Working remotely offers flexibility and convenience, but it requires the right set of tools to stay productive and connected. Luckily, there are many free resources available to equip your remote team for success. Here are lists of popular free tools by certain functions:

Communication

• Slack: Streamline team communication with channels, direct messages, and file sharing.
• Microsoft Teams: Free version offers chat, video calls, file storage, and collaboration on documents.
• Google Meet: Free video conferencing with screen sharing and live captions.
• Zoom (Free Plan): Host meetings for up to 100 participants with limited time restrictions.
• Discord: Free voice, video, and text chat platform popular for gamers but also great for remote teams
• Fleep: Combine chat, tasks, and video calls in a single platform (limited free storage).
• Skype: Free video calling with screen sharing and call recording (limited participants).
• Loom: Record quick screencasts with narration for easy communication and tutorials.
• Camtasia (Free Trial): Powerful screen recording and video editing software (free trial with limited features).
• Flock: Team communication platform with channels, video calls, and integrations (limited free storage).

Time Tracker

• Clockify: Free time tracking with project and task management, reports, and integrations.
• Toggl Track: Simple and user-friendly time tracking with desktop and mobile apps.
• Hubstaff (Free Plan): Free time tracking with basic features like screenshots and activity monitoring.
• Harvest (Free Plan): Track time, create invoices, and manage projects with the free plan.
• RescueTime: Monitor how you spend your computer time and identify areas for improvement (limited free features).
• Timecamp (Free Plan): Free time tracking with basic features like timesheets and reports.
• Focus Booster: Implement the Pomodoro Technique with customizable work and break intervals.
• DeskTime: Track time spent on applications and websites to improve focus (limited free features).
• ManicTime (Free Plan): Automatic time tracking software that captures your activity.
• Everhour: Free time tracking with invoicing and project management features (limited free users).

Project Management & Collaboration

• Trello: Organize tasks with a Kanban-style board with lists, cards, and drag-and-drop functionality.
• Asana: Free plan allows for task management, team collaboration, and basic project tracking.
• ClickUp (Free Plan): Feature-rich project management with tasks, chats, docs, and mind maps (limited free storage).
• Notion: All-in-one workspace for notes, projects, wikis, and databases (limited free storage).
• Monday.com (Free Plan): Visual project management tool with customizable boards and team collaboration features (limited free features).
• Businessmap (Free Plan): Kanban board for agile project management with basic features (limited free users).
• Airtable: Combine spreadsheet functionality with a relational database for flexible project management (limited free bases).
• Wrike (Free Plan): Project management with tasks, workflows, and collaboration features (limited free features).
• Teamwork Desk (Free Plan): Task management and collaboration with team communication features (limited free storage).
• Basecamp (Free Plan): Project management with message boards, to-do lists, and file sharing (limited free projects).

Productivity

• Evernote: Organize notes, web clippings, to-do lists, and images in a single platform (limited free storage).
• Google Keep: Simple and free note-taking app with labels, reminders, and collaboration features.
• Microsoft To Do: Create to-do lists, set reminders, and sync across devices with Microsoft integration.
• IFTTT: Automate tasks and workflows by connecting different apps and services.
• Forest: Grow a virtual tree by staying focused and avoiding distractions on your phone.
• Freedom: Block distracting websites and apps to improve productivity.
• Focus Keeper: Implement the Pomodoro Technique with customizable work and break intervals.
• Noisli: Create background noise to improve focus and mask distractions.
• Grammarly (Free Plan): Improve your writing with real-time grammar and plagiarism checking (limited free features).
• Pocket: Save articles, videos, and webpages to read later offline.

Cloud Storage and File Sharing

• Google Drive: 15GB of free cloud storage with access to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• Dropbox (Free Plan): 2GB of free cloud storage with file sharing and syncing capabilities.
• Microsoft OneDrive (Free Plan): 5GB of free cloud storage with integration with Microsoft Office applications.
• Mega (Free Plan): 20GB of free cloud storage with end-to-end encryption for security.
• pCloud (Free Plan): 10GB of free cloud storage with multiple device syncing.
• MediaFire: 10GB of free cloud storage with file sharing and mobile apps.
• Sync (Free Plan): 5GB of free cloud storage with a focus on security.
• Icedrive (Free Plan): 10GB of free cloud storage with zero-knowledge encryption.
• Tresorit (Free Plan): 5GB of free cloud storage with features like password protection and file requests.

Others

• LastPass: Free password manager to store and manage your passwords securely.
• Canva: Create stunning graphics, presentations, and social media content with free templates and tools.
• Miro: Online whiteboard for brainstorming, mind mapping, and visual collaboration.
• Screencastify: Record your screen with audio narration for tutorials and presentations.
• Giphy: Search and share GIFs for adding personality to your communication.
• Namecheap Lookup: Free domain name search tool to find available domain names for your website.
• Hemingway Editor: Improve the clarity and readability of your writing.
• Copy.ai: Generate creative text formats like marketing copy, social media posts, and blog intros.
• Unsplash: Free high-resolution stock photos for your projects.
• Pixabay: Free stock photos, illustrations, and vectors for your projects.

Remember

• Freemium plans often have limitations on storage, features, or number of users.
• Explore the free plan thoroughly before deciding to upgrade to a paid plan.
• Consider your specific needs and team size when choosing the right tool.
• Search for online reviews and comparisons of these tools to find the best fit for your needs.
• Many of these tools offer tutorials and help resources to get you started.