will help you collaborate internally and externally on one platform. The power of Bondle is apparent when you are dealing in a document- or task-intensive conversation with built-in folder structures,version control, document encryption and a task-management system,” he shares. 

The automated audit history also comes in handy in terms of governance and transparency, as every key activity is time-stamped. 

5. Miro 

Miro dashboard

Virtual brainstorming can sometimes get out of hand. Enter Miro, a virtual whiteboard that fuels your creative and strategic discussions. 

From sticky notes and drawing capabilities to flowcharts and mind-mapping features, the platform allows you to solve problems and design solutions as if you were meeting in person and using an actual whiteboard to support your conversation. 

6. Frameable Spaces 

frameable app

Frameable Spaces was born out of the desire to create inspiring remote workplaces that go beyond Zoom, Teams, Slack, and other channels. 

The platform mimics the parts of the office that you actually miss: Culture building and spontaneous collaboration. Design a personalized visual replica of your office and glance across your workspace to see who is around or not. You can even see who is working on what at a given point in a time, which increases transparency, engagement and trust. 

Playful features such as shared playlists and personal project rooms make virtual interactions more pleasant. 

7. Yac

yac dashboard

Yac is an asynchronous meeting management tool that aims to reduce or even eliminate excessive or unnecessary meetings. Available for iOS, Android, Mac and Windows, the software allows you to record audio or video and post it to a “meeting” page where users are able to play back the recording when it is more convenient for them. Participants are then able to record their response and post it, allowing for a steady flow of communication. This is great to overcome difficulties when running meetings with teams across time zones. One thing to note is that unlike most other communication tools, Yac only allows you to send messages through audio or video, no typing. It does however automatically transcribe all audio, a must-have feature for when we need to keep our computer’s volume low.

8. Slack

slack asynchronous comm tool

Slack is a great tool for hybrid teams that allows members to communicate and collaborate regardless of their location. The software offers various channels to keep communication organized and focused, helping reduce clutter and increase productivity. Team members can also communicate in real-time through direct messaging, which makes it easy to have quick conversations without interrupting others.

In addition, Slack offers integrations with various other tools such as Trello, Google Drive, and Zoom, streamlining workflows and enhancing collaboration. This is particularly helpful for hybrid teams with members in different locations, as it allows them to easily share and access files, and communicate through video conferencing.

9. Trello

trello async comm tool

Trello is a work management tool that has a user-friendly interface and versatile functionality. With its flexible boards and lists, teams can easily organize and manage projects, tasks, and workflows. The platform allows users to contribute, comment, and update task cards at their convenience, promoting collaboration and providing a clear overview of project progress. Trello also integrates with other tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams, enabling team members to discuss and share updates directly within the platform.

By leveraging Trello as an asynchronous communication tool, hybrid teams can effectively address the challenges posed by time and location constraints. This approach facilitates efficient collaboration and project management, while still allowing individuals to work at their preferred pace. Trello has a free version and paid plans start at $5/user/month. To explore alternative options and compare Trello with other tools available, you can refer to our comprehensive guide on Trello alternatives.