Launching a new project can be daunting, especially in terms of picking the best project management tools for start ups. Choosing the right start up tools for your team will have a tangible impact on your workflows and productivity, which in turn can spell the success – or otherwise – of your new venture.
Nowadays, you’ll find a plethora of options all designed to make remote team collaboration easy and efficient. At least, that’s what they claim – but which of the highest-rated start up tools will benefit your team the most, with the least expense and hassle?
Our experts have taken a deep dive into the different daily needs that a startup requires to see which are the star performers in each category.
Table of Contents
Best Start Up Tools – A Comparative Overview
| Tool | Real-time Messaging | Calendar Synchronization | Task Management | Kanban Board Workflows | Document Sharing | Document Storage | Video Conferencing | |
| Teamplate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Slack | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Basic Huddles |
| Microsoft Teams | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Skype | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Chat | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Trello | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Asana | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Monday.com | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Jira | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Google Meet | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Google Drive | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dropbox | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Microsoft OneDrive | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sharepoint | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Why Does Your Business Need Start Up Tools?
First things first – what team needs are we addressing here? Are specific start up tools really needed? And why? There are no two ways about it, your team will need access to remote team collaboration tools that are streamlined and integrated in the following manner:
- Real-Time communication tools to keep your teams aligned and agile
- Collaboration platforms to enable the syncing of workflows and pipelines
- Task management tools for efficient workflow
- Mobile accessibility to stay connected on the go
Our experts have shortlisted the most popular options in the all the above essential start up tools categories so you can zoom right in to the specific needs of your team.
5 Best Start Up Tools For Real-Time Communication
Effective collaboration platforms and start up tools enable your team to be agile, to stay in touch with fellow team members instantly, responding to urgent and high-priority requests in real time. Our experts tested which apps perform best in these situations, shortlisting the below.
| Tool | Messaging Latency | Presence Indicators | Threaded Conversations | Group Messaging |
| Teamplate | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Slack | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Teams | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Skype | Moderate | Limited | No | Limited |
| Google Chat | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Teamplate
Strengths: Teamplate offers instant messaging with minimal latency, and real-time notifications and presence indicators to ensure that team members are always connected and informed during active discussions. It supports quick and efficient communication for teams needing immediate responses.
Weaknesses: The app offers limited integration with external tools as everything is provided within its own dashboard, unlike with most other start up tools.
Slack
Strengths: Renowned for its highly-responsive messaging system, Slack supports real-time communication with features like channels, direct messages, and in-app notifications. Its integrations allow instant updates from external start up tools in real time.
Weaknesses: Overwhelming notifications and message volume can make it challenging to focus on critical discussions.
Microsoft Teams
Strengths: Offers reliable instant messaging and video calling capabilities, particularly well-suited for larger organizations using the Microsoft ecosystem start up tools. Real-time presence indicators and seamless switching between chats and calls enhance communication.
Weaknesses: Can experience delays during high-volume usage. Compared to simpler tools, its interface may feel cluttered for real-time messaging.
Skype
Strengths: Established as a pioneer in real-time communication, Skype provides consistent call quality and a straightforward chat system. It’s ideal for one-on-one or small group conversations.
Weaknesses: Its messaging feature is less efficient for handling rapid exchanges in larger group scenarios compared to newer platforms, and its functionalities are less comprehensive than those offered by other start up tools.
Google Chat
Strengths: Integrates effortlessly with other Google Workspace start up tools, making real-time chats particularly efficient for users within that ecosystem. Threaded conversations in rooms help maintain focus in active discussions.
Weaknesses: There are limited advanced features for larger-scale real-time collaboration, which may make rapid multitasking during high-pressure communications somewhat difficult.
5 Best Start Up Tools For Task Management
From boosting productivity to reducing stress, process management tools can transform the way you and your team organise the work day. Here, we’ll dive into the five best tools for task management, each tailored to help any department stay efficient, focused, and ahead of the game.
| Tool | Kanban Boards | Timeline/Gantt Charts | Collaboration Features | Automation Options |
| Trello | Yes | No | Basic | Limited |
| Teamplate | Yes | Yes | Real-time updates | Yes |
| Asana | Yes | Yes | Not real-time | Yes |
| Monday.com | Yes | Yes | Not real-time | Advanced |
| Jira | Yes | Yes | Not real-time | Yes |
Trello
Strengths: Trello’s visual Kanban boards make it easy to organize and track tasks in real-time. Its drag-and-drop functionality is intuitive, and team members can quickly update task statuses. Ideal for smaller teams or projects with straightforward workflows.
Weaknesses: Limited scalability and reporting features make it less suitable for complex or large-scale task management.
Teamplate
Strengths: Teamplate provides a streamlined task management system with real-time updates on task statuses and deadlines, ensuring immediate visibility for all team members. Its ability to assign tasks with clear ownership and priority levels helps prevent bottlenecks. The system’s built-in notifications and reminders make it particularly effective for fast-paced environments where immediate responses are required.
Weaknesses: The task management features may become more complex as the size of your project grows.
Asana
Strengths: Asana excels in task prioritization and deadline management, offering a clear overview of responsibilities through its timeline and list views. Real-time updates ensure team members stay informed about project progress.
Weaknesses: The interface is overwhelming if your team is managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Monday.com
Strengths: Monday.com’s customizable dashboards allow your team to view real-time task progress and dependencies clearly. The platform’s automation options save time on repetitive updates and notifications.
Weaknesses: Customization options may require a learning curve for new users, especially those unfamiliar with advanced task management tools.
Jira
Strengths: Jira is ideal for agile teams, providing real-time sprint tracking and backlog prioritization. Its robust reporting tools and integrations support complex project workflows and detailed task breakdowns.
Weaknesses: The interface is not intuitive for non-technical users, making it less suitable if your team is unfamiliar with agile methodologies.
5 Best Start Up Tools For Video Conferencing
Video conferencing is often integral, whether for a quick one-to-one catchups or for leading larger team meetings, standups, and even large-scale webinars. The below five tools combine reliability with functionality and ease of use, significantly enhancing meetings.
| Tool | Video Quality | Screen Sharing | Participant Limit | Screen Recording |
| Teamplate | High-definition | Integrated | Up to 50 | Yes |
| Zoom | Excellent | Seamless | Up to 1,000 | Yes |
| Google Meet | Reliable | Integrated | Up to 250 | Limited |
| Microsoft Teams | Reliable | Seamless | Up to 300 | Yes |
| Skype | Consistent | Basic | Up to 100 | No |
Teamplate
Strengths: Teamplate’s video conferencing features include high-definition video quality and integrated screen sharing, allowing participants to collaborate visually and effectively. Its low latency ensures a smooth experience even during large calls, while features such as adaptive bandwidth optimization improve reliability in varied network conditions.
Weaknesses: No disadvantages reported, even with large-scale meetings.
Zoom
Strengths: Zoom is widely recognized for excellent video and audio quality, along with features like breakout rooms and virtual backgrounds. It’s ideal for both small team meetings and large webinars.
Weaknesses: The free version has time limits on group meetings.
Google Meet
Strengths: Google Meet integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, offering reliable video conferencing with features like live captions and screen sharing. It’s easy to use and perfect for teams already using Google tools.
Weaknesses: Compared to other platforms, it has limited advanced features for managing larger conferences.
Microsoft Teams
Strengths: Microsoft Teams provides integrated video conferencing with robust collaboration tools, making it a strong choice for organizations in the Microsoft ecosystem. Features like background blur and meeting recording enhance virtual meeting experiences.
Weaknesses: Can be resource-intensive, occasionally suffering from lag during video calls.
Skype
Strengths: Skype offers straightforward video conferencing with consistent call quality, making it a great option for small teams or one-on-one meetings. Its ability to handle international calls reliably is a plus.
Weaknesses: Lacks some advanced features offered by newer video conferencing platforms, such as breakout rooms and collaborative whiteboards.
5 Best Start Up Tools For Document Sharing/Storage
Efficient document sharing is needed for startups to drive collaboration and manage growth effectively. Here, you need to think in terms of scalability so you can optimise workflows and share files seamlessly. The below five start up tools achieve this while maintaining a very high level of security.
| Tool | Real-Time Collaboration | Storage Capacity | File Security | Version Control |
| Teamplate | Yes | Good capacity, no payment necessary | Granular permissions | Yes |
| Google Drive | Yes | Generous against subscription | Secure sharing options | Yes |
| Dropbox | Limited | Generous against subscription | Password-protected links | Basic |
| Microsoft OneDrive | Yes | Generous against subscription | Enterprise-grade security | Comprehensive |
| SharePoint | Yes | Enterprise-level against subscription | Advanced | Enterprise-grade with audit trails |
Teamplate
Strengths: Teamplate offers robust document sharing capabilities, enabling simultaneous multi-user editing with real-time updates reflected across all devices. Its granular version control system maintains a complete audit trail of changes, ensuring transparency and recoverability of previous file versions. Features like advanced permission settings allow precise control over access, making it ideal for sensitive document collaboration.
Weaknesses: There is limited integration with external storage solutions as the all-in-one dashboard covers all functionalities.
Google Drive
Strengths: Google Drive has excellent cloud storage facilities with real-time collaboration tools, making it easy for teams to co-edit documents. Its extensive integrations with Google Workspace enhance productivity.
Weaknesses: Can become disorganized without proper folder management, especially for larger teams handling many files.
Dropbox
Strengths: Dropbox excels in secure file sharing, with features like password-protected links and expiration dates. Its intuitive interface makes uploading and sharing documents straightforward.
Weaknesses: Lacks robust built-in collaboration tools compared to other platforms like Google Drive.
Microsoft OneDrive
Strengths: OneDrive integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office, allowing you and your team to work on documents directly from the cloud. Its real-time syncing ensures that all changes are updated across devices.
Weaknesses: Limited offline access options can cause challenges in areas with unreliable internet connections.
SharePoint
Strengths: SharePoint is designed for enterprise-level document management, offering advanced features like workflow automation and permissions control. Its centralized storage ensures secure and organized file access.
Weaknesses: The interface can be complex for first-time users, requiring training for effective use.
Features Of The Best Start Up Tools
The best start up tools are highly-functional and strategically designed to address the unique challenges often faced by newly-formed teams. Here are the key features to look for:
- Scalability: Ask yourself if the tool will be capable of growing alongside your business, accommodating increasing team sizes and file storage needs.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Some start up tools offer a free version with a basic amount of functions, but these are rarely enough for a high-functioning team. Ask yourself if you’ll be able to afford the add-on subscription. Alternatively, look for 100% free solutions like Teamplate.
- Collaboration Features: Look for real-time communication features as well as task management in Kanban board style.
- Security measures: No-one wants their organization’s data to be at risk. The best start up tools offer robust encryption, user access controls, and full compliance with data protection regulations.
- Ease of use: Ideally, your chosen start up tools are reasonably intuitive and will not create stress for your team to master.
Overall Best Start Up Tools Winner: Teamplate
All the startup tools that made it to the top five in each category offer excellent functionalities that will undoubtedly help any team to excel. However, only one app emerges as an overall winner, shining in every category and offering a comprehensive suite of functionalities – this is Teamplate.
Teamplate is one of those rare start up tools that nails every single category from instant comms to calendar scheduling, task management, document storage, video conferencing and more – and all for free, to boot. Thus, where Slack may be excellent for instant chat, it doesn’t offer task management options. Likewise, Trello is a cool Kanban style board, but it doesn’t all for real-time communication. Dropbox is limited to filesharing, while Asana is all about task management.
Teamplate, however, offers all these functionalities from one dashboard that’s extremely simple to use. This rules out the necessity of clunky, third-party integrations, simplifying your team’s workflow and maximizing efficiency. Here’s what your team will gain when using this all-in-one solution:
- Instant chat
- Calendar synchronization
- Video conferencing
- Screen recording
- Document sharing
- Team spaces
- Personal spaces
- Data room
Ready for your team to start shining? Get in touch here and we’ll have you set up in no time.
