As many organizations turned into a remote work setup after the Covid pandemic, the need for efficient meeting productivity tools has never been higher.
Moreover, almost every conversation, meeting, and decision is made via virtual meetings. Consequently, having a tool that ensures the efficiency and effectiveness of such meetings is vital.
But what tools would you consider crucial?
This article explores the best tools for online meeting productivity by highlighting:
- Types of virtual meeting productivity tools to consider;
- 8 Different productivity tools to add to your list;
What Are Online Meeting Productivity Tools?
Online meeting productivity tools are a set of applications or software designed to enhance the efficiency and overall effectiveness of virtual meetings.
With the rise of remote or hybrid virtual meetings and teams working across different time zones and cultural backgrounds, these tools bridge any gaps, ensuring that the meetings are productive.
These tools encompass a wide range of functionalities, ensuring that the needs and requirements of different teams are met.
Types of Online Meeting Productivity Tools
There are different online meeting productivity tools, all with varied functionalities and catering to different aspects of online meeting experiences. Here are some of the key types and features of these tools:
Video conferencing platforms
Video conferencing platforms are at the core of online meeting productivity. Additionally, these tools enable participants to connect face-to-face, either via audio or video. As a result, this fosters a more engaging and interactive discussion.
Moreover, most video conferencing platforms have different features to boost the effectiveness of video meetings, including screen sharing, chat functionality, and meeting recording capabilities.
Note-taking and transcription tools
There are a lot of moving parts during meetings, and one can easily forget important discussions that took place.
If you miss these details, your meetings will be unproductive, as you will not be able to follow up on crucial things. This is where a note-taking and meeting transcription tool comes in.
Note-taking and meeting transcription tools enable participants to jot down crucial information, creating an organized record of the discussions during the meeting.
Moreover, such productivity tools allow participants to review the discussions in text format, which they can repurpose into something else, such as meeting minutes.
Collaboration and communication tools
These tools are crucial in ensuring seamless collaboration and communication during online meetings. Most of these platforms can integrate with other tools, such as video conferencing platforms, to provide additional features, including file sharing and instant messaging.
Furthermore, collaboration and communication tools facilitate the real-time exchange of ideas, ensuring all participants are on the same page.
Scheduling and calendar apps
A productive meeting begins with effective scheduling and organization. Thanks to scheduling and calendar apps, it is easy for participants to find suitable times to schedule meetings.
Moreover, with such tools, you can seamlessly send out meeting invites, manage attendees’ availability, and sync with personal calendars, to avoid conflicts with the meeting timings. This ensures that everyone is on board without feeling pressured.
Best Tools for Online Meeting Productivity
Are you looking for the best tools for online meeting productivity that you can to your organizational arsenal?
Here are the top-rated meeting productivity tools based on their functions: Video conferencing, meeting transcriptions, collaboration and communication, and scheduling tools.
The Best Video Conferencing Tools
Zoom
Zoom is a highly popular and user-friendly video conferencing tool that gained widespread recognition during the rise of remote work and virtual meetings. It is one of the best meeting apps, offering a comprehensive suite of features, making it suitable for small and large businesses.
Key Features
- High-quality video and audio;
- Screen sharing and collaboration;
- Virtual backgrounds;
- Meeting recording;
- Webinar hosting.
Pricing
Zoom offers a range of pricing plans, including:
- Basic (Free): Limited to 40-minute group meetings, up to 100 participants.
- Pro: $149.90/host/year with extended meeting duration and additional features.
- Business: $199.90/host/year for small to medium-sized businesses.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for large enterprises with advanced features.
Bonus: Check out our guide on tips for hosting a Zoom meeting.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a part of the Microsoft 365 suite designed to facilitate seamless collaboration and communication among teams and organizations. While initially known for its chat and document-sharing capabilities, it has evolved into a robust video conferencing platform.
Key Features
- Integration with Microsoft 365 for advanced collaboration;
- Real-time chat;
- Screen sharing & meeting recording;
- File sharing and collaboration;
Pricing
Microsoft Teams is available as part of the Microsoft 365 suite, and pricing depends on the plan chosen.
Bonus: Ms. Teams is also quite popular for its ability to take meeting transcription without recording.
The Best Note-taking and Meeting Transcription Tools
Krisp
Krisp is an AI-powered note-taking and meeting transcription tool that has gained popularity for its exceptional accuracy and ease of use.
It is designed to provide verbatim transcriptions with minimal errors, making it a valuable asset for professionals looking to capture critical meeting discussions without the hassle of manual note-taking.
Key Features
- AI-powered transcription: Krisp’s advanced AI meeting assistant ensures highly accurate and real-time transcription of meetings, capturing every word spoken during the session.
- Editing and speaker identification: Users can easily edit the transcriptions to emphasize different speakers, improving the clarity and organization of the notes.
- Concise summaries: Krisp’s AI note-taker allows for the automatic generation of concise meeting summaries, highlighting key discussions, decisions, and action items, saving valuable time and effort in note-taking.
- Easy integration: Krisp integrates seamlessly with various video conferencing platforms, ensuring a smooth transcription experience during online meetings.
- Privacy and security: Krisp operates with a strong emphasis on data privacy and security, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected.
Pricing
Krisp offers three pricing options:
- Free Plan: The free plan provides unlimited transcriptions and meeting summaries, making it an attractive option for individuals or small teams looking for basic transcription capabilities.
- Pro Plan: Priced at $8 per user per month, the Pro plan unlocks advanced note-taking features, including custom speaker identification, export options, and integration with popular productivity tools, enhancing the overall note-taking experience.
- Enterprise Plan: This is a customized pricing plan based on organizational needs.
Evernote
Evernote is a versatile tool for taking meeting notes that has long been appreciated for its comprehensive features and ease of use. While not solely a meeting transcription tool, Evernote’s powerful capabilities make it an excellent choice for capturing and organizing meeting notes.
Key Features
- Note organization;
- Web clipping for referencing;
- Audio recording;
- Collaboration features.
Pricing
Evernote offers three pricing plans:
- Basic (Free)
- Personal: Priced at $10.83 per month.
- Professional: Priced at $14.17 per user per month.
The Best Collaboration and Communication Tools
Slack
Slack is a widely-used collaboration and communication platform that streamlines team communication, making it efficient and organized. It offers a centralized workspace where teams can collaborate, share files, and integrate various productivity tools, ensuring seamless teamwork.
Key Features
- Channels and direct messages;
- File sharing;
- Integration with different productivity apps;
- Search and archive capability;
- Notification management to reduce distractions and stay focused.
Pricing
Slack offers three pricing plans:
- Free Plan
- Pro Plan: Priced at $7.25 per month.
- Business+ Plan: Priced at $12.50 per month.
ClickUp
ClickUp is a powerful project management and collaboration platform that offers a comprehensive solution for teams to plan, organize, and execute projects. It provides a centralized workspace where teams can collaborate and track progress efficiently.
Key Features
- Task management;
- Customizable workspaces;
- Document sharing;
- Collaboration features;
- Time tracking and reporting.
Pricing
ClickUp offers a range of pricing plans, including:
- Free Plan
- Unlimited Plan: Priced at $7 per user per month.
- Business Plan: Priced at $12 per user per month.
The Best Scheduling and Calendar Tools
Calendly
Calendly is a popular and user-friendly calendar and scheduling tool that simplifies setting up meetings and appointments. It eliminates the back-and-forth email exchanges by allowing users to share their availability and letting others schedule appointments directly.
Key Features
- Easy scheduling;
- Integration with popular calendar apps;
- Seamless customization based on preferences;
- Automated reminders;
- Time zone detection.
Pricing
Calendly offers several pricing plans, including:
- Free Plan
- Essentials Plan: Priced at $8 per user per month.
- Pro Plan: Priced at $12 per user per month.
SavvyCal
SavvyCal is a powerful and intuitive calendar and scheduling tool designed to streamline appointment booking for individuals and businesses. It offers a range of customization options and user-friendly features to optimize the scheduling process.
Key Features
- Customizable scheduling links;
- Group scheduling for group events;
- Time zone management;
- Integrations with popular calendar platforms;
- Analytics and insights on booking patterns.
Pricing
SavvyCal offers three pricing plans:
- The free plan
- The basic plan: Priced at $12 per user per month.
- The premium plan: Priced at $20 per user per month.
Final Thoughts
The landscape of online meeting productivity tools has evolved significantly, offering professionals diverse solutions to optimize their virtual collaboration and communication.
These tools cater to different aspects of the meeting experience, empowering teams to work seamlessly and efficiently, regardless of geographical boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool is most useful during an online meeting?
There are different types of useful tools during an online meeting, ranging from video conferencing tools and note-taking and transcription tools.
How can I make my online meeting more productive?
You can make your online meetings more productive by listening attentively and jotting down notes of the key discussions and action items.
Can online meeting tools support large-scale conferences or webinars?
Yes, online meeting tools like Zoom can support large-scale conferences and webinars.
Are online meeting tools secure?
Reputable online meeting tools like Zoom and Krisp have advanced encryption and security features to make the meetings safe and secure.
