Working with a global team sounds exciting, but it comes with challenges. Different time zones make meetings hard to schedule.
Messages can get lost across platforms. Important files may be hard to find. Miscommunication often slows down projects and lowers productivity.
Remote collaboration tools can help teams solve these issues. They remove barriers caused by distance and time zones, making teamwork smoother and faster.
In this article, we’ll go through the 7 best remote collaboration tools for global teams. You’ll see how each tool can help your team stay connected, keep projects on track, and work together no matter where everyone is.
Remote Collaboration Tools: Summary Table
Here is a summary of all the tools we’ll discuss today.
| Tool | Best for | Pricing plans |
| CADchat | Engineers, manufacturers, 3D designers, non-technical stakeholders, and product teams who need simple CAD collaboration tools | Free plan availablePro plan is $19 per memberCustom pricing for the enterprise plan |
| Slack | Teams that want chat, direct messaging, video calls, file sharing, and AI-powered team communication | Free plan availablePro plan costs $8.75 per userBusiness+ costs $18 per userEnterprise+ plan’s price not listed |
| Zoom | Businesses that need video conferencing, share screens, use whiteboards, and add AI meeting support | Basic plan is freePro costs $16.99 per userBusiness plan costs $21.99 per user |
| Asana | Companies that need a project management tool to create tasks, track progress, plan projects, and share files with AI support | Personal plan is freeStarter plan is $13.49 per userAdvanced plan is $30.49 per userEnterprise & Enterprise+ prices are not listed |
| Guru | Remote teams that need trusted knowledge sharing with AI search, knowledge base, custom agents, and Slack or ChatGPT integrations | 30-day free version availableAll-in-one plan costs $18 per userThe price for the enterprise plan is not listed |
| Notion | Teams that want all-in-one collaboration tools for project planning, file storage, AI meeting notes, and integrations with Slack and Google Drive | Free plan availablePlus plan is $12 per memberBusiness plan is $24 per memberThe price for the enterprise plan is not available |
| Kantata | Professional services organizations that need resource forecasting, capacity planning, skills tracking, and talent network management to work effectively | Not listed publicly |
Learn how CADchat supports real progress for CAD design review teams. Contact our sales team now.
Types of Collaboration Tools for Remote Teams
Remote teams need different kinds of virtual collaboration tools to stay connected and work well together. Each type of tool helps with a specific part of teamwork, from talking with teammates to managing projects.
- Communication tools – Let teams chat, make voice or video calls, and share screens in real time
- Project management tools – Help organize tasks, set deadlines, and keep track of progress
- Document and knowledge tools - Provide online editing, shared notes, and knowledge bases for easy access
- Video conferencing tools – Support virtual meetings with video, audio, and live interaction
- Screen sharing tools – Allow people to show their screen to others for collaboration or problem-solving
- Employee recognition tools – Give teams ways to celebrate achievements and build morale
- Workflow automation tools – Handle routine tasks automatically and connect different apps in one place
7 Collaboration Tools for Remote Teams
Working remotely can make teamwork harder when people are spread out. Collaboration tools help teams stay connected, share ideas, and get work done together. Let’s look at your top 7 choices today.
1. CADchat for Collaborative CAD Design Reviews
CADchat is CAD design review software made for engineers, designers, manufacturers, and product teams who need to stay on the same page.
Instead of struggling with screen sharing or outdated files, teams can meet, leave comments, and review 3D CAD models inside virtual workspaces.
It’s built to help both technical experts and non-technical employees collaborate effectively, whether in live video meetings or by sharing feedback across time zones.
With features like online whiteboards, version control, and persistent digital workspaces, it helps business teams collaborate remotely and enhance productivity without delays.
Key Features
- Live CAD model reviews – Open and review CAD files directly without screen sharing or file conversions
- Asynchronous feedback – Leave comments on models anytime, so remote teams in different time zones can keep work moving
- Version control – Always work on the latest design with every change tracked across projects
- Virtual workspaces – Keep files, notes, and discussions organized instead of searching through emails
- Engage non-technical stakeholders – Give employees outside of design teams an easy way to view models and share input
- Video meetings – Host secure meetings with unlimited users and keep discussions focused on the right files
- Virtual whiteboards – Use online whiteboards to brainstorm, map out ideas, and make design decisions faster
Review any CAD, any time. Book a demo and see CADchat in action.
CADchat Pricing Plans
CADchat offers flexible pricing that makes it suitable for both small businesses and larger teams.
The free version includes unlimited users, short video meetings up to 40 minutes, and temporary spaces that expire after 7 days. It’s a good starting point for remote teams testing out online whiteboards and video meetings without upfront costs.
The Pro plan costs $17 per month per member when billed annually, or $19 when billed monthly. It includes everything in the free version plus unlimited meeting length, unlimited storage, and permanent virtual workspaces that never expire.
This plan is great for remote teams working on long-term projects. It also makes CAD document management easy with the huge storage it comes with, so everyone can share, update, and find files without the usual back-and-forth.
The Enterprise plan is designed for larger businesses with custom needs. It includes all Pro features along with personalized support, custom pricing, and tools built to scale with your workflow.
It’s suitable for companies that want more control, better team communication features, and a platform to collaborate effectively across global time zones.
Stop losing important comments. Get started with CADchat and keep every note attached to your model.
2. Slack for Quick Chats and Team Updates
Source: slack.com
Slack is a team collaboration tool built for businesses that need simple communication across remote employees and office staff.
It brings team chat, direct messaging, and instant messaging together in one place so people can work side by side without switching between apps.
Your team can use Slack to share files, give status updates, and keep conversations organized, which helps boost productivity.
Slack also supports employee engagement by making it easy to celebrate work anniversaries, share updates, and keep everyone connected.
Key Features
- Team chat – Create channels for projects, departments, or topics to keep communication clear
- Direct messaging – Connect instantly with teammates through private or group chats
- Video and voice meetings – Meet face to face or talk quickly without leaving the app
- Share files – Upload and send documents, images, and links to keep projects moving
- Status updates – Let employees share availability, project progress, or milestones like work anniversaries
Slack Pricing Plans
Slack offers four pricing plans. The Free plan gives teams basic chat, 90 days of message history, up to 10 app connections, and one-on-one meetings.
The Pro plan is $8.75 per user each month. It comes with unlimited message history, unlimited apps, group meetings, and core AI tools to help teams work together.
The Business+ plan is $18 per user each month. It adds advanced AI features, more admin controls, and stronger security, which makes it a good fit for larger teams.
The Enterprise+ plan includes enterprise-level AI and full security features. The pricing isn’t publicly listed on their website.
3. Zoom for Company-wide Webinars and Workshops
Source: zoom.com
Zoom is a video conferencing platform that helps businesses and remote teams manage meetings, video calls, and team communication in one place.
It supports tools like chat, file sharing, and online whiteboards, making it easier to keep projects organized and encourage effective communication.
With Zoom AI Companion included in paid plans, teams can boost productivity by creating summaries, scheduling tasks, and automating routine work.
Key Features
- Video conferencing – Host secure video calls with features like breakout rooms, chat, and reactions
- Team communication – Use chat channels to share updates, files, and feedback across projects
- Share screens – Present slides, documents, or apps during meetings for clear collaboration
- Whiteboards and docs – Brainstorm ideas, assign tasks, and work together on shared documents
- AI Companion – Get meeting summaries, suggested actions, and automated workflows to save time
Zoom Pricing Plans
Zoom has three main pricing plans for individuals and teams. The Basic plan is free and lets you host one-on-one or group video calls for up to 40 minutes with 100 participants. You also get team chat, limited whiteboards, clips, tasks, and document sharing.
The Pro plan costs $16.99 per user each month. It allows meetings up to 30 hours long and gives you cloud storage, unlimited docs, AI task management, workflow automation, and live chat support.
The Business plan costs $21.99 per user each month. It expands capacity to 300 participants, adds unlimited whiteboards, scheduling tools, single sign-on, and managed domains.
4. Asana for Project Management
Source: asana.com
Asana is a project management tool designed to help companies create, assign, and track tasks in one place. Teams use it to connect goals with daily work, organize projects, and improve productivity.
It works well for both small groups and larger organizations, with features for task management, file sharing, and project planning.
Asana also includes AI features that help teams automate tasks, write updates, and get smart summaries of projects.
Key Features
- Task management – Create tasks, assign them to teammates, and track progress easily
- Project planning – Organize projects with a list, board, calendar, timeline, and Gantt views
- File sharing – Upload documents and files directly into projects for easy access
- AI features – Use smart summaries, rule creation, and automation to increase productivity
- Integrations – Connect Asana with over 300 apps, including tools for communication and video conferencing
Asana Pricing Plans
Asana has five pricing plans with clear monthly rates. The Personal plan is free and supports up to 10 teammates. It includes unlimited tasks, projects, and messages, along with file sharing, activity logs, basic search, mobile apps, and simple task management tools.
The Starter plan costs $13.49 per user each month. It adds Asana AI, timeline, and Gantt views for project planning, a workflow builder, dashboards, custom fields, unlimited automations, private teams, and advanced reporting.
The Advanced plan costs $30.49 per user each month. On top of the Starter features, it includes goal tracking, unlimited portfolios, workload management, approvals, proofing, built-in time tracking, and integrations with tools like Salesforce, Tableau, and Power BI.
The Enterprise plan expands on Advanced with workflow bundles, resource management, stronger security features like SAML and SCIM, admin controls, and mobile management. The pricing for their enterprise plan isn’t listed on their website.
5. Guru for AI-Powered Knowledge Sharing
Source: guru.com
Guru is a project management and knowledge-sharing platform designed to help companies support remote workers and team members across multiple locations.
It gives fast, trusted answers inside the tools people already use, making it easier for employees working remotely or in fully remote companies to stay aligned.
By focusing on verified and up-to-date knowledge, Guru promotes clear communication and reduces time wasted searching for information.
Key Features
- AI search – Find answers from connected apps, docs, and chats without switching tools
- Knowledge base – Store and organize trusted information in a built-in workspace for team members
- Slack and ChatGPT integration – Share verified info directly in conversations for clear communication
- Custom AI knowledge agents – Deliver tailored answers for different roles or workflows across multiple locations
- Content creation tools – Use AI to write, update, and translate knowledge into different languages
Guru Pricing Plans
Guru offers three plans. The Free plan is available for 30 days and gives teams full access to the platform. This allows team members to test Guru’s AI search, intranet, and knowledge base before committing.
The All-in-one plan costs $18 per user each month. It includes AI search, wiki, and intranet features together, making it suitable for companies with remote workers who need one tool for clear communication and knowledge sharing across multiple locations.
The Enterprise plan includes custom onboarding, integrations, and analytics. The monthly price for this plan is not published on their website.
6. Notion for Building a Virtual Workspace
Source: notion.com
Notion is a team collaboration software that combines notes, tasks, databases, and AI into one platform.
It works as both a knowledge base and a workspace, giving teams a single tool for communication, project planning, and file storage.
With its mix of databases, project tracking, and AI features, Notion makes it easier for teams to create clear workflows, stay aligned, and move projects forward without juggling multiple tools.
Key Features
- Project management – Plan projects, set deadlines, and track subtasks with list, board, and calendar views
- Team collaboration – Share pages, documents, and updates to keep teams aligned in one place
- File storage – Upload and organize files directly into projects for quick access
- AI features – Use AI for meeting notes, research, writing support, and enterprise search
- Integrations – Connect with apps like Slack, Google Drive, Jira, GitHub, and MS Teams for smoother collaboration
Notion Pricing Plans
Notion offers four main pricing plans. The Free plan comes with databases, Notion Mail, Notion Calendar, file storage for personal projects, and a trial of Notion AI. This plan is a good fit for individuals working on personal tasks or small projects with a team.
The Plus plan costs $12 per member per month. It includes unlimited file uploads, collaborative blocks, charts, custom forms, custom sites, and basic integrations. You also get a trial of Notion AI.
The Business plan costs $24 per member per month. It adds stronger collaboration features like SAML SSO, private teamspaces, domain verification, conditional forms logic, and premium integrations.
This plan also gives full access to Notion AI, plus enterprise search, AI meeting notes, and research mode (currently in beta).
The Enterprise plan includes everything in Business, along with advanced security, provisioning, audit logs, compliance tools, and enterprise-level AI features. Enterprise pricing is not listed on the website.
7. Kantata for Resource Management and Automation
Source: kantata.com
Kantata is a resource management and project delivery platform built for professional services teams. It helps managers see who’s available, what projects are coming up, and how to match the right skills with client needs.
With Kantata, managers can plan demand months ahead, assign the right people to the right projects, and keep workloads balanced to avoid burnout.
It also has a skills inventory that highlights gaps before they affect delivery, while giving team members chances to build new skills.
Key Features
- Resource forecasting – Plan for upcoming demand, manage project timing, and reduce bottlenecks
- Capacity planning – See if your team has the right availability for future projects and prevent burnout
- Resource allocation – Match the right people to the right projects with real-time scheduling
- Skills inventory – Track employee skills, identify gaps, and support professional development
- Talent network management – Manage internal and external resources together for stronger staffing options
Kantata Pricing Plans
Kantata doesn’t list its pricing publicly.
Ready to Try CADchat?
Your team doesn’t have to sit through endless meetings just to stay on the same page. With CADchat, you can cut down on unnecessary meetings by up to 30%, which means less time wasted and fewer scheduling headaches.
Work also keeps moving, no matter the time zone. When one team finishes for the day, another can pick up right where things left off. That way, projects stay on track around the clock.
Feedback is never lost. Every comment stays attached to the CAD model itself, so there’s no digging through emails or chat threads to find important notes.
And best of all, CADchat makes it simple for everyone to join in. Even people who aren’t technical can review the design and share their input, which keeps all stakeholders engaged from start to finish.
Start with the free version to see how CADchat fits into your workflow, or upgrade to Pro when you’re ready for unlimited meetings and storage.
Sign up today and see how CADchat helps your team cut 30% of wasted meetings.
FAQs About Remote Collaboration Tools
What is remote collaboration?
Remote collaboration is when people work together from different locations using online tools. It makes it easier to share files, communicate, and keep projects moving without being in the same office.
What is the best online collaborative tool?
The best tool depends on what the team needs, but Microsoft Teams is a strong choice for meetings and chat. Google Drive works well for storing and editing files together in real time, while CADchat is another option that focuses on design collaboration and easy communication for creative teams.
What is an example of a remote group collaboration tool?
A good example of a remote group collaboration tool is Google Drive, which lets teams work on documents together in real time. Microsoft Teams is another strong option since it keeps groups connected through chat, calls, and video meetings.
For teams working with CAD files, CADchat is built for that exact need, making it easy to review models, share feedback, and collaborate without confusion.
What is a virtual collaboration tool?
A virtual collaboration tool is software that helps people work together online. It can support file sharing, communication, and even employee recognition, making teamwork smoother from anywhere.
Meta description: 7 Best Remote Collaboration Tools for Global Teams: 1. CADchat 2. Slack 3. Zoom 4. Asana 5. Guru 6. Notion 7. Kantata
