The demand for cloud communication platforms is at an all-time excessive. With 1000’s of messaging apps on the market, it may be powerful to choose the fitting one.

A staggering 83% of firms misplaced a buyer, missed a significant deadline, or terminated an worker on account of a communication concern.

Communication is important to each enterprise. Quick-growing firms can’t afford to make use of disjointed communication platforms. Misplaced gross sales, drained worker engagement, and buyer complaints are byproducts of ineffective workflows; and poor communication platforms sit atop.

That will help you bypass widespread communication points, we’ll break down the 5 kinds of communication platforms. You’ll additionally get a rundown of the highest communication instruments to make your workflows efficient and ideas that will help you choose the one that most closely fits your work setting.

What Is a Communication Platform?

A communication platform is a software program service that facilitates exterior and inside messaging inside the office. It makes use of a number of channels, together with cellphone, video conferencing, job administration, and workforce messaging.

Communication platforms additionally supply undertaking administration, file sharing, and buyer communication functionalities.

Companies use efficient communication instruments to supply safe worker messaging throughout distributed groups and networks. Trendy options ship way over simply prompt messaging and on-line conferences.

Sturdy function units assist workers meet firm targets, serve clients effectively, and full tasks on time by making it simple to succeed in the fitting workforce members throughout a wide range of communication channels.

With many corporations embracing distant work, offering versatile instruments to your workforce members is a should. With out the right security measures and collaboration instruments, you’re setting them up for failure.

Examples of communication software program embody:

• Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS): VoIP cellphone service, workforce messaging, and video conferencing as one package deal.
• Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS): APIs, one-off PBX performance, utilized by builders to construct apps.
• Contact Middle as a Service (CCaaS): Name middle software program, omnichannel messaging, leverages workflow automation.

5 Kinds of Communication Platforms

Communication platforms may be divided into 5 classes, every with distinct advantages. These platforms use real-time and asynchronous communication to simplify the best way you’re employed.

1. Inside communications

Inside communication platforms set up real-time conversations between workers, supervisors, and approved companions. The channels typically embody VoIP calls, group chats, and textual content notifications.

Examples: Nextiva, Slack, Confluence

2. Buyer communications

Buyer communication instruments assist clients really feel heard, supported, and happy. Prime features embody a CRM to retailer buyer interactions, help tickets, and stay chat.

Buyer communication platforms manage requests, monitor buyer sentiment, and analyze traits. Superior options supply customer support automation utilizing synthetic intelligence that will help you scale.

Examples: Nextiva, Zendesk, Assist Scout, Zoho Desk

3. Undertaking administration

Undertaking administration platforms present oversight into workforce workflows to align dispersed teams. Options like job administration, Gantt charts, timelines, and customized fields add construction to visualise progress.

With giant initiatives damaged into smaller assignments, all stakeholders can replace deliverable standing to floor potential delays early and infrequently to maintain efforts on monitor.

Examples: Asana, Monday.com, Basecamp

4. Video conferencing

Video conferences replicate the expertise of face-to-face gatherings for every part from each day standups to quarterly all-hands occasions, commerce present keynotes, and exterior webinars.

Superior options transfer past fundamental video streaming with strong choices — dial-in audio strains, group messaging, attendee administration, polling questions, cloud recordings, and extra to energy impactful digital session sizes small and huge.  

Examples: Nextiva, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts

5. Collaboration instruments

Collaboration platforms permit fluid teamwork and suggestions cycles by way of real-time enhancing and annotation capabilities for delivering dynamic displays.

Groups can alternate concepts freely with out getting slowed down in scheduling conferences or circulating limitless electronic mail chains attempting to choose instructions.

Video conferencing, cloud storage, digital whiteboarding, and safe exterior portals are table-stakes options firms ought to search for. Equally vital are the id and entry parts to manage doc entry and keep model histories for compliance.

Examples: Nextiva, Google Drive, Trello, Workvivo

13 Finest Communication Platforms for Companies

We’ve rounded up 14 platforms you must know for seamless enterprise communication. Contemplate these options to reinforce your workflow and buyer satisfaction.

1. Nextiva

Kind of platform: Inside communications, Unified Communications, Buyer Communications, Video Conferences, Collaboration, Productiveness

Nextiva is a linked communications platform that brings your clients and groups collectively. It really works out of the field along with your cell units, VoIP telephones, and desktops through a softphone app. 

Nextiva has earned its place among the many prime communication platforms because of its highly effective mixture of options, flexibility, and scalability. However what precisely makes it tick? Let’s have a look at its key options and pricing.

Nextiva’s key options:

• Crystal-clear VoIP: Take pleasure in limitless HD calls, together with dependable name forwarding, voicemail transcription, and auto attendant.
• Unified Communications: NextivaONE app brings every part collectively — calls, texts, video conferencing, workforce chat, and file sharing — below one roof, accessible from any gadget.
• Collaboration boosters: Constructed-in video conferencing permits as much as 500 members (relying on plan) to collaborate seamlessly. Crew chat fosters real-time communication, whereas file sharing retains everybody on the identical web page.
• Buyer relationship administration (CRM): Streamline gross sales and customer support with built-in CRM instruments like lead monitoring, alternative administration, and buyer ticketing.
• Superior analytics: Achieve precious insights into name efficiency, workforce exercise, and buyer interactions with detailed studies and analytics.
• Safety and reliability: 24/7 buyer help, information encryption, and catastrophe restoration guarantee peace of thoughts and uninterrupted communication.

Pricing:

Nextiva affords three most important VoIP plans, every catering to completely different enterprise wants:

• Important: Beginning at $18.95 per person monthly, best for small companies with fundamental communication wants.
• Skilled: $22.95 per person monthly, expands on Important with video conferencing, superior name options, and CRM lite.
• Enterprise: $32.95 per month-to-month person, caters to bigger organizations with limitless video conferencing, superior analytics, and premium help.

2. Slack

Kind of platform: Inside communications

Slack is a substitute for inside emails as a real-time messaging device for enterprise. It affords channels for particular matters, departments, or workplaces. Workers also can discuss to one another by way of direct messages.

Key options of Slack embody:

• Channel group: Manage conversations round matters, tasks, or groups with devoted channels, fostering targeted communication and information sharing.
• Seamless messaging: Ship direct messages, interact in group chats, and leverage threads to maintain conversations organized and on level.
• File sharing and collaboration: Share and collaborate on paperwork, photos, and different information instantly inside Slack, eliminating the necessity for electronic mail chains and scattered attachments.

Pricing:

Slack affords a freemium mannequin, catering to each particular person customers and companies. Rising groups can improve to the Professional plan for limitless messages, storage, and visitor entry, beginning at $7.25 per person monthly (billed yearly).

3. Microsoft Groups

Kind of platform: Collaboration

Microsoft Groups is a workforce collaboration app for these within the Microsoft ecosystem. It brings conferences, chats, calls, and collaboration to 1 place. Microsoft Groups makes it simple to go from group chat to video name with a single click on.

Key options of Microsoft Groups embody:

1. Unified hub: Groups centralize communication, bringing video conferencing, chat, file sharing, and job administration into one central hub.
2. Integrations: It integrates with different Microsoft 365 apps like Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint, permitting doc enhancing and co-creation instantly inside conversations.
3. Safety and scalability: Constructed on the safe basis of Microsoft Azure, Groups boasts enterprise-grade safety and information encryption.

Pricing

Groups affords three most important tiers. Microsoft Groups Necessities begins at $4 per person/month (subscribed yearly) and provides video conferencing, stay captions, and 10 GB of cloud storage per person.

4. Zoom

Kind of platform: Video conferencing

Zoom is a video assembly and conferencing device. Members can be a part of conferences from any gadget, together with dialing in from their telephones. Directors can document conferences and might arrange integrations with different third-party companies.

What are a few of Zoom’s key options?

• Video conferences: Video and audio conferencing for as much as 1,000 members (primarily based on the plan you select).
• Assembly collaboration instruments: Display sharing, whiteboarding, breakout rooms, and polling options improve engagement and productiveness inside conferences.
• Cloud recording and transcription: File conferences for future reference or share with absent members, with optionally available AI-powered transcriptions for straightforward info retrieval.

Pricing

The Professional plan begins at $149.90 per person/yr and affords longer conferences, recordings, branding, and studies. Massive enterprises must contact Zoom for a customized enterprise plan quote.

5. GoTo Assembly

Kind of platform: Video conferencing

GoToMeeting is a web-based platform for on-line conferences, video conferencing, and display screen sharing. It’s primarily designed for enterprise professionals and distant groups, however may also be used for academic webinars.

Key options of GoTo Assembly embody:

• Display sharing and annotation: Share your display screen to current concepts, collaborate on paperwork in actual time, and annotate instantly on shared screens for enhanced readability.
• Assembly recording and transcription: File conferences for later reference or share them with absent members, Use transcriptions for improved accessibility and note-taking.
• Assembly administration instruments: Schedule conferences, ship invitations, handle attendees, and mute members.

Pricing

GoToMeeting affords tiered pricing plans catering to completely different wants and workforce sizes. The Skilled plan begins at $12 monthly (billed yearly), providing video conferences with as much as 150 members, assembly recordings, and attendee insights. Massive organizations must contact GoTo’s gross sales for customized pricing.

6. Asana

Kind of platform: Undertaking administration

Asana is a cloud-based undertaking administration device. You should utilize it for limitless tasks, which you’ll manage into lists, boards, and calendars. It makes it simple for small companies to ship tasks giant and small.

Key Asana options embody:

• Job administration: Create, assign, and monitor duties with due dates, dependencies, and customized fields.
• Undertaking collaboration: Construct tasks with devoted workspaces, share information, and focus on particulars inside duties or undertaking boards.
• Workflow automation: Automate repetitive duties utilizing guidelines and triggers.

Pricing

Asana affords tiered pricing primarily based on options and the variety of customers. The Starter plan begins at $10.99 per person/month (billed yearly), providing undertaking templates, customized fields, studies, and integrations for small groups and people. Contact Asana for a customized Enterprise plan with enhanced safety, information management, and precedence help.

7. Basecamp

Kind of platform: Undertaking administration

Basecamp is a undertaking administration and workforce communication software program. It’s a trusted app for distant corporations — it’s value mentioning that Basecamp has all the time been a distant firm. It helps you progress your work from emails, file companies, and spreadsheets.

Key Basecamp options embody:

• Undertaking administration: Create tasks, manage duties with due dates and dependencies, and monitor progress by way of varied views like lists, boards, and timelines.
• Crew communication: Foster asynchronous communication through message boards, discussions inside tasks, and “Pings” for fast updates.
• File sharing and collaboration: Collaborate on paperwork, photos, and different information instantly inside Basecamp, conserving all project-related sources in a single place.

Pricing

Basecamp’s base plan prices $15/person monthly, which is good for small groups or startups. Basecamp Professional Limitless prices $299/month (billed yearly), and provides options like computerized check-ins, targets, and enhanced file-sharing capabilities.

8. Trello

Kind of platform: Undertaking administration

Trello organizes your tasks into engaging job boards. It’s a visible job administration device and offers a transparent workflow map.

Key Trello options embody:

• Kanban boards: Trello’s intuitive boards have duties represented as playing cards transferring by way of varied phases (“To Do,” “Doing,” “Accomplished”).
• Collaborative workflows: Crew members can add feedback, connect information, and assign duties instantly on playing cards.
• Customizable boards and automation: Create boards tailor-made to your undertaking wants, from easy workflows to complicated roadmaps.

Pricing

Trello affords a tiered pricing plan. Normal at $5 per person/month, billed yearly, is greatest for small groups. Premium prices $10 per person/month and is good for companies requiring enhanced options and admin controls.

9. Monday.com

Kind of platform: Undertaking administration

Monday.com is a visible planning platform. It permits you to plan, manage, and monitor all of your workforce’s work. Customers obtain real-time updates, so everybody has context on the undertaking at hand.

Keay options of Monday.com embody:

• Intuitive boards: Create visible boards personalized to your workflow, utilizing Kanban views, Gantt charts, calendars, and different layouts to trace progress and handle duties effectively.
• Crew collaboration: Assign duties, collaborate on paperwork, and focus on undertaking particulars instantly inside boards.
• Automations and integrations: Automate repetitive duties with highly effective automation and join monday.com with varied instruments like Slack, Google Drive, and Zapier for streamlined workflows.

Pricing

Monday.com affords tiered pricing primarily based on options and the variety of customers. The Fundamental plan prices $9 per seat/month. The Professional plan at $19 per person/month brings superior automation, visitor entry, and personal boards. Each plans are billed yearly and it’s worthwhile to pay for at least 3 seats. Contact Monday.com for a customized Enterprise plan.

10. Google Drive

Kind of platform: Collaboration

Google Drive is a cloud storage resolution that means that you can entry saved information anytime. Retailer firm belongings like movies and logos, inside guides, slide decks, and extra.

Every part on Google Drive is in sync for each worker that has entry. It’s a gorgeous resolution for distant collaboration and file model management.

What are a few of Google Drive’s key options?

• Cloud storage: Retailer and entry information of any measurement and format from wherever with an web connection.
• Actual-time collaboration: Edit paperwork, spreadsheets, and displays concurrently with workforce members, seeing one another’s modifications in actual time.
• Integration with Google Workspace: Works seamlessly with different Google companies like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Pricing

Paid plans for Google Workspace begin at $6 per person/month (billed yearly). You can even choose from different plans for companies and groups, together with limitless storage, superior security measures, and customized electronic mail domains.

11. Dropbox

Kind of platform: Collaboration

Dropbox is one other cloud storage resolution. It permits you to again your information up by way of file sync, file restoration in case you delete a file and model historical past. Collaboration options make it simple to share hyperlinks or file previews and go away feedback on a file.

Key Dropbox options embody:

• Cloud storage: Securely retailer your information of any measurement and format within the cloud.
• File sharing and collaboration: Share information and folders with people or teams, management entry permissions, and set expiration dates for delicate information.
• Crew file sync: Preserve groups in sync by sharing folder.
• Cell accessibility: Use Dropbox in your browser, as an Android or iOS cell app, or as a desktop app on Home windows and Mac.

Pricing

Dropbox’s Plus plan prices $9.99/month and offers you 2TB for work and play. It’s good for private use. Dropbox’s Marketing strategy prices $20/person/month and is good for small groups.

12. Skype

Kind of platform: Video conferencing

Skype affords high-quality video and audio conferencing, worldwide calling, and group communication. It’s a superb device for video collaboration.

Key options of Skype embody:

• Video and audio conferencing capabilities for high quality calling.
• Group conversations and channels allow you to maintain group calls with a number of members, or create devoted channels for particular groups or tasks.
• Worldwide calling function means that you can make direct calls to landlines and mobiles world wide.

Pricing

Fundamental plan suits private calls and small conferences with as much as 50 members. For limitless calling inside the US, the plans begin at $2.95/month. Skype Credit score permits you to name internationally.

13. Loom

Kind of platform: Collaboration

Loom is a video-sharing device that allows you to document your display screen, narrate, or seem on digicam. What makes Loom distinctive is that it’s supposed for screen-sharing movies. You can even join with workforce members with out having to seek out time in everybody’s calendar.

Key Loom options embody:

• Display recording: File your display screen, webcam, or each with a single click on. Edit recordings with fundamental trim and merge features.
• Asynchronous video communication: Share your recorded movies with people or teams.
• Video feedback and reactions: Reply to movies with textual content feedback, emojis, and GIFs,

Pricing

Begin free for 5-minute movies and private tasks. The Marketing strategy, at $12.50/month (billed yearly), brings shared workspaces, analytics, and customized recording sizes. Contact Loom for a customized Enterprise plan.

Ideas for Selecting a Communication Platform

Selecting the best communication platform may be difficult, however with the fitting guidelines, you may simply discover one which connects you along with your viewers and drives your communication. Listed below are some tricks to information you:

1. Know your function

What are you going to make use of the device for? Is it for inside communication, buyer engagement, undertaking collaboration, or one thing else? Clearly defining your targets will enable you to slim down choices and deal with options that help these targets.

2. Perceive your viewers

Who’re you attempting to succeed in? Contemplate their age, tech savviness, most well-liked communication strategies, and site. Select a platform that’s accessible and user-friendly to your audience.

3. Analyze your message

Is your message formal or casual? Does it require real-time interplay or asynchronous collaboration? Completely different platforms excel at completely different message sorts. For instance, electronic mail is perhaps higher for formal bulletins, whereas prompt messaging might go well with fast updates.

4. Contemplate your sources

What’s your funds? Some platforms supply free or fundamental plans, whereas others have completely different pricing tiers primarily based on options and person rely. Additionally embody setup, coaching, and ongoing upkeep prices in your funds concerns.

5. Discover key options

Prioritize options that align along with your wants. Do you want video conferencing, file sharing, undertaking administration instruments, or integrations with different software program? Make a listing of must-have options and examine completely different platforms to see which of them supply the very best mixture.

As soon as that’s dialed down, right here’s what to search for in a platform:

• Usability: Select a platform that’s simple to study and use for each you and your viewers. Complicated interfaces can hinder communication and adoption.
• Safety: Make sure the platform affords information encryption and safe authentication measures.
• Scalability and adaptability: Contemplate your future wants. Will it’s worthwhile to add extra customers or options sooner or later? Select a platform that may scale along with your wants and supply versatile choices for personalization.
• Buyer help: Dependable buyer help is important for troubleshooting points and getting essentially the most out of the platform. Verify what sort of help the platform affords, resembling electronic mail, cellphone, stay chat, and information base sources.

Bear in mind, the right communication platform doesn’t exist. Focus in your wants and priorities to seek out one which bridges the hole between you and your viewers, fostering clearer and extra efficient communication.

Need To Make The Alternative Simple? Select Nextiva

For companies in search of a communication platform that scales seamlessly with their progress, Nextiva stands out.

With strong telephony, omnichannel contact choices, built-in analytics, and straightforward CRM integrations, Nextiva offers end-to-end capabilities for efficient buyer engagement.

Robust reliability and help in addition to versatile plans go well with even small companies. Nextiva makes it simpler to unite distributed groups and supply constant buyer experiences.