A Practical Software Directory for Solo Builders
by Angus McIlwraith
As organisations shift towards a digital-first approach, the need for individuals with strong business acumen, interpersonal skills, and leadership capabilities has never been greater. This book aims to equip IT professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to collaborate and communicate effectively in today's fast-paced digital landscape. Mastering Communication and Collaboration aims to find common ground between technical, and non-technical individuals to improve communication in all areas of the business. Packed with actionable strategies and easy-to-read tools, tips and techniques, this book will help you improve your skills and become a more effective communicator and collaborator. Whether you're an aspiring leader or an experienced professional, this book is a must-have in your library. Offers practical tools and techniques for better teamwork and communication. Shares ideas from various sources to help you handle and understand complex scenarios. Provides practical strategies and easy-to-follow tips. A clear and accessible read, for everyone from business analysts and enterprise architects, to project managers and technical specialists.
LEARN MORE →Staying connected and working together
Clear communication helps colleagues, clients and freelance partners understand what is happening, find the right information and move work forward.
Tools in this category will help you to...
Manage email, share files, review documents and explain work through screenshots or recordings. Some tools handle one part of the process; others combine messaging, meetings and shared documents. Choose according to what you need to exchange, who needs access and how often you work together. The Video Conferencing section below covers services for live meetings and screen sharing.
Choosing tools for communicating and working together →
Each listing carries a label showing the level of work behind it. Inclusion in the directory does not, by itself, mean we have tested or recommend a tool.
Use the descriptions to identify options worth exploring, then check the provider's current features, prices and terms against your own requirements.
Box gives colleagues, clients and freelance partners a shared place to work with documents and project files. Invite people to folders, share links and keep comments or review tasks alongside the relevant content. Box Notes supports shared notes, while integrations with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace connect files with familiar editing tools. A free Individual account provides 10 GB of storage with a 250 MB upload limit per file. Paid plans expand storage, file handling and administrative controls. Business Starter requires at least three paid users, so check both the collaboration features and minimum subscription cost for your team.
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EPIM brings existing email accounts into one Windows desktop application alongside calendars, tasks, notes and contacts. Use a unified inbox, conversation views, message rules and templates to organise correspondence, then turn emails into tasks or appointments when they require follow-up. Scheduled sending helps you prepare messages in advance. The free EPIM Mail edition includes unlimited email accounts and core email tools; it connects to your existing mailbox rather than providing email hosting. Paid EPIM Pro adds features such as automatic backups, broader synchronisation and in-app translation, with a 30-day trial available to explore the additional tools.
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Google Workspace brings email, meetings, messaging and collaborative documents into a connected set of business tools. Share files through Drive, work together in Docs, Sheets and Slides, and coordinate conversations through Meet and Chat. Paid Business plans include Gmail using your own domain, with storage and management features varying by plan and a 14-day trial available. Separately, free Essentials Starter provides collaboration tools and 15 GB of storage per person using an existing work email address, without Gmail hosting. Compare the edition you need, the number of users and whether you want a flexible subscription or an annual commitment.
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Infomaniak kSuite combines email, calendars, contacts, file storage, collaborative documents and online meetings in a suite developed and hosted in Switzerland. Share files through kDrive, work together on documents, spreadsheets and presentations, and use kMeet for video calls. Paid kSuite Pro plans add professional email using your own domain, team messaging through kChat and tools for managing users. A separate free personal offering includes an Infomaniak email address with 20 GB of email storage and 15 GB for files. Business subscriptions are priced per user, with email addresses, storage and additional features varying by plan.
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Snagit helps you explain work visually through screenshots, annotated images and short screen recordings. Capture a window or scrolling page, add arrows, text and numbered steps, then share the result as instructions, feedback or a troubleshooting guide. It is useful when showing a process or pointing out a change would be clearer than writing a long email. Screencast provides an option for sharing recordings by link and collecting feedback, subject to its own allowances. Snagit runs on Windows and macOS and requires an annual subscription for continued use, with a free evaluation trial available before purchasing.
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Start with the information you need to exchange. A shared document may be enough for reviewing written work. A screenshot can make feedback clearer, while a short recording can explain a process without arranging a meeting.
An email hosting service provides the mailbox, including addresses using your own domain where supported. An email application connects to existing mailboxes and helps you manage their messages. You may use both together, so check what a product actually provides before comparing prices.
Consider whether clients or freelance partners need an account, a paid seat or simply a link. Check who can view, comment on or edit shared material. Keep one agreed location for current files so feedback and changes do not become scattered across several copies.
Compare storage, attachment sizes, guest access and minimum user purchases. Distinguish an ongoing free edition from a temporary trial, and check whether the software you already use includes the features you need.
For live conversations, demonstrations and discussions involving several people, explore the Video Conferencing section below. Choose meetings where real-time discussion helps, alongside shared documents and recorded explanations that people can review when convenient.
Meet with colleagues, clients and freelance partners through live video and audio calls, with screen sharing for demonstrations, feedback and reviewing work together.
Browse Video Conferencing →