Top 5 Internal Communication Tools On the Market Right Now

Implementing the best internal communication tools for your company is crucial for keeping the team connected, especially in today’s digital work environment. With the right communication software for business, you can ensure information flows seamlessly across the organization. 

This guide explores the 16 best internal business communication tools and types, and also brings some examples of the best internal communication software solutions to keep your team in sync.

Top 5 Internal Communication Tools In the Market

Now that we’ve evaluated how to choose internal communication software, let’s dig deeper and bring some specific examples of the best software solutions and platforms to choose from. 

Internal communication software tools and platforms can fall into different categories, for example, specializing in instant messaging like MS Teams, or more focused on enhancing employee collaboration and experience, like Haiilo.

Let’s check some of the leading players in the internal communication software market in different categories: 

Note: Recently, we did a detailed analysis of the 7 best internal communication apps in the market. 

1. Haiilo

Haiilo is an AI-powered employee communications and engagement platform designed to enhance internal communication, foster employee engagement, and streamline content distribution within organizations. It combines social intranet, employee advocacy, and communications analytics, making it a robust solution for large organizations.

• Best For: Making internal communications function more impacting and ensuring every employee gets the right message at the right time.
• Key Features: Multichannel communications, employee listening, AI-powered search and content creation, personalized digital experience, employee newsletter, and employee advocacy.
• Unique Point: AI-powered, comprehensive internal communications tool made for HR and internal communications departments. Enables IC professionals to engage the workforce, encourage knowledge sharing, and improve the efficiency of internal communications initiatives and campaigns.

2. Slack

Slack is an instant messaging platform designed for teams to communicate in real-time. Known for its intuitive, chat-focused interface, Slack organizes conversations into Channels, which can be dedicated to specific projects, topics, or departments, and Direct Messages for one-on-one chats.

• Best For: Real-time messaging, file sharing, team collaboration.
• Key Features: Channels for organized communication, direct messaging, integration with over 2,200 apps (Google Drive, Zoom, Jira), video calls, and Slack Connect for cross-company collaboration.
• Unique Point: Customizable notifications and an intuitive, chat-centric interface make it highly popular for teams needing quick, informal communications.

3. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration and communication platform that integrates with Microsoft 365, designed for businesses to connect through chat, video calls, file sharing, and collaborative workspaces. Microsoft Teams is ideal for companies already using Microsoft 365 and looking for an instant messaging solution.

• Best For: Companies already using Microsoft 365 or those needing integrated productivity tools.
• Key Features: Chat, video conferencing, file storage, integration with Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and collaborative tools for meetings.
• Unique Point: Deep integration with Microsoft Office and SharePoint, ideal for companies with existing Microsoft ecosystems.

4. Zoom

Zoom is a leading video conferencing and online meeting platform known for its high-quality video and audio capabilities, making it popular for both remote and hybrid work environments. Zoom is widely used by businesses, educational institutions, and event organizers for its user-friendly interface and reliable connectivity, making it ideal for virtual meetings, webinars, and collaborative work.

• Best For: Video conferencing, webinars, and virtual meetings.
• Key Features: HD video, screen sharing, breakout rooms, chat during meetings, and large meeting support.
• Unique Point: User-friendly, high-quality video and audio performance, even with large groups, making it a go-to for virtual meetings and events.

5. Asana

Asana is a project and task management platform designed to help teams plan, organize, and track their work collaboratively. It is popular for managing projects and improving workflow transparency. Asana is ideal for teams seeking an organized, transparent way to manage projects, coordinate tasks, and keep everyone aligned on goals and deadlines.

• Best For: Task and project management with built-in communication.
• Key Features: Task assignments, due dates, project tracking, timeline views, and integration with other tools like Slack and Google Drive.
• Unique Point: Enables communication centered around specific tasks or projects, keeping discussions focused and reducing the need for emails.

💡 If you are looking for a Workplace by Meta replacement, look no further!

16 Types of Internal Communication Tools and Channels for Companies

Let’s take a look at the list of the best internal communication tools to consider for your organization. There are dozens of different types of internal communication tools and channels that claim to improve your employees’ productivity and collaboration at work and boost virtual communication. 

Just keep in mind that implementing too many various types of internal business communication solutions can have a counter effect and seriously decrease your employees’ productivity and morale. Every company should, therefore, have a clear and well-set multichannel communications strategy. 

1. Instant messaging software

Instant messaging software such as Slack and Microsoft Teams are absolutely necessary for effective communication in the workplace. With the increase of remote and hybrid work, their importance became even more significant. 

Today, we can almost surely claim that there is no tech company that hasn’t implemented instant messaging software. 

However, in some cases, these systems can create silos, where teams highly integrated into one internal communication platform cannot collaborate with departments rooted in another.

2. Social intranet

When we say intranet, many people think of old and outdated employee communication platforms that were everything but intuitive. Today, however, social intranets mimic our favorite social media platforms that we use to find relevant information and stay connected with our friends. 

Employee intranet serves the same purpose at work. It enables employees to easily find relevant information, collaborate on projects, create groups of people with common interests and organizational goals, and efficiently share knowledge. 

💡 Learn about how to choose the best intranet software for your organization!

2. Internal communication app

An internal communication app is often an add-on to a social intranet platform. An employee app is a company mobile app for employees that allows you to provide your workforce with company-relevant information in a fast way, and communicate across office locations and departments.

Company apps can have different functions. For example, whereas Slack is predominantly for instant messaging, Haiilo’s employee experience app empowers companies to drive employee engagement. Another example is Flock, which combines internal messaging with calendar scheduling.

💡 Looking to expand your workplace tech stack? Learn why every company needs an employee app.

4. Employee recognition tools

We’ve already mentioned multiple times the impact employee recognition programs can have on your company culture and the business bottom line. The great news is that there are internal business communication tools that help you track progress with your employee recognition incentive.

Employee recognition tools like Kudos or Bonusly give you an opportunity to recognize publicly the great work your employees are doing. And if you’re trying to keep your tech stack minimalist, then you can always use employee newsletters or your intranet as your employee recognition tool.

5. Internal podcasts

Internal podcasts can help you to reach both desktop and deskless workers. They are great at cutting through the noise of multiple screens and notifications and might be just the right way to cater to your employees’ preferences. Consider distributing content that’s talking about company or industry news.

Alternatively, you can use this employee communication tool to interview your employees or other subject matter experts in their field of work and increase the sense of belonging and collaboration. 

6. Employee listening and surveys

Employee surveys (often called employee feedback apps or employee listening platforms) are the best communication tools for enabling bottom-up employee feedback and encouraging employees’ share of voice.

What separates the best survey tools from the average ones is powerful analytics. Collecting feedback just for the sake of it means nothing if there are no insights with actionable recommendations for improvement. When automated survey analytics exist, you can easily anticipate problems and identify the best practices to support and engage your teams.

💡 Related: 16 Experts Share Their Favorite Employee Engagement Survey Questions

7. Employee collaboration tools

Even though some people may not list collaboration software as a communication tool, they certainly are an important communication channel in the workplace. Moreover, most communication tools can also be considered collaboration tools. 

But software solutions such as Trello, Monday.com, or Jira are the technologies we are referring to, and they are some of the widely used workplace technologies. 

8. Document sharing software

Document-sharing software can also be considered communication and collaboration tools. This type of communication mostly happens through comments within Word Documents, Excel spreadsheets, Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, or similar. 

Furthermore, fully-featured intranets also have document storing and sharing capabilities and serve as a central repository of all important company information. 

9. CEO/Leadership blog

CEO blog has the potential to become one of the most crucial internal communication tools in an organization for distributing top-down communication. It can also be helpful in bridging the gap between the C-level and employees, which in turn, improves transparency and increases trust within the company.

More than 75% of employees don’t trust their bosses who fail to share company data. These numbers then translate into disengagement, high turnover rates, and, ultimately, affect the bottom line. The CEO blog might be a great internal communication tool to tackle this problem. By sharing information openly, leaders can win back the trust of their employees.

10. Employee experience tools

Employee experience tools can help you embrace and improve your internal culture. The best part about employee experience tools is that they’re designed to fit your specific internal comms and productivity needs. Whether you want your employees to track their shift, access a knowledge hub or have an opportunity to collaborate with their peers, this internal communication tool can be customized to your needs.

🧑🏽‍💻 Read more about employee experience platforms and how to choose one.

11. Video conferencing

Video conferencing solutions have become a must for most organizations since the start of the pandemic (30% of global companies started using video conferencing for the first time during COVID-19). Google Hangouts, Zoom, GoToMeeting, Jitsi, and similar tools fall under this category. 

12. Internal newsletter

An internal employee newsletter is a great way to inform and engage your employees. Every organization should consider having a monthly or weekly internal newsletter with the most important information every employee should be aware of. 

Regarding newsletter tools, there are some marketing solutions such as Mailchimp and HubSpot. However, in the IC world, employee newsletters are usually available within a more comprehensive internal communication platform. 

13. Employee advocacy software

Employee advocacy platforms enable employees to share company information with their own networks to improve the company’s reach, brand awareness, and sales. We included employee advocacy solutions under this list for multiple reasons:

• They should have a central, easily searchable place with information that is relevant to employees
• They should have features to easily distribute company content to multiple internal communication channels and reach every employee
• They should enable employees to share company content on their own social profiles with a few clicks. 

14. Workflow planning tools

You might be wondering how planning tools ended up on the list of the best internal corporate communication tools. Yet their main purpose is to help you organize your workflow. It all starts with planning, and a planning tool or an internal communications calendar is a great way to spread out content and allocate enough time for each content piece.

For example, to organize your workload nicely, you can consider tools, such as Asana, Google calendars, or even Excel. Using a native calendar in your internal communication platform can become a good planning tool as well.

15. Knowledge management hub

McKinsey Global Institute found that employees spend nearly 20% of their workweek looking for internal information or tracking down colleagues who can help with specific tasks. Another research shows that over 29% of employees say poor internal communication is the main reason projects fail. 

By implementing knowledge management software as one of your internal business communication tools, you can greatly reduce the time spent on looking for the right information and embed a knowledge-sharing culture in your organization. 

For example, tools like Google Workspace and Sharepoint are known for their information-storing capabilities. Alternatively, you can use your intranet of choice to act as a knowledge hub.

16. Employee analytics

Analytics is still a tricky topic when it comes to internal comms. While most of the internal comms professionals agree on the importance of measuring the outcome of their campaigns, 60% are still not following up on that statement.

Analytics fit in nicely with your other employee communication tools as they provide you with granular insights on the performance of your content and, through that, help you improve your campaigns.

Advanced employee communication platforms make it possible to tie internal communication initiatives to the ultimate business goals and understand the impact of internal communication on business success. 

How to Choose an Internal Communications Tool for Your Company

In the previous section, we have listed various types of internal communication tools in the workplace. Now, we will dig deeper into how to choose internal communication software platforms and solutions. After which, we will also bring some specific examples of the best internal communication software for businesses to consider.

1. Features and functionalities

Different internal communication solutions can have very different features and functionalities. When reviewing those, consider software with a more comprehensive list of functionalities. 

Moreover, think of things you may need in the future as well. For example, even though you may not need advanced analytics for your internal communications campaigns just yet, this is probably something you will want to have in the future. Keep in mind that many (if not all) communication tools in the workplace come on a recurrent billing basis, so you’ll have to think of the changes you’d like to make to your subscription plan well in advance.

So look for a solution that can help you track your communications KPIs and align them with your biggest business goals such as employee engagement and productivity. 

2. Ease of use (user-friendliness)

User-friendliness is critical for user adoption. Unfortunately, many workplace technologies are still outdated, unintuitive, and not suitable for multigenerational workplaces. 

In his study, Josh Bersin found that while 59% of companies expected their new workplace platform to be easier to use, only 35% actually achieved that benefit.

Also, the solution you choose should be mobile-first so that frontline workers without a designated working space are never left out. 

3. Integrations

Having integrated workplace technology is one of the main priorities for CIOs and other IT professionals managing the communication and security aspects of the business.

In his annual report, Josh Bersin, the world’s well-known HR tech analyst, predicted that:

“the industry’s emphasis this year will be on improving the employee experience through apps that are easy to use and integrate with existing tools. This “EX layer” includes communications, surveys, case and knowledge management…”

Integrations are critical here!

When choosing an internal communication tool for your company, make sure that it easily integrates with crucial applications of your digital workplace or enables you to build your very own custom plug-ins by leveraging APIs. 

If you are using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspaces, make sure that your internal communications platform integrates well with them.   

4. White labeling – company branded intranet

The look and feel of your internal company communication tools should follow your company’s brand guidelines and corporate values. When choosing an employee communication tool for your company, look for a solution that offers white labeling. 

5. Security and compliance

Security and compliance are growing challenges for many internal communications professionals. Your employee communication software should at least be ISO27001-certified and GDPR-compliant. 

You, as the buyer, should be the data controller within the meaning of the GDPR and decide on the purpose and means of this data.

6. Future product directions

Trends in the internal company communication tools space are ever-changing. The demand for employee communications apps has been growing rapidly, and it continues to grow. 

More and more, workplace technology has started to look like tools we got used to using in our private lives. People expect more personalization and bigger convenience than ever before.  

So when evaluating internal communication solutions, make sure that you consider and investigate the company’s future product roadmap. Look for an innovative organization with a forward-looking mindset and vision.