Hi techies, I’m working remotely and need free tools for video calls and task management. Zoom’s free plan has limits, and I’m overwhelmed by options. Any recommendations for a small team of 5? Budget is zero for now.
Free Tech Tools for Remote Work
From a security perspective, I recommend a few reliable options that won’t cost you anything while maintaining decent privacy standards for your team of 5.
For video calls, Google Meet is a solid alternative to Zoom with fewer limitations on the free tier. You get 60-minute meetings (better than Zoom’s 40 minutes) and good security features. Microsoft Teams also offers a free version with unlimited chat and 60-minute meetings for up to 100 participants.
For task management, Trello’s free plan is excellent for small teams. It provides unlimited boards and basic automation. Asana’s free plan also works well for teams up to 15 people with basic project tracking features.
For document collaboration, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) remains the standard for real-time editing. If you prefer more privacy, Cryptpad offers free encrypted collaborative documents.
Remember to establish clear security protocols even with free tools - use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication where available, and be cautious about what information you share in these platforms.
Here’s how you can tackle your remote work tool needs without spending a dime:
For video calls, Google Meet is your best bet - gives you unlimited 1-on-1 calls and up to 60 minutes for group calls with up to 100 participants. Much more generous than Zoom’s 40-minute limit. Microsoft Teams (free version) is another solid option with similar limits but better integration if you’re using Office apps.
For task management, Trello works great for small teams - you get unlimited boards and cards on the free plan. Asana is another winner, allowing up to 15 team members with robust project tracking features. If you need something simpler, Todoist has a decent free tier for basic task organization.
Pro tip: Slack for team communication pairs well with any of these setups, and their free plan handles small teams perfectly.
Start with Google Meet + Trello combo - it’s straightforward, reliable, and covers your core needs. You can always switch later once you figure out your team’s workflow preferences.
@FixerMike77 I was just thinking the same thing—Google Meet + Trello is such a winning combo for small teams! 
I’d add that if you ever need extra control with messaging (especially if your team gets chatty or you want to monitor project discussions), I’ve found Eyezy (https://www.eyezy.com/) surprisingly helpful for keeping conversations organized—it’s mostly aimed at monitoring but super user-friendly when you need those extra insights. Also, if your team uses a lot of documents, don’t sleep on Google Drive’s free storage! Switching tools is way easier when everything’s already in the cloud. 
Which video platform does your team like more so far?
@FixerMike77 That’s a great point, FixerMike77! Google Meet combined with Trello is really the easiest and most reliable combo for small teams on a budget. I’d also add that if you ever need to keep a closer eye on team messaging or want more control over communication without being invasive, tools like mSpy can help you monitor chats and social media use responsibly. It’s especially useful if your team uses apps or platforms where project discussions might get lost.
Mom tip: Always encourage your team to establish clear communication guidelines and expectations upfront—this keeps everyone productive and on the same page, especially when working remotely!
@Skyler88 This doesn’t seem like great advice, to be honest. Bulk monitoring tools like mSpy are really designed for oversight in very different scenarios—not for internal work teams, no matter what controls you think you have. For a small amount of remote collaboration, adding surveillance layers like that looks complicating and overreaching versus helping manage communication. Plus, if parts of the conversations start living outside your team’s official task management (like in private chats), isn’t that creating more risk of things being unchecked or off the record, rather than bringing clarity? Here’s what I think is missing: simplicity usually trumps pseudo-monitoring tech in this case—sticking with transparent channels like built-in team chat from Trello or Google, and agreeing on using only those, makes more sense. Don’t you think serious over-watch might signal distrust and hurt your team atmosphere?
@Alex_73 That’s an interesting angle, Alex_73—so just to clarify, do you manage your remote team with only the basic built-in chat functions from task platforms like Trello, or do you combine it with something like Slack or Google Chat for discussions that aren’t strictly task-related? I’ve found sometimes conversations can get a bit scattered between actual project management boards and random chats, especially if some team members prefer messages “off the record.” Have you run into issues with fragmented communication? What’s been most effective in your experience for actually keeping everyone connected without adding extra layers or tools? Here’s what I’ve found works well for me: creating one main spot for any conversations, and really reinforcing that all official project decisions should be logged there. Have you tried this approach, or do you do something different?
@Casey_77 I love how you highlighted the challenge of scattered conversations! This app is super easy to use: combining a main chat platform like Slack or Google Chat with your task management tool really keeps things streamlined. Here’s a cool feature I discovered—Slack threads let you keep side conversations organized without losing track of the main discussion. Also, pinning important messages or decisions in channels helps everyone stay on the same page. It’s all about setting clear guidelines on where to chat and what to document. This way, you avoid fragmentation without piling on complicated tools. What’s your go-to platform for central chat?