7+ Best Internal Communication Platforms [Full Breakdown]

An efficient business starts on the inside, with internal communications at the forefront of a team’s success overall.

Nowadays, many companies are turning to internal communication platforms to help streamline their team’s internal communications strategy.

These platforms provide a centralized place from which teams can collaborate, share documents and files, and effectively communicate with one another.

Not only does it make it easier for staff members to work together, but it also greatly increases team productivity by reducing the time spent on communication tasks.

By quickly transmitting information and data between departments, organizations are now able to move more quickly toward their goals.

Internal communication platforms allow for seamless collaboration and create a much more efficient work environment overall.

What Are The Best Internal Communication Platforms?

Internal communication platforms are essential for any growing organization, yet it can be difficult to choose the one that best fits your specific needs.

Fortunately, today’s market offers a plethora of solutions ranging from traditional methods like email and text messaging to modern alternatives such as internal messaging apps and chatbots.

Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to carefully weigh your options in order to select the right one for you.

Consider factors such as ease of use, scalability, security, cost-effectiveness, analytics capabilities, and other features tailored to your specific business requirements.

Let’s look at the top contenders for improving internal communications:

1. Slack

Overview

Slack is an internal communications platform designed for businesses of any size.

It is a flexible employee communication platform that uses channels to meet your information-sharing needs and can be accessed through the app or in your browser.

Highlights

• Work together in channels built around specific projects and initiatives.
• Huddles let teams chat over audio, and video and include screen sharing with the tap of a button.
• Create audio, video, and screen recordings to share updates, walk through demos or talk out an idea.
• Slack integrates with more than 2,400 other digital tools including Salesforce, Google Drive, Outlook, and more.
• Slack Connect lets you work alongside external partners and customers in your own Slack channels.

Pricing

The free version of Slack never expires and offers the most basic internal communication tools.

Pro plans start at $7.25 per month and Business+ starts at $12.50 a month.

Choose based on the size and needs of your team.

Larger enterprises can contact Slack for a quote.

Wrap-Up

Slack’s internal communication platform minimizes one-off email chains and puts all your communication into channels that are easy to create, join and search.

Slack is suitable for teams of any size and offers plans based on your needs.

With a channel for everything going on at your company, the whole team knows what’s happening and when at all times. Try it for free.

2. Microsoft Teams

Overview

Microsoft Teams is an internal communications platform in the form of an app that allows teams to call, chat, meet, and collaborate from anywhere.

Highlights

• Conduct virtual meetings with screen sharing, video and audio, background customization, and more.
• Hold secure web conferences and webinars for up to 1,000 attendees and broadcasts for up to 10,000.
• Make and receive calls with advanced features like group calling, voicemail, and call transfers.
• Easily find, share, and edit files together in real-time with other Microsoft apps like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Instant message one-to-one anytime, and create group chats for easy organization.

Pricing

For limited use, Microsoft Teams offers a free subscription.

Paid plans start at $5.10 per user per month, and increase based on the size of your team.

See a full pricing comparison.

Wrap-Up

Microsoft Teams has all the important features of a good internal communications platform such as call, meet, chat, and collaborate to keep your team organized easily.

Microsoft Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 suite, and while it can be used on its own and for any size company, it is best for teams looking to integrate other Microsoft apps into their workflow, such as Word and Excel. Try it for free.

3. RocketChat

Overview

RocketChat is an internal communications platform for improving team collaboration. It features essential chat functions, voice channels, integrations, and more.

Highlights

• Use private channels to collaborate with your team and public channels for company-wide communications.
• Video conferencing integrations help share information more efficiently.
• Share files, documents, photos, and videos from your computer, device, or cloud storage with complete data protection.
• Message users on RocketChat even if they use other apps (ex. Microsoft Teams) without switching apps.
• Customize the look and feel of your workspace.

Pricing

The free community plan offers the basics to get your team started.

Paid plans for broader use are determined based on the number of users and the specific needs of your team.

Talk to a RocketChat expert for a quote.

Wrap-Up

RocketChat is a versatile internal communications platform for teams of all sizes.

Its advanced integration features and general communication solutions are ideal for teams looking to improve their communications without breaking the bank.

Try it for free.

4. Discord

Overview

Discord is a unique internal communications platform that offers communications solutions for a wide range of needs.

It is channel-based and easy to use for teams of any size.

Highlights

• Voice channels remain open so you can drop in at any time.
• Discord servers are organized into topic-based channels to collaborate and share without clogging up a group chat.
• Give members special powers, set up private channels, and more.
• Low-latency voice and video feels like you’re in the same room.
• Use the app on your desktop and/or mobile, or use Discord in your browser.

Pricing

Discord is free for all users.

Wrap-Up

Discord is not designed for businesses, but it can certainly be used for your company’s internal communications anyway!

Whether you want to foster a more social community within your company, or simply like the unique interface, it can solve any internal communication challenges you face just as well as any other platform.

Sign up for free.

5. Chanty

Overview

Chanty is an internal communications software platform that is simple and intuitive. It can handle basic communications needs for small to mid-sized teams.

Highlights

• Organize tasks, conversations, pinned messages, and all the other content you share.
• Get quick access to your entire message history and easily find people from your team.
• Activate conversation actions via the three-dot menu to pin messages, rename or leave conversations in a single click.
• Share YouTube, Coub, GIFs, and other social media content within the app.
• Create new tasks from scratch or turn any message into a task.
• Choose who can post and who can see other team members in conversations.

Pricing

Chanty is free for teams of up to 10. For any users after 10, prices start at $3 per user per month.

Wrap-Up

Chanty is a simple internal communications software solution with all the basics for improving your efficiency and keeping your communications organized in one place.

Its low-cost options are ideal for smaller teams looking to streamline their communication processes.

Try it for free.

6. Amazon Chime

Overview

Amazon Chime is an internal communications platform to meet, chat, and place business calls using a single application.

Highlights

• Conduct and attend online meetings with HD video, audio, screen sharing, meeting chat, dial-in numbers, and in-room video conference support.
• Use chat and chat rooms for persistent communications across desktop and mobile devices.
• Administer enterprise users, manage policies, and set up SSO or other advanced features in minutes using the Amazon Chime management console.
• The easy-to-use app is available for Windows, Mac, web, IOS, and Android devices.

Pricing

Amazon Chime offers its Basic features for free.

It also offers pay-per-use pricing which lets you pay for features you use, on the days that you use them. This means there is no upfront investment or long-term contracts.

Switch between Basic and Pro (paid) as needed.

Wrap-Up

Amazon Chime is a standard internal communications software platform for teams of any size.

It has all the features you would need for improving your communications, with add-ons available at your discretion.

It is flexible and easy to use. Try it for free.

7. Troop Messenger

Overview

Troop Messenger is an internal communications platform that is user-friendly and low-cost.

It has all the essential internal communication tools you need for stellar employee correspondence through messaging and collaborative features.

Highlights

• Includes both one-on-one and group video and audio calling and instant messaging.
• Emojis, attachment sharing, screen sharing, and private chat windows are just some of the features included.
• Customize with themes, fonts, and wallpapers.
• Integrates with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zapier.
• Get in-app help and live support at any time.

Pricing

Premium plans start at $2.50 per user per month, which includes all of the basic features you’ll need for internal communications.

More advanced plans are available at the Enterprise and Superior levels, starting at $5 and $9 a month per user, respectively.

Wrap-Up

Troop Messenger is a low-cost option for smaller teams in need of improved an internal communication strategy without too many other integrations.

It is easy to use and customize, with live demos and customer support available as needed.

Try it for free.

What Features Should You Look For In Internal Communications Tools?

Internal communications platforms are essential for teams of all sizes, from small start-ups to large corporations.

For a communications platform to be effective, it should include features that allow members to collaborate and share information easily.

Such features should facilitate clear and professional conversations and make communication efficient.

Platforms with integrated messaging systems, shared task lists and calendars, as well as online video conferencing capabilities are key elements of an effective internal communications platform.

They create an environment where communication is transparent and everyone has access to the same information at the same time.

To increase collaboration even further, internal communication platforms should have file-sharing capabilities where team members can quickly upload documents or images they need others to view or review.

Internal communications platforms provide organizations with opportunities to foster team spirit and build direction – vital ingredients for any successful business.

Why Are Internal Communications Software Essential For Business Success?

Internal communications platforms provide the ability to instantly message colleagues across all departments, share documents, and host virtual meetings regardless of location or time zone. This makes it much easier to manage teams from headquarters or from various remote locations.

Internal communications software also enables companies to quickly troubleshoot issues by organizing conversations into channels and topics, making important information quicker and easier to access.

By providing an efficient platform for sharing details about deadlines, policy changes, and other key updates, internal communications software helps ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to business operations.

How Can You Improve Internal Communication In Your Business?

When it comes to effective communication, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best way to improve internal communication in your business is to tailor your approach to the specific needs of your company.

Consider the following tips:

1. Encourage open communication by establishing ground rules that everyone can agree on.

2. Make sure everyone has a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

3. Hold regular team meetings to keep everyone up-to-date on company news and developments.

4. Use technology to your advantage – take advantage of instant messaging, video conferencing, and other tools that can help you stay connected.

5. Celebrate successes and learn from failures together as a team.

An effective digital platform is one of the greatest solutions for improving your internal communications and team morale.

How Many Employees Should You Have Before Buying Internal Communication Software?

Having the right number of employees before taking the plunge into investing in internal communication software is a tricky question to answer since there is no set number that applies to all businesses.

Whether you are a small business starting up or an established company, internal communication software is instrumental for transmitting critical information and ensuring open dialogue between folks in your organization.

Generally speaking, if you have more than 10 employees you should look into purchasing a solution. With more than 10 employees comes more complex needs in terms of managing communications and multiple channels of communication to consider.

However, an employee internal communication platform is helpful for even the smallest of teams, and luckily many of the internal communications tools on this list offer free versions for those in need of the basic functions for improving overall communication and employee engagement.

Final Thoughts

Teams of all sizes and across all industries can benefit from internal communications software, and with this many options, there is bound to be a solution tailored right to you and your needs.

In today’s fast-paced digital age, effective communication within an organization is more crucial than ever before.

The key to success lies in having robust and reliable employee communications software that facilitates seamless collaboration and information sharing between team members.

Teams of all sizes and across all industries can benefit from internal communications software, and with this many options, there is bound to be a solution tailored right to you and your needs.

Whether it’s to keep remote teams connected, streamline project management, or enhance overall productivity, internal communication platforms have become an essential tool for businesses of all sizes.

Internal communication platforms are valuable tools that offer organizations far more than just effective internal communication — they promote connection, and employee engagement, spark creativity, and make the overall work experience much more enjoyable.

With a range of features such as instant messaging, file sharing, video conferencing, and task assignment, these internal communications tools provide a centralized hub for interaction, reducing the need for lengthy email chains, face-to-face meetings, and ZOOM calls.

If you’re looking to boost your team’s efficiency and collaboration, investing in an internal communications software solution could be the smartest move you make.