Restaurant employee onboarding software: How to get new hires up to speed faster

MangoApps is a well-known name in the internal communication and collaboration space, offering an all-in-one platform for employee intranets, communication, and task management. But for many organizations—especially those with deskless or distributed teams—it’s not always the best fit. Whether you're looking for a more intuitive interface, stronger mobile capabilities, or better support for real-time communication, you're not alone in your search.

In this guide, we break down the top 12 MangoApps alternatives to consider in 2025, based on usability, features, employee engagement, and scalability.

What to look for in a MangoApps alternative

Before diving into the list, here are the key factors to consider when evaluating alternatives:

• Mobile-first experience: If your workforce includes frontline or non-desk employees, you’ll need a platform that works seamlessly on mobile devices.
• Ease of use: Platforms with clean interfaces and intuitive navigation drive higher adoption across all levels of the organization.
• Real-time communication: Look for tools that enable instant updates, alerts, and chat, not just static content.‍
• Integration flexibility: Your platform should connect easily with tools like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Workday, and HRIS systems.
  
• Employee engagement tools: Polls, surveys, recognition features, and content targeting help drive connection and culture.
  
• Scalability and support: Whether you’re a company of 500 or 50,000, ensure the platform can scale with you—and that help is readily available.
  

Here are the best alternatives to MangoApps in 2025

#1. Blink – The all-in-one employee experience app

Best for: Enterprise organizations that want to streamline communication, drive engagement, and boost productivity.

Blink stands out as the most powerful MangoApps alternative — especially for organizations looking for a modern, mobile-first platform that actually gets used. Unlike traditional intranet tools that sit in the background, Blink puts everything your employees need into one intuitive app: communications, schedules, forms, HR systems, and more. With real-time chat, content targeting, newsfeeds, surveys, and recognition features, Blink doesn’t just inform employees — it activates them.

The platform is designed for engagement, boasting adoption rates of over 80% across industries like retail, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. It also integrates effortlessly with tools like Microsoft 365, Workday, UKG, and ADP, making it a true hub for the digital employee experience. Plus, Blink’s admin tools give Internal Comms, HR, and IT full control over what content is delivered to whom — so you’re always reaching the right people with the right message.

For companies tired of legacy platforms that don’t connect with modern workforces, Blink is a clear upgrade.

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#2. Staffbase

Best for: Large enterprises that want to build branded employee apps.

Staffbase specializes in custom-branded employee communication apps, with a strong focus on top-down messaging and internal news delivery. It’s a good fit for enterprises with a strong emphasis on company-wide updates, although some users find its collaboration features limited compared to more integrated platforms.

#3. Unily

Best for: Enterprises seeking a polished intranet with strong SharePoint integration.

Unily delivers a sleek and customizable intranet experience, particularly suited to companies already using Microsoft tools. It shines in content publishing and brand personalization, but may require a significant implementation timeline and budget.

#4. Simpplr

Best for: Companies looking for an intranet focused on content discovery and employee engagement.

Simpplr offers a modern, AI-powered intranet designed to help employees find the information and people they need quickly. Its strengths lie in personalization, integrations, and employee feedback tools, though smaller teams might find it more than they need.

#5. Haiilo

Best for: Social-first communication and employee advocacy.

Haiilo blends internal communication with social sharing, making it a great option for organizations that want to empower employees to become brand ambassadors. It supports news distribution, surveys, and analytics, but collaboration tools are more limited.

#6. LumApps

Best for: Organizations embedded in the Google Workspace ecosystem.

LumApps integrates deeply with Google tools and offers features like personalized news feeds, social communities, and knowledge management. It’s well-suited for content-heavy communication but may not be ideal for frontline teams.

#7. Jive

Best for: Enterprises looking for a community-driven intranet.

Jive is a mature platform known for its collaboration and knowledge-sharing capabilities. It supports employee communities and forums but may feel outdated compared to newer, more agile platforms.

#8. Igloo Software

Best for: Mid-size businesses seeking a flexible digital workplace solution.

Igloo offers pre-built templates, collaboration tools, and strong document management. It’s a solid choice for knowledge workers but lacks the modern mobile experience many organizations now require.

#9. Workvivo

Best for: Organizations prioritizing culture, recognition, and employee social engagement.

Workvivo turns your intranet into a social space where employees feel more connected to their company. Its strength lies in fostering real-time interaction and transparency. Many teams choose it to reinforce culture and encourage engagement beyond standard top-down messaging. It’s engaging and user-friendly, though companies may need to pair it with additional tools for workflows, operations, or integrations.

#10. Happeo

Best for: Google Workspace-centric companies wanting a fast, social intranet.

Happeo blends social features with knowledge sharing and is known for its fast deployment and Google integration. It’s ideal for remote or hybrid teams who need an intranet without the complexity.

#11. Speakap

Best for: Deskless workforce communication, especially in retail and hospitality.

Speakap is built for frontline teams and focuses on secure, real-time updates. It’s easy to use and offers role-based content delivery, though it lacks the depth of features found in all-in-one platforms like Blink.

#12. Interact Software

Best for: Enterprises wanting a structured, content-rich intranet.

Interact offers strong content management, personalization, and search capabilities. It’s geared toward knowledge sharing and compliance-driven industries but may not offer as fluid a mobile experience.

Final thoughts on choosing a MangoApps alternative

If you're searching for a MangoApps alternative that delivers better engagement, faster communication, and a user experience your employees will love, Blink should be at the top of your list. While other platforms have their strengths, Blink combines everything you need — mobile access, real-time updates, integrations, and workforce-wide engagement — into a single platform that scales with your business.

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Why teams choose Blink over MangoApps

MangoApps bundles a lot of tools into one platform, which can mean more complexity to roll out and adopt across a frontline workforce. Blink keeps it simple and mobile-first — no corporate email required — and is used daily by teams at McDonald's, Domino's, and Chick-fil-A. See how Blink compares.

What makes him awesome?

Fernando has been with Holcim since October 2022. Until earlier this year, Fernando's position was a RMX driver at the Bannock location in Denver. The summer of 2024 proved a challenge for staffing levels, and Fernando stepped in across a multitude of environments to keep the business marching forward. Fernando was task-trained, cross-trained, and utilized as an instrumental resource for operating skid steers, front end loaders, water trucks, shovels, and concrete batch plants across the Denver metro.  

Plant managers as well as plant operators have welcomed Fernando’s support from operations in Aurora, Castle Rock, Centennial, Denver, Franktown, and Littleton, comprising seven ready-mix plants and both central and dry batch facilities. While every site was different, it was Fernando's attitude and willingness to learn that strengthened our teams’ ability to have a successful year in concrete production. We thank Fernando for being such a valuable member of the Denver RMX business.

How has Blink helped in his role?

Were it not for the Blink platform, I’m not sure Fernando would have the same level of peer recognition that Blink offers. In order to appreciate the opportunities within our business, sometimes allowing others to understand what is available is as simple as sharing a story of success!

What does he want to do next?

Fernando has recently transitioned from a driver to a plant operator at the Bannock RMX plant, and continues to develop his production skills to sharpen our business’s performance within a very competitive market. I look forward to seeing his continued growth within the organization.

Nominated by: Michael Galbraith, Operations Manager

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Up to speed with internal communication theory — but struggling to apply it IRL?

Well, the following is just for you. We’ve put together some inspiring internal communication examples from the companies getting comms right.

As you’ll see in a sec, implementing internal communication best practices doesn’t have to cost a fortune — or take up a massive chunk of your time.

A shift in mindset, a new way of delivering messages, a leader who starts showing up on comms channels — this can be all it takes to make your internal communications more relatable, memorable, and engaging. And to see significant business results.

We know that good internal communication benefits employee engagement, productivity, and retention. So what are we waiting for?

Take a look at these 11 employee communication examples to reinvigorate your own comms strategy.

What are some real-world internal communication examples?

#1. Amazon

A couple of years back, Amazon’s Culture and Communications Lead shared some valuable insights into the company’s internal communication strategy.

• Employee communications have to be “snackable” because half your audience stops reading after 111 words.
• Messages should follow the BLOT format (bottom line on top), and lead with the most important point.
• Images and videos are engaging — and they convey a lot of information in a matter of seconds — ideal for the 65% of people who are visual learners.

By taking this approach to internal communication, employees are never overwhelmed by content. So they’re more likely to see, understand, and reply to the information that comes their way.

The takeaway from this employee communication example?

Long-winded emails and PDFs are out. Short, snackable content is in. For digitally-savvy employees, communicating over succinct, social media-style messages is the best way to grab attention — and get messages to sink in.

So consider the formats you’re currently using to communicate with employees. Is there a way to break down longer messages into bite-sized chunks? Can you get your message across more succinctly using visuals?

On Blink’s internal comms platform, creating and posting social media-style content is easy. You can share images, infographics, short-form video stories, and interactive polls to engage your audience in seconds.  

#2. Go North West

Go North West, a UK bus company, was trying to communicate with its drivers over email, paper memos, and even snail mail sent to employees’ home addresses.

The team wanted to take comms digital. But they knew that a desktop-based solution would never work for its largely frontline workforce.

The answer? Blink’s mobile-first employee app.

The app provided a range of effective and engaging comms channels, including a news feed and real-time messaging. Drivers could read critical updates, log safety issues, and chat with co-workers via their smartphones.

In addition, integrations with existing workplace software meant employees could log into the app to access L&D, shift swap tools, and workplace benefits.  

This approach dramatically improved message response rates and — because it supported a more cohesive company culture — it led to a 26% drop in employee turnover.

The takeaway from this internal communication example?

This internal communication example shows the importance of having the right communication channels.

So think about your workforce. Where do they spend most of their time? Are the communication channels you currently use an effective and engaging way to reach them?

For frontline teams, an employee communication app reaches staff where they are — on the go and on their smartphones. It gives employees everything they need to stay connected, informed, and empowered.

#3. Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines cares deeply about employee experience — and recognition is one of its strongest internal communication pillars.

The company has a program called SWAG (Southwest Airlines Gratitude). Via this program, the company celebrates employee milestones (personal and professional). It also allows employees to recognize the hard work of co-workers.

Staff have communication channels that allow them to send a note of gratitude or nominate a peer for an award. Workers then accrue SWAG points, which they can spend on merchandise, gift cards, and experiences.

By putting employee recognition front and center on communication channels, Southwest Airlines ensures appreciation isn’t an afterthought. Instead, it’s part of everyday company culture.

The takeaway from this employee communication example?

You can make your communication channels a hub for company culture and co-worker connection by encouraging peer-to-peer recognition.

Let employees create their own recognition posts on your news feed. And encourage engagement on manager-led recognition. When a manager publicly celebrates an employee, allow co-workers to comment or share related stories, amplifying the message in the process.

#4. Children’s of Alabama

At Children’s of Alabama pediatric hospital, employees were looking for ways to connect socially. Without an official comms platform, they’d turned to unapproved channels — like Facebook and WhatsApp. This created security risks for the hospital and a fragmented experience for employees.

The leadership team spotted this issue and set about fixing it with a mobile-first comms platform that everyone could access.

They now use this online space to share critical campaigns — information about flu shot season and employee benefits. But they also give employees space for informal chat and community.

Started as a joke, the hospital’s “Soup Watch” community has become a must-check feed. The food services team posts daily about the cafeteria cuisine on offer.  

There’s also a “Golden Girls” group, dedicated to the hospital’s two golden retriever therapy dogs — Wanda and Sydney (who post under their own aliases).

The takeaway from this employee communication example?

The best employee communications aren’t just top-down messages from leadership. As this internal communication example shows, employees are craving informal co-worker connection.

In remote, hybrid, and frontline teams — where face-to-face communication isn’t always possible — they need the right digital tools. They also need space within those tools where community-building content is encouraged.

By helping employees to build friendships at work — and experience a sense of belonging — you can improve collaboration, employee satisfaction, and loyalty to your organization.

#5. Zappos

Zappos, a US-based shoe retailer, takes a culture-focused approach to business. One of its core values is “build open and honest relationships with communication.”

So how do they live this value in the workplace?

The company believes in sharing information openly. They communicate with employees about the company’s performance, current goals, and challenges, too.

Everyone (from leadership down) is encouraged to be humble — open to feedback and willing to admit mistakes. This helps to create a supportive environment where learning and sharing information are the norm.

The takeaway from this internal communication example?

Open communication boosts employee happiness, productivity, and engagement. If you want to weave this value through your internal communications, here are some ideas:

• Share company updates as transparently as possible
• Maintain an open-door policy so employees can come to managers with ideas, questions, and concerns
• Develop a culture of psychological safety where people feel comfortable speaking up
• Make two-way communication the norm — give employees a voice using surveys, chat tools, and an interactive news feed

#6. Microsoft

Since stepping into the role of Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella has run monthly town halls. The aim? To discuss company strategy, culture, and leadership with employees.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these town halls were taken online. The program developed into a fully virtual, two-way communication channel between employees and senior leadership.

Today, these events are still a chance for leaders to share important news. But also an opportunity for employees to ask questions and get an instant response.

Leaders respond candidly. They don’t just follow a script. So employees see a more human, relatable side to the C-suite, while getting clarity on the issues they care about, too.

The takeaway from this internal communication example?

We know that leadership visibility improves workplace trust. So finding ways to connect your C-suite and the workforce is really important.

Microsoft shows us a great way of doing it. Live events. Some pre-vetted questions, some live. Leaders showing up as their real, unscripted selves.

Our top tip? Ensure your town hall meetings are accessible to everyone.

Virtual events allow remote workers to take part. And a recording of your event posted to internal comms channels gives frontline workers (whose shifts don’t always align with a town hall) a chance to catch up on company news.

Blink’s live streaming and events features are great for getting this kind of program off the ground.

#7. Marlowe Fire & Security

At Marlowe Fire & Security, a leading provider of fire safety solutions in the UK, the HR team was struggling with employee engagement surveys.

Their email reminders were being ignored, participation rates were low, and managers were struggling to act on the insights the surveys revealed.

So they turned to their internal comms infrastructure to fix the problem:

• They used survey features on the comms platform their employees already knew and trusted
• They customized survey content to employment group
• They automatically notified and nudged employees to complete the survey via their smartphones
• They shared their post-feedback action plan over internal comms channels

The result was a 92.5% survey participation rate, way beyond anything they’d ever experienced before. They learnt about employee experience issues that they hadn’t considered. And they’re now driving meaningful workplace change.

The takeaway from this internal communication example?

This example of internal communication shows that, when employees feel heard — and when your communication channels make it easy to speak up — employee experience improves drastically.

If your employee surveys feel like a box-ticking exercise, ask yourself:

• How are you notifying people?
• Is the survey easy to access on the devices employees actually use?
• Are you segmenting audiences or sending one-size-fits-all questionnaires?
• Are you telling employees what you plan to do in response to their feedback?

Once these basics are in place, don’t wait for an annual survey. Use quarterly surveys and quick-fire polls embedded in your internal comms channels to get a real-time read on employee sentiment.

#8. Starbucks

“Employees are the true ambassadors of our brand, the real merchants of romance and theatre, and as such the primary catalysts for delighting customers.” — Howard Schultz, former Starbucks CEO

For years now, Starbucks has invested in the idea of employees as brand ambassadors. They recognize the link between employee experience and customer experience.

That’s why Starbucks puts serious effort into supporting its people — with comprehensive health benefits, wellbeing programs, education support, and a values-driven employee culture.

These values actually stick because Starbucks excels at sharing this information with its workforce. Employees see that they’re valued by the organization, understand what the brand stands for, and have simple, repeatable guidelines for delivering great customer service.

The takeaway from this employee communication example?

Getting everyone on the same page isn’t something you do once — it’s something you reinforce continuously.  

Like Starbucks, you can do this through repetition. Make sure that your company culture and values are clearly and regularly defined across internal communication channels.

And let employees self-serve, too. House onboarding materials, manuals, policies, and FAQs in a content hub to ensure essential information is always within easy reach.

#9. BT Group

BT Group wanted to change the behavior of employees around security. They wanted to direct employee attention toward what, for many, was a boring topic without being patronising or singling anybody out.

The company worked with an agency called Goldbug to develop a campaign.

The result was a humorous and light-hearted spin on a serious subject, featuring a comedy character, witty dialogue, and (of course) key security guidance.

The campaign successfully grabbed audience attention and landed its message. In response, there was a 41% increase in employees upgrading their digital security and a much better awareness of phishing.

The takeaway from this employee communication example?

You don’t need to work with a big comms agency to take inspiration from this internal communication example. You just need to look at your internal comms tone of voice.

Corporate-speak is the norm in many organizations. But as BT Group has shown, it doesn’t always spark the interest of your audience.

So make your written comms more conversational. Ditch the jargon. Where appropriate, try a little light humor. Aim for empathetic, authentic, relatable messages. You may find employees remember and take action on your messages more reliably as a result.

#10. COMO Hotels and Resorts

COMO is a luxury hospitality group with 18 hotels and wellness retreats across the world.

Previously, their internal communication was very top-down. It relied on manager cascades, noticeboards, and emails. And there was very little way for employees to interact with comms — or find information for themselves.

Since implementing Blink’s modern intranet, comms have been transformed. Employees can access the content hub for information, so managers spend less time responding to requests. Staff can fill out digital forms to request vacation leave.

They can also share guest requests to resolve issues more quickly, while using the platform’s chat features to connect informally and strengthen workplace relationships.

The takeaway from this internal communication example?

COMO shows us the difference that bottom-up and peer-to-peer communication make to an organization. Internal communications stop being a broadcast and start being a conversation.

A modern comms platform can help you make this shift. By giving staff a centralized content hub and self-service tools, you reduce reliance on managers, improve operational efficiency, and improve employee engagement with communications.

You can also use your platform to amplify employee voices, so you understand what work looks like for them. This gives you the insight you need to make targeted improvements to employee experience.   

#11. Nationwide

The last internal communication example on our list comes from Nationwide. At this organization, focus groups showed that many staff were juggling care responsibilities alongside their jobs.

In response, the company created an employee-led network called the Working Carers Employee Network. Through this group, employee carers are now able to share their stories and support one another, combating feelings of isolation.

Nationwide has also launched a “Carer’s Passport”, which employees can fill out and use as a basis to talk about their caring challenges with managers. This supports honest, structured conversations that give managers the insight they need to properly support employees.

Finally, the company offers a range of carer-friendly policies, all of which are clearly published on their intranet under easy-to-navigate sections. So relevant information is accessible to anyone, anytime.   

The takeaway from this internal communication example?

Nationwide shows that internal comms isn’t just about sending messages. It’s about creating the channels and structures employees need to understand company policies — and seek support when they need it.

With coworker communities, employees can build connections with people in similar situations to them. Across the news feed, they can see their experiences reflected in the stories your company tells. This helps to create the psychological safety employees need to comfortably talk about their challenges with managers.

With intentional, visible comms across a variety of channels, you emphasize the values and policies that make your company a great place to work.

What do companies with great internal communications have in common?

So what key points can we take from these internal communication examples? What do the best organizations have in common when it comes to their comms strategy? We can boil it down to a couple of key points.

Culture and recognition are embedded

The best organizations weave company values and recognition programs directly into their communication channels. This reinforces belonging and keeps employees aligned with the company mission.

Content is clear, concise, and engaging

The best internal comms content goes beyond traditional text-based messaging. Communicators break messages into short, snackable formats — like videos, infographics, and short social media-style posts. That way, employees can quickly understand and act on the content they receive.

Channels are designed for the audience

Great internal communications meet employees where they are. Outdated tools like noticeboards, emails, and printed memos are out. Mobile apps, dynamic news feeds, and company-approved messaging tools are in. These channels connect employees no matter when and where they work.

Leadership visibility

These companies show that leaders don’t have to be distant or scripted. They can share company updates transparently, participate in town halls or live Q&As, and show employees the human side of the C-suite. This builds trust and credibility, both of which foster employee loyalty.

Accessible tools and support

Information, policies, and resources are easy to find. Employees can self-serve through centralized hubs and access all the workplace tools they need. That way, when comms point them in the direction of benefits or training or an upcoming event, employees can take action in just a couple of clicks. 

Communication moves in all directions

Effective internal communication isn’t just top-down. It flows from employees up to the C-suite, and peer-to-peer, too. Employees have ways to share feedback, raise questions, collaborate with co-workers, and contribute to the company conversation.

They take a data-led approach.

Organizations that excel in internal communications measure what works and what doesn’t. By analyzing engagement metrics, comms platform usage, and employee survey results, they can refine content, channels, and strategy to improve internal comms — and the overall employee experience.

How can business leaders use internal communication examples to drive their goals?

Looking at internal communication examples from companies like Amazon and Starbucks shows us what effective internal communication looks like in practice.

But what next? How do you take this inspiration and turn it into internal comms wins for your organization?

Start by taking stock of your internal comms landscape.

Ask employees what they think of your communications. If you’re already using a software solution, look at your analytics to understand which messages are getting through — and which are being ignored.

Also, consider your business objectives. Do you want to improve employee engagement? Customer experience? Or productivity? Perhaps you want to drive adoption of new policies. Or reinforce your culture.

These objectives will inform the internal comms tactics you focus on first.

And — if you decide you need a new internal communication platform to successfully adopt comms best practice — take a look at Blink.

Blink is a modern, mobile-first internal comms solution. With a news feed, chat, a content hub, employee communities, recognition, and deep integrations, it has everything you need to follow (and even improve on) the internal communication examples above.

Team building activities get a bad rap. While the intention behind such exercises is to break the ice, they are often seen as embarrassing and awkward.

Leaders are so enthusiastic when conducting these games that they don’t even notice workers looking for the nearest exit.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t conduct team-building exercises. Building collaboration skills in your team is essential, and team-building games can really help you achieve that.

The problem usually lies with the team-building activities managers pick. A quick search for team-building ideas will show you that the web is filled with hundreds of them. But many are unfeasible, difficult, or uncomfortable for workers. They look good on paper but you can’t really implement them in an actual workplace.  

So in this post, we are going to solve this problem. Instead of giving you a huge directory of endless activities, we’ve handpicked a few team-building activities that are easy, effective, and enjoyable.

Types of team building activities

Some team-building ideas are more suited for your company than others. Your choices will depend on several factors, such as team size and function.

But you also need to consider where you’re going to conduct the team-building exercises and how the location impacts the mindset of your team members. Based on the location of the team-building games, they can be split into three main categories. 

Indoor team building activities

Indoor games take place in the office or another work location. And you’ll likely conduct them during regular work hours. For this reason, indoor activities have a serious, formal overall vibe. If your whole team works from a single location, then choosing indoor team-building exercises is your best bet. 

Outdoor team building activities

At a team retreat, you need team-building games that can be played outdoors. Plus, the overall mood is more relaxed and casual than indoor exercises. So the team-building activities you pick should be more fun and energetic.

Virtual/online team building activities

More and more people are working remotely, and many teams are spread out in different locations these days. If that applies to your team too, you need remote team-building activities that can be conducted via web conferencing.

The good news is we’ve covered all the three types in the list below. In fact, some of our team-building ideas belong to multiple categories. For example, you’ll also find exercises that can be run indoors as well as online.

For each team-building activity, we’ve also mentioned its best-suited environments. So without further ado, let’s jump in.  

Quick and easy team building activities

Campfire stories

• Suitable environments: indoor, online, outdoor
• Number of team members: 5-25
• Objective: Foster informal communication by encouraging team members to share and identify common experiences

This is one of the evergreen team-building activities. It improves team bonding via inspired storytelling. Team members gather in a circle, as people do in a fireside chat when camping. They share workplace experiences, get to know each other better, and refresh memories.

What makes it great: Storytelling is a time-tested way to pass information informally and shape communities. So a storytelling session with work-related stories can get your team members to loosen up, learn some useful lessons, and feel closer to one another. You can also confine the stories to train people around a certain theme.

How it works: Come up with a list of words that can trigger your employees’ memories and remind them of a previous experience. For example, these could be “demo day,” "on-site trip," "side project,” and so on.

Find a way to display all the words to your team members. If you are conducting the activity indoors, for example, you can use a whiteboard.

Have team members take turns to pick a trigger word and share an experience related to it. Once a trigger word has been taken by a participant, move it to a separate area so it can’t be repeated.

You can also ask workers to share more trigger words that come to mind after they have heard a story. So you won’t run out of ideas for stories.

Blind draw

• Suitable environments: indoor, outdoor
• Number of team members: 10-25
• Objective: Improve delegation skills, communication, and teamwork among participants

This team-building exercise involves drawing an object with just spoken instructions. You can use this team-building exercise as a fun, light activity between two intense sessions.

What makes it great: It looks simple on the surface. But to win this team-building game, team members will have to get many things right. For example, they’ll have to pick the right person to draw, and to give instructions. Plus, they’ll need to communicate well. So the activity teaches them both delegation and collaboration. 

How it works: Gather some everyday objects, signs, or shapes. You can print them on sheets of paper, or search for photos on a free stock photography website.

Divide employees into teams of five people. Have each team choose the “artist” who will draw the shape. Assign a different object to each team and give them a time limit of 3-5 minutes.

Each team will then guide the artist on drawing the object. But they can’t say the name of the object. While the artist is drawing, he couldn’t know what the object is, nor can his team know what he is drawing until he’s done. The team with the drawing most similar to their object wins.

You know who

• Suitable environments: indoor, online
• Number of participants: 10-50
• Objective: Introduce team members to one another and establish connections

In this team-building game, employees will map the connections between one another on a whiteboard. Teams can choose their “avatars”, and then draw arrows to map how they are connected to other workers. It’s a great way to break the ice when team members don’t know each other well.

What makes it great: This team-building activity lets you build a small, social-media-style network, but without the technology. It will not just help as a standalone activity, but also allow team members to keep mingling throughout the whole day or event.

How it works: Provide participants with index cards, markers, and tape. Each worker will then write their name, add their job title, and draw an "avatar" on their index card, like how there’s a profile photo on a social network.

Then gather all the index cards and stick them on a whiteboard, with plenty of space between every two cards. Participants will then draw arrows from their card to others who they already know in some capacity.

Plus, they’ll also mention how they know the person. For example, maybe they went to the same university or were part of the same team in the past.

Cross-functional jigsaw

• Suitable environments: indoor
• Number of team members: 10-20
• Objective: Build cross-functional collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills

This team-building activity divides a group of employees into two teams, both of which are asked to solve a jigsaw puzzle in the time limit specified.

But there’s a twist. Some of the pieces required by each team belong to the other team. So both the teams need to work together.

What makes it great: This is a great exercise in improvisation, problem-solving, and collaboration. When the teams start putting the pieces together, they don’t know about the catch. They are surprised by the realization that their success depends on working with the other team, and this lesson remains with them for a long time.

How it works: Simple! Take two puzzles. Replace some pieces in one puzzle with those of the other. Make two teams and give them the puzzles to solve. Ask them to keep communicating with each other while they’re on the task. But don’t tell them that you have interchanged some pieces. Let them figure it out on their own. Also, declare another rule that teams can exchange only one puzzle piece at a time.

Survival priorities

• Suitable environments: indoor, outdoor
• Number of team members: 5-30
• Objective: Inspire participants to solve problems together, demonstrate leadership, and practice negotiation.

Imagine your plane has crashed on an island in the middle of nowhere, and it’s burning. There are only a few minutes to salvage some items from the wreckage. What will you take and what will you leave? That’s what this team-building exercise is about.

What makes it great: This team-building game is great for giving your team a taste of a high-stress situation, and honing their ability to work together under pressure. Their success will depend on negotiating calmly, picking a leader, and planning the whole thing carefully.

How it works: Set up a space with several survival items such as various foods, water, knives, weapons, flares, tarp, matches, and so on. You don't even need to have the actual items. You can use their pictures too.

The quantity of each item should be limited so teams will be forced to trade and collaborate. Divide employees into two or more teams. And they have 30 minutes to rank what they need the most and get survival items from the space.

Coffee standup

• Suitable environments: indoor, online
• Number of team members: 2-8
• Objective: Build rapport and improve team communication

Countless professionals across the globe start their work with daily standup meetings and coffee. So there’s no reason you can’t combine the two. This team-building activity involves daily standups that can be conducted indoors or online. Participants talk about what’s on their to-do list for the day while enjoying a nice, hot beverage.

What makes it great: This team-building exercise is best-suited for remote teams in which workers don’t get to see their team members on a daily basis. Having a light chat while doing something casual can help build camaraderie, improve communication, and know what everyone’s doing.

How it works: Ask workers to grab a cup of coffee from the cafeteria, a coffee shop, or make one at home. Then all the employees in the team join a stand-up chat for 10-15 minutes. Each team member talks about what they intend to do, and if there’s anything they need help with.

Shark tank mania

• Suitable environments: indoor, online
• Number of team members: Up to 30, split into teams of five
• Objective: Encourage innovation, collaboration, and skills to sell your ideas

This activity is inspired by the popular TV series — Shark Tank. In this team-building game, participants create a product pitch for investors. The product and the investors both don’t need to be real. Your team will just create a mock version of the show.

What makes it great: Getting your team members to participate in their own version of Shark Tank goes a long way to instill entrepreneurship, innovation, and the ability to think big. Since there can be multiple cofounders and others behind a startup, this activity also promotes teamwork.

How it works: Divide employees into teams of 3-5 people, and ask each team to prepare their pitch for an imaginary product. The pitch could include product name, brand tagline, marketing plan, financial projections, and so on.

Choose some people to be the investors with an imaginary pool of money. You can also give them fake backgrounds. Every team will then present their pitch to these “Sharks.” The team that gets the most funding wins.

Over to you: team building activities to engage your workforce

Running an organization is not easy. It’s hard to get hundreds of workers on the same page, let alone get them to take collective action towards business goals.

Hard, but not impossible. With the right collaboration strategies and team-building activities, you can build an atmosphere of camaraderie and open communication at work. Plus, these exercises also teach your team valuable soft skills such as leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving.

They might take some time and effort to execute in the beginning, but the results will convince you to keep going. So start putting them into practice and reap the benefits of improved culture and collaboration at your workplace.

Also, the right technology can turbocharge your efforts to build a culture of open communication and collaboration. This is where Blink can help. Consider booking a free Blink demo today.

Connecting your team, whether they're remote, in-office, or frontline, requires seamless communication and engagement.

Team communication apps centralize your team chats, updates, engagement, and experience, unifying your workforce by enabling everyone to stay aligned, regardless of location.

Our list reviews the best internal communication tools for small businesses with under 500 employees and the best internal comms app for large enterprises. 

Telling you what each one does best, who it's for, and what you'll pay. 

Let's see what the 9 best team communication apps for 2026 offer and which one suits your business. 

How to choose the best team communication app 

Clear, real-time communication is mission-critical for every team, regardless of industry or organization size. The 2025 International Employee Communication Impact Study found that a whopping 61% of employees felt that communication at their organization had broken down to a point that they considered leaving. 

When poor communication affects employees, there’s a trickle-down effect that leads to missed deadlines, unhappy clients, and concerned stakeholders —  all of which impact your bottom line. 

So what’s the best solution? Team communication apps. 

These apps provide key functions and features to help your team — whether remote, in-office, or frontline — stay connected and in sync. Using team chat, video calls, file sharing, and other vital workflow integrations, team communication apps have everything you need to keep your team aligned.

Highlights

• The right team communication app aligns with how your team works, not the other way around. Prioritize tools that support your team’s size, location, and communication style (chat, video, file sharing, etc.).
• Top apps for 2026 include Blink, Connecteam, Troop Messenger, Slack, Staffbase, Flock, Sling, Workvivo, and Simpplr, each tailored for different business types — from small, mobile-first teams to large global enterprises.
• Key features to look for include real-time messaging, file sharing, video calls, admin tools, integrations (with HR, CRM, and project management software), mobile accessibility, and security compliance.
• To find the best fit, run a short pilot with real tasks, validate usability and adoption, and ensure the platform enhances collaboration, engagement, and company culture, especially in hybrid or remote work environments.

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Here's how you choose the best team communication app

The goal, as Blink emphasizes, is to choose a team communication app that fits your team's way of working, not the other way around.

First, let’s consider the following when choosing a new communication tool. 

1. Assess your team's needs

• Decide on your team's communication style: Is it instant messaging, video, or file sharing? 
• Consider your team's location (are they remote, hybrid, or on-site?) 
• Think about your team's size, growth plans, and any data-related rules you need to follow 

2. Lock in those core features

• Ensure your team can communicate using tools such as instant messaging, threads, calls, file sharing, and organized channels. Note: Only 26% of people use online chat tools to communicate with co-workers, while 17% use project management tools, and 9% use other tools, including Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp (source: Project.co).
• Confirm your tools' admin controls (user management, permissions, guest access) to ensure they align with your setup

3. Confirm integrations

• Prioritize project management, CRM, calendar, file storage, HR, and payroll to check that the app integrates seamlessly and doesn't fragment workflows

4. Check usability and adoption

• Look for reliable desktop and mobile apps with intuitive user integration, fast onboarding, and strong search/navigation/notification features. Because if your team doesn't (or can't) use the app, the features won't matter

5. Validate security and compliance

• If your business handles private information, confirm the app's encryption, user access controls, storage policies, and certifications

6. Model scale and total cost

• Plan at least 12–24 months ahead, considering licenses, storage, add-ons, mobile usage, training, and support/SLAs (like support responsiveness and uptime) to ensure pricing and user licensing scale smoothly

7. Fit your culture

• Choose a tool that aligns with how your brand works (consider updates and teamwork), and ensure it includes user rules for guests and sharing outside the company

Handy tip 

Try out your new team communication app with real tasks to see how well your team communicates and works together.

And if you're choosing team communication tools for SMBs, shortlist two options and run a two-week pilot following the advice above.

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The 9 best team communication apps

1. Blink
2. Connecteam
3. Troop Messenger
4. Slack
5. Staffbase
6. Flock
7. Sling
8. Workvivo
9. Simpplr

Quick comparison: Best team communication apps

Blink

Blink's mobile-first employee experience platform connects and engages every worker (especially frontline and deskless employees) through a single digital hub by unifying internal comms with video calling and chat, news feeds, recognition, digital forms, and analytics. 

Making it one of the best internal communication tools for small businesses with under 500 employees that rely on mobile staff.

Best suited for:

Startups, SMBs, and larger companies, with a significant number of non-desk employees (such as retail, manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, and field projects).

Blink pros:

• Combines chat, news feed, forms, recognition, and analytics in one app
• High engagement potential, Blink claims to reach 95% of the workforce
• Built for mobile/deskless workers, ensuring inclusion and access
• Enhances your team's alignment, recognition, and connection

Blink cons:

• Blink's strengths are communication and engagement, rather than scheduling or shift management
• Businesses with large frontline teams can find the per-user pricing setup expensive

Integrations:

• Blink works with single sign-on/identity providers (including Okta and Active Directory Federation Services)
• It integrates with HR systems like Workday, ServiceNow, and UKG 
• Blink connects to various cloud tools and knowledge bases

Blink key features:

• Analytics and insights on team engagement and content impact
• Recognition and employee contribution features (e.g., Kudos) 
• Records employee journeys to provide onboarding support
• Live streaming/events for broadcast-style communication
• Knowledge base for policies and procedures
• Mobile-first chat and secure messaging
• Digital forms and survey tools
• Social-style news feed

Blink pricing:

• Free: Blinks offers a 30-day free trial. 
• Business plan: $4.50/user/month (up to 1,000 users)
• Enterprise plan: Custom pricing for larger organizations

Connecteam

Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management app for mobile, deskless, and shift-based workforces. 

It combines scheduling, time tracking, task lists, forms, HR, and skills in one platform, and is ideal for frontline and remote teams that need more than chat.

Best suited for:

Businesses from startups to SMBs and mid-market with mixed desk and non-desk workers. Organizations in retail, hospitality, field services, and logistics will find the app especially useful when they need to upgrade their scheduling, tracking, and communication.

Connecteam pros:

• Combines scheduling, time tracking, communication, forms, and task management
• Free small business plan for up to 10 employees with full feature access
• Designed for non-desk and operational teams
• Includes HR and skills tracking tools

Connecteam cons:

• Some advanced features (like GPS tracking or automation) are only available in higher tiers
• Complex to set up and use because of its many features
• Pricing can increase as your business grows

Integrations:

• Connecteam’s Application Programming Interface (API) enables simple automation and syncing
• Company chat/communications connect with existing tools
• Handy time tracking, HR systems, and payroll features 

Connecteam key features:

• Mobile communication/chat and knowledge feed
• Shift management and scheduling
• Task and checklist management
• Onboarding and training tools
• HR and skills tracking module
• GPS tracking and time clock
• Forms and reporting

Connecteam pricing:

• Free plan: Up to 10 employees, then $0.50/user/month per user. 
• Basic: $29/month for up to 30 users (annual billing); additional users beyond 30 are $0.80/user/month
• Advanced: $49/month for 30 users (annual)
• Expert: $99/month for 30 users (annual)

Troop Messenger

Troop Messenger is a secure team collaboration and communication tool with chat, audio messaging, video chat, file sharing, and enterprise-grade options. Perfect for teams that want real-time messaging without the overhead of a large platform and that don’t need HR or scheduling modules.

Best suited for:

Small to medium teams (SMBs) that need real-time communication, chat, calls, and sharing, especially where cost matters, and complete workforce management modules aren`t essential.

Troop Messenger pros:

• Includes chat, audio/video, screen sharing, guest access, searchable history
• Scalable with enterprise-level options
• Affordable entry-level pricing

Troop Messenger cons:

• Limited integrations and fewer advanced operations/workflow modules than other, more expensive team communication apps
• Whilst giving you control over the settings, its on-premise/custom deployments can complicate the pricing

Integrations:

• APIs for enterprise or custom deployment to partners and external developers
• Dropbox, Google Drive, Jira, and Zapier

Troop Messenger key features:

• Identity and authentication management systems, LDAP/Active Directory, and SSO
• Collaboration tools: Including code editor, meeting notes, and tasks
• File/document sharing with searchable history
• One-to-one and group messaging

Troop Messenger pricing:

• Premium plan: From $2.50/user/month
• Enterprise plan: $5/user/month
• Superior plan: Up to $9/user/month

Slack 

A leading team communication platform with direct messaging (DMS), file sharing, fast integrations, and workflow automation, Slack is built for knowledge-based and distributed teams that rely on multiple apps.

Best suited for:

Medium to large outfits, especially knowledge workers and remote teams, depending on integrations, automation, and real-time collaboration.

Slack pros:

• Strong messaging, channels, automation, and search
• Free tier available for small teams
• Thousands of integrations

Slack cons:

• Overpowering for teams with simple communication needs
• For large companies, the per-user pricing adds up quickly 
• No optimization for frontline and non-desk workers

Integrations:

• Too many to mention, with integration available for thousands of apps, bots, custom integrations, workflow automations, and APIs

Slack key features:

• App integrations, including but not limited to HR, CRM, and DevOps
• Multi-platform support (web, desktop, mobile)
• Direct and public/private channel messaging
• File sharing and message search 
• Workflow automation and bots

Slack pricing:

• Free plan: Available
• Pro plan: $7.25/user/month (annual billing)
• Business+ plan: $15/user/month
• Enterprise+ plan: Custom pricing

Staffbase

Staffbase is a mobile-first internal communications platform for large, distributed teams, offering branded employee apps, targeted messaging, and analytics to reach the right people at the right time. A solid solution for large enterprises needing strategic internal comms at scale.

Best suited for:

Large companies with frontline/deskless workforces in multiple sites/countries that require a strategic internal comms platform with deep targeting and analytics.

Staffbase pros:

• Strong targeting and engagement analytics
• Made for mobile and deskless workers
• Scales well for large enterprises

Staffbase cons:

• Set-up and management require significant internal communication
• Custom pricing is high (see pricing below)  

Integrations:

• Analytics platforms, HR/CRM systems, and mobile app frameworks
• APIs for custom modules and branded experiences

Staffbase key features:

• Content management/feed/news stream 
• Multi-location and multi-language support
• Analytics/dashboards on engagement
• Branded employee mobile app/hub
• Targeted messaging/segmentation

Staffbase pricing:

Custom pricing depending on size and modules. An estimated starting cost is $30,000/year for 1,000 employees.

Flock

Teams looking for a budget-friendly, lightweight alternative to Slack will find their perfect fit in Flock. It's easy to use and offers most of the features you'd want in a team communication app. 

Best suited for:

Smaller teams and start-ups that need a comprehensive yet affordable team communication tool with task management and messaging that integrates with apps like GitHub and Google Drive.

Flock pros:

• Easy onboarding and a layman-friendly interface
• More affordable than its premium competitors
• Flock has a free starter tier

Flock cons:

• Has fewer integrations and advanced features than its pricier competitors
• It doesn't suit larger or complex organizations
• Caps some features in lower tiers

Integrations:

• Flock offers standard integrations with productivity tools, bots, video call apps, and task management systems

Flock key features:

• File sharing and search capabilities
• Task management/integrations
• Chat and direct messaging
• Video calls/meetings
• Channels/groups

Flock pricing:

• Free plan: Available for up to 20 users
• Pro plan: $6.00/user/month (annual)
• Enterprise plan: Comes with custom pricing 

Sling

Designed specifically for local hospitality businesses (think hotels and restaurants), Sling is a scheduling and shift-planning tool with built-in communication. 

Best suited for:

SMBs with hourly/shift workers who need scheduling and simple communication between team members.

Sling pros:

• Combines scheduling with announcements and chat for real-time updates
• The free tier has core scheduling and shift management features 
• Cost-effective for small businesses

Sling cons:

• Besides scheduling, the app has limited internal communication features
• Basic analytic options compared to more expensive team apps
• Large or complex operations may find it unscalable

Integrations:

• Basic chat/announcements module
• Payroll/time-clock systems

Sling key features:

• Time clock/attendance tracking
• Shift scheduling and planning
• Task and shift management
• Team chat/announcements
• Simple reporting

Sling pricing:

• Free plan: Up to 30 users
• Premium: $1.70/user/month (annual) or $2.00 monthly
• Business: $3.40/user/month (annual) or $4 monthly

Workvivo

Workvivo's employee experience platform (EXP) combines internal communications, recognition, engagement, analytics, intranet features, and a social-style feed into one platform, helping large organizations communicate, connect and engage with their employees.

Best suited for:

Mid-to large-sized organizations with distributed, hybrid, or multi-location teams that require a mobile-first platform that promotes culture, engagement, and unified communication.

Workvivo pros:

• Mobile-first helps remote employees stay connected, access information, and join company-wide conversations
• Fosters a sense of community to improve workplace culture
• User-friendly, intuitive, and engaging social-media interface 
• Ideal for distributed, hybrid, or multi-location teams
• Strong focus on community engagement 

Workvivo cons:

• Not a set-and-forget platform, it requires ongoing engagement and content management
• Small teams might find the implementation too complex
• Pricing doesn't work for most SMBs 

Integrations:

• Over 40 HR/engagement tools (like BambooHR, Workday, and Gusto) and analytic platforms
• Mobile-first employee hub with custom branding and workflows

Workvivo key features:

• Employee communications feed and social engagement
• Analytics and reporting on engagement
• Multi-location and multi-device support
• Mobile-first access (desk and frontline)
• Recognition and rewards

Workvivo pricing:

Custom pricing. Example benchmark: $20,000/year for 200+ employees.

Simpplr

Simpplr is an AI-powered employee experience and intranet platform (EXP) that combines multiple tools and analytics into a single solution to improve internal engagement, communication, and productivity. 

Best suited for:

Large organizations that use Microsoft Teams and need a digital workplace hub that combines a business's communication platform with chat, knowledge sharing, analytics, and personalization across a global workforce. 

Simpplr pros:

• Mobile app allowing employees to access their digital workplace anywhere and anytime
• Provides automated workflows and integrates with other workplace apps
• Supports personalization, content management, and knowledge sharing
• Advanced intranet and employee experience features
• Scalable for large organizations
• AI search feature

Simpplr cons:

• Requires ongoing management and content maintenance
• Too heavy for teams seeking simple chat
• Expensive custom-based pricing model

Integrations:

• Knowledge management systems (including SharePoint, Google Drive, Confluence, Dropbox, and Salesforce), content management, and analytic platforms
• AI-powered personalization and intranet modules

Simpplr key features:

• Knowledge management and content distribution, including social newsfeeds and newsletters
• AI-powered tools for communication and personalized content
• Content engagement analytics and insights
• Employee recognition and survey tools
• Mobile accessibility for employees
• Intranet and digital workplace hub

Simpplr pricing:

Custom quotes by size and complexity. Starts at $12/user/month for full EX functionality.

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Final thoughts: Choosing the right team communication app 

When choosing communication tools for small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, prioritize easy-to-use, mobile-friendly options. 

Choose a platform that reflects how your team works, not just what shines on a features page.

For a large company’s internal communications app, ensure it includes strong governance, audience targeting, data tracking, and deployment assistance. 

Start with a short pilot, measure adoption, grow from there, and remember:

Blink meets 95% of the workforce where they are and provides the solutions for the team communication problems they face today. So, if you’re ready to start communicating on a whole new level…

Blink. And start your free trial now.

Optimizing an intranet for marketing departments might not be on your mind, but your marketers can benefit from stronger connections with the rest of your corporation.

“Until recently, we communicated through email. This was to share patient information and… not much else. There was little in the way of engaging employees, celebrating achievements, or keeping in touch,”

said Christi Krizman, Director of Development and Training at Promises Behavioral Health. The company now has a 70% average engagement rate on Blink.

The health organization shares personal anecdotes and success stories and communicates with different branches and departments easily. 

Best of all, with a smart intranet, your marketing team members can use these interactions and stories as marketing collateral. 

The intranet for marketing means taking advantage of features other departments will be excited about — like your company social networking feed — and using them to ease your marketers’ workload.

Must-have features for your marketing intranet

Intranets have been associated with HR or IT for a long time. But these departments aren’t the only ones who benefit from a way to connect to the rest of your organization. 

With the right features, your marketing department can both source materials and share upcoming campaigns with ease.

You need to be able to share different media content on your intranet. And you want to be able to share the latest marketing strategies with frontline staff and receive pictures, videos, and feedback from them. It should be simple for everyone to publish their own content too.

An intranet with different permission settings will help make sure only certain teams or people have approval to see specific documents or market research. That makes it easier to share information confidently in the digital workplace.

The best intranet platforms for marketers should integrate with other apps like Slack or Microsoft 365, so your team can continue to use the tools they feel comfortable with.

Surveys will help marketing gain feedback from different departments without hassle. They can then check the built-in analytics to see how engaged employees are with the content they’re posting.  

5 ways to use your intranet for marketing

Now you know what features to look for in a marketing intranet, it’s time to go over how you can use those tools productively. 

1. Share marketing initiatives

Sometimes employees don’t know about new deals or offers unless they get notifications from management. An intranet keeps everyone on the same page. 

2. Create a sharable photo album

Make an album where staff can upload pictures or video clips that marketing can use. Having one place where a photo of a staff celebration can be quickly uploaded to the company intranet reduces the strain on all of your workers.

When it’s easier for people to share their content, they’re more likely to.

3. Collect social media content

Not only pictures but quotes, examples of good work by frontline workers, and even share job vacancies at specific locations. Social media is becoming less curated, and more authentic content is resonating with users.

Sharing digital marketing materials with actual workers instead of models can help you achieve that genuine feel.

4. Promote your company blog

Share posts that staff are likely to be interested in and learn from. 89% of marketers use blogs in their content strategies, but do your workers know about it? Don't just send them to your homepage — share case studies, white papers, and press releases they might care about.

5. Share marketing materials that others need

Have a folder or feed for current sales strategy and brand assets, so if an employee needs to reference them, they’ll always have easy access to the promotions. 

Get your marketing team on board

A social intranet is only as good as the contributions from its users.

You need to get your marketing department engaged with a new platform, or they won’t see the benefits from the workspace.

Multiple experts at the Content Marketing Institute expect video content to grow in 2022, but your department might not have the resources to create all of this content themselves.

By leaning into your company’s intranet software, your team can source photos, videos, success stories, milestones, and other materials from frontline workers and other departments as they create them.

Marketing will be able to access this information quickly — and in most cases, directly. 23% of marketers surveyed by HubSpot said just finding the ideas for new content was their biggest challenge for 2022.  

If your marketing team is able to improve internal communications with other branches, they can access new information and learn what’s trending in stores now.

They can also use employee-generated content as a springboard or incorporate it directly into new marketing efforts. 

The best way to have marketing get on board with an intranet is to have them try it out for free and see how they like it.

Final thoughts: marketing intranet — using an intranet to transform marketing

An intranet for marketing can streamline the entire department and lessen their workload.

Having your entire company help generate content yields a more authentic message that improves employee engagement and means less time spent hunting for a good photo or story. 

Communicating and defining the roles helps keep everyone on the same page. 

But make sure the intranet solution you choose has the features your organization needs for each department.

Your employees need to be able to access the intranet easily, and a mobile solution will help more workers connect and engage. 

Help cut down on the work your marketing department is facing with a fast, company-wide intranet like Blink today.