The Best SaaS Platforms for Collaboration

SaaS, software as a service, has changed and evolved significantly over the last 20-odd years, and as such, there are plenty of different uses for it. Indeed, the tech has been developed in such a way that has allowed it to be completely differentiated based on its different potential uses from one industry to the next.

For instance, specialised SaaS platforms are used in accounting departments and HR SaaS platforms are used to manage human resources-related tasks and issues.

Of course, there are also ways in which SaaS platforms are used across industries and departments, playing an essential role in all of them, and the best example of this is SaaS platforms that are specifically intended to aid collaboration among employees.

Whether it’s in a large marketing agency or a corporate-style law firm, these kinds of platforms can help employees manage operations, delegate tasks and just generally keep track of everything going on within the business.

What Do Collaborative SaaS Platforms Do? 

Collaborative platforms help employees manage documents, workflow, task administration, idea sharing and more. They allow companies to keep data and information in one place, so to speak, so that anything that is needed can be found quickly and easily.

Another really useful aspect of SaaS as a collaborative tool is in terms of onboarding new employes. Sometimes, it can be tough to get a new staff member up to speed on everything, especially in terms of introducing them to the rest of the team, new applications and getting them involved in the workflow.

However, being able to insert them directly into the midst of the workflow can make it easier for them to get the hang of things and it can also make the process significantly easier for the employer and HR personnel in charge of onboarding too.

And, it’s not only helpful for new employees. Having a collaborative SaaS platform makes employees feel part of something bigger – the overall workflow and more general goals of the company in the long run.

Top SaaS Platforms to Be Used for Collaboration

These days, there are plenty of different SaaS platforms that can be used for the purpose of collaboration in the workplace. Some of them are designed for specific purposes, while others can be used in pretty much any industry.

Here are some of the top SaaS platforms that are ideal for collaboration among staff and in the workplace.

Trello

Trello is a visual project management SaaS platform that makes use of virtual cards and boards to help staff and managers organise and collaborate. The idea is twofold – to make complicated projects easier by breaking them down into more manageable tasks, and from there, making it easier for these tasks to be delegated.

Not only does this provide an easy way to break up difficult tasks, but it also provides a user-friendly way for management and other staff to be able to see what’s going on across the board. It increases visibility and enables improved communication.

Trello also has a drag-and-drop option which makes the whole system customiseable and functional, providing an intuitive platform for collaboration.

The company was founded in New York in 2011, and the company managed to bring in an incredible $384 million at the conclusion of its latest deal.

Slack

Slack, founded in 2009, is valued at a staggering $26.5 billion, with nearly 3,500 employees. Powered by Salesforce, Slack is the developer of a proprietary business communication platform that is designed to aid collaboration and communication.

The company provides a plethora of different services to this end, including instant messaging, voice calls and video calls and direct communication. In addition, users also have access to features including file sharing and the all-important workflow builder. These functions help businesses increase efficiency in their day-to-day operations as well as enhance communication.

As of 2024, Slack has an estimated 35 million active daily users.

Notion

Notion is an online work collaboration platform that has been designed to help boost productivity within teams. It provides users with an all-in-one tool to help employees write, plan, organise and collaborate at work. It creates a means to systematically manage workflow and improve productivity at work.

Founded in San Francisco in 2012, Notion brought in $27.1 billion, and it offers free, starter and premium subscription options depending on your budget and your needs.

Monday.com

Monday.com is an operating system that is used to run workflows and projects, providing a customisable workspace that is appropriate for a variety of different types of projects and styles of management. The nice thing about Monday.com is that it’s customisable, and, therefore, can be adapted as time goes on to evolve alongside different businesses’ unique needs.

One of the advantages of using Monday.com over other collaborative SaaS platforms is that it is efficient for use across departments, and it also offers real-time visibility and accountability as well as automation services.

As of 2023, Monday.com recorded having served more than 225,000 customers across 200 different countries around the world.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace provides users with a variety of different tools that can be used for collaboration, including Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets and more.

Its primary use is file sharing, and along with that, it provides communication tools too. It’s a cloud-based system, which ensures accessibility and collaboration across a variety of different devices from anywhere in the world.

Google Workspace was released in 2020 and its most valuable assets are the fact that it’s cloud-based.

Microsoft Teams

Microsft Teams is Microsoft’s effort at a collaborative product that allows for a wide range of communication options, including a chat feature, video calling and conference calls, as well as file storage and the integration of third-party and proprietary applications and services.

Microsoft Teams was released in 2017 as part of the Microsft 365 family of products. It became particularly broadly used in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the world moved online, both in business and education.

Since then, a lot of the world has maintained its remote capabilities and Microsoft Teams has been a big part of that.