15 Team Chat Apps For Better Work Communication In 2024
Between email, phone calls, text messaging, and conversations at the watercooler, there is a lot of communication “noise” within the workplace. And with more and more teams working remotely or following a hybrid work model, implementing a team chat is a great way to streamline your business communication and promote collaboration and transparency between your staff.
Some businesses prefer to use team chat apps with video conferencing, while others need a platform that integrates within their pre-existing project management systems. Regardless of which type of communication app you need, the goal is still the same: to provide your team with the ability to feel comfortable reaching out to one another, make connections, and increase communication efficiencies within your company. That’s where team chat apps can help.
We’ve narrowed down some of our favorite team chat applications to help your team stay on the same page – or rather, on the same chat. These messaging apps are the future of your team’s communication, especially when many of these chats can integrate the efficiency of business communication with the casual nature of peer-to-peer conversations.
Here are some of our favorite team chat apps to stay connected with coworkers in the workplace.
1. Hive
Not only is Hive an excellent project management platform, but its built in-app messaging system has a ton of user flexibility. Hive lets you send direct or group messages to any of your coworkers, making it easy to centralize all of your work communication in one dashboard. This team messenger also seamlessly works in tandem with the Hive platform to attach files, integrate emails into conversations, and even syncs calendars into each chatroom.
Connecting with your team has never been easier or more fun with Hive. In addition to communicating with coworkers via chat, you can also @mention team members directly on Action cards, collaborate on Notes in real-time, and set up notifications to make sure you never miss a message.
Whether you work primarily from a computer, or use your phone for on-the-go communication, Hive apps are available for desktop, iPhone and Android devices. Plus, we can always get behind any team chat that allows us to send working cat gifs through giphy to our coworkers.
Key Features:
- Project Management capabilities combined with a native chat feature
- Downloadable as a phone app or on your computer desktop
- Giphy integration/emojis/unique channel categories
- Try Hive free for 14 days. Hive offers a free-forever plan, with Hive Teams starting at $12/month.
Download App Here:
2. Slack
Slack is a team chat app with various applications, from team chats to email replacements. Useful for professional and casual team communication, Slack allows team members to post updates across channels or create private conversations. While not a project management platform, Slack is a standalone team messaging program that you can integrate into almost any working environment.
Built with a ton of customizations and automation, Slack can provide additional support to the business, such as automation for frequently asked questions, shortcuts to the helpdesk, and even analytics reporting. Slack can live on your desktop or you can download the app for your iPhone or Android device. It works well for real-time communications, or you can also leave messages and comments in channels for people to read and respond to later.
Key Features:
- Slack integrates with many popular workplace tools
- Abilty to connect to almost any project management system (including Hive!)
- Downloadable as a phone app or on your computer desktop
- Customizable themes and automation ability
- Available as a free download, or you can upgrade to $8/month up to custom-priced plans at the Enterprise level.
Download App Here:
Check out our full guide to learn about other top Slack Alternatives for great team communication.
3. Microsoft Teams
The Microsoft Teams app feels like “Slack on steroids.” Built with the same functionality of Slack and more, this app has upped the anty with its solid video chat capabilities and conferencing integrations. While it can function as a reliable standalone app for team messaging, it is a compelling all-in-one solution for businesses when coupled with the Microsoft fleet of project management products.
Built to handle enterprise levels of usage, Microsoft Teams might be a bit too robust for small businesses and casual communications. However, with its powerful chat, video, sharing, and security features, it is a good option for a company that doesn’t want to toggle back and forth between chat, video, and email solutions.
Key Features:
- Robust video chat and conferencing integration
- Powerful as a stand-alone-solution or coupled with Microsoft products
- An excellent option for enterprise businesses
- Available as a free download, or you have many tiered pricing options for personal, stand-alone business, or as a bundled deal with Office 365 Business Essentials.
Download App Here:
4. Troop Messenger
Built with a simple user face and an incredible UI/UX experience, Troop is perfect for small companies who need an easy-to-use platform to streamline communications. Packed with unique features like “burnout,” and “respond later,” Troop is an innovative messenger platform with great features and top-notch security protocol.
With a two-factor authentication for users to join the team and end-to-end encryption, all conversations are safe and secure with Troop. Also, Troop allows its users to use “privacy” bots that clean up team chat rooms by limiting what team members see based on their role or other pre-set rules. Not only is this platform secure, but it provides serious time-saving features like the global search filter, where users can find chats, people, groups, or active projects immediately.
Key Features:
- Top-of-the-line security
- Time-saving filters and protocols
- Fantastic UI/UX for first-time chat users
- Try it for free for a one-month trial, or you can upgrade to $5/month for standard services up to $25/month at the premium level.
Download App Here:
5. Nextiva Productivity
Nextiva’s Productivity software is where seamless team collaboration meets epic efficiency. Instead of juggling 15-20 different apps such as business voip, or contact center, teams score a single streamlined communication hub with integrations for days.
Connect with your crew via team chat, phone, desktop messaging, SMS or email (with threading for Office 365 and Gmail). Share files, attachments, and links whether engaging 1:1, in a group, or a room. Data is synced and searchable to help busy teammates find the intel they need to act instantly. There’s even a robust search functionality on video and voicemail transcriptions.
Productivity also grants your team the power to host video meetings with coworkers and guests on anything with a screen. Present, screen share, and file share directly in the app or your browser — no download needed. Integrate your favorite calendar to create and schedule these meetings without leaving your workspace. It’s the scalable all-in-one to get the job done.
Key Features
- Multiple communication options for teams to collaborate 1:1 or in groups. Attach files to any conversation; everything is searchable and easy to find in seconds
- No download required to host, record, or attend video meetings with teams or guests in the app or your browser
- Nearly 20 integrations (including calendar integration and email integration with conversation threading for Office365 and Gmail)
- Encrypted data sharing and syncing, voicemail transcription, and interaction insights
- Different levels and price points for various feature packs
Download App Here:
6. RingCentral MVP
RingCentral MVP is an integrated communications solution that combines messaging, video conferencing, and phone calls into one unified platform. For seamless team messaging and collaboration, it enables users to either have one-on-one conversations or create a group chat.
With the RingCentral App, users can upload files and pin important attachments for easy access. They can also create tasks and assign them to the entire group or individual members for better task management. Keeping track of schedules and important events is also easier because users can post team events.
If a project requires further discussion and face-to-face interaction, users can start a video call with the click of just a single button. With an all-in-one app, teams can communicate with each other anytime, anywhere in their preferred channel and device.
Key Features:
- Unlimited audio and video meetings for up to 24 hours: maximum of 100 participants for Standard Plan; maximum of 200 participants for Premium and Ultimate Plan.
- RingCentral Video Pro is also available as a free video conferencing solution that includes team messaging and collaboration features.
- Popular integrations include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack, and more.
- Enterprise-grade security, reliability, and privacy
Download App Here:
7. Chanty
Chanty is a team chat application that allows teams to communicate through messaging, audio and video call features. With its easy-to-use interface the app enables teams to collaborate efficiently and effectively. Chanty’s focus is mainly on task management which makes assigning, setting due dates, keeping a track of and completing tasks more easily.
It is designed for everyone and has a global reach already. Whether you are a marketing agency, an educational organization, an IT specialist, a logistic company, property managers, realtors or have a restaurant – you name the industry and Chanty is catering to its employee collaboration needs.
Key Features:
- Unlimited message history
- Integrates with other project management tools
- Task management with Kanban board
- Internet phone calls and video chats
- Voice messages
- Sharing and privacy features
Download App Here:
8. Discord
Discord is a platform that became popular among games, but grew to all types of industry for its powerful community building experience. Discords allows you to chat in real-time via text messaging, voice and video. While Discord might not be the most viable solution if you are exchanging sensitive information, the tool can be used for teams organizing study groups, class or training.
Discord is easy to get started with, however, it might be hard to stay on task because the platform doesn’t offer thread options. Another downside of using Discord for work is the fact that DMs don’t disappear, they are owned by whoever sends or receives them. So if you are sharing important or sensitive work data via messages, you might want to consider another top Discord alternative.
Key Features:
- Great audio sync features
- Ability to use it with bots
- Large servers (you can even host a live video chat with 25 people on a single server)
- Secure IP and protection from DDos attacks with two-factor authentication.
- Price: Free
Download App Here:
9. Google Chat
Google Chat is a simple 1:1 and group messaging app. One of the main advantages of the platform is the ability to see all your files, documents and tasks in one place – if your organization uses other Google Workspace solutions, such as Google Docs and Google Sheets. Google Workspace has free and paid options, you don’t need the paid version to use Google Chat. Google Workspace paid plan starts at $6 per user/per month.
Key Features:
- 1:1 chats and group chats
- Spaces, topic-based discussions for teams
- Video and audio meetings with Google Meets
- Protected data with secure-by-design infrastructure
- Smart integrations with third-party apps, such as Salesforce and Jira
Download App Here:
10. Flock
Flock is a communication app that combines messaging, video and voice calls in one platform. The software allows users to convert discussions into tasks, streamlining and automating the workflow. Save time organizing your data with Flock bookmark message features, and find information easier with its advanced searching feature. Flock has a free starter plan that accommodates up to 20 members, and organizations with more than 100+ members can request a quote here.
Key features:
- Public company’s directory, closed channels and private messages
- Native voice and video calls
- Document sharing
- Integrations and add-ons
- Manage mailing lists
- Create and share code snippets on the go
Download App Here:
11. Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat is an open-source instant messaging solution. It allows teams of all sizes to collaborate via direct messages, channels, video conferencing, and voice messages. Utilizing open source technology, Rocket.Chat is a great collaboration tool for organizations in highly-regulated industries such as government, healthcare, and finance.
Key Features:
- Can be deployed on-premise
- Uses Matrix Federation for interoperability with other communication solutions
- End-to-end encrypted
- Highly customizable
- Can be used for omni-channel customer support
Download App Here:
12. Ryver
Ryver is a messaging platform for communication across teams, tasks management and automated processes. Easily set up multiple chat rooms with your team and send direct messages for individual conversations. You can invite clients into private chats to maintain focus on relevant work and avoid data breaches.
Carry on discussions about a specific project or topics in thread, keeping the conversation organized in one place. Ryver integrates other tools allowing you to share files directly with cloud storage solutions and 2,000+apps through Zapier.
Key Features:
- Group messaging with unlimited chats, file sharing and conversation searching
- Turn conversations into tasks
- Voice and video calls
- Accessible from the web or dedicated desktop and mobile apps
Download App Here:
13. Pumble
Pumble is an impressive chat solution for any workspace: it’s free forever with unlimited users and chat history. The solution’s free plan also includes 1:1 voice and video meetings, the ability to share documents by texting links and sending files, voice messages and the ability to import from Slack. If you’re looking for guest access, video conferencing, screen sharing and 10GB storage per user, you’ll need their paid version. Pumble Pro Plan costs $1.99 per user/month.
Key features:
- Private and public channels
- Direct messages, threads, mentions, reactions, pins and message history
- Share files and links, voice messages, message formatting, customizable sections
- One-on-one voice and video meetings
- Import from Slack
- Data encryption
Download:
14. Connecteam
Connecteam offers a chat app that has various features to enhance communication and collaboration within your team. With Connecteam’s chat function you have real-time conversations in three different types of chat: one-on-one chats for direct communication (ideal for private exchanges between team members or admins); team chat, which allows you to create groups (ideal for information sharing across teams and departments); channels, which serve as one-way communication platforms for sharing news and updates with your team (useful for broadcasting important information).
The app also includes advanced features such as search capabilities to easily find specific chats, the ability to send voice messages, images, files, videos, GIFs, and even the option to add shortcuts to other platform features.
Key Features:
- Share instant information with users in real-time
- One-on-one chats, team chats, and channels for broadcast communication
- Send voice messages, images, files, videos, GIFs, and more
- Easily find chats or conversations using search
- Customizable to suit your team’s specific needs and workflows
- Available as a free download, and there’s tiered pricing options that come bundled with other Connecteam offerings
Download App Here:
15. Workplace from Meta
Workplace from Meta is an all-in-one business communication platform that combines chat, video, groups and your intranet with the most common apps your company already uses. As the company describes, “Think Facebook, but for your company.” You will have a news feed where you can share important announcements to the entire team, you can host live video meetings, organize your documentation in a knowledge library and have specific groups for a project or for each department. Workplace by Meta also offers several integrations to third-party apps, so you can connect your software to the platform — having all in one place. There’s no free plan, unless your company is a non-profit charitable organization. Core plan starts at $4 per person/month.
Key features:
- News feed
- Live video
- Groups
- Knowledge library
- Integrations
Download App Here:
Why You Need A Team Chat App
Aside from the instant communication and responses a team chat provides, as a bonus, we love how team chats naturally promote information sharing between teams of various departments. For example, developers can stay in touch with clients through a team chat, and your customer service department can use this same chat for internal conversations, such as who might help answer support inquiries from their accounts.
As these conversations happen, not only do they provide transparency between teammates, but they can also provide clients with immediate responses without having anyone wait around for an email or a missed text message on a cellphone.
So if you don’t already have a team messaging solution, what are you waiting for? Try Hive free for 14 days and see what the power of real-time chat can do for your workplace.
