teams

Jan 20, 2025

Must-have collaboration tools for small teams in 2025

Must-have collaboration tools for small teams in 2025

Must-have collaboration tools for small teams in 2025

Small teams can feel overwhelmed by managing tasks, communication, and deadlines. Collaboration tools like Slack, Basecamp, and Figma can streamline workflows, boost productivity, and make teamwork a seamless experience. These tools offer features for communication, project management, document sharing, and creative collaboration.

Small teams can feel overwhelmed by managing tasks, communication, and deadlines. Collaboration tools like Slack, Basecamp, and Figma can streamline workflows, boost productivity, and make teamwork a seamless experience. These tools offer features for communication, project management, document sharing, and creative collaboration.

Bob Stolk

By Bob Stolk

By Bob Stolk

By Bob Stolk

Founder at Complex.so

Founder at Complex.so

Founder at Complex.so

team collaboration tools 2025
team collaboration tools 2025

Introduction

Running a small team can feel like you're constantly putting out fires. Keeping everyone on the same page, ensuring deadlines are met, and actually enjoying the process – it all seems a bit overwhelming, right?

That's where the right collaboration tools come in. They're your secret weapons for streamlining workflows, boosting productivity, and making teamwork a breeze.

In this article, we'll explore 20 must-have collaboration tools across 5 categories that can help your team stay organized, communicate smoothly, and crush your goals. From communication platforms to project management software, these tools are designed to address a wide range of needs, from brainstorming and document sharing to task management and creative collaboration.

20 Must-Have Collaboration Tools for Small Teams

Let's explore the 20 best collaboration tools for small teams to use in 2025. These tools are listed without any specific order or ranking.

Communication tools

  1. Slack: Slack is like your team's virtual hangout spot, where you can chat, share files, and keep everything organized in channels, making remote work feel a bit more connected.

  2. Whereby: Whereby is a super easy video meeting tool that lets you hop on a call without downloads or complicated setup, just a link and you're in! The UX is great.

Project Management & Task Tracking

  1. Basecamp: Basecamp is a simple, no-frills project management tool that helps teams stay organized by keeping everything in one place.

  2. Linear: Linear.app is a sleek, fast tool for tracking and managing software development tasks, making it easy for teams to stay on top of projects with a clean, intuitive interface.

  3. Complex.so: Complex.so is a task management platform designed for small teams, helping them streamline their to-dos, stay organized, and collaborate more smoothly with minimal fuss.

Design & Creative Collaboration

  1. Figma: Figma is one of my favorite tools ever. It’s a design platform where you can create wireframes, prototypes, or just about anything graphic, all in the cloud, making creative work faster and more interactive.

  2. Framer: Framer is an easy-to-use web design tool that lets you create a website for your business with ease, combining design and code to bring your ideas to life in the browser.

  3. Playbook: All-In-One creative file storage for your business.

  4. Tella: Tella is an easy-to-use video creation tool that lets you record and share screen recordings, presentations, or demos.

Data insight

  1. Mixpanel: Mixpanel is an analytics tool that helps your business track user interactions and behavior of your website or app, giving you valuable insights to optimize products and make data-driven decisions.

  2. Steep: Steep simplifies data analysis and empowers everyone in your organization to make data-driven decisions.

  3. Chartmogul: ChartMogul is an analytics tool that helps subscription-based businesses track revenue, churn, and customer metrics, giving you the insights needed to grow your business.

CRM

  1. Folk: Folk is like the sales assistant your team never had, a simple CRM tool that helps teams manage relationships, track interactions, and organize customer data.

  2. Attio: Attio is a next-generation CRM platform powered by AI, helping teams manage relationships and workflows with a customizable interface, so you can track clients, leads, and projects all in one place.

Document Collaboration & File Sharing

  1. Dropbox Paper: Dropbox Paper is a collaborative document tool that lets teams create, edit, and share notes, to-do lists, and project plans in real time, making it easy to stay on the same page.

  2. WeTransfer: WeTransfer is a simple file-sharing tool that lets you send large files quickly and easily, without the need for an account, making it perfect for sharing everything from images to documents.

AI tools

  1. Midjourney: MidJourney is an AI-powered tool that generates stunning images from text prompts, allowing creators to bring their ideas to life visually with just a few words.

  2. Jasper: Jasper is an AI writing assistant that helps you create high-quality content quickly, from blog posts to social media captions, making the writing process faster and more effective.

  3. Gemini: Gemini is an AI-powered tool from Google, similar to ChatGPT and Claude.ai, that helps you generate content and analyze data, making you much more productive.

  4. Lumen5: Lumen5 is an AI-driven video creation platform that transforms text content into engaging videos, making it easy for teams to produce professional-looking video content in no time.

The Power of the Collaboration Toolkit

Managing a team is not an easy job. Keeping everyone informed, making sure deadlines are met, and keeping the team happy can be a constant struggle. The good news? The right collaboration tools can make a world of difference.

Imagine this: your team is working on a tight deadline. A task management tool keeps everyone on track, while a chat app like Slack makes it easy to brainstorm ideas and get quick answers. Designers use Figma to collaborate on visual elements, and the entire team can leverage the power of AI with tools like Midjourney to create images for the website. Suddenly, communication flows smoothly, and everyone feels connected and like a productivity powerhouse. That's the power of a well-chosen suite of collaboration tools – they create a more enjoyable work environment where everyone makes good progress, and is equipped to achieve amazing things.

Let's dive into the details of which tools to use.

  1. Slack

Slack is a team communication platform that simplifies messaging and collaboration by allowing users to organize conversations into channels based on projects, topics, or teams. It supports direct messages for one-on-one communication and integrates with a wide range of tools, such as Google Drive, Linear, and Zoom, to bring all your work into one central space. With real-time messaging, file sharing, and searchable history, Slack makes it easy to stay connected and keep everything organized, even when working remotely or with teams across different time zones.

Slack is super useful for small teams because it cuts down on long email chains and speeds up response times. It makes team communication instant and keeps everyone in the loop without any hassle or waste of time. Slack is simple to use and works well with tons of other tools, so whether you're brainstorming, working remote, or solving problems together, it helps things run smoothly. Its simple premises and ease of use are big reasons why it's a great pick for small teams who want to stay connected and work efficiently. Another big advantage: it's free to use.

Slack as a chat tool

Slack makes quick communication a breeze.

Pros and cons of Slack

Pros:

  • Smooth and fast instant messaging.

  • A generous free plan.

  • Loads of integrations.

Cons:

  • Conversations get fragmented, like with any chat platform, Important messages may get buried in threads.

  • Can get expensive for a chat app, especially with large teams due to per-user, per-month pricing.

Pricing: Ranging from $0 (Free) to $15 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Whereby

Who has time for complicated video conferencing setups? Whereby gets you up and running in seconds, it's as simple as sharing a link. No more downloads, no complicated setups. You're ready to go in seconds. Whether it's a quick team check-in, an important client call, or a spontaneous brainstorming session, Whereby makes it feel like you're having a casual conversation, not battling with technology.

Its intuitive interface and browser-based platform ensure a smooth experience. Creating a room is as simple as grabbing your own unique link, allowing you to connect with your team easily.

Video calling with Whereby

Whereby makes video calls simple and more fun.

Pros and cons of Whereby

Pros:

  • Simple interface for quick setup and use.

  • Built-in screen sharing for presentations.

Cons:

  • The video quality can be inconsistent, especially with poor internet.

  • Lacks some advanced functionality like breakout rooms.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $11.99 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Basecamp

Basecamp is like your team's digital headquarters, bringing everything you need into one place so you can stay organized and on top of things. It combines to-do lists, file storage, group chats, and project timelines, all in a simple, easy-to-use interface. You can assign to-dos, set deadlines, and keep track of important conversations, making sure nothing slips through the cracks. Plus, its real-time chat feature lets your team stay connected and resolve issues on the fly, meaning you don't need Slack if you use this tool, and also, no more endless email chains.

For small teams, Basecamp is quite the game-changer. It keeps things straightforward and efficient without all the extra bells and whistles that can slow you down. With everything in one spot, your team knows where to go and managing multiple projects is a breeze. It’s also quite easy to get started with, so you won't spend ages figuring things out.

Basecamp for tasks and projects

Basecamp helps you organize your projects and keep your team on track.

Pros and cons of Basecamp

Pros:

  • User-friendly project management app.

  • Feels different from the usual PM tools.

Cons:

  • For some things it's too simple, lacks advanced PM tool features.

  • The app's navigation occasionally feels sluggish.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $15 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Linear

"Linear.app is like the sleek sports car of task management tools for software teams. It’s fast, easy to use, and built to help you track and manage tasks without the usual hassle. While it keeps things somewhat simple, it also packs in plenty of bells and whistles, because developers expect and need those powerful features to get the job done. With a clean interface, Linear makes it enjoyable to handle issue tracking, sprint planning, and product roadmaps. It integrates with tools such as GitHub, GitLab, and others, so you can sync up everything in one place. Whether you're sorting bugs, tackling feature requests, or squashing technical debt, Linear keeps things simple while giving you all the power you need.

For development teams, Linear is a awesome because it’s speedy and efficient, letting you dive straight into your work without wasting time on setup. It's straightforward enough for anyone to use, but still powerful enough to handle all your dev team’s complex workflows. Since it’s built with developers in mind, it plays nicely with the tools you’re already using, like GitHub, making collaboration smooth.

Linear app task management

Linear is great for software development teams to keep track of issues.

Pros and cons of Linear

Pros:

  • The app is incredibly fast and packed with keyboard shortcuts.

  • Optimised for issue tracking and software projects.

Cons:

  • Less suitable for general task management.

  • May take time to master for non-technical users.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $16 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Complex.so

Complex.so is a task management tool built to help small teams stay on top of everything without the chaos. It's 100% focused on managing tasks, there's no other clutter. It lets you manage tasks, track progress, and collaborate with your team at ease. With its super clean and easy-to-use interface, assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and keeping track of what’s going on has never been simpler. Whether you’re knocking out daily to-dos or juggling long-term projects, Complex.so gives you everything you need to stay focused and get stuff done.

For small teams, Complex.so is the sweet spot between simplicity and power. It has all the features you need without any unnecessary complexity, so you can get straight to work without any frustration. It’s flexible enough to fit your team’s style, and the intuitive design means you can jump right in with no hassle. With everything in one place, your team can work better together, keep projects moving, and stay organized, whether you're in the office or working from home.

Complex.so task management

Complex.so makes managing your (team's) tasks simple and fun.

Pros and cons of Complex.so

Pros:

  • Simplified yet powerful task management, designed for small teams.

  • A hyper focused approach to task management, nothing more, nothing less.

Cons:

  • Focused mainly on small teams and individuals, less ideal for large enterprises.

  • No AI yet.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $8 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Figma

Figma is like the ultimate design playground for teams, simply one of the best apps ever made for designers. It’s a cloud-based tool that lets you create, edit, and share everything from wireframes to prototypes, all in real-time. The best part? Everyone can work on the same project at once—no more waiting for feedback or back-and-forth emails. You and your team can collaborate instantly, making design iterations faster and smoother. Whether you're crafting a UI or designing visuals, Figma helps you turn your ideas into sleek, ready-to-go designs, all in one place.

For small teams, Figma is a total game-changer. Forget about complicated file-sharing systems or waiting around for design approvals, everything is right there in the cloud. Since it’s web-based, you don’t have to worry about installations, and you can work from anywhere, which is perfect for remote teams. Figma also makes it super easy for designers to collaborate with developers, product managers, and anyone else on the team by simply sharing a link to your designs, keeping everyone on the same page. With its simple, flexible interface, Figma makes design work quicker and more fun, so your small team can create amazing designs without any hassle.

Figma design tool

Figma is the ultimate design tool, it allows you to create complex designs straight in the browser.

Pros and cons of Figma

Pros:

  • Design together with your team in real-time.

  • Runs in the browser, no need for installations.

  • Great UX.

Cons:

  • There's a bit of a learning curve for non-designers.

  • Can slow down with complex projects, weaker hardware, or too many active browser tabs open.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $75 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Framer

Framer is like the magic wand for building interactive websites. It lets you design beautiful websites without the need to write any code, you do of course have the option to also add custom code to make them come alive. Whether you're whipping up a landing page, crafting a full website, or creating a beautiful blog, Framer helps turn your ideas into great-looking, functional designs. And the best part? You and your team can collaborate in real-time, making the whole process quicker, smoother, and a lot more fun.

For small teams, Framer is a valuable tool. It combines everything you need to design, build, and launch websites in one platform, there's no need to use a bunch of different tools. It's also super accessible, meaning anyone can build a website and deploy it. You can jump straight in without getting stuck in a complicated learning curve, and its flexibility lets you tackle all sorts of projects. With Framer, small teams can create stunning, interactive websites fast and stay in sync without needing a huge team of designers or developers. A must for any business that wants a beautiful website.

Create websites with Framer

Framer lets anyone build beautiful websites without the need to code.

Pros and cons of Framer

Pros:

  • One of the simplest ways to build a website without coding.

  • Enables advanced animations and interactions.

Cons:

  • Premium plans can be expensive.

  • Lacks some important features as they are still fairly new to the game.

Pricing: Ranging from $5 to $200 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Playbook

Playbook is like the ultimate hub for creative teams, helping you store and organize all your creative assets in one place. It makes it super easy to access, share, and reuse your designs, templates, and best practices, so everyone can stay up-to-date.

For small creative teams, Playbook is the perfect solution to keep all your stuff in one spot so you’re never scrambling to find what you need. It's basically a Google Drive or Dropbox but with a bunch of extra features that help creatives with sorting and organizing their files.

Playbook creative file storage

Organize your creative files in the cloud with Playbook.

Pros and cons of Playbook

Pros:

  • Clean and modern design for creatives.

  • Visual asset organisation that simplifies creative file management.

Cons:

  • Lacks features for broader workflow tracking.

  • Just slightly different from Dropbox or Google Drive.

Pricing: Ranging from $0 to $250 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Tella

Tella is like your go-to tool for making videos super easy! Whether you’re recording your screen, creating presentations, or giving demos, Tella lets you do it all quickly and without effort. You can add voiceovers, include webcam footage, and have everything come together in one smooth process. It’s perfect for creating tutorials, onboarding videos, or just sharing info in a more engaging way, and you don’t need to be a video pro to make it look great.

For small teams, Tella is a total game-changer. It cuts out all the complexity of traditional video editing software, so everyone can create videos without the stress. Whether you're working remotely or just want to get your idea across in a fun way, Tella helps you do that in no time. It’s perfect for boosting collaboration too, letting your team create and share videos on the fly. If you’re looking to make video creation simple and effective, Tella is the way to go!

Tella video recording

Easily record and edit videos with Tella.

Pros and cons of Tella

Pros:

  • User-friendly tool for recording and editing videos.

  • Offers design options for branding and consistency.

Cons:

  • Lacks tools for high-level video production.

Pricing: Ranging from $12 to $39 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Mixpanel

Mixpanel is like the ultimate tool for figuring out what your users are up to on your website or app. It helps you track everything from which features they love to where they’re dropping off, giving you the insights you need to make smarter decisions. With Mixpanel, you can set up custom events, track how people move through your site, and even break down user behavior into cohorts, so you can see exactly how different groups of people interact with your product. It’s all about giving you the data to improve your product and boost your marketing.

For small teams, Mixpanel is super useful because it makes dashboards easy to set up and the data easy to understand, even if you’re not a data expert. The interface is super intuitive, so you can start tracking and analyzing user behavior right off the bat without needing to be a tech wizard. Whether you’re launching a new product or refining an old one, Mixpanel helps you focus on what really matters to your users. It’s the perfect fit for small teams who want to make decisions backed by data, without getting bogged down by complicated tools.

Mixpanel data analytics

Stay on top of what your users love (and don’t love) with Mixpanel.

Pros and cons of Mixpanel

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use analytics with pre-made dashboards.

  • Plenty of tracking options.

Cons:

  • Can be complex to set up.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $24 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Steep

Forget spreadsheets. Steep is a modern analytics platform that makes data easy and fun to understand. It's like having a super-powered data assistant that helps your whole team make smarter decisions.

Steep brings all your data together in one place, breaking down those frustrating data silos. This means everyone on your team, from marketers to designers, can easily access and understand the data that matters. No more data silos, just clear insights and a shared understanding of what's working and what's not.

With Steep, you can say goodbye to data overwhelm. The intuitive interface and easy-to-use dashboards make it a easy to explore data, spot trends, and uncover hidden opportunities. Plus, Steep fosters a data-driven culture within your team, empowering everyone to make informed decisions and drive better results.

Steep modern analytics platform

Steep is data analytics platform that makes sense of all your data, automatically.

Pros and cons of Steep

Pros:

  • Clean interface for easy navigation.

  • Focuses on metrics-driven insights for businesses.

Cons:

  • May lack the maturity and features of more established competitors.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $12 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Chartmogul

ChartMogul is like your subscription business’s best friend when it comes to tracking revenue and customer metrics. It pulls all your data from places like payment processors (eg. Stripe or Paddle) and CRMs, so you can easily see how your business is doing. Whether you’re looking at Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), churn rates, or customer lifetime value, ChartMogul gives you the insights you need to spot trends and make smart, data-driven decisions that will help your subscription model grow and thrive.

For small teams, ChartMogul is a great tool because it takes the guesswork out of managing subscription data. Its super simple interface means you don’t have to be a data expert to understand what’s going on. Whether you’re tracking customer growth, boosting retention, or analyzing revenue, ChartMogul helps you see the big picture and make decisions fast. With everything in one place, small teams can focus on what matters most, scaling the business, without getting bogged down in complicated data analysis.

Keep track of user subscriptions

Keep track of everything regarding your subscriptions, from MRR to churn.

Pros and cons of Chartmogul

Pros:

  • Made for SaaS, gives tailored insights for subscription businesses.

  • Syncs with platforms like Stripe, Salesforce, and PayPal.

Cons:

  • Pricing may be high for small businesses.

  • Initial integration can be time-consuming.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $19,900 (per year) depending on the plan.

  1. Folk

Managing customer relationships can feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. That's where Folk comes in, it's the CRM that simplifies things.

Imagine a world where all your customer data is in one place, easily accessible and always up-to-date. Folk makes that a reality. Track interactions, share notes, and never miss a follow-up again. Plus, Folk is incredibly flexible and fast. Customize workflows, add your own tags, and build pipelines that actually make sense for your team.

And let's not forget the integrations! Folk plays nicely with your favorite tools like Gmail, Google Chrome and Calendar, and Slack, keeping everything synced and organized.

For small teams, Folk is the perfect fit. It's powerful, yet incredibly easy to use and affordable. No more complicated setups or confusing dashboards. Just simple, intuitive tools that help you build stronger customer relationships and grow your business.

Simplified CRM

Super simple and beautiful CRM software from Folk.

Pros and cons of Folk

Pros:

  • Simplifies organising and managing contacts.

  • Clean, uncluttered interface.

Cons:

  • Primarily useful for contact management, not broader CRM needs.

Pricing: Ranging from $25 to $100 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Attio

Attio is similar to Folk but offers more customization, while Folk focuses on simplicity, and Attio focuses on flexibility and customization.

Attio is a super flexible CRM platform built to help teams stay on top of their relationships and workflows. It brings everything together—clients, leads, projects—into one neat and customizable space. You can tweak it to fit your team's style, whether it’s creating custom fields, views, or pipelines. No more forcing your team into a rigid system! Plus, Attio syncs with tools like Gmail, Slack, and Google Calendar, so you’re always in sync and moving faster.

For small teams, Attio works well because it’s simple, but still powerful and allows you to grow. No need to deal with the confusing, complicated stuff that comes with other CRMs. Attio’s user-friendly interface lets you get up and running in no time, and you can easily adjust it to fit your process. Whether you’re keeping track of customer relationships, chasing leads, or managing projects, Attio helps small teams stay organized and focused, without drowning in unnecessary features.

Attio flexible CRM

Customize your CRM the way you want with Attio.

Pros and cons of Attio

Pros:

  • Customisable for various workflows and industries.

  • Clean design.

Cons:

  • Lacks deep reporting or predictive insights.

  • Pricing may increase with scaling needs.

Pricing: Ranging from $0 to $119 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Dropox Paper

Dropbox Paper is like your team’s digital whiteboard, where you can create, edit, and share notes, to-do lists, and project plans in real-time. It’s perfect for brainstorming, tracking progress, and keeping all your docs in one place. With its clean, easy-to-use interface, Dropbox Paper makes it super simple to collaborate on documents, leave comments, add images or videos, and even assign tasks—all within the same doc. It’s like having a shared workspace where everyone can jump in, make updates, and stay on the same page.

For small teams, Dropbox Paper is very handy because it keeps your docs organized, making it easy to look back on previous work, stay on top of tasks, and make sure everyone is aligned. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with Dropbox, so you can access and share files without missing a beat. The difference with Google docs is that it combines rich media embedding, built-in task management, and a seamless Dropbox integration, making it perfect for creative teams to collaborate.

Flexible docs and notes with Dropbox Paper

Flexible, real-time docs with Dropbox Paper.

Pros and cons of Dropbox Paper

Pros:

  • Real-time editing and commenting for teams.

  • Works well with Dropbox and third-party tools.

  • Clean design, easy to use.

Cons:

  • Better suited for simple collaborative documents than complex workflows.

Pricing: Free (with a Dropbox account).

  1. WeTransfer

WeTransfer is the easiest way to send large files without any of the usual headaches. No accounts, no complicated setup, simply upload your files, pop in an email address, and hit send. Whether it's images, videos, or docs, WeTransfer makes it quick and simple to share big files with zero fuss. There’s no file size limit (2GB on free accounts), so you can send anything, anytime, and get it to your team or clients fast.

For small teams, WeTransfer is a total lifesaver. It's not always easy to send such big files, and WeTransfer makes this extremely simple to do. The interface is super straightforward, so anyone can use it, and since there’s no need to sign up, it’s perfect for fast, on-the-go sharing.

Transfer large files with WeTransfer

Share super-large files with WeTransfer in seconds.

Pros and cons of WeTransfer

Pros:

  • Simple interface for quick file sharing.

  • Send files without creating an account.

  • Up to 2GB on the free plan.

Cons:

  • Links expire after 7 days on the free plan.

Pricing: Free up to 2GB, otherwise $25 per month.

  1. Midjourney

MidJourney is an AI-powered tool that turns text into jaw-dropping images, making it super easy for teams to create cool visuals with just a few words. Whether you’re working on marketing materials, brainstorming ideas, or adding some creative flair to a project, MidJourney can bring your ideas to life in no time. It uses smart algorithms to turn your prompts into high-quality artwork, offering all sorts of styles and creative options to match whatever you need.

For small teams, MidJourney is a total game-changer. It makes creating stunning visuals a breeze, even if you don’t have a design background. Perfect for teams with limited design resources, it lets you generate images on demand without the need to hire a designer for every little thing. With an easy-to-use interface and endless creative possibilities, MidJourney helps small teams move faster, save time, and still create awesome content that stands out.

AI image creation with Midjourney

Create any image from a prompt with MidJourney AI.

Pros and cons of Midjourney

Pros:

  • Feels like the future, amazing image creation based on text prompts.

  • Quick generation of multiple image options.

  • Unique and visually appealing designs.

Cons:

  • Advanced prompts may take time to master.

Pricing: Ranging from $10 to $120 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Jasper

Jasper is like your go-to writing buddy that helps you crank out high-quality content in no time. Need a blog post, catchy social media caption, email campaign, or product description? Jasper's got you covered in just a few clicks. Using smart AI, it understands what you're looking for and creates content that fits your style and tone. With handy templates, getting started is a breeze, so you can focus more on refining your ideas and less on stressing about writing from scratch.

For small teams, Jasper is a total lifesaver. It speeds up content creation without sacrificing quality, making it perfect for teams with limited resources who still need to pump out a lot of content. Its easy-to-use interface and versatility across different types of content mean your team can get more done in less time. With Jasper, you can stay on track, save time, and keep the creative juices flowing—say goodbye to staring at a blank page!

Jasper marketing AI

Improve your marketing game with Jasper AI.

Pros and cons of Jasper

Pros:

  • Ideal for blogs, ads, emails, and more.

  • Easily adapts to different writing styles and audiences.

  • Offers pre-made templates for various content types.

Cons:

  • Can be pricey, especially for small teams or individuals.

  • Outputs may need human refinement for accuracy.

Pricing: Ranging from $49 to $69 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Gemini

Gemini is an AI-powered platform that makes life easier for teams by generating content, and analyzing data. It's a great help if you’re writing blog posts, getting insights on customer data, or just trying to boost your productivity, Gemini has got you covered. It’s packed with smart tools that not only help you create content but also offer recommendations based on your data, it's basically Google Search 2.0. With its easy-to-use interface, you can jump right in and start working smarter, not harder.

For small teams, Gemini really shines because it combines so many useful features into one platform. While tools like ChatGPT are great for generating text, Gemini takes it a step further by offering personalized recommendations and diving deep into your data, giving you actionable insights to make better decisions.

Gemini AI

Ask Gemini to do anything for you. It's basically Google Search 2.0

Pros and cons of Gemini

Pros:

  • Gemini seamlessly integrates with Google's ecosystem.

  • It can handle complex tasks across multiple apps with a single prompt, enhancing productivity.

Cons:

  • Despite advancements, Gemini can sometimes provide incorrect or misleading information.

Pricing: Free for personal use.

  1. Lumen5

Lumen5 is like your personal AI video creator, turning any text into awesome video content with just a few clicks. Whether you’re making marketing videos, social media posts, or product demos, Lumen5 helps you turn blog posts, articles, or even short notes into dynamic videos that grab attention. It comes with tons of customizable templates, stock footage, and music, so small teams can create professional videos without any fancy editing skills. Just give it your text, and Lumen5’s AI does all the heavy lifting—picking the right visuals, syncing it all up, and delivering a polished video.

For small teams, Lumen5 is a great AI tool. It takes the hassle out of video production, allowing anyone to do this, saving you time and effort so you can focus on creating great content. No need for expensive video editors or complicated software, Lumen5 makes it simple to produce quality videos. What really makes it special is its AI magic, which handles all the hard work of selecting visuals and making sure everything flows smoothly. It’s perfect for small teams with big content goals who want to create eye-catching videos without burning through time or money.

Lumen5 AI video creation

Lumen5 is an AI video creator that transforms text into engaging video content with just a few clicks.

Pros and cons of Lumen5

Pros:

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop video creation.

  • Offers pre-designed templates for quick video creation.

  • Converts text into videos automatically.

Cons:

  • Less flexibility for unique designs.

  • Videos may take time to export.

  • Not for complex editing.

Pricing: Ranging from $29 to $199 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the right collaboration tools can make all the difference for small teams, helping you stay organized, communicate more effectively, and work smarter—not harder. Whether you’re creating content with tools like Lumen5 or managing tasks with Complex.so, these tools are designed to streamline workflows and boost productivity without the complexity of larger platforms. By integrating smart solutions like these into your daily processes, small teams can collaborate more smoothly, save a bunch of time, and focus on what truly matters, getting the job done and growing together. With the right tools in place, your team can achieve big things, even with the smallest crew!

Introduction

Running a small team can feel like you're constantly putting out fires. Keeping everyone on the same page, ensuring deadlines are met, and actually enjoying the process – it all seems a bit overwhelming, right?

That's where the right collaboration tools come in. They're your secret weapons for streamlining workflows, boosting productivity, and making teamwork a breeze.

In this article, we'll explore 20 must-have collaboration tools across 5 categories that can help your team stay organized, communicate smoothly, and crush your goals. From communication platforms to project management software, these tools are designed to address a wide range of needs, from brainstorming and document sharing to task management and creative collaboration.

20 Must-Have Collaboration Tools for Small Teams

Let's explore the 20 best collaboration tools for small teams to use in 2025. These tools are listed without any specific order or ranking.

Communication tools

  1. Slack: Slack is like your team's virtual hangout spot, where you can chat, share files, and keep everything organized in channels, making remote work feel a bit more connected.

  2. Whereby: Whereby is a super easy video meeting tool that lets you hop on a call without downloads or complicated setup, just a link and you're in! The UX is great.

Project Management & Task Tracking

  1. Basecamp: Basecamp is a simple, no-frills project management tool that helps teams stay organized by keeping everything in one place.

  2. Linear: Linear.app is a sleek, fast tool for tracking and managing software development tasks, making it easy for teams to stay on top of projects with a clean, intuitive interface.

  3. Complex.so: Complex.so is a task management platform designed for small teams, helping them streamline their to-dos, stay organized, and collaborate more smoothly with minimal fuss.

Design & Creative Collaboration

  1. Figma: Figma is one of my favorite tools ever. It’s a design platform where you can create wireframes, prototypes, or just about anything graphic, all in the cloud, making creative work faster and more interactive.

  2. Framer: Framer is an easy-to-use web design tool that lets you create a website for your business with ease, combining design and code to bring your ideas to life in the browser.

  3. Playbook: All-In-One creative file storage for your business.

  4. Tella: Tella is an easy-to-use video creation tool that lets you record and share screen recordings, presentations, or demos.

Data insight

  1. Mixpanel: Mixpanel is an analytics tool that helps your business track user interactions and behavior of your website or app, giving you valuable insights to optimize products and make data-driven decisions.

  2. Steep: Steep simplifies data analysis and empowers everyone in your organization to make data-driven decisions.

  3. Chartmogul: ChartMogul is an analytics tool that helps subscription-based businesses track revenue, churn, and customer metrics, giving you the insights needed to grow your business.

CRM

  1. Folk: Folk is like the sales assistant your team never had, a simple CRM tool that helps teams manage relationships, track interactions, and organize customer data.

  2. Attio: Attio is a next-generation CRM platform powered by AI, helping teams manage relationships and workflows with a customizable interface, so you can track clients, leads, and projects all in one place.

Document Collaboration & File Sharing

  1. Dropbox Paper: Dropbox Paper is a collaborative document tool that lets teams create, edit, and share notes, to-do lists, and project plans in real time, making it easy to stay on the same page.

  2. WeTransfer: WeTransfer is a simple file-sharing tool that lets you send large files quickly and easily, without the need for an account, making it perfect for sharing everything from images to documents.

AI tools

  1. Midjourney: MidJourney is an AI-powered tool that generates stunning images from text prompts, allowing creators to bring their ideas to life visually with just a few words.

  2. Jasper: Jasper is an AI writing assistant that helps you create high-quality content quickly, from blog posts to social media captions, making the writing process faster and more effective.

  3. Gemini: Gemini is an AI-powered tool from Google, similar to ChatGPT and Claude.ai, that helps you generate content and analyze data, making you much more productive.

  4. Lumen5: Lumen5 is an AI-driven video creation platform that transforms text content into engaging videos, making it easy for teams to produce professional-looking video content in no time.

The Power of the Collaboration Toolkit

Managing a team is not an easy job. Keeping everyone informed, making sure deadlines are met, and keeping the team happy can be a constant struggle. The good news? The right collaboration tools can make a world of difference.

Imagine this: your team is working on a tight deadline. A task management tool keeps everyone on track, while a chat app like Slack makes it easy to brainstorm ideas and get quick answers. Designers use Figma to collaborate on visual elements, and the entire team can leverage the power of AI with tools like Midjourney to create images for the website. Suddenly, communication flows smoothly, and everyone feels connected and like a productivity powerhouse. That's the power of a well-chosen suite of collaboration tools – they create a more enjoyable work environment where everyone makes good progress, and is equipped to achieve amazing things.

Let's dive into the details of which tools to use.

  1. Slack

Slack is a team communication platform that simplifies messaging and collaboration by allowing users to organize conversations into channels based on projects, topics, or teams. It supports direct messages for one-on-one communication and integrates with a wide range of tools, such as Google Drive, Linear, and Zoom, to bring all your work into one central space. With real-time messaging, file sharing, and searchable history, Slack makes it easy to stay connected and keep everything organized, even when working remotely or with teams across different time zones.

Slack is super useful for small teams because it cuts down on long email chains and speeds up response times. It makes team communication instant and keeps everyone in the loop without any hassle or waste of time. Slack is simple to use and works well with tons of other tools, so whether you're brainstorming, working remote, or solving problems together, it helps things run smoothly. Its simple premises and ease of use are big reasons why it's a great pick for small teams who want to stay connected and work efficiently. Another big advantage: it's free to use.

Slack as a chat tool

Slack makes quick communication a breeze.

Pros and cons of Slack

Pros:

  • Smooth and fast instant messaging.

  • A generous free plan.

  • Loads of integrations.

Cons:

  • Conversations get fragmented, like with any chat platform, Important messages may get buried in threads.

  • Can get expensive for a chat app, especially with large teams due to per-user, per-month pricing.

Pricing: Ranging from $0 (Free) to $15 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Whereby

Who has time for complicated video conferencing setups? Whereby gets you up and running in seconds, it's as simple as sharing a link. No more downloads, no complicated setups. You're ready to go in seconds. Whether it's a quick team check-in, an important client call, or a spontaneous brainstorming session, Whereby makes it feel like you're having a casual conversation, not battling with technology.

Its intuitive interface and browser-based platform ensure a smooth experience. Creating a room is as simple as grabbing your own unique link, allowing you to connect with your team easily.

Video calling with Whereby

Whereby makes video calls simple and more fun.

Pros and cons of Whereby

Pros:

  • Simple interface for quick setup and use.

  • Built-in screen sharing for presentations.

Cons:

  • The video quality can be inconsistent, especially with poor internet.

  • Lacks some advanced functionality like breakout rooms.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $11.99 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Basecamp

Basecamp is like your team's digital headquarters, bringing everything you need into one place so you can stay organized and on top of things. It combines to-do lists, file storage, group chats, and project timelines, all in a simple, easy-to-use interface. You can assign to-dos, set deadlines, and keep track of important conversations, making sure nothing slips through the cracks. Plus, its real-time chat feature lets your team stay connected and resolve issues on the fly, meaning you don't need Slack if you use this tool, and also, no more endless email chains.

For small teams, Basecamp is quite the game-changer. It keeps things straightforward and efficient without all the extra bells and whistles that can slow you down. With everything in one spot, your team knows where to go and managing multiple projects is a breeze. It’s also quite easy to get started with, so you won't spend ages figuring things out.

Basecamp for tasks and projects

Basecamp helps you organize your projects and keep your team on track.

Pros and cons of Basecamp

Pros:

  • User-friendly project management app.

  • Feels different from the usual PM tools.

Cons:

  • For some things it's too simple, lacks advanced PM tool features.

  • The app's navigation occasionally feels sluggish.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $15 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Linear

"Linear.app is like the sleek sports car of task management tools for software teams. It’s fast, easy to use, and built to help you track and manage tasks without the usual hassle. While it keeps things somewhat simple, it also packs in plenty of bells and whistles, because developers expect and need those powerful features to get the job done. With a clean interface, Linear makes it enjoyable to handle issue tracking, sprint planning, and product roadmaps. It integrates with tools such as GitHub, GitLab, and others, so you can sync up everything in one place. Whether you're sorting bugs, tackling feature requests, or squashing technical debt, Linear keeps things simple while giving you all the power you need.

For development teams, Linear is a awesome because it’s speedy and efficient, letting you dive straight into your work without wasting time on setup. It's straightforward enough for anyone to use, but still powerful enough to handle all your dev team’s complex workflows. Since it’s built with developers in mind, it plays nicely with the tools you’re already using, like GitHub, making collaboration smooth.

Linear app task management

Linear is great for software development teams to keep track of issues.

Pros and cons of Linear

Pros:

  • The app is incredibly fast and packed with keyboard shortcuts.

  • Optimised for issue tracking and software projects.

Cons:

  • Less suitable for general task management.

  • May take time to master for non-technical users.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $16 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Complex.so

Complex.so is a task management tool built to help small teams stay on top of everything without the chaos. It's 100% focused on managing tasks, there's no other clutter. It lets you manage tasks, track progress, and collaborate with your team at ease. With its super clean and easy-to-use interface, assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and keeping track of what’s going on has never been simpler. Whether you’re knocking out daily to-dos or juggling long-term projects, Complex.so gives you everything you need to stay focused and get stuff done.

For small teams, Complex.so is the sweet spot between simplicity and power. It has all the features you need without any unnecessary complexity, so you can get straight to work without any frustration. It’s flexible enough to fit your team’s style, and the intuitive design means you can jump right in with no hassle. With everything in one place, your team can work better together, keep projects moving, and stay organized, whether you're in the office or working from home.

Complex.so task management

Complex.so makes managing your (team's) tasks simple and fun.

Pros and cons of Complex.so

Pros:

  • Simplified yet powerful task management, designed for small teams.

  • A hyper focused approach to task management, nothing more, nothing less.

Cons:

  • Focused mainly on small teams and individuals, less ideal for large enterprises.

  • No AI yet.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $8 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Figma

Figma is like the ultimate design playground for teams, simply one of the best apps ever made for designers. It’s a cloud-based tool that lets you create, edit, and share everything from wireframes to prototypes, all in real-time. The best part? Everyone can work on the same project at once—no more waiting for feedback or back-and-forth emails. You and your team can collaborate instantly, making design iterations faster and smoother. Whether you're crafting a UI or designing visuals, Figma helps you turn your ideas into sleek, ready-to-go designs, all in one place.

For small teams, Figma is a total game-changer. Forget about complicated file-sharing systems or waiting around for design approvals, everything is right there in the cloud. Since it’s web-based, you don’t have to worry about installations, and you can work from anywhere, which is perfect for remote teams. Figma also makes it super easy for designers to collaborate with developers, product managers, and anyone else on the team by simply sharing a link to your designs, keeping everyone on the same page. With its simple, flexible interface, Figma makes design work quicker and more fun, so your small team can create amazing designs without any hassle.

Figma design tool

Figma is the ultimate design tool, it allows you to create complex designs straight in the browser.

Pros and cons of Figma

Pros:

  • Design together with your team in real-time.

  • Runs in the browser, no need for installations.

  • Great UX.

Cons:

  • There's a bit of a learning curve for non-designers.

  • Can slow down with complex projects, weaker hardware, or too many active browser tabs open.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $75 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Framer

Framer is like the magic wand for building interactive websites. It lets you design beautiful websites without the need to write any code, you do of course have the option to also add custom code to make them come alive. Whether you're whipping up a landing page, crafting a full website, or creating a beautiful blog, Framer helps turn your ideas into great-looking, functional designs. And the best part? You and your team can collaborate in real-time, making the whole process quicker, smoother, and a lot more fun.

For small teams, Framer is a valuable tool. It combines everything you need to design, build, and launch websites in one platform, there's no need to use a bunch of different tools. It's also super accessible, meaning anyone can build a website and deploy it. You can jump straight in without getting stuck in a complicated learning curve, and its flexibility lets you tackle all sorts of projects. With Framer, small teams can create stunning, interactive websites fast and stay in sync without needing a huge team of designers or developers. A must for any business that wants a beautiful website.

Create websites with Framer

Framer lets anyone build beautiful websites without the need to code.

Pros and cons of Framer

Pros:

  • One of the simplest ways to build a website without coding.

  • Enables advanced animations and interactions.

Cons:

  • Premium plans can be expensive.

  • Lacks some important features as they are still fairly new to the game.

Pricing: Ranging from $5 to $200 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Playbook

Playbook is like the ultimate hub for creative teams, helping you store and organize all your creative assets in one place. It makes it super easy to access, share, and reuse your designs, templates, and best practices, so everyone can stay up-to-date.

For small creative teams, Playbook is the perfect solution to keep all your stuff in one spot so you’re never scrambling to find what you need. It's basically a Google Drive or Dropbox but with a bunch of extra features that help creatives with sorting and organizing their files.

Playbook creative file storage

Organize your creative files in the cloud with Playbook.

Pros and cons of Playbook

Pros:

  • Clean and modern design for creatives.

  • Visual asset organisation that simplifies creative file management.

Cons:

  • Lacks features for broader workflow tracking.

  • Just slightly different from Dropbox or Google Drive.

Pricing: Ranging from $0 to $250 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Tella

Tella is like your go-to tool for making videos super easy! Whether you’re recording your screen, creating presentations, or giving demos, Tella lets you do it all quickly and without effort. You can add voiceovers, include webcam footage, and have everything come together in one smooth process. It’s perfect for creating tutorials, onboarding videos, or just sharing info in a more engaging way, and you don’t need to be a video pro to make it look great.

For small teams, Tella is a total game-changer. It cuts out all the complexity of traditional video editing software, so everyone can create videos without the stress. Whether you're working remotely or just want to get your idea across in a fun way, Tella helps you do that in no time. It’s perfect for boosting collaboration too, letting your team create and share videos on the fly. If you’re looking to make video creation simple and effective, Tella is the way to go!

Tella video recording

Easily record and edit videos with Tella.

Pros and cons of Tella

Pros:

  • User-friendly tool for recording and editing videos.

  • Offers design options for branding and consistency.

Cons:

  • Lacks tools for high-level video production.

Pricing: Ranging from $12 to $39 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Mixpanel

Mixpanel is like the ultimate tool for figuring out what your users are up to on your website or app. It helps you track everything from which features they love to where they’re dropping off, giving you the insights you need to make smarter decisions. With Mixpanel, you can set up custom events, track how people move through your site, and even break down user behavior into cohorts, so you can see exactly how different groups of people interact with your product. It’s all about giving you the data to improve your product and boost your marketing.

For small teams, Mixpanel is super useful because it makes dashboards easy to set up and the data easy to understand, even if you’re not a data expert. The interface is super intuitive, so you can start tracking and analyzing user behavior right off the bat without needing to be a tech wizard. Whether you’re launching a new product or refining an old one, Mixpanel helps you focus on what really matters to your users. It’s the perfect fit for small teams who want to make decisions backed by data, without getting bogged down by complicated tools.

Mixpanel data analytics

Stay on top of what your users love (and don’t love) with Mixpanel.

Pros and cons of Mixpanel

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use analytics with pre-made dashboards.

  • Plenty of tracking options.

Cons:

  • Can be complex to set up.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $24 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Steep

Forget spreadsheets. Steep is a modern analytics platform that makes data easy and fun to understand. It's like having a super-powered data assistant that helps your whole team make smarter decisions.

Steep brings all your data together in one place, breaking down those frustrating data silos. This means everyone on your team, from marketers to designers, can easily access and understand the data that matters. No more data silos, just clear insights and a shared understanding of what's working and what's not.

With Steep, you can say goodbye to data overwhelm. The intuitive interface and easy-to-use dashboards make it a easy to explore data, spot trends, and uncover hidden opportunities. Plus, Steep fosters a data-driven culture within your team, empowering everyone to make informed decisions and drive better results.

Steep modern analytics platform

Steep is data analytics platform that makes sense of all your data, automatically.

Pros and cons of Steep

Pros:

  • Clean interface for easy navigation.

  • Focuses on metrics-driven insights for businesses.

Cons:

  • May lack the maturity and features of more established competitors.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $12 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Chartmogul

ChartMogul is like your subscription business’s best friend when it comes to tracking revenue and customer metrics. It pulls all your data from places like payment processors (eg. Stripe or Paddle) and CRMs, so you can easily see how your business is doing. Whether you’re looking at Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), churn rates, or customer lifetime value, ChartMogul gives you the insights you need to spot trends and make smart, data-driven decisions that will help your subscription model grow and thrive.

For small teams, ChartMogul is a great tool because it takes the guesswork out of managing subscription data. Its super simple interface means you don’t have to be a data expert to understand what’s going on. Whether you’re tracking customer growth, boosting retention, or analyzing revenue, ChartMogul helps you see the big picture and make decisions fast. With everything in one place, small teams can focus on what matters most, scaling the business, without getting bogged down in complicated data analysis.

Keep track of user subscriptions

Keep track of everything regarding your subscriptions, from MRR to churn.

Pros and cons of Chartmogul

Pros:

  • Made for SaaS, gives tailored insights for subscription businesses.

  • Syncs with platforms like Stripe, Salesforce, and PayPal.

Cons:

  • Pricing may be high for small businesses.

  • Initial integration can be time-consuming.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $19,900 (per year) depending on the plan.

  1. Folk

Managing customer relationships can feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. That's where Folk comes in, it's the CRM that simplifies things.

Imagine a world where all your customer data is in one place, easily accessible and always up-to-date. Folk makes that a reality. Track interactions, share notes, and never miss a follow-up again. Plus, Folk is incredibly flexible and fast. Customize workflows, add your own tags, and build pipelines that actually make sense for your team.

And let's not forget the integrations! Folk plays nicely with your favorite tools like Gmail, Google Chrome and Calendar, and Slack, keeping everything synced and organized.

For small teams, Folk is the perfect fit. It's powerful, yet incredibly easy to use and affordable. No more complicated setups or confusing dashboards. Just simple, intuitive tools that help you build stronger customer relationships and grow your business.

Simplified CRM

Super simple and beautiful CRM software from Folk.

Pros and cons of Folk

Pros:

  • Simplifies organising and managing contacts.

  • Clean, uncluttered interface.

Cons:

  • Primarily useful for contact management, not broader CRM needs.

Pricing: Ranging from $25 to $100 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Attio

Attio is similar to Folk but offers more customization, while Folk focuses on simplicity, and Attio focuses on flexibility and customization.

Attio is a super flexible CRM platform built to help teams stay on top of their relationships and workflows. It brings everything together—clients, leads, projects—into one neat and customizable space. You can tweak it to fit your team's style, whether it’s creating custom fields, views, or pipelines. No more forcing your team into a rigid system! Plus, Attio syncs with tools like Gmail, Slack, and Google Calendar, so you’re always in sync and moving faster.

For small teams, Attio works well because it’s simple, but still powerful and allows you to grow. No need to deal with the confusing, complicated stuff that comes with other CRMs. Attio’s user-friendly interface lets you get up and running in no time, and you can easily adjust it to fit your process. Whether you’re keeping track of customer relationships, chasing leads, or managing projects, Attio helps small teams stay organized and focused, without drowning in unnecessary features.

Attio flexible CRM

Customize your CRM the way you want with Attio.

Pros and cons of Attio

Pros:

  • Customisable for various workflows and industries.

  • Clean design.

Cons:

  • Lacks deep reporting or predictive insights.

  • Pricing may increase with scaling needs.

Pricing: Ranging from $0 to $119 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Dropox Paper

Dropbox Paper is like your team’s digital whiteboard, where you can create, edit, and share notes, to-do lists, and project plans in real-time. It’s perfect for brainstorming, tracking progress, and keeping all your docs in one place. With its clean, easy-to-use interface, Dropbox Paper makes it super simple to collaborate on documents, leave comments, add images or videos, and even assign tasks—all within the same doc. It’s like having a shared workspace where everyone can jump in, make updates, and stay on the same page.

For small teams, Dropbox Paper is very handy because it keeps your docs organized, making it easy to look back on previous work, stay on top of tasks, and make sure everyone is aligned. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with Dropbox, so you can access and share files without missing a beat. The difference with Google docs is that it combines rich media embedding, built-in task management, and a seamless Dropbox integration, making it perfect for creative teams to collaborate.

Flexible docs and notes with Dropbox Paper

Flexible, real-time docs with Dropbox Paper.

Pros and cons of Dropbox Paper

Pros:

  • Real-time editing and commenting for teams.

  • Works well with Dropbox and third-party tools.

  • Clean design, easy to use.

Cons:

  • Better suited for simple collaborative documents than complex workflows.

Pricing: Free (with a Dropbox account).

  1. WeTransfer

WeTransfer is the easiest way to send large files without any of the usual headaches. No accounts, no complicated setup, simply upload your files, pop in an email address, and hit send. Whether it's images, videos, or docs, WeTransfer makes it quick and simple to share big files with zero fuss. There’s no file size limit (2GB on free accounts), so you can send anything, anytime, and get it to your team or clients fast.

For small teams, WeTransfer is a total lifesaver. It's not always easy to send such big files, and WeTransfer makes this extremely simple to do. The interface is super straightforward, so anyone can use it, and since there’s no need to sign up, it’s perfect for fast, on-the-go sharing.

Transfer large files with WeTransfer

Share super-large files with WeTransfer in seconds.

Pros and cons of WeTransfer

Pros:

  • Simple interface for quick file sharing.

  • Send files without creating an account.

  • Up to 2GB on the free plan.

Cons:

  • Links expire after 7 days on the free plan.

Pricing: Free up to 2GB, otherwise $25 per month.

  1. Midjourney

MidJourney is an AI-powered tool that turns text into jaw-dropping images, making it super easy for teams to create cool visuals with just a few words. Whether you’re working on marketing materials, brainstorming ideas, or adding some creative flair to a project, MidJourney can bring your ideas to life in no time. It uses smart algorithms to turn your prompts into high-quality artwork, offering all sorts of styles and creative options to match whatever you need.

For small teams, MidJourney is a total game-changer. It makes creating stunning visuals a breeze, even if you don’t have a design background. Perfect for teams with limited design resources, it lets you generate images on demand without the need to hire a designer for every little thing. With an easy-to-use interface and endless creative possibilities, MidJourney helps small teams move faster, save time, and still create awesome content that stands out.

AI image creation with Midjourney

Create any image from a prompt with MidJourney AI.

Pros and cons of Midjourney

Pros:

  • Feels like the future, amazing image creation based on text prompts.

  • Quick generation of multiple image options.

  • Unique and visually appealing designs.

Cons:

  • Advanced prompts may take time to master.

Pricing: Ranging from $10 to $120 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Jasper

Jasper is like your go-to writing buddy that helps you crank out high-quality content in no time. Need a blog post, catchy social media caption, email campaign, or product description? Jasper's got you covered in just a few clicks. Using smart AI, it understands what you're looking for and creates content that fits your style and tone. With handy templates, getting started is a breeze, so you can focus more on refining your ideas and less on stressing about writing from scratch.

For small teams, Jasper is a total lifesaver. It speeds up content creation without sacrificing quality, making it perfect for teams with limited resources who still need to pump out a lot of content. Its easy-to-use interface and versatility across different types of content mean your team can get more done in less time. With Jasper, you can stay on track, save time, and keep the creative juices flowing—say goodbye to staring at a blank page!

Jasper marketing AI

Improve your marketing game with Jasper AI.

Pros and cons of Jasper

Pros:

  • Ideal for blogs, ads, emails, and more.

  • Easily adapts to different writing styles and audiences.

  • Offers pre-made templates for various content types.

Cons:

  • Can be pricey, especially for small teams or individuals.

  • Outputs may need human refinement for accuracy.

Pricing: Ranging from $49 to $69 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Gemini

Gemini is an AI-powered platform that makes life easier for teams by generating content, and analyzing data. It's a great help if you’re writing blog posts, getting insights on customer data, or just trying to boost your productivity, Gemini has got you covered. It’s packed with smart tools that not only help you create content but also offer recommendations based on your data, it's basically Google Search 2.0. With its easy-to-use interface, you can jump right in and start working smarter, not harder.

For small teams, Gemini really shines because it combines so many useful features into one platform. While tools like ChatGPT are great for generating text, Gemini takes it a step further by offering personalized recommendations and diving deep into your data, giving you actionable insights to make better decisions.

Gemini AI

Ask Gemini to do anything for you. It's basically Google Search 2.0

Pros and cons of Gemini

Pros:

  • Gemini seamlessly integrates with Google's ecosystem.

  • It can handle complex tasks across multiple apps with a single prompt, enhancing productivity.

Cons:

  • Despite advancements, Gemini can sometimes provide incorrect or misleading information.

Pricing: Free for personal use.

  1. Lumen5

Lumen5 is like your personal AI video creator, turning any text into awesome video content with just a few clicks. Whether you’re making marketing videos, social media posts, or product demos, Lumen5 helps you turn blog posts, articles, or even short notes into dynamic videos that grab attention. It comes with tons of customizable templates, stock footage, and music, so small teams can create professional videos without any fancy editing skills. Just give it your text, and Lumen5’s AI does all the heavy lifting—picking the right visuals, syncing it all up, and delivering a polished video.

For small teams, Lumen5 is a great AI tool. It takes the hassle out of video production, allowing anyone to do this, saving you time and effort so you can focus on creating great content. No need for expensive video editors or complicated software, Lumen5 makes it simple to produce quality videos. What really makes it special is its AI magic, which handles all the hard work of selecting visuals and making sure everything flows smoothly. It’s perfect for small teams with big content goals who want to create eye-catching videos without burning through time or money.

Lumen5 AI video creation

Lumen5 is an AI video creator that transforms text into engaging video content with just a few clicks.

Pros and cons of Lumen5

Pros:

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop video creation.

  • Offers pre-designed templates for quick video creation.

  • Converts text into videos automatically.

Cons:

  • Less flexibility for unique designs.

  • Videos may take time to export.

  • Not for complex editing.

Pricing: Ranging from $29 to $199 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the right collaboration tools can make all the difference for small teams, helping you stay organized, communicate more effectively, and work smarter—not harder. Whether you’re creating content with tools like Lumen5 or managing tasks with Complex.so, these tools are designed to streamline workflows and boost productivity without the complexity of larger platforms. By integrating smart solutions like these into your daily processes, small teams can collaborate more smoothly, save a bunch of time, and focus on what truly matters, getting the job done and growing together. With the right tools in place, your team can achieve big things, even with the smallest crew!

Introduction

Running a small team can feel like you're constantly putting out fires. Keeping everyone on the same page, ensuring deadlines are met, and actually enjoying the process – it all seems a bit overwhelming, right?

That's where the right collaboration tools come in. They're your secret weapons for streamlining workflows, boosting productivity, and making teamwork a breeze.

In this article, we'll explore 20 must-have collaboration tools across 5 categories that can help your team stay organized, communicate smoothly, and crush your goals. From communication platforms to project management software, these tools are designed to address a wide range of needs, from brainstorming and document sharing to task management and creative collaboration.

20 Must-Have Collaboration Tools for Small Teams

Let's explore the 20 best collaboration tools for small teams to use in 2025. These tools are listed without any specific order or ranking.

Communication tools

  1. Slack: Slack is like your team's virtual hangout spot, where you can chat, share files, and keep everything organized in channels, making remote work feel a bit more connected.

  2. Whereby: Whereby is a super easy video meeting tool that lets you hop on a call without downloads or complicated setup, just a link and you're in! The UX is great.

Project Management & Task Tracking

  1. Basecamp: Basecamp is a simple, no-frills project management tool that helps teams stay organized by keeping everything in one place.

  2. Linear: Linear.app is a sleek, fast tool for tracking and managing software development tasks, making it easy for teams to stay on top of projects with a clean, intuitive interface.

  3. Complex.so: Complex.so is a task management platform designed for small teams, helping them streamline their to-dos, stay organized, and collaborate more smoothly with minimal fuss.

Design & Creative Collaboration

  1. Figma: Figma is one of my favorite tools ever. It’s a design platform where you can create wireframes, prototypes, or just about anything graphic, all in the cloud, making creative work faster and more interactive.

  2. Framer: Framer is an easy-to-use web design tool that lets you create a website for your business with ease, combining design and code to bring your ideas to life in the browser.

  3. Playbook: All-In-One creative file storage for your business.

  4. Tella: Tella is an easy-to-use video creation tool that lets you record and share screen recordings, presentations, or demos.

Data insight

  1. Mixpanel: Mixpanel is an analytics tool that helps your business track user interactions and behavior of your website or app, giving you valuable insights to optimize products and make data-driven decisions.

  2. Steep: Steep simplifies data analysis and empowers everyone in your organization to make data-driven decisions.

  3. Chartmogul: ChartMogul is an analytics tool that helps subscription-based businesses track revenue, churn, and customer metrics, giving you the insights needed to grow your business.

CRM

  1. Folk: Folk is like the sales assistant your team never had, a simple CRM tool that helps teams manage relationships, track interactions, and organize customer data.

  2. Attio: Attio is a next-generation CRM platform powered by AI, helping teams manage relationships and workflows with a customizable interface, so you can track clients, leads, and projects all in one place.

Document Collaboration & File Sharing

  1. Dropbox Paper: Dropbox Paper is a collaborative document tool that lets teams create, edit, and share notes, to-do lists, and project plans in real time, making it easy to stay on the same page.

  2. WeTransfer: WeTransfer is a simple file-sharing tool that lets you send large files quickly and easily, without the need for an account, making it perfect for sharing everything from images to documents.

AI tools

  1. Midjourney: MidJourney is an AI-powered tool that generates stunning images from text prompts, allowing creators to bring their ideas to life visually with just a few words.

  2. Jasper: Jasper is an AI writing assistant that helps you create high-quality content quickly, from blog posts to social media captions, making the writing process faster and more effective.

  3. Gemini: Gemini is an AI-powered tool from Google, similar to ChatGPT and Claude.ai, that helps you generate content and analyze data, making you much more productive.

  4. Lumen5: Lumen5 is an AI-driven video creation platform that transforms text content into engaging videos, making it easy for teams to produce professional-looking video content in no time.

The Power of the Collaboration Toolkit

Managing a team is not an easy job. Keeping everyone informed, making sure deadlines are met, and keeping the team happy can be a constant struggle. The good news? The right collaboration tools can make a world of difference.

Imagine this: your team is working on a tight deadline. A task management tool keeps everyone on track, while a chat app like Slack makes it easy to brainstorm ideas and get quick answers. Designers use Figma to collaborate on visual elements, and the entire team can leverage the power of AI with tools like Midjourney to create images for the website. Suddenly, communication flows smoothly, and everyone feels connected and like a productivity powerhouse. That's the power of a well-chosen suite of collaboration tools – they create a more enjoyable work environment where everyone makes good progress, and is equipped to achieve amazing things.

Let's dive into the details of which tools to use.

  1. Slack

Slack is a team communication platform that simplifies messaging and collaboration by allowing users to organize conversations into channels based on projects, topics, or teams. It supports direct messages for one-on-one communication and integrates with a wide range of tools, such as Google Drive, Linear, and Zoom, to bring all your work into one central space. With real-time messaging, file sharing, and searchable history, Slack makes it easy to stay connected and keep everything organized, even when working remotely or with teams across different time zones.

Slack is super useful for small teams because it cuts down on long email chains and speeds up response times. It makes team communication instant and keeps everyone in the loop without any hassle or waste of time. Slack is simple to use and works well with tons of other tools, so whether you're brainstorming, working remote, or solving problems together, it helps things run smoothly. Its simple premises and ease of use are big reasons why it's a great pick for small teams who want to stay connected and work efficiently. Another big advantage: it's free to use.

Slack as a chat tool

Slack makes quick communication a breeze.

Pros and cons of Slack

Pros:

  • Smooth and fast instant messaging.

  • A generous free plan.

  • Loads of integrations.

Cons:

  • Conversations get fragmented, like with any chat platform, Important messages may get buried in threads.

  • Can get expensive for a chat app, especially with large teams due to per-user, per-month pricing.

Pricing: Ranging from $0 (Free) to $15 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Whereby

Who has time for complicated video conferencing setups? Whereby gets you up and running in seconds, it's as simple as sharing a link. No more downloads, no complicated setups. You're ready to go in seconds. Whether it's a quick team check-in, an important client call, or a spontaneous brainstorming session, Whereby makes it feel like you're having a casual conversation, not battling with technology.

Its intuitive interface and browser-based platform ensure a smooth experience. Creating a room is as simple as grabbing your own unique link, allowing you to connect with your team easily.

Video calling with Whereby

Whereby makes video calls simple and more fun.

Pros and cons of Whereby

Pros:

  • Simple interface for quick setup and use.

  • Built-in screen sharing for presentations.

Cons:

  • The video quality can be inconsistent, especially with poor internet.

  • Lacks some advanced functionality like breakout rooms.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $11.99 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Basecamp

Basecamp is like your team's digital headquarters, bringing everything you need into one place so you can stay organized and on top of things. It combines to-do lists, file storage, group chats, and project timelines, all in a simple, easy-to-use interface. You can assign to-dos, set deadlines, and keep track of important conversations, making sure nothing slips through the cracks. Plus, its real-time chat feature lets your team stay connected and resolve issues on the fly, meaning you don't need Slack if you use this tool, and also, no more endless email chains.

For small teams, Basecamp is quite the game-changer. It keeps things straightforward and efficient without all the extra bells and whistles that can slow you down. With everything in one spot, your team knows where to go and managing multiple projects is a breeze. It’s also quite easy to get started with, so you won't spend ages figuring things out.

Basecamp for tasks and projects

Basecamp helps you organize your projects and keep your team on track.

Pros and cons of Basecamp

Pros:

  • User-friendly project management app.

  • Feels different from the usual PM tools.

Cons:

  • For some things it's too simple, lacks advanced PM tool features.

  • The app's navigation occasionally feels sluggish.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $15 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Linear

"Linear.app is like the sleek sports car of task management tools for software teams. It’s fast, easy to use, and built to help you track and manage tasks without the usual hassle. While it keeps things somewhat simple, it also packs in plenty of bells and whistles, because developers expect and need those powerful features to get the job done. With a clean interface, Linear makes it enjoyable to handle issue tracking, sprint planning, and product roadmaps. It integrates with tools such as GitHub, GitLab, and others, so you can sync up everything in one place. Whether you're sorting bugs, tackling feature requests, or squashing technical debt, Linear keeps things simple while giving you all the power you need.

For development teams, Linear is a awesome because it’s speedy and efficient, letting you dive straight into your work without wasting time on setup. It's straightforward enough for anyone to use, but still powerful enough to handle all your dev team’s complex workflows. Since it’s built with developers in mind, it plays nicely with the tools you’re already using, like GitHub, making collaboration smooth.

Linear app task management

Linear is great for software development teams to keep track of issues.

Pros and cons of Linear

Pros:

  • The app is incredibly fast and packed with keyboard shortcuts.

  • Optimised for issue tracking and software projects.

Cons:

  • Less suitable for general task management.

  • May take time to master for non-technical users.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $16 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Complex.so

Complex.so is a task management tool built to help small teams stay on top of everything without the chaos. It's 100% focused on managing tasks, there's no other clutter. It lets you manage tasks, track progress, and collaborate with your team at ease. With its super clean and easy-to-use interface, assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and keeping track of what’s going on has never been simpler. Whether you’re knocking out daily to-dos or juggling long-term projects, Complex.so gives you everything you need to stay focused and get stuff done.

For small teams, Complex.so is the sweet spot between simplicity and power. It has all the features you need without any unnecessary complexity, so you can get straight to work without any frustration. It’s flexible enough to fit your team’s style, and the intuitive design means you can jump right in with no hassle. With everything in one place, your team can work better together, keep projects moving, and stay organized, whether you're in the office or working from home.

Complex.so task management

Complex.so makes managing your (team's) tasks simple and fun.

Pros and cons of Complex.so

Pros:

  • Simplified yet powerful task management, designed for small teams.

  • A hyper focused approach to task management, nothing more, nothing less.

Cons:

  • Focused mainly on small teams and individuals, less ideal for large enterprises.

  • No AI yet.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $8 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Figma

Figma is like the ultimate design playground for teams, simply one of the best apps ever made for designers. It’s a cloud-based tool that lets you create, edit, and share everything from wireframes to prototypes, all in real-time. The best part? Everyone can work on the same project at once—no more waiting for feedback or back-and-forth emails. You and your team can collaborate instantly, making design iterations faster and smoother. Whether you're crafting a UI or designing visuals, Figma helps you turn your ideas into sleek, ready-to-go designs, all in one place.

For small teams, Figma is a total game-changer. Forget about complicated file-sharing systems or waiting around for design approvals, everything is right there in the cloud. Since it’s web-based, you don’t have to worry about installations, and you can work from anywhere, which is perfect for remote teams. Figma also makes it super easy for designers to collaborate with developers, product managers, and anyone else on the team by simply sharing a link to your designs, keeping everyone on the same page. With its simple, flexible interface, Figma makes design work quicker and more fun, so your small team can create amazing designs without any hassle.

Figma design tool

Figma is the ultimate design tool, it allows you to create complex designs straight in the browser.

Pros and cons of Figma

Pros:

  • Design together with your team in real-time.

  • Runs in the browser, no need for installations.

  • Great UX.

Cons:

  • There's a bit of a learning curve for non-designers.

  • Can slow down with complex projects, weaker hardware, or too many active browser tabs open.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $75 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Framer

Framer is like the magic wand for building interactive websites. It lets you design beautiful websites without the need to write any code, you do of course have the option to also add custom code to make them come alive. Whether you're whipping up a landing page, crafting a full website, or creating a beautiful blog, Framer helps turn your ideas into great-looking, functional designs. And the best part? You and your team can collaborate in real-time, making the whole process quicker, smoother, and a lot more fun.

For small teams, Framer is a valuable tool. It combines everything you need to design, build, and launch websites in one platform, there's no need to use a bunch of different tools. It's also super accessible, meaning anyone can build a website and deploy it. You can jump straight in without getting stuck in a complicated learning curve, and its flexibility lets you tackle all sorts of projects. With Framer, small teams can create stunning, interactive websites fast and stay in sync without needing a huge team of designers or developers. A must for any business that wants a beautiful website.

Create websites with Framer

Framer lets anyone build beautiful websites without the need to code.

Pros and cons of Framer

Pros:

  • One of the simplest ways to build a website without coding.

  • Enables advanced animations and interactions.

Cons:

  • Premium plans can be expensive.

  • Lacks some important features as they are still fairly new to the game.

Pricing: Ranging from $5 to $200 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Playbook

Playbook is like the ultimate hub for creative teams, helping you store and organize all your creative assets in one place. It makes it super easy to access, share, and reuse your designs, templates, and best practices, so everyone can stay up-to-date.

For small creative teams, Playbook is the perfect solution to keep all your stuff in one spot so you’re never scrambling to find what you need. It's basically a Google Drive or Dropbox but with a bunch of extra features that help creatives with sorting and organizing their files.

Playbook creative file storage

Organize your creative files in the cloud with Playbook.

Pros and cons of Playbook

Pros:

  • Clean and modern design for creatives.

  • Visual asset organisation that simplifies creative file management.

Cons:

  • Lacks features for broader workflow tracking.

  • Just slightly different from Dropbox or Google Drive.

Pricing: Ranging from $0 to $250 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Tella

Tella is like your go-to tool for making videos super easy! Whether you’re recording your screen, creating presentations, or giving demos, Tella lets you do it all quickly and without effort. You can add voiceovers, include webcam footage, and have everything come together in one smooth process. It’s perfect for creating tutorials, onboarding videos, or just sharing info in a more engaging way, and you don’t need to be a video pro to make it look great.

For small teams, Tella is a total game-changer. It cuts out all the complexity of traditional video editing software, so everyone can create videos without the stress. Whether you're working remotely or just want to get your idea across in a fun way, Tella helps you do that in no time. It’s perfect for boosting collaboration too, letting your team create and share videos on the fly. If you’re looking to make video creation simple and effective, Tella is the way to go!

Tella video recording

Easily record and edit videos with Tella.

Pros and cons of Tella

Pros:

  • User-friendly tool for recording and editing videos.

  • Offers design options for branding and consistency.

Cons:

  • Lacks tools for high-level video production.

Pricing: Ranging from $12 to $39 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Mixpanel

Mixpanel is like the ultimate tool for figuring out what your users are up to on your website or app. It helps you track everything from which features they love to where they’re dropping off, giving you the insights you need to make smarter decisions. With Mixpanel, you can set up custom events, track how people move through your site, and even break down user behavior into cohorts, so you can see exactly how different groups of people interact with your product. It’s all about giving you the data to improve your product and boost your marketing.

For small teams, Mixpanel is super useful because it makes dashboards easy to set up and the data easy to understand, even if you’re not a data expert. The interface is super intuitive, so you can start tracking and analyzing user behavior right off the bat without needing to be a tech wizard. Whether you’re launching a new product or refining an old one, Mixpanel helps you focus on what really matters to your users. It’s the perfect fit for small teams who want to make decisions backed by data, without getting bogged down by complicated tools.

Mixpanel data analytics

Stay on top of what your users love (and don’t love) with Mixpanel.

Pros and cons of Mixpanel

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use analytics with pre-made dashboards.

  • Plenty of tracking options.

Cons:

  • Can be complex to set up.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $24 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Steep

Forget spreadsheets. Steep is a modern analytics platform that makes data easy and fun to understand. It's like having a super-powered data assistant that helps your whole team make smarter decisions.

Steep brings all your data together in one place, breaking down those frustrating data silos. This means everyone on your team, from marketers to designers, can easily access and understand the data that matters. No more data silos, just clear insights and a shared understanding of what's working and what's not.

With Steep, you can say goodbye to data overwhelm. The intuitive interface and easy-to-use dashboards make it a easy to explore data, spot trends, and uncover hidden opportunities. Plus, Steep fosters a data-driven culture within your team, empowering everyone to make informed decisions and drive better results.

Steep modern analytics platform

Steep is data analytics platform that makes sense of all your data, automatically.

Pros and cons of Steep

Pros:

  • Clean interface for easy navigation.

  • Focuses on metrics-driven insights for businesses.

Cons:

  • May lack the maturity and features of more established competitors.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $12 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Chartmogul

ChartMogul is like your subscription business’s best friend when it comes to tracking revenue and customer metrics. It pulls all your data from places like payment processors (eg. Stripe or Paddle) and CRMs, so you can easily see how your business is doing. Whether you’re looking at Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), churn rates, or customer lifetime value, ChartMogul gives you the insights you need to spot trends and make smart, data-driven decisions that will help your subscription model grow and thrive.

For small teams, ChartMogul is a great tool because it takes the guesswork out of managing subscription data. Its super simple interface means you don’t have to be a data expert to understand what’s going on. Whether you’re tracking customer growth, boosting retention, or analyzing revenue, ChartMogul helps you see the big picture and make decisions fast. With everything in one place, small teams can focus on what matters most, scaling the business, without getting bogged down in complicated data analysis.

Keep track of user subscriptions

Keep track of everything regarding your subscriptions, from MRR to churn.

Pros and cons of Chartmogul

Pros:

  • Made for SaaS, gives tailored insights for subscription businesses.

  • Syncs with platforms like Stripe, Salesforce, and PayPal.

Cons:

  • Pricing may be high for small businesses.

  • Initial integration can be time-consuming.

Pricing: Ranging from Free to $19,900 (per year) depending on the plan.

  1. Folk

Managing customer relationships can feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. That's where Folk comes in, it's the CRM that simplifies things.

Imagine a world where all your customer data is in one place, easily accessible and always up-to-date. Folk makes that a reality. Track interactions, share notes, and never miss a follow-up again. Plus, Folk is incredibly flexible and fast. Customize workflows, add your own tags, and build pipelines that actually make sense for your team.

And let's not forget the integrations! Folk plays nicely with your favorite tools like Gmail, Google Chrome and Calendar, and Slack, keeping everything synced and organized.

For small teams, Folk is the perfect fit. It's powerful, yet incredibly easy to use and affordable. No more complicated setups or confusing dashboards. Just simple, intuitive tools that help you build stronger customer relationships and grow your business.

Simplified CRM

Super simple and beautiful CRM software from Folk.

Pros and cons of Folk

Pros:

  • Simplifies organising and managing contacts.

  • Clean, uncluttered interface.

Cons:

  • Primarily useful for contact management, not broader CRM needs.

Pricing: Ranging from $25 to $100 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Attio

Attio is similar to Folk but offers more customization, while Folk focuses on simplicity, and Attio focuses on flexibility and customization.

Attio is a super flexible CRM platform built to help teams stay on top of their relationships and workflows. It brings everything together—clients, leads, projects—into one neat and customizable space. You can tweak it to fit your team's style, whether it’s creating custom fields, views, or pipelines. No more forcing your team into a rigid system! Plus, Attio syncs with tools like Gmail, Slack, and Google Calendar, so you’re always in sync and moving faster.

For small teams, Attio works well because it’s simple, but still powerful and allows you to grow. No need to deal with the confusing, complicated stuff that comes with other CRMs. Attio’s user-friendly interface lets you get up and running in no time, and you can easily adjust it to fit your process. Whether you’re keeping track of customer relationships, chasing leads, or managing projects, Attio helps small teams stay organized and focused, without drowning in unnecessary features.

Attio flexible CRM

Customize your CRM the way you want with Attio.

Pros and cons of Attio

Pros:

  • Customisable for various workflows and industries.

  • Clean design.

Cons:

  • Lacks deep reporting or predictive insights.

  • Pricing may increase with scaling needs.

Pricing: Ranging from $0 to $119 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Dropox Paper

Dropbox Paper is like your team’s digital whiteboard, where you can create, edit, and share notes, to-do lists, and project plans in real-time. It’s perfect for brainstorming, tracking progress, and keeping all your docs in one place. With its clean, easy-to-use interface, Dropbox Paper makes it super simple to collaborate on documents, leave comments, add images or videos, and even assign tasks—all within the same doc. It’s like having a shared workspace where everyone can jump in, make updates, and stay on the same page.

For small teams, Dropbox Paper is very handy because it keeps your docs organized, making it easy to look back on previous work, stay on top of tasks, and make sure everyone is aligned. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with Dropbox, so you can access and share files without missing a beat. The difference with Google docs is that it combines rich media embedding, built-in task management, and a seamless Dropbox integration, making it perfect for creative teams to collaborate.

Flexible docs and notes with Dropbox Paper

Flexible, real-time docs with Dropbox Paper.

Pros and cons of Dropbox Paper

Pros:

  • Real-time editing and commenting for teams.

  • Works well with Dropbox and third-party tools.

  • Clean design, easy to use.

Cons:

  • Better suited for simple collaborative documents than complex workflows.

Pricing: Free (with a Dropbox account).

  1. WeTransfer

WeTransfer is the easiest way to send large files without any of the usual headaches. No accounts, no complicated setup, simply upload your files, pop in an email address, and hit send. Whether it's images, videos, or docs, WeTransfer makes it quick and simple to share big files with zero fuss. There’s no file size limit (2GB on free accounts), so you can send anything, anytime, and get it to your team or clients fast.

For small teams, WeTransfer is a total lifesaver. It's not always easy to send such big files, and WeTransfer makes this extremely simple to do. The interface is super straightforward, so anyone can use it, and since there’s no need to sign up, it’s perfect for fast, on-the-go sharing.

Transfer large files with WeTransfer

Share super-large files with WeTransfer in seconds.

Pros and cons of WeTransfer

Pros:

  • Simple interface for quick file sharing.

  • Send files without creating an account.

  • Up to 2GB on the free plan.

Cons:

  • Links expire after 7 days on the free plan.

Pricing: Free up to 2GB, otherwise $25 per month.

  1. Midjourney

MidJourney is an AI-powered tool that turns text into jaw-dropping images, making it super easy for teams to create cool visuals with just a few words. Whether you’re working on marketing materials, brainstorming ideas, or adding some creative flair to a project, MidJourney can bring your ideas to life in no time. It uses smart algorithms to turn your prompts into high-quality artwork, offering all sorts of styles and creative options to match whatever you need.

For small teams, MidJourney is a total game-changer. It makes creating stunning visuals a breeze, even if you don’t have a design background. Perfect for teams with limited design resources, it lets you generate images on demand without the need to hire a designer for every little thing. With an easy-to-use interface and endless creative possibilities, MidJourney helps small teams move faster, save time, and still create awesome content that stands out.

AI image creation with Midjourney

Create any image from a prompt with MidJourney AI.

Pros and cons of Midjourney

Pros:

  • Feels like the future, amazing image creation based on text prompts.

  • Quick generation of multiple image options.

  • Unique and visually appealing designs.

Cons:

  • Advanced prompts may take time to master.

Pricing: Ranging from $10 to $120 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Jasper

Jasper is like your go-to writing buddy that helps you crank out high-quality content in no time. Need a blog post, catchy social media caption, email campaign, or product description? Jasper's got you covered in just a few clicks. Using smart AI, it understands what you're looking for and creates content that fits your style and tone. With handy templates, getting started is a breeze, so you can focus more on refining your ideas and less on stressing about writing from scratch.

For small teams, Jasper is a total lifesaver. It speeds up content creation without sacrificing quality, making it perfect for teams with limited resources who still need to pump out a lot of content. Its easy-to-use interface and versatility across different types of content mean your team can get more done in less time. With Jasper, you can stay on track, save time, and keep the creative juices flowing—say goodbye to staring at a blank page!

Jasper marketing AI

Improve your marketing game with Jasper AI.

Pros and cons of Jasper

Pros:

  • Ideal for blogs, ads, emails, and more.

  • Easily adapts to different writing styles and audiences.

  • Offers pre-made templates for various content types.

Cons:

  • Can be pricey, especially for small teams or individuals.

  • Outputs may need human refinement for accuracy.

Pricing: Ranging from $49 to $69 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

  1. Gemini

Gemini is an AI-powered platform that makes life easier for teams by generating content, and analyzing data. It's a great help if you’re writing blog posts, getting insights on customer data, or just trying to boost your productivity, Gemini has got you covered. It’s packed with smart tools that not only help you create content but also offer recommendations based on your data, it's basically Google Search 2.0. With its easy-to-use interface, you can jump right in and start working smarter, not harder.

For small teams, Gemini really shines because it combines so many useful features into one platform. While tools like ChatGPT are great for generating text, Gemini takes it a step further by offering personalized recommendations and diving deep into your data, giving you actionable insights to make better decisions.

Gemini AI

Ask Gemini to do anything for you. It's basically Google Search 2.0

Pros and cons of Gemini

Pros:

  • Gemini seamlessly integrates with Google's ecosystem.

  • It can handle complex tasks across multiple apps with a single prompt, enhancing productivity.

Cons:

  • Despite advancements, Gemini can sometimes provide incorrect or misleading information.

Pricing: Free for personal use.

  1. Lumen5

Lumen5 is like your personal AI video creator, turning any text into awesome video content with just a few clicks. Whether you’re making marketing videos, social media posts, or product demos, Lumen5 helps you turn blog posts, articles, or even short notes into dynamic videos that grab attention. It comes with tons of customizable templates, stock footage, and music, so small teams can create professional videos without any fancy editing skills. Just give it your text, and Lumen5’s AI does all the heavy lifting—picking the right visuals, syncing it all up, and delivering a polished video.

For small teams, Lumen5 is a great AI tool. It takes the hassle out of video production, allowing anyone to do this, saving you time and effort so you can focus on creating great content. No need for expensive video editors or complicated software, Lumen5 makes it simple to produce quality videos. What really makes it special is its AI magic, which handles all the hard work of selecting visuals and making sure everything flows smoothly. It’s perfect for small teams with big content goals who want to create eye-catching videos without burning through time or money.

Lumen5 AI video creation

Lumen5 is an AI video creator that transforms text into engaging video content with just a few clicks.

Pros and cons of Lumen5

Pros:

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop video creation.

  • Offers pre-designed templates for quick video creation.

  • Converts text into videos automatically.

Cons:

  • Less flexibility for unique designs.

  • Videos may take time to export.

  • Not for complex editing.

Pricing: Ranging from $29 to $199 (per user/month) depending on the plan.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the right collaboration tools can make all the difference for small teams, helping you stay organized, communicate more effectively, and work smarter—not harder. Whether you’re creating content with tools like Lumen5 or managing tasks with Complex.so, these tools are designed to streamline workflows and boost productivity without the complexity of larger platforms. By integrating smart solutions like these into your daily processes, small teams can collaborate more smoothly, save a bunch of time, and focus on what truly matters, getting the job done and growing together. With the right tools in place, your team can achieve big things, even with the smallest crew!

Complex.so is a task management tool that enhances your productivity.

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Global teams

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Small teams task management

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Managing Projects and Growth: Complex.so for Small Teams and Startups

In this article, we’ll explore how small teams can use Complex.so to optimise collaboration, streamline project management, and ensure everyone stays aligned on tasks, deadlines, and goals, all while keeping the process simple and organised.

Small teams task management

teams

Dec 19, 2024

Managing Projects and Growth: Complex.so for Small Teams and Startups

In this article, we’ll explore how small teams can use Complex.so to optimise collaboration, streamline project management, and ensure everyone stays aligned on tasks, deadlines, and goals, all while keeping the process simple and organised.

Small teams task management

teams

Dec 19, 2024

Managing Projects and Growth: Complex.so for Small Teams and Startups

In this article, we’ll explore how small teams can use Complex.so to optimise collaboration, streamline project management, and ensure everyone stays aligned on tasks, deadlines, and goals, all while keeping the process simple and organised.

Boost your productivity today—tackle your to-dos like a pro!

Boost your productivity today—tackle your to-dos like a pro!

Turn chaos into clarity. Complex.so is here to help you organize your life, one task at a time.

Turn chaos into clarity. Complex.so is here to help you organize your life, one task at a time.