Electrician for Gov Facility Services Limited (GFSL)
Jess DeVore
Published:
December 2, 2024
Last updated:
December 4, 2024
What makes him awesome?
Andy has such a positive attitude to his work. I can load him up with work as we are a very busy site and he comes back for more. He will always look to help the prisoners with fixes to their cell power as he is aware that's all they have. He assists all trades and gives great advice to the electrical supervisor. We're happy for the chance to recognize his hard work and valuable contribution.
How has Blink helped in his role?
By sharing information which can help ours and other sites- for example cell call plates that cannot be smashed, and lights from another manufacturer. The sharing of this type of information is great for the company.
What does he want to do next?
Andy has conscientiously trained himself on the Test and Inspection course, meaning he will be able to assist the company with extra work on testing.
Nominated by: Simon Kemp, Deputy Site Manager
What we'll cover
Start your free trial today
See how Blink helps frontline teams stay connected, informed, and engaged.
At Blink, we believe every worker — not just the ones glued to a desk — deserves to feel connected, in the loop and part of something bigger.
Until now, Blink has been the go-to for massive organizations keeping their frontline teams buzzing.
But today, we’re flipping the script. For the first time, everyone can try Blink free right from our homepage.
That’s right: no red tape, no long sales calls, no IT headaches. Just instant access to the same platform trusted by retail and hospitality giants, healthcare heroes and transport legends around the world.
Why this matters
If you run a small or midsized business, you know the struggle:
Important updates vanish into the black hole of your email inbox
WhatsApp groups spin out of control, with current employees frustrated with the lack of work-life balance and ex-employees still lurking in the wings
Your “intranet” is basically a dusty folder no one dares to open
Meanwhile, your people — especially those on the frontline — are ready for a better way to communicate. They live on mobile, expect apps that feel as easy as Instagram, and they hate feeling disconnected.
That’s exactly why we built Blink. And you don’t need enterprise money to experience it.
What you’ll unlock in your free trial
Sign up today and you can start building your employee communications hub — via an intuitive set-up experience — in minutes:
A social-style news feed that people actually read and post to
Secure chat and groups that replace rogue WhatsApp chains
Fully branded and personalized so your intranet reflects your brand at every touchpoint
Everything in one place with a one-stop shop for policies, shifts, training, and more
Recognition and surveys to keep morale sky-high
All of it designed for quick adoption and lasting engagement. And the best part? Your team already knows how to use it.
A big moment for small businesses
Here’s the truth: The future of work isn’t just for enterprises. When every team, no matter the size, gets world-class communication and collaboration tools, big things happen. Morale grows. Operations run smoother. And the culture you’re building has a digital home that matches the energy of your people.
But this is just the start. What comes next is even more exciting: unlocking the potential of your people.
Our Blink for Everyone team is driven by one simple mission: to make it easier for people to find, try, and love Blink. So I want to also take this opportunity to thank all of our founding Blink for Everyone customers, some of whom are celebrated on our Customer Wall of Love.
There’s nothing to hold you back. The same tech trusted by global enterprises is now in your hands — free to try, starting today.
Carla has been with Elara Caring since 2022 as an Attendant Coordinator at the Mount Vernon branch in Texas.
Carla is a wonderful frontline champion at Elara Caring. She is the first to step up to help or train others. Her ability to teach and lead is amazing — CTs and all PCs reach out to her due to her kindness and understanding and compassion. She is a wonderful person and has taken the time to help me and lead me when there was none other.
Carla sacrifices what she wants for others and it's a blessing. People call her from other offices and states for help because they know how valuable she is to this company. Her determination and leadership is what this world needs more of. She doesn’t just do a great job — she touches lives in every way and work and in the client's home.
I have watched her over 6 months of being at this company and thought, “Wow, we have a jewel!” She deserves to be recognized for her greatness and champion spirit. Elara Caring is better each day due to the fact we have a champion on staff — Carla Brewer is a great person, a great employee, and a treasure to this world.
How has Blink helped in her role?
Carla is a master at Blink and often helps with training. She uses it to talk with the attendants and takes the time to go slow so all learn how to use it.
What does she want to do next?
I believe that Carla wants an environment where all feel valuable and like they have a place. She uses her life to bring light to stressful places and I believe she will only soar in this next level in her life and this company.
Digital tools are transforming the way organizations build and sustain employee engagement. Platforms like Blink, Workvivo, Staffbase, and Reward Gateway are helping teams stay connected, improve communication, and bring company culture to life — wherever employees work.
But with so many employee engagement tools on the market, choosing the right one can be tricky. The wrong platform can waste time, hurt adoption, and even reduce engagement.
Getting it right matters. Companies with highly engaged teams are more productive and see up to 23% higher profitability. The best employee engagement software goes beyond simple communication — it connects people, recognizes great work, and supports a shared sense of purpose.
Every organization is different. The tools that work for a remote or office-based workforce may not suit a frontline team. That’s why it’s important to align your engagement goals with the right platform.
You’ll find software built for:
Frontline employees — mobile-first apps like Blink that keep workers connected on the go
Remote teams — tools such as Asana and Slack that combine communication and project management
Office-based teams — platforms like Culture Amp and OfficeVibe that measure engagement and feedback
And others that specialize in areas such as:
Communication and collaboration
Feedback and performance
Wellbeing and productivity
Rewards and recognition
Choosing the right solution depends on your people and your priorities — because engagement software only works when it works for everyone.
For frontline organizations, this is especially true. Most engagement platforms are still built with desk-based employees in mind. Only 1 in 10 frontline workers says they have access to the tools and technology they need to connect and advance at work — even though they make up 82% of the global workforce.
Without easy access to company updates, communication, and recognition, frontline employees can quickly feel disconnected and undervalued.
That’s why your employee engagement solution needs to work for all employees — wherever and however they work.
In the next section, we’ll look at the best employee engagement software for 2026 — from all-in-one employee apps like Blink to specialized tools for communication, wellbeing, and recognition.
Let’s take a closer look.
Best employee engagement app for frontline organizations
Frontline employees are the backbone of many industries — from transportation and retail to healthcare and hospitality. But engaging this workforce comes with unique challenges. Many frontline employees don’t have regular access to company systems, email, or desktop devices, making it harder for them to stay informed and connected.
That’s why mobile-first employee engagement software has become essential. The best platforms for frontline teams combine communication, recognition, and real-time updates in one easy-to-use app.
These tools close the gap between head office and the field, helping every employee — regardless of location — feel included in company culture.
Below are some of the best employee engagement tools for frontline workers in 2026, starting with Blink, a leading all-in-one platform designed specifically for deskless and distributed teams.
Best employee engagement software for frontline workers
Blink
When it comes to engaging a dispersed, frontline workforce, few tools match what Blink delivers.
Blink is a mobile-first employee engagement platform built to help organizations connect with every worker — whether they’re in the field, on the factory floor, or on the move. Used by teams across industries such as transport, healthcare, logistics, and construction, Blink turns everyday communication into connection.
Employees can easily chat with colleagues, access company updates, view schedules, and complete essential tasks all in one place. The result: better communication, stronger engagement, and a more unified culture.
Managers benefit, too. Blink’s analytics dashboard helps leaders track engagement and performance trends, identify communication gaps, and celebrate wins through built-in recognition tools.
Key features include:
All-in-one communication: Peer-to-peer chat, team groups, and company-wide updates keep everyone aligned.
Employee recognition: Built-in recognition features highlight great work and reinforce culture.
Engagement surveys: Pulse surveys provide quick, actionable insights into morale and satisfaction.
Analytics and insights: Track usage, engagement, and content performance to inform strategy.
Seamless integrations: Connect scheduling, HR, and project management tools for a single digital workspace.
Mobile-first design: Works on any smartphone — no corporate email required.
With Blink, your entire workforce can access the same tools and information, creating a seamless digital experience that keeps everyone connected, informed, and motivated.
Request a demo today to see how Blink can transform engagement across your frontline teams.
Best employee engagement software for desk-based remote workers
If you're looking for employee engagement software platforms suited to desk-based remote workers, here are some excellent options.
Google Chat
Source: Google Chat Capterra Reviews
Google Chat is a communication platform that includes features like video and voice calls, and group chat. It's a great option for workplace communication and it's free to use.
As you’d expect, this tool integrates with the rest of the Google suite, including Google Calendar, Drive, Groups, and Gmail. But it lacks some of the advanced features you tend to get with paid tools.
Reviews from Capterra note that Google Chat is easy to use. It also provides good collaboration tools. However, the interface can be frustrating, message delivery can be an issue, and notifications can be challenging to navigate.
Pricing: Monthly pricing for Google Chat for business starts at $6 per user.
Discord
Discord is a chat app designed for gamers. But it’s recently been used for workplace communication, too. It includes features like voice and video chat, so you can easily connect and communicate with colleagues.
You can use Discord for free, making it a basic but cost-effective tool for internal communications, especially in a remote working environment.
Pricing: Many of Discord’s features are free to use. For businesses that want to invest in extra perks, Discord’s premium tier, “Nitro,” is available for $99 per year.
Asana
Asana is a popular project management tool that can also be used for employee engagement. With Asana, you can easily create and assign tasks, track task progress, and set team priorities. You can also use Asana to create custom projects for easy employee collaboration.
Source: Asana Capterra reviews
Asana makes a great option for remote teams, in part because it offers a mobile app for easy access to tasks and progress data. This helps to ensure that employees are working cohesively and effectively wherever they’re based.
Reviews from Capterra note that while Asana offers a clean, intuitive, and integrated interface, notifications are often missed, automatic opt-in to email notifications can be annoying, and the different projects and access features can be confusing.
Pricing: Monthly pricing for Asana starts at a basic free plan. A business plan costs $24.99 per user per month when billed annually.
ClickUp
ClickUp is a cloud-based collaboration and project management tool and it’s a good option for those looking to improve remote employee engagement.
Key features include task assignments and statuses, alerts, and a task toolbar. But while ClickUp does well in terms of task management, it doesn’t offer a full range of employee engagement tools.
This platform lacks features relating to real-time communication, employee recognition, and social interaction. So you’re likely to need additional software.
Pricing: ClickUp offers a free version. Monthly pricing for a Business plan costs $12 per user per month.
WorkTango
WorkTango is an employee experience platform with a number of solutions for employee engagement. It provides tools like employee surveys, real-time analytics, rewards, and recognition.
You can also see how your engagement scores rank against other WorkTango customers to get a better sense of how you’re doing.
On Capterra, users say that anonymous feedback and anonymous employee chat allow for truly honest conversations. Clients also praise recognition features. However, some users would like better reporting tools and easier platform navigation.
Leapsome is a good employee engagement tool for goal setting and employee development.
It’s designed to support organizations to create high-performing teams. You can use Leapsome to track and collaborate on goals, run 360-degree reviews, and create personalized learning pathways.
With lots of tools for remote teams, Leapsome helps maintain employee progress even when employees aren’t in the office. The software also offers video conferencing tools, which make it easy to collaborate on agendas and align action plans.
Pricing: Pricing starts at $8 per user per month, with the option to add on the extra features you need.
Slack
Source: Slack Capterra Reviews
Slack is a great productivity tool for remote office workers. It helps you to organize teams and their work, with the help of channels, huddles, and a workflow builder.
However, it's worth noting that Slack doesn't provide much in the way of scheduling, performance tracking, or survey features. If these tools are essential to your organization, you’ll need to use Slack plus another employee engagement platform.
Reviews from Capterra note that Slack’s user interface is easy to use. They like channel and plugin features. They also appreciate having all work conversations in one place.
However, reviews also note that it can be a confusing platform to use, with lots of channels across different teams. Adoption can also be difficult if people are not familiar with the software.
Pricing: For multiple employees, monthly pricing for Slack starts at $6.67 per user.
Best employee engagement software for desk-based office workers
Now, let’s take a look at the tech tools best suited to office worker engagement.
OfficeVibe
Source: OfficeVibe Capterra Reviews
OfficeVibe is a “people-first” employee experience platform, with a number of employee engagement features designed for the office.
It helps employers to assess and improve employee engagement levels with robust measurement tools. It also provides an app so you can track progress on the go if needed.
Reviews from Capterra note that OfficeVibe is an innovative tool that helps organizations better understand employee happiness. The company also provides strong customer service.
However, managers complain that survey questions can’t be customized and that insights don’t go deep enough. They also say that the Slack integration doesn’t work too well and that setup can be confusing.
Pricing: Monthly pricing for OfficeVibe ranges from a free version to a $5 per user Pro Plan.
SurveyMonkey
By using employee satisfaction survey tools like SurveyMonkey, you can collect regular feedback from employees on their engagement levels. This real-time feedback can help you to identify problem areas and take steps to improve employee engagement in your organization.
As well as survey templates, SurveyMonkey offers reporting and analytics features that help you spot data trends and insights. It also uses AI to reveal employee sentiment.
Pricing: For over three users, monthly pricing for SurveyMonkey starts at $31.83 per user.
Doodle
Employee polls are a quick and easy way to collect anonymous feedback from employees on a range of topics. You can use employee poll tools from Doodle to gather feedback on everything from engagement levels to job satisfaction.
But Doodle does more than polls. It also provides meeting, video conferencing, and scheduling tools. You can even poll meeting attendees to find a time that works for everyone and improve attendance.
Pricing: Monthly pricing for Doodle Professional starts at $6.95 per user.
Monday.com
Monday.com is a project management tool that can also be used for employee engagement.
With Monday.com, you can create and assign tasks, track progress, and more. You can also use it to create performance tracking templates for employees. This can help you to identify areas where employees need improvement and take steps to address them.
On Capterra, Monday.com users say that the platform’s project management tools are excellent. But others complain that the backend of the platform is complicated and involves a steep learning curve.
Pricing: For more than two employees, monthly pricing for Monday.com starts at $8 per user per month.
Culture Amp
Culture Amp’s employee engagement platform provides over 40 science-backed survey templates. You can use these surveys to find out how employees feel about engagement, belonging, inclusion, and more.
The platform also uses AI-powered insights to summarize employee engagement findings, supporting your business to make data-backed decisions.
Reviews from Capterra say that Culture Amp has a user-friendly user interface. They also praise the platform’s ready-to-go survey templates.
But users don’t like having to rely on the Culture Amp support team to update some parts of the platform. They also say that — while survey features are strong — features like the objective and key results (OKR) module aren’t as well-developed.
The following tools specialize in one area of employee engagement. As such, they make a great add-on to your chosen staff engagement tool.
At Blink, our App Marketplace integrates all the tools you need to manage your employee engagement in one place. If we don't already integrate with your app, just ask!
Kudos
Kudos is an add-on app that allows employees to give and receive recognition in real time. With Kudos, you can create a culture of recognition where employees feel appreciated for their hard work.
Pricing: Monthly pricing for Kudos starts at $3.25 per user.
Friday
Friday is an app that makes it easy to give employees recognition for a job well done. With Friday, you can give employees badges, points, and rewards to show your appreciation.
Pricing: Friday has a free version. Monthly pricing goes up to $100+ for company plans.
Bonusly
Bonusly is another dedicated employee recognition tool. Bonusly supports peer recognition, allowing employees to give each other bonuses in the form of points that can be redeemed for rewards. By using Bonusly, you can create a culture of appreciation and recognition throughout your workforce.
Pricing: Monthly pricing options for Bonusly starts at $2.70 per user.
Limeade Wellbeing
Employee wellbeing programs, like those on offer from Limeade, go hand in hand with employee engagement programs. Because when employees feel healthier, happier, and less stressed, they have the headspace they need to engage with their work.
Limeade provides customized employee wellness programs. These programs encourage participation and deliver essential wellbeing resources via one handy tool.
With this tool, you can also listen and respond to your workforce in real time through anonymous surveys, polls, and quizzes. All that’s really missing from this system is strong employee communication tools.
WeThrive is an employee engagement tool designed to support the mental health of desk-based workers. With this platform, you can create surveys to assess employee wellbeing and then take action to improve it.
WeThrive analytics allow you to segment survey results by team, tenure, location, department, and manager. This makes it easy to identify the root causes of poor wellbeing and identify areas for improvement.
Reward Gateway is an employee engagement solution that offers employee discounts, employee rewards and recognition, and tools for employee communications.
This combined platform is a great tool for office-based employers looking to boost employee recognition, with features such as discounts and rewards accessible in one place.
Reviews from Capterra note that Reward Gateway is flexible and easy to use. But it can be glitchy, with reporting features sometimes not running properly and some features failing to run as smoothly as others.
Pricing: Monthly pricing for Reward Gateway starts at $10.19 per user.
Weekdone
For structured goal setting, Weekdone is an excellent choice. It’s a top-rated OKR platform that allows you to track weekly plans and progress, provide feedback, and get everyone pulling in the same direction.
OKR software can also be used to ensure that remote employees have clear objectives, with performance reviews and goal tracking.
Pricing: For more than three employees, monthly pricing for Weekdone is $8 per user.
Awardco
Awardco is another bonus tool that makes recognizing and rewarding people easier and more effective.
With Awardco, employers can set up reward and recognition programs that their employees can access from any device. You can tailor incentives to your teams, ensuring the prizes on offer act as real motivation.
This tool is a good option for office-based companies of all sizes looking to increase employee satisfaction and engage with their workforce to boost productivity.
Pricing: Pricing for Awardco ranges from $2,500 to $4,000 per year.
QuizBreaker
QuizBreaker is a virtual team-building tool. It works well for both office-based and dispersed teams, bringing a bit of gamification to the work day.
Key features of QuizBreaker include:
a scheduled icebreaker quiz that helps employees get to know each other better
escape games and 1,000+ trivia quizzes for fun team-building events
employee profiles that reveal work style, unique strengths, and fun facts
pulse surveys to help you get regular feedback from employees
QuizBreaker isn’t an all-in-one employee engagement tool. But this platform helps teams to bond and brings a little fun to your workplace culture.
Capterra score: Not found in Capterra database. Pricing: Monthly pricing for QuizBreaker starts at $3 per user.
Motivosity
Motivosity is employee recognition software that makes it easy for managers to give recognition and rewards.
Motivosity’s “Thanks Matters” card is an innovative way of rewarding employees. Like Bonusly, you assign points for great performance. These points directly translate into cash, which employees can access via a special Visa debit card.
They can choose from hundreds of reward options. You can even add your own gifts such as branded swag or lunch with the CEO. Employees can also choose to forgo cash rewards in order to make charitable donations.
Key employee engagement software features to prioritize in 2026
When choosing the right employee engagement software for your organization, focus on the features that will help you overcome your biggest engagement challenges. The right combination of tools can improve communication, morale, and productivity across every level of your workforce.
Channels and chats
Communication is the foundation of engagement. Real-time chat features — including group channels, private messages, and announcements — ensure employees stay in the loop and can collaborate quickly, wherever they work.
Surveys, polls, and content analytics
Platforms with built-in surveys, polls, and analytics help you measure engagement levels, gather employee sentiment, and identify emerging issues before they become major problems. This data ensures every employee has a voice and helps leaders take action with confidence.
Employee recognition
Recognition tools — such as kudos, badges, or points systems — make it easy to celebrate achievements and highlight great work. This simple feature goes a long way toward strengthening motivation, morale, and a sense of belonging.
Analytics and dashboards
For organizations managing distributed or frontline teams, analytics functions are essential. They allow you to measure engagement, retention, and satisfaction while uncovering insights into how employees interact with leadership and one another. These insights drive continuous improvement in your employee experience strategy.
A main feed or hub
A centralized hub — or main company feed — brings all updates, videos, documents, and announcements together in one place. This consolidation creates a single source of truth, keeping employees informed and aligned with your company’s goals.
At Blink, our frontline employee app brings all of these features together. With tools for chat, recognition, surveys, analytics, and communication, Blink helps you overcome common engagement challenges and connect every employee — from the frontline to the office.
The business benefits of digital employee engagement tools
Digital engagement tools require an upfront investment — both financially and in time. But the return on that investment is substantial. The right software encourages participation, builds connection, and creates a culture employees want to be part of.
Below are the five key business benefits of using digital employee engagement software.
#1. Reduce employee turnover and save on recruitment costs
Engaged employees are more likely to stay with your organization, reducing the cost of recruitment and training. According to SHRM, hiring a new employee can cost three to four times the position’s salary, making engagement one of the most effective retention strategies available.
Digital tools strengthen this connection by amplifying company culture and ensuring all employees can participate fully — leading to a happier, more loyal workforce.
#2. Strengthen company culture through digital engagement platforms
In today’s competitive labor market, salary alone isn’t enough to retain top talent. Engaged employees are motivated by purpose, belonging, and appreciation.
Digital engagement tools help reinforce these pillars by improving communication, supporting growth, and enabling public recognition. The right platform makes culture tangible — connecting leadership, values, and everyday work.
#3. Improve internal communication with employee engagement software
Two-way communication is critical for engagement. Modern tools help you deliver the right message to the right people — whether through audience segmentation, targeted updates, or role-based notifications.
These platforms also make it easier to track the effectiveness of communication. With built-in analytics, you can see how employees interact with content and refine your messaging to increase engagement and clarity across the organization.
#4. Use analytics to understand and improve employee engagement
Feedback is the backbone of a strong employee engagement strategy. Without it, leaders can’t identify what’s working or where improvements are needed.
Employee engagement software with advanced reporting provides actionable insights. You can see how satisfied employees are, how frequently they engage with company updates, and where there are communication or experience gaps.
With Blink, for example, you can access detailed data on engagement, satisfaction, and retention — helping you identify frontline challenges early and respond faster.
#5. Boost productivity with connected employee engagement platforms
Disconnected tools slow teams down. Employees lose valuable time switching between apps, searching for information, and handling repetitive admin tasks.
A unified engagement platform streamlines these processes. By digitizing workflows, automating basic tasks, and connecting every workplace app in one place, you free up employees to focus on meaningful, high-impact work.
Blink’s connected platform helps teams stay organized and productive — from digitized HR processes to mobile-friendly task management — improving both individual and organizational performance.
Tom has been with Realise Training, a leading provider in the apprenticeship, adult learning and vocational training market, since October 2018. Realise supports people to fulfill their potential and help businesses upskill their workforce, and this year around 16,000 learners benefit from apprenticeship and adult education programs through Realise. Most of their training is done onsite, so their tutors are often traveling and working remotely.
Tom is part of the operational support team. There is not a job he doesn’t do — and if there is, he still gives it a go to try and help someone else out. What makes him awesome? EVERYTHING! He literally keeps the business moving from events to transport to decorating, his talents are endless. He even took up modeling some new Realise-branded clothing at one point… We need more Toms in this world!
How has Blink helped in his role?
Blink really aids in communication, from those quick instant messages when you need some last-minute train tickets to Tom being able to notify the business of operational notifications.
What does he want to do next?
I think building our own driving school sounds like something he would like to participate in! All those vehicle insurance documents and building regulations… he'd love it!
Workplace communication is evolving fast. If you’re an HR, internal communication, or IT leader within your company, your job hinges heavily on staying updated on the latest developments and best practices.
But knowing where to look for unique ideas and advice is another matter. It's not always easy to identify who to turn to for the best insights.
Following the top voices in the industry is a brilliant way to stay ahead of the curve and learn new tactics. However, if you are looking for immediate inspiration to apply to your own frontline workforce today, you might also want to review concrete internal communication strategy examples before diving into the thought leadership below.
The good news? We've done the research for you. We have been following and learning from many thought leaders over the years. And with this post, we’ll share the list of our favourite internal communication influencers with you. Let’s begin.
Best internal communication influencers to follow in 2022
Jenni Field, Redefining Communications
Jenni Field is a communications strategist with more than 20 years of experience spread over several industries, including the public sector, travel, hospitality, and defence. And she has served in a director-level role at many global companies, such as the pharmaceutical giant Perrigo.
Besides that, she has been quoted by numerous renowned publications like The Times and Raconteur, and she is one of the Inspiring Workplaces’ Top 101 Global Employee Engagement and Experience Influencers.
You should follow her especially for her insights and research into deskless workers, workplace culture, leadership, hybrid working, boundaries, and productivity. Apart from running a consulting firm, Jenni speaks often at industry events and organizations, along with hosting an award-winning podcast.
Steve and Cindy Crescenzo have been in the communications space for over 20 years each, and have worked with thousands of communicators.
Steve started as a journalist for trade publications like The Ragan Report and Communication World. And it has been 15 years since he started Crescenzo Communications to help organizations through speaking at conferences, workshops, and consulting. The same goes for Cindy Crescendo.
The duo focuses on simplifying internal communication processes and providing the tools to streamline and extract performance data from these processes. So their expertise also covers conducting surveys, executive interviews, and focus groups.
Priya Bates is an award-winning communicator with a strong emphasis on performance. As the owner of Inner Strength Communication, she takes charge of internal communication and transformational change that connects business goals and employee behavior.
In a career that spans over 20+ years, Priya has managed communications for companies like Compaq, Loblaw Companies Limited, and HP in Canada. And all of these companies have been recognized as top workplaces from time to time.
Priya is an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC), was awarded the Master Communicator (MC) designation in 2010, and IABC fellowship in 2016, which are among the highest global honors for a communications professional.
The founder and principal consultant at All Things IC, Rachel Miller is a globally recognized expert on internal communications.
She helps communication professionals and organizations via training, consulting, and mentoring. And companies like ARM, Lego, BBC, NHS, and British Red Cross have been her clients.
As an experienced and award-winning professional, she has also been teaching Masterclasses since 2014, training hundreds of comms professionals. And her articles and podcast episodes are jam-packed with actionable internal communication strategies.
Advita Patel is an experienced speaker and the director of Comms Rebel, helping executives and organizations with solutions that improve internal communication and workplace diversity.
She has been working in internal communications and change management fields for over 17 years, and has helped companies in multiple business verticals including education, transport, healthcare, and energy. Her client list consists of businesses like Royal Mail, Puma, Amazon, and Magnox.
Liam spent several years as a PR professional, eventually discovering his passion for change communication. Since then, he has helped many well-known companies in retail, fashion, pharma, transport, and other sectors with this specialization.
From safety improvement to strategic reviews, and from crises to quality improvements, he has worked on almost every kind of transformation.
He also lectures at many universities and has authored two books on best practices of internal communication.
Paul Barton has spent years helping senior leaders and managers connect with their workforce and customer base. And his advice has been featured on several podcasts, blogs, and magazines.
His career spans over 20 years and six large organizations, after which he started a consulting firm. Through this company, he provides strategic guidance, workshops, coaching, as well as hands-on support. And his clients include a wide range of businesses such as CBRE, Banner Health, Swire Coca-Cola, and more.
Harriet Small is the founder of Comms Over Coffee and a communications expert with over 12 years of experience in a wide range of business sectors. She has worked with companies such as Hackney Council, Transport for London, the European Union, NHS, and more.
In 2019, she won the IoIC rising star award, and she was recently shortlisted in the internal communication category for The UK and Europe Employee Engagement award. She has also been in charge of communication and employee engagement in the Strategic Insights Team at Sky.
Her insights come from a keen visual awareness and observations on how social media, podcasting, videos, and other digital technologies can aid in corporate communications.
Tony Stewart uses his expertise in technology, communication, and collaboration to form digital employee engagement solutions for big brands around the world. From social media platforms to chatbots, he deeply understands both the medium and the message.
Before he freelanced with Scarlett Abbott in 2016, Tony worked on launching a digital workplace platform for a global media company. And he has demonstrated the application of digital communication in various sectors including financial and administrative services.
Andrea is a globally recognized expert in internal communications with 25 years of experience. Plus, she is the founder of Vision2Voice, an internal communications consultancy in Canada. She has led internal communications and business transformation projects at several large corporations.
As a certified change management professional, published author, and speaker, she helps companies improve employee communication by following a people-first approach.
Wrapping up: top 10 internal communication influencers to follow
Investing in internal communication is a must to differentiate yourself in today’s competitive landscape. But the right investment will require due diligence and awareness of what works and what doesn’t.
That’s where the above list of internal communication influencers can provide tremendous value. These are the people who were once in your shoes and know the challenges of being a communications leader inside and out.
These great minds bring unique and proven insights to the table based on their years of experience — insights that you can implement with confidence in your own company. So take advantage of their wealth of knowledge and connect with them on your favorite social platform today!
Team chat apps play a pivotal role in organizing, securing, and making workplace communications accessible.
Blink’s audience often includes remote, frontline, and hybrid teams that rely on dependable messaging to stay aligned.
For small and medium businesses, Blink suggests choosing a team chat app that's easy to use, well-organized, and available on all devices, particularly if the business doesn't have an IT team.
In this Blink guide to the best team chat apps, we review eight leading options for hybrid teams and affordable choices for startups and SMBs. We evaluate each team chat platform based on ease of setup, support levels, and total cost.
If your business is a remote startup, operates a small office, or needs to keep hybrid employees connected, this Blink overview will help you choose a team chat app that fits your needs.
Why team chat apps matter for SMBs and agile teams
Team chat apps play a pivotal role in organizing, securing, and making workplace communications accessible.
Blink’s audience often includes remote, frontline, and hybrid teams that rely on dependable messaging to stay aligned.
For small and medium businesses, Blink suggests choosing a team chat app that's easy to use, well-organized, and available on all devices, particularly if the business doesn't have an IT team.
In this Blink guide to the best team chat apps, we review eight leading options for hybrid teams and affordable choices for startups and SMBs. We evaluate each team chat platform based on ease of setup, support levels, and total cost.
If your business is a remote startup, operates a small office, or needs to keep hybrid employees connected, this Blink overview will help you choose a team chat app that fits your needs.
Highlights
The best team chat apps organize, secure, and make workplace communications accessible in frontline, remote, hybrid, and work environments.
Top chat apps for 2025 include Blink,Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zulip, Discord, WhatsApp, Google Chat, and Element, each designed for different business needs, from affordable team chat apps for startups and SMBs to work chat platforms that are easy to set up without IT support.
Key team chat app features to consider include instant text or group messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing/storage, chat history and search, workflow automation, analytics, and insights, language and accessibility support, and security.
To find the best team chat apps for a small business and easy team chat apps for hybrid teams without IT support, test a free trial period, and assess how it improves your team’s connectivity and productivity.
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What is a team chat app?
A team chat app is a digital platform that enables quick, real-time communication between employees across locations and departments. These apps are essential for maintaining coordination, sharing updates, and ensuring accountability, especially in remote, hybrid, and frontline work environments.
Blink, a leading employee communication platform, defines team chat apps as:
“Tools that combine instant messaging, collaboration, and productivity features into a single accessible workspace. Allowing teams to connect without the delays of email or the complexity of multiple disconnected systems.”
Choosing the right team chat app for your business depends on how your team communicates, your company size, the tools you already use, and the level of IT support available.
For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Blink offers an all-in-one solution that simplifies communication, integrates with existing workflows, and keeps teams connected wherever they work.
How to choose the best team chat app
Most team chat apps focus on real-time communication, collaboration, and organization, along with a host of extras, some you'll need, others you won't.
But some features are crucial for every business, such as:
1. Real-time messaging
One-to-one and group chats so team members can communicate
Typing indicators, read receipts, and message reactions to increase engagement
Threaded and channel conversations for organized discussions
2. File sharing and storage
Uploading and sharing documents, images, videos, or links in chat is essential
Preview and version control for shared files and tracking updates
3. Channels and topics
Public channels for open chat and private channels for specific teams or projects
Topic-or hashtag-based organization for easy navigation and search
4. Voice and video calls
One-click voice or video calls for meetings or quick check-ins
Screen sharing and virtual whiteboards
5. Notifications and mentions
Customizable alerts for separating communications
@Mentions and tagging to alert people and groups
6. Integrations
Integration with tools like Google Drive, Trello, Asana, Slack, Zoom, and GitHub
Automation to handle repetitive tasks like reminders and updates
7. Search and history
Full-text search for files, messages, and channels
Search filters for searching by user, date, or keyword
8. User management
Admin roles, moderation controls, and security access levels for protecting sensitive data
Team invite, guest access, and user status alerts (online/offline/away)
9. Cross-platform availability
Desktop, web, and mobile apps to ensure accessibility everywhere
Synchronization across devices so users can seamlessly continue conversations.left off
Startups and SMBs often need affordable team chat apps that are easy to set up without IT support.
Blink, an off-the-shelf, all-in-one solution, is designed with simplicity in mind, making it a perfect fit for mobile-first or frontline teams. It's customizable to fit your team perfectly, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience.
Described as an "employee experience platform" that combines chat, news feeds, and workplace tools into one app. Blink enables direct and group messaging, file sharing, and voice or video calls, without a complex setup.
Blink’s interface is intuitive and built for teams that “aren’t particularly tech-savvy.” Perfect for easy team chat apps for hybrid teams without IT support
Best suited for:
Startups and SMBs that want an affordable chat tool that does more than messaging, like polls, shift management, and document sharing
Small businesses seeking a lightweight internal hub (chat + company news) instead of an entire enterprise stack
Described as "where work happens," Slack is the most used app in the workplace (Source: Mio). It combines chat, channels, integrations, and file sharing into one streamlined workspace.
Slack serves a wide range of businesses, from small startups to global organizations, and offers thousands of third-party integrations, smooth onboarding, and real-time communication features.
Best suited for:
Hybrid and remote teams that need synchronous and asynchronous collaboration
Startups and SMBs that want a flexible, easy-to-adopt chat platform
Teams that rely on integrations and automation
Slack pros:
The free tier provides what many startups need, keeping costs low during those expensive first few years
According to Social Intents, Slack works best for small, flexible teams because it prioritizes chat
Slack integrates with over 2,600 apps, including Google Drive, Notion, Asana, and Zoom
Slack cons:
Without guidance, channels can become noisy and unstructured, something Wired notes as a common growing pain.
Pricing can surge when you add users or need advanced features such as security and compliance controls
Teams already using Microsoft 365 may find Slack less seamless in comparison
Slack pricing: Free tier available. The Pro plan is $7.25 per user/month (billed annually).
Microsoft Teams gives you file sharing, video meetings, chat, and collaboration under one roof, fully integrated with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Microsoft built Teams for hybrid work, combining chat and productivity tools into a single, secure space.
Best suited for:
Teams that need chat, meetings, and document collaboration in one platform
Businesses with compliance or governance requirements
Organizations already using Microsoft 365 or Office
Small businesses that want scalability built in
Microsoft Teams pros:
Microsoft positions Teams to "empower employees to meet, chat, call, and collaborate from anywhere"
Sharing files and working together on documents is easy because it works well with OneDrive and SharePoint
Microsoft`s Teams Essentials plan was designed for small businesses
Microsoft Teams cons:
Setup is more complex than other chat tools, especially if you're not already in the Microsoft ecosystem
If you're not a Microsoft user, licensing and configuration can be frustrating
For some startups, the complete feature set might be overkill
Microsoft Teams pricing: TheEssentials plan is $4 per user/month (annual). Microsoft 365 Business Basic is $6 per user/month (annual). Microsoft 365 Business Standard is $12.50 per user/month (annual).
Created for gaming, Discord has evolved into a powerful communication tool for creative and hybrid business teams by combining text channels, voice chat, video calls, and community-style engagement on a single platform.
Best suited for:
Budget-conscious organizations that need robust features at low or no cost
Startups and creative teams that love informal, real-time collaboration
An easy team chat app for hybrid teams without IT support
Hybrid teams that frequently use voice and video
Team chat apps for small businesses
Discord pros:
Zapier said its flexibility and community-style setup make it appealing for small, fast-moving teams
Discord offers always-on voice channels, thread-based chat, and strong media sharing
Its free tier is generous and can handle most small business communication needs
Discord cons:
Employee engagement platform, HubEngage said, "Discord lacks the enterprise-grade governance and compliance features in tools like Teams or Slack"
Productivity tool integrations are improving, but they're not as good as those in popular work chat apps
The platform's laid-back vibe and game-like design might not suit every workplace
Besides the 2 billion WhatsApp users, many small businesses also use WhatsApp Business for staff chats, GPS location, file sharing, and quick customer interactions.
Best suited for:
Businesses that need to combine internal chat with customer communication
Small teams or micro-businesses with minimal onboarding needs
Teams that rely on mobile messaging for quick coordination
WhatsApp pros:
WhatsApp Business offers quick replies, automated greetings, and product catalogs
Setup is pretty easy: verify your phone number, and start messaging! 🥳
Most of us know the interface, so adoption's a breeze
WhatsApp cons:
AI-powered customer service provider, Cuedesk, advises that using WhatsApp for internal business chat could lead to problems with data control
Google Chat is a perfect match for Google Workspace users, as it integrates with Gmail, Drive, and Docs, making it easy for Google users to chat and collaborate.
Best suited for:
Small businesses that need minimal IT setup or training
Teams already using Google Workspace
Google Chat pros:
Google says Chat is a secure, integrated way to “collaborate in the flow of work”
You can organize topics, assign tasks, and share files in one place
Easy setup for businesses already using Gmail and Drive
Google Chat cons:
Fewer features than Slack or Teams in terms of integrations and automation
Anyone outside the Google ecosystem may find limited value in using it
Google Chat pricing:Business Starter is $7/user/month (annual),Business Standard is $14/user/month (annual), Business Plus is$22/user/month (annual)
Element built its open-source, enterprise-grade chat platform on the Matrix protocol.
It's secure, private, and supports self-hosting, making it unique among popular chat apps.
Element suits:
Businesses with the technical capability to manage setup and maintenance
Teams that require secure, end-to-end encrypted communication
Organizations that prioritize data control and self-hosting
Element pros:
Element's system is decentralized and shared, so no single server stores your data
You can self-host, use the cloud, or integrate Element into existing infrastructure
It's both mobile-friendly and compliant with strict security standards
Offers full end-to-end encryption (E2EE)
Element cons:
Self-hosting or advanced deployment may be too complex for teams without IT resources
For quick, non-technical adoption, it's less plug-and-play than tools like Blink or WhatsApp
The integration ecosystem is smaller than mainstream options
Element pricing: $5–$10 per user/month, depending on the hosting plan.
Quick recap of our best team chat apps
Blink and WhatsApp are budget-friendly team chat apps for startups and SMBs with mobile-first teams that want simplicity and affordability
Slack offers the best mix of ease, integrations, and scalability for growing SMBs
Microsoft Teams delivers collaboration for businesses already using Microsoft 365
Zulip and Element provide teams with security, privacy, and self-hosting options
Discord shines as a platform for creative, hybrid teams that value flexibility and real-time communication
Google Chat is ideal for Google Workspace users who prefer work chat platforms that are easy to set up without IT support
Which team chat app should you choose?
When choosing a team chat app, test a free plan or trial period while assessing your team’s connectivity, sense of community, and productivity.
If you need additional functionality, consider a paid plan, as saving a few dollars on a free option is rarely worth the loss of your team’s time and efficiency.
The best team chat app connects, focuses, and engages your workforce, avoiding unnecessary technical complexity or friction.
Blink meets 95% of workforces where they are by providing fast, innovative solutions to modern-day communication requirements.
