The best apps for remote working

Freedom from the office desk has never been easier. Remote working is here to stay and staff are enjoying the benefits of digital communication and collaboration tools.

When it comes to working on the go, here are our top dozen phone apps to stay productive.

The best apps currently on the market

Microsoft Teams

Many charities are already benefiting from the Microsoft Teams platform. The computer-based tools are fit for hybrid working collaboration and communication. Switching to mobile phone use isn’t hard. The Teams app, good for both iOS and Android phones, allows colleagues to tap into calendars, chat channels, video calls, and file sharing. The best part about the Teams app is you can pretty much take your office platform anywhere.

Slack

Popular with charities, Slack’s platform works on the computer and mobile phone. The app can be installed on both Apple and Android phones. Similar to Teams, staff can use their sign-on credentials to access their digital desktop space. File sharing and the normal chat channels are then accessible for those on the go. Slack’s voice, video, and chat features make collaboration from mobile phones easy.

Zoom

For charities looking for free videoconferencing tools, Zoom’s mobile phone app is cost effective and reliable. Zoom’s app is similar to the desktop version, with miniature screens of video participants. It’s a must-have for meetings and charities can save with the discounted and free versions.

Skype

Old-school might be the way to go for Millennial users. Skype’s dedicated video and voice call features are simple to use. The main benefit is that the app can be used in conjunction with Microsoft products, making it an extension of your traditional desk space.

Trello

Take your projects anywhere. The digital project manager’s Kanban style organisation makes sense for charities looking for free tools and mobile apps. Users can update, tag, and check the progress of the project without the hassle of bringing a laptop. Our top tip here is for charities who are already on Slack. Trello has built-in connectivity, linking to-do cards with Slack’s chat channels.

Forest

For those who are constantly distracted by buzzing phones and social media, the Forest app blocks out the noise. To focus, mobile phone users set at timer which locks the phone. To encourage mindfulness, a tree grows on the screen when the device is left untouched. The best part of this app is that by downloading it, you’re supporting Trees for the Future’s planting efforts.

Basecamp

Don’t get caught out without your files. For personal use, Basecamp’s mobile app offers charity workers free cloud-storage so that files can be emailed while on the road. Basecamp also offers a digital project management toolkit. Each homepage includes a simple chat, message board, to do list, file sharing and more. For charities still shopping around, Basecamp offers a price comparison of its package versus its closest competitors.

Todoist

Digital to do lists help workers organise their days. For mobile phones and computers, the app is great for both work and personal use. Features include deadlines, prioritisation, recurring events, and favourites. For those who want even more connectivity, Todoist integrates with Dropbox, Google Calendars, Zapier, Amazon Alexa, and others.

Serene

Serene takes deep working to the next level. The app frees users from distractions. Buzzing and vibrating text messages and phone calls are done away with. The app also manages distracting websites and desktop apps. Our top tip here for charity workers is to let Serene carve out your day into bite-sized, timed chunks to concentrate on work.

Evernote

Dashing to and from the many meetings of the day can be confusing. Evernote is a pocket meeting assistant. The app allows charity workers to digitise written notes and clip important websites and documents to meetings or events. For charity staff on-the-go, our best tip here is to use the scanning functionality – there’s no need to wait until you’re back into the office to share documents.

MindMeister

You can still be creative on your mobile phone. MindMeister explores ideas and documents brainstorming sessions. The app includes template mind maps which helps teams visually outline meetings and projects. The mind maps can also be customised to include multimedia, links, and attachments so teams can fully explore and collaborate. Charities also enjoy a 50% discount, so there’s no need to dip into a budget.

1Password

Annoyingly, setting and resetting passwords happens frequently. 1Password lets users sign into apps and websites without the hassle. The app stores all login details into itemised categories. All users need is a single, master password to access all other credentials. The main advantage of this app is that it does sync across all devices, so there’s no need to rely solely on your mobile.