Best Internal Communication Tools: Boost Collaboration and Engagement in Your Company

Best Internal Communication Tools: Boost Collaboration and Engagement in Your Company

Alexa Pan

May 22, 2025

5/22/25

5/22/25

18 min read

Effective internal communication is a cornerstone of any successful organization. The ways employees share information, collaborate, and stay aligned directly impact productivity, workplace culture, and business outcomes. Internal communication tools play a vital role in bridging gaps between teams, enabling smooth workflows, and fostering engagement across different work environments.

This article will explore what internal communication tools are, how they enhance workplace dialogue, and how to select the best solutions to meet your company’s unique needs. Whether you’re involved in HR, leadership, or IT, understanding these tools is key to creating a connected and motivated workforce.

What is internal communications?

Internal communications refer to the exchange of information and messages within an organization to keep employees informed, motivated, and connected. It is the backbone of a healthy workplace culture, helping align teams on company goals, policies, and daily tasks.

What is the difference between internal and external communications?

While internal communication focuses inward, external communication targets audiences outside the organization such as customers, partners, or the media. Key differences include:

  • Audience: Internal communication is for employees at all levels, while external communication addresses external stakeholders.

  • Purpose: Internal comms aim to align, engage, and inform staff, whereas external comms promote brand image, share products or services, and manage public relations.

  • Tools: Internal communication uses platforms designed for privacy, collaboration, and feedback, while external communication often employs marketing channels like social media, press releases, and advertising.

Clarifying these differences helps organizations choose the right strategies and tools that support their unique communication goals — especially when it comes to internal communication tools.

15 essential types of internal communication channels for companies

Effective internal communication hinges on using a mix of channels tailored to different purposes, audience needs, and situations. Each channel has unique characteristics, strengths, and ideal contexts where it shines. Below, we explore 15 key internal communication channels, outlining their features, when best to use them, and real-world examples of companies putting them to work effectively.

Image source: freepik.com

1. Email communication

  • Features: Asynchronous, text-based, supports attachments and multimedia, universally accessible

  • Best for: Formal announcements, detailed updates, policy communication, and information that employees need to keep or refer back to

  • Example: Many companies use weekly email newsletters to share company news, newly introduced policies, or highlight employee achievements.

2. Instant messaging apps

  • Features: Real-time, informal chat, supports group chats, emojis, file sharing, integration with other tools

  • Best for: Quick questions, team collaboration, casual check-ins, and informal catch-ups

  • Example: Lark is widely adopted for instant messaging, allowing departments to create dedicated channels for projects, which speeds up daily communication.

3. Video conferencing

  • Features: Real-time audio-video communication, screen sharing, recording, chat features within calls

  • Best for: Remote team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, training sessions, and brainstorming workshops

  • Example: Zoom or Microsoft Teams are often used for company-wide town halls or status meetings with dispersed teams.

4. Company intranet

  • Features: Centralized digital platform for documents, news, directories, and resources; often customizable

  • Best for: Housing company resources, policies, internal announcements, and departmental sites for self-service access

  • Example: LumApps intranet integrates social features and content management to create an engaging digital workplace hub.

5. Collaborative document platforms

  • Features: Real-time co-editing, version control, commenting, cloud-based accessibility

  • Best for: Joint content creation, project planning, and workflow management requiring shared access

  • Example: Google Workspace allows teams to collaboratively draft and revise reports or presentations in real time.

6. Bulletin boards and digital signage

  • Features: Visually visible communication through screens or physical boards

  • Best for: Promoting events, safety messages, quick updates in high-traffic common areas

  • Example: Manufacturing plants often use digital signage to display safety protocols and production targets.

7. Mobile communication apps

  • Features: Accessible on smartphones, push notifications, lightweight

  • Best for: Engaging mobile or frontline workers who might not have desktop access

  • Example: Staffbase offers mobile-first internal communication apps tailored to retail or hospitality sectors.

8. Employee feedback tools

  • Features: Surveys, pulse checks, suggestion boxes, anonymous submissions

  • Best for: Measuring engagement, gathering opinions, and continuous improvement efforts

  • Example: Qualtrics or Culture Amp are popular platforms for conducting employee satisfaction surveys.

9. Social intranet platforms

  • Features: Social networking features like liking, commenting, sharing, user-generated content

  • Best for: Building community, encouraging open dialogue, informal knowledge sharing

  • Example: Workplace by Meta combines social media style newsfeeds with workplace collaboration.

10. Task and project management tools

  • Features: Task assignment, progress tracking, timelines, status updates

  • Best for: Keeping teams aligned on objectives, deadlines, and deliverables

  • Example: Asana and Monday.com help teams communicate task statuses alongside collaboration.

11. Internal podcasts and videos

  • Features: Audio or video format, on-demand, engaging storytelling medium

  • Best for: Leadership messages, training content, company culture storytelling

  • Example: Some companies produce monthly CEO podcasts to keep employees connected with company vision.

12. Corporate newsletters

  • Features: Curated content, updates, stories delivered regularly

  • Best for: Sharing corporate news, celebrating employee successes, highlighting initiatives

  • Example: Adobe’s internal newsletters spotlight innovation and employee resource groups.

13. FAQ portals and chatbots

  • Features: Automated responses, database of answers, 24/7 availability

  • Best for: Quickly addressing common employee queries, HR questions, IT helpdesk inquiries

  • Example: Many enterprises use chatbots integrated into intranets to reduce repetitive HR or IT support requests.

14. Workshops and training sessions

  • Features: Interactive, learning-focused gatherings (often virtual or physical)

  • Best for: Skill development, onboarding new hires, leadership training, compliance education

  • Example: Companies routinely schedule live webinars to train employees on new productivity tools.

15. Face-to-face meetings and huddles

  • Features: Personal interaction, direct dialogue, immediate feedback

  • Best for: Sensitive conversations, team alignment, conflict resolution, brainstorming

  • Example: Agile teams often begin daily stand-up huddles for quick check-ins and immediate issue resolution.

Summary

Combining these diverse communication channels helps ensure that messages reach employees effectively and suit the content type and audience preferences. Companies that master this multi-channel approach enjoy higher engagement, better collaboration, and a stronger organizational culture. Recognizing where each channel fits best in your communication strategy is essential to optimize connection and productivity across your workforce.

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Discover all-in-one solution and keep your team engaged

Discover all-in-one solution and keep your team engaged

Discover all-in-one solution and keep your team engaged

Top 13 internal communication tools for your company

Selecting the right internal communication tools is crucial for fostering collaboration, enhancing productivity, and supporting employee engagement. With numerous options available, companies need to assess which platforms provide the features and flexibility that align best with their unique organizational needs.

Below is a carefully curated list of 13 leading internal communication tools.

Quick overview

  • Lark: Best for all-in-one collaboration across remote and hybrid teams

  • Slack: Best for fast, lightweight messaging and app integrations

  • Microsoft Teams: Best for organizations using Microsoft 365 ecosystem

  • Zoom: Best for high-quality video conferencing and webinars

  • LumApps: Best for customizable intranet and employee engagement

  • Staffbase: Best for communicating with frontline and mobile workers

  • Asana: Best for task and project management with communication features

  • Google Workspace: Best for document collaboration and cloud productivity tools

  • RingCentral: Best for unified communications with phone, video, and messaging

  • Chanty: Best for simple team messaging with built-in task management

  • Flock: Best for affordable messaging focused on small to medium teams

  • Mattermost: Best for open-source, self-hosted team messaging and collaboration

  • Twist: Best for focused, threaded conversations avoiding chat noise

Lark

Best for: All-in-one collaboration across remote and hybrid teams

Feautres:

  • Instant messaging and team chat: Lark Messenger provides robust real-time communication with group chats, direct messages, rich text formatting, @mentions, reactions, and thread support. 

  • Video Conferencing and live Interaction: Lark Meetings offers HD video conferencing with screen sharing, recording, and interactive features. It supports spontaneous one-on-one conversations and formal group meetings. Integrated tightly with Messenger and Calendar, it allows users to start video calls directly from chats or scheduled events.

Lark’s Internal communication tools combo
  • Collaborative document creation and shared knowledge base:  Lark Base enables teams to build customizable internal databases and knowledge bases for organizing workflows, FAQs, employee directories, or inventory tracking. Lark Docs empowers teams with cloud-native documents, spreadsheets, and presentations that multiple users can edit simultaneously in real time. Comments, mentions, and version history provide transparency and foster collaborative editing, ideal for project collaboration, knowledge management, and transparent information sharing.

Docs sharing and collaboration invitation on Lark
  • Task assignment and automated workflow: Lark Task and Base integrates task assignment and tracking directly into chat and document workflows. Users can create, assign, and track tasks within chat channels or linked to docs, ensuring actionable items are visible and accountable. 

Add tasks into your workflow from chat on Lark

Pros:

  • Comprehensive, end-to-end internal communication platform eliminating app fragmentation

  • Rich integration across messaging, meetings, documents, tasks, and scheduling ensures context is preserved

  • Supports multiple communication styles like synchronous chats and calls, plus asynchronous docs and tasks

  • Built-in real-time translation supports seamless communication in global and multilingual teams

  • AI-powered tools optimize meeting scheduling and notification management

  • Secure and compliant, suitable for sensitive internal information sharing

  • Effective for building a transparent, engaged company culture through social features

Automated bot in Lark’s group chat

Cons:

Pricing:

⭐Tips:

  • Use workflow automation to eliminate repetitive tasks

  • Leverage real-time docs and video in one platform for smoother meetings

  • Engage employees with built-in chat and calendar integrations

Slack

Interface of Slack

Image source: slack.com

Best for: Fast, lightweight messaging and app integrations

Features:

  • Channel-based messaging and threaded conversations

  • 2,400+ third-party app integrations

  • Video and voice calls, file sharing, and searchable history

  • Customizable notifications and workflow automation via Slackbot

Pros:

  • Easy to use with intuitive user experience

  • Extensive integrations with popular business tools

  • Strong ecosystem supporting bots and automation

Cons:

  • Free version limits message history and app integrations

  • Can become noisy and overwhelming without proper channel management

Pricing:

  • Free plan with limited features and message history

  • Paid plans start at $4.38/user/month

⭐Tips:

  • Organize conversations with channels and threads to avoid clutter

  • Use reminders and Slackbot to automate routine tasks

  • Encourage usage of status and notification settings to reduce distractions

Microsoft Teams

Interface of Microsoft Teams

Image source: microsoft.com

Best for: Organizations using Microsoft 365 ecosystem

Features:

  • Integrated chat, video meetings, file storage via SharePoint

  • Seamless collaboration with Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint

  • Background blur, meeting recordings, and live captions

  • Enterprise-grade security and compliance

Pros:

  • Deep integration with Microsoft 365 suite

  • Robust video conferencing with large participant support

  • Strong control and compliance for enterprise needs

Cons:

  • Interface can be overwhelming to new users

  • Resource-heavy application sometimes causes performance issues

Pricing:

  • Included in most Microsoft 365 subscriptions

  • Standalone plans available for Teams with limited features

⭐Tips:

  • Integrate Teams with SharePoint for centralized document management

  • Use meeting features like breakout rooms to enhance engagement

  • Train users on Teams channels vs private chats for clarity

Zoom

Interface of Zoom Meeting

Image source: zoom.com

Best for: High-quality video conferencing and webinars

Features:

  • HD video and audio calls with screen sharing

  • Webinar, breakout rooms, and virtual backgrounds

  • Meeting recording and transcription

  • Mobile and desktop app support

Pros:

  • Excellent video and audio quality

  • Simple interface and easy to join meetings

  • Scalable for large webinars and training sessions

Cons:

  • Limited built-in chat and collaboration features

  • Security concerns in early versions; now improved but vigilance needed

Pricing:

  • Free plan offers 40-minute group meetings

  • Paid plans start at $18.74/user/month.

⭐Tips:

  • Use breakout rooms for smaller group discussions

  • Record meetings for those who can’t attend live

  • Schedule meetings with calendar integrations for smoother workflow

LumApps

Interface of LumApps

Image source: lumapps.com

Best for: Customizable intranet and employee engagement

Features:

  • Social intranet platform integrated with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365

  • Personalized newsfeeds, communities, and employee directories

  • Analytics dashboard to track engagement and content performance

  • Mobile-friendly with push notifications

Pros:

  • Strong branding and customization options

  • Enhances employee engagement through social features

  • Integrates well with existing productivity suites

Cons:

  • Requires time and expertise for setup and customization

  • Pricing tends to be higher compared to simpler tools

Pricing:

  • Custom pricing based on company size and feature needs

⭐Tips:

  • Use personalized newsfeeds to target relevant content to employees

  • Encourage departments to create active communities for cross-team collaboration

  • Monitor analytics to refine content strategy and boost engagement

Staffbase

Interface of Staffbase

Image source: staffbase.com

Best for: Communicating with frontline and mobile workers

Features:

  • Mobile-first internal communication platform

  • Push notifications, surveys, and targeted messaging

  • Content management tools tailored for diverse workforces

  • Multilingual support and analytics

Pros:

  • Designed specifically for frontline and deskless employees

  • Easy mobile access encourages frequent communication

  • Supports two-way communication with feedback options

Cons:

  • Less suited for deep collaboration or document editing

  • Can be expensive for smaller companies

Pricing:

  • Pricing varies by number of users and modules; custom quotes provided

⭐Tips:

  • Leverage push notifications for urgent updates to shift workers

  • Use surveys to get feedback from remote frontline teams

  • Segment audiences to send targeted, relevant content

Asana

Internal communication on Asana

Image source: asana.com

Best for: Task and project management with communication features

Features:

  • Task assignments, timelines, and workload views

  • Comment threads within tasks for contextual communication

  • Integrations with many communication and productivity apps

  • Progress tracking and reporting dashboards

Pros:

  • Combines task management with rich collaboration tools

  • Helps teams stay organized and aligned on goals

  • Intuitive interface with flexible views

Cons:

  • Not primarily designed for chatting or video calls

  • Can become complex with large, detailed projects

Pricing:

  • Free plan for basic task management

  • Premium plans start at $10.99/user/month

⭐Tips:

  • Use task comments for clear, focused communication

  • Set up dashboards to monitor project health at a glance

  • Integrate with Slack or Teams for seamless chat alongside tasks

Google Workspace

Creating teams on Google Chat

Image source: workspace.google.com

Best for: Document collaboration and cloud productivity tools

Features:

  • Cloud-based email (Gmail), calendar, and document apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides)

  • Real-time collaborative editing and commenting

  • Built-in video meetings with Google Meet

  • Secure sharing controls and integration with many third-party apps

Pros:

  • Seamless collaboration on documents and files

  • Familiar, widely-used interface

  • Strong security and admin controls

  • Scalable for organizations of all sizes

Cons:

  • Limited enterprise communication features beyond docs and emails

  • Google Meet is functional but less feature-rich than dedicated conferencing tools

Pricing:

  • Business Starter: $3.5/user/month

  • Business Standard: $7/user/month

  • Business Plus: $14.67/user/month

  • Enterprise: Custom pricing

⭐Tips:

  • Use shared drives for team-based document management

  • Schedule video meetings directly in Google Calendar

  • Leverage commenting and suggestion modes for feedback

RingCentral

Interface of RingCentral

Image source: ringcentral.com

Best for: Unified communications with phone, video, and messaging

Features:

  • Cloud-based phone system with calling, SMS, and fax

  • HD video conferencing with screen sharing and recording

  • Team messaging with file sharing and searchable history

  • Integrations with CRM, helpdesk, and productivity tools

Pros:

  • All-in-one communication platform for voice, video, and chat

  • Scalable to support enterprises and contact centers

  • Strong global coverage and reliability

Cons:

  • Pricing can be high for smaller teams

  • Interface can be complex with multiple communication modes

Pricing:

  • Custom pricing plans from Essentials to Ultimate with increasing features

⭐Tips:

  • Use RingCentral’s team messaging to keep communication in one place

  • Integrate with CRM systems to improve customer interaction workflows

  • Train staff to utilize the mobile app for remote access

Chanty

Interface of Chanty

Image source: chanty.com

Best for: Simple team messaging with built-in task management

Features:

  • Group and private chats with rich text formatting and reactions

  • Built-in task manager integrated with conversations

  • Audio and video calls supported

  • Unlimited searchable message history in paid plans

Pros:

  • Clean, user-friendly interface

  • Combines communication and task tracking effectively

  • Affordable pricing options

Cons:

  • Smaller app ecosystem compared to Slack or Teams

  • Less suited for very large or complex organizations

Pricing:

  • Free plan with basic messaging and task management

  • Business plan start at $3/user/month

⭐Tips:

  • Use task assignments to keep track of action items

  • Integrate Chanty with Google Drive for file sharing

  • Encourage use of channels to organize team conversations

Flock

Filing sharing on Flock

Image source: flock.com

Best for: Affordable messaging focused on small to medium teams

Features:

  • Team messaging with channels and direct messages

  • Built-in video calls and screen sharing

  • Integrated to-do lists, reminders, and polls

  • File sharing and searchable message history

Pros:

  • Simple, clean user interface for easy adoption

  • Affordable pricing plans for growing teams

  • Useful productivity tools integrated with chat

Cons:

  • Smaller app ecosystem than larger competitors

  • Limited customization and automation capabilities

Pricing:

  • Free plan with basic features

  • Pro plans start at $4.5/user/month

⭐Tips:

  • Use to-do lists and reminders to keep teams organized

  • Organize discussions using channels by project or topic

  • Leverage polls to quickly gather team opinions

Mattermost

Interface of Mattermost

Image source: mattermost.com

Best for: Open-source, self-hosted team messaging and collaboration

Features:

  • Highly customizable and secure messaging platform

  • Supports private and public channels, direct messages

  • Rich integrations, bots, and API access

  • Options for on-premises or cloud hosting

Pros:

  • Full control over data and deployment environment

  • Ideal for organizations with strict security policies

  • Flexible and extensible platform

Cons:

  • Requires technical expertise to set up and maintain

  • User interface less polished than some cloud competitors

Pricing:

  • Free, open-source version available

  • Enterprise editions with enhanced features and support

⭐Tips:

  • Customize Mattermost to fit your unique workflow needs

  • Utilize self-hosting for compliance and data privacy

  • Integrate with existing tools using open APIs

Twist

Internal communication via Twist

Image source: twist.com

Best for: Focused, threaded conversations avoiding chat noise

Features:

  • Threaded messaging organized by topics

  • Asynchronous communication emphasis

  • Task management integration and file sharing

  • Minimal real-time distractions

Pros:

  • Reduces noise typical in chat apps with threads

  • Supports thoughtful, deep communication

  • Clean and simple user interface

Cons:

  • Limited real-time chat and video capabilities

  • Smaller user base and fewer integrations

Pricing:

  • Free plan with generous features

  • Paid plans start at $6/user/month

⭐Tips:

  • Use threads to keep discussions organized by topics

  • Encourage asynchronous communication to boost focus

  • Combine with other tools for video or live meetings

Experience seamless internal communication on Lark

Experience seamless internal communication on Lark

Experience seamless internal communication on Lark

Experience seamless internal communication on Lark

The importance of internal communications in an organization

Internal communication is the lifeblood of any successful organization. It facilitates the flow of information, fosters community, builds trust, and aligns employees toward common goals. Key reasons internal communication is vital:

Alignment and clarity

Clear communication ensures that employees understand the company’s vision, values, and strategic direction. When employees know what is expected and feel connected to the organizational mission, their work becomes more focused and purposeful.

Employee engagement

Transparent and frequent communication helps build trust and makes employees feel valued and heard. Engaged employees tend to be happier, more loyal, and more productive, which reduces turnover and improves retention.

Collaboration and innovation

Effective internal communication breaks down silos between teams and departments and encourages open dialogue. This collaborative environment nurtures creativity and innovation, which are essential for adapting in today’s fast-changing markets.

Change management

Organizations often face rapid changes, whether due to market conditions, restructuring, or technology adoption. Timely communication reduces uncertainty and fear, helping employees adapt to changes smoothly.

Crisis management

In challenging times such as emergencies, financial downturns, or reputational issues, clear internal communication helps maintain calm, provide consistent messaging, and keep everyone informed and aligned in response efforts.

Operational efficiency

Efficient communication reduces misunderstandings and mistakes while speeding up decision-making and problem-solving. When everyone has access to the right information at the right time, workflows run more smoothly.

In essence, companies that prioritize internal communication are more resilient, agile, and better positioned for long-term success.

How to choose the best internal communication tools?

Choosing the right internal communication tools is a strategic decision that can make or break your communication effectiveness. The ideal tools should fit your organizational culture, meet your team’s communication style, and support your business goals.

Here’s a step-by-step approach to selecting the best tools:

1. Assess your communication needs

Identify the types of communication your organization requires. Do you need more instant messaging for quick collaboration, a robust platform for document sharing, or a video solution for virtual meetings? Consider both everyday communication and special use cases like crisis communication or employee engagement initiatives.

2. Understand your workforce profile

Consider the size, location, and work habits of your employees. For instance, frontline or mobile workers may benefit from mobile-first solutions like Staffbase, while organizations seeking a flexible and all-in-one communication ecosystem would find Lark ideal.

3. Evaluate integration capabilities

Communication tools rarely operate in isolation. Ensure your chosen tools integrate smoothly with your other business applications (CRM, HR systems, project management, file storage). Integration enhances productivity by reducing app-switching and keeping workflows seamless.

4. Prioritize usability and adoption

A tool’s effectiveness depends on how easily employees can learn and use it. Choose platforms with intuitive interfaces and provide necessary onboarding, training, and ongoing support. Tools that mimic familiar social or consumer apps can boost adoption.

5. Consider security and compliance

Internal communications often involve sharing sensitive information. Select solutions with strong security features such as end-to-end encryption, role-based access controls, and compliance with data protection regulations relevant to your industry and geography.

6. Analyze pricing and scalability

Balance your budget with functionality. Many tools offer tiered pricing models based on features and number of users. Also, think about growing teams or organizational changes — choose solutions that can scale and evolve with your company.

7. Collect feedback and pilot test

Involve employees in the selection process to understand their preferences and challenges. Conduct pilot programs with a small group to identify usability issues or missing features before full deployment.

8. Plan for ongoing evaluation

Technology and organizational needs change. Regularly assess whether your communication tools continue to meet company objectives, and be open to adjustments or additions as needed.

By following these steps, you ensure that your internal communication technology supports your workforce effectively and drives engagement, collaboration, and productivity.

Try Lark and transform the way your organization connects together

Try Lark and transform the way your organization connects together

Try Lark and transform the way your organization connects together

Try Lark and transform the way your organization connects together

Conclusion

Choosing the right internal communication tools tailored to your organization’s unique needs is essential. These tools not only facilitate efficient information flow but also empower teams to collaborate creatively and solve problems swiftly. As organizations continue to evolve in a fast-paced digital world, investing in robust communication platforms becomes a critical competitive advantage.

Among the many options available, Lark stands out as a comprehensive all-in-one solution. It integrates chat, video conferencing, calendar, and collaborative documents into a single platform, reducing app switching and simplifying workflows. Its AI-powered features and seamless collaboration capabilities make it an excellent choice for companies looking to enhance communication and teamwork in today’s hybrid work environment.

Incorporating Lark into your internal communication today, and help your organization stay connected, productive, and ready for the challenges ahead.

All the apps you need.
In one Lark.

All the apps you need.
In one Lark.

All the apps you need.
In one Lark.

All the apps you need.
In one Lark.

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Product

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Alternatives

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Solutions

Use Cases

Resources

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Build with Us

Language

English

© 2025 Lark Technologies Pte. Ltd.
Headquartered in Singapore with offices worldwide.