Working remotely is not an entirely new concept, as many would know. It has been around for decades already, providing a convenient arrangement for a lot of professionals. And that’s a great thing, too, as it made quarantining easier for a large chunk of the population when lockdowns were implemented around the world.

Unfortunately, transitioning to remote work is not easy. Technically, it shouldn’t feel that different from working at an office since the same tasks will be carried out. However, there are quite a number of things that can be done at work that one cannot do at home as easily, so the whole experience can prove to be very challenging to some.

For situations like this, tools and apps can be used. There are lots of these products that were specifically created to help conduct remote work more seamlessly and easily.

Top Remote Work Apps

Best Remote Work Apps For Project Management

Project management systems are widely used for enterprises that handle several projects at any given time. These are used even by those who work on-site as they prove to be very handy for collaboration, tracking tasks, and managing multiple projects all at once.

Trello

Trello is without a doubt one of the most popular project management software in the market today. Even before the pandemic hit, they already have about 50 million users taking advantage of their collaboration, organization, and delegation features.

What makes this tool so popular is its way of making task tracking and organization less overwhelming and even fun. There’s also a lot of customization available, so it can be further personalized by users.

Asana

A top pick by industry giants, Asana allows easy monitoring, effective organization, and clear communication that are all necessary for work collaborations. It’s noted for its work visualization features which are more advanced than what others have to offer. It’s also easy to use with other popular file storage tools and applications like Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud systems.

Monday

Often pitted against Asana, Monday also provides work visualization features but it has a lot of options available, especially at the project level. This is why they dub themselves the Swiss army knife of project management software, especially since it can be used as a CRM, manage video production, monitor ad campaigns, and even track bugs in the systems that are already in place.

Basecamp

Hailed by many as the grandfather of project management tools, Basecamp stays at the top of the list of the best WFH tools because it simply works. It’s perfect for collaborations but it’s also suitable for personal use. Its to-do list feature is intuitive and straightforward, its pricing is friendly, it’s highly customizable, and it’s open to integrations.

Assembla

For the teams that handle sensitive information, Assembla might be a reliable pick for collaborations and data-sharing. It’s touted as the most secure project collaboration and version control platform today, so enterprises can use it without any worries. Teams can share codes, reports, and security features in it as well.

Podio

Chosen by PC Mag as the Best Online Collaboration Software in 2016, Podio made a mark among remote workers for its easy-to-use dashboard. It’s completely customizable, too, so users can tweak it further to make it easier to use and navigate for them. It’s versatile and flexible which are two of the top things a lot of people who are working from home will need while settling into their new setup.

Jira

Jira is another popular project management and collaboration platform but it’s more specifically aimed towards software developers since it can also track bugs, add new features, and tweak software releases in one place. Its workflow mapping is well-managed with lots of features and add-ons so it can really come in handy for different kinds of users.

Best Remote Work Apps For Work Management

Work management systems are often confused with project management tools because they’re also used for task delegations. However, these tools are mostly used for day-to-day activities which also make them perfect for WFH arrangements.

Workfront

Designed for managing and monitoring work across an enterprise, Workfront serves as a reliable tool for executives and top management to have a good picture of how things are running. Aside from visibility, it also works as an excellent collaborative platform where team members can share ideas and create content together even if everyone’s not physically together.

Airtable

Lots of people like to describe Airtable as a spreadsheet program that can be shared with others. However, it’s a lot more than that as it’s also made for creating and sharing relational databases.

It’s also visually appealing and user-friendly which are possibly the top reasons why it’s so popular right now.

Paymo

Paymo is designed for monitoring and managing projects for your entire project life cycle. It can handle all of the tasks involved, from the delegation of the tasks to billing the client, making it a very reliable collaborative tool.

Best Remote Work Apps For Team Collaboration and Communication

While there are now tons of instant messaging platforms, it’s still better to use something that is dedicated to current projects. This makes it easier to track task delegations and stay on-topic about a specific project.

Slack

Even before the pandemic hit, Slack is already one of the most established communication tools for remote workers. The fact that it can be integrated into many projects and work management systems makes it an attractive option for many.

Zoom

Now a household name, Zoom made its way to the top for its video conferencing feature. It can host a large number of users in a single video call, making it perfect for meetings, seminars, and other online gatherings.

Skype

Another popular video calling and instant messaging tool are Skype. It’s one of the earliest options as it has been around since 2003. 

Best Remote Work Apps For Productivity and Reporting

Productivity and reporting software are handy tools to have to boost one’s focus and organization. It can be used collaboratively or as personal tools to help users get to better track their working habits.

Evernote

Another industry classic, many may already know Evernote as a note and to-do list app but it can also be used for collaborations.

Noisli

Noisli is a tool that will help users focus on what they’re currently doing by masking background noises effectively. It’s free to use and can also be used for relaxation.

Weekdone

Weekdone is an OKR (objective and key results) software that is focused on communications and task management. It’s primarily used for tracking team members’ progress, conducting regular check-ins, and general reporting.

Focus Booster

Lots of folks who are new to the WFH setting tend to have a hard time focusing on their tasks at hand. This is why programs like Focus Booster may prove to come in handy. It offers time tracking using the Pomodoro technique.

Best Remote Work Apps For Time Management

Procrastination and distraction are major enemies for remote workers. This is why time management tools are also useful to help one monitor their activities throughout the workday.

RescueTime

RescueTime is a time and activity tracker that will allow users to monitor their activities all throughout the day and then chart it to create a presentation that rates and visualizes one’s productivity. It monitors the websites the user visits, assessing which ones are used for productivity and which ones aren’t. At the end of the day, the user can then view how they spent their time and how much time was used on being productive.

Toggl

Perfect for those who wear multiple hats, Toggl is a time tracking tool that is designed for breaking down hours among different projects and tasks. 

Calendly

Scheduling appointments, events, and meetings can be time-consuming so it’s best done with the help of a handy tool. Calendly lends a hand in this area as it will let users send their time of availability to other parties so there’s no more need to go back and forth when planning a time and date for the get-together.

Other Task-Specific Tools

There are tons of other tasks that someone who is working remotely will need some help with in order to be more efficient. Some are job-specific while others might appeal better to one’s work methods and preferences.

Github

While Github is famous for code hosting, it can also function as a collaborative tool among developers.

Workfrom

Workfrom is more of a community database of where people who work remotely usually work from. It contains a list of cafes and other commercial establishments where people can go to get some work done if they want some change of pace or just get out of their homes. It’s very useful before the pandemic but now with restrictions and safety protocols in place, some might find it better to stay at home instead.

1Password

Most remote workers need to use lots of different tools which require accounts and log-in details. Since it’s never wise to use a single password for all accounts, it can be a pain to remember all of them. 1Password serves as a password database that will free users from the task of remembering all of the necessary details while keeping them safe.