Discover the productivity tools preferred by BDM readers and their alternatives.
In January 2020, we launched BDM / tools , the site that references the best digital tools. The Productivity category is particularly popular: it brings together software used by most professionals to manage their tasks, exchange with their colleagues or their clients, transfer large files … To help you equip yourself in 2021, here is an overview of the most popular tools of the year.
Explore the best productivity tools
Zoom, the app of the year 2020 for videoconferences
In 2020, videoconferencing applications experienced an unprecedented boom. Zoom stood out and is arguably the most iconic app of the year. It has an interesting free version, up to 100 participants for 40 minutes. Duo videoconferences are unlimited. Paid plans, on the other hand, are more expensive, and some will prefer to use the collaborative tools used in their business, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams or of course Google Meet.
© Zoom
The alternative: Jitsi Meet. It is an open source, lightweight, completely free solution that integrates advanced features such as screen sharing.
Find a video conferencing app
Trello, the reference tool for managing your projects
The project management tool is like the basic software for all professionals. A must have for organizing tasks and maximizing productivity. In this regard, Trello, the application developed by Atlassian, remains a reference: the tool is very easy to use and its free features will suffice for most professionals.
The best tools to manage your projects
The alternative: Beesbusy. The French project management tool makes it possible “to organize, plan and collaborate easily to advance one’s tasks and make one’s projects a reality” . We particularly like: the task management interface, the integration of Gantt charts, the team calendar, the multi-project views, the mobile applications, the personalized dashboard and time management. The free version is powerful: projects, tasks, lists and members are unlimited and you have access to recurring tasks, reminders as well as the personal dashboard.
Discover Beesbusy, the French project management tool
Microsoft Teams, the leader in collaborative tools
Collaboration in business has been very important this year. In this niche, Microsoft Teams is doing well. The application benefits from its integration into the Microsoft 365 suite, widely used by professionals.
© Microsoft
The alternative: Slack. Despite the power of Microsoft Teams, Slack remains a benchmark in the market and a tool appreciated by digital professionals. In 2021, we will see if the takeover of Slack by Salesforce allows it to resist the ogre Microsoft.
See the best collaborative tools
WeTransfer, the reference for sending files
The health context has also had the effect of increasing the use of file transfer and storage tools. WeTransfer is the most popular tool: it allows you to send up to 2 GB for free. The pro version goes further: 1 TB of storage space and very large file uploads, up to 20 GB.
The alternative: Smash. A very easy to use French tool, which requires no registration, to send files without weight limit!
Choose a tool to send files
KeePass, to centralize your passwords
Password managers can increase the security of your online data. KeePass is free open source software for saving passwords.
© KeePass
The alternative: LastPass. The app will be appreciated by those who don’t cling to KeePass’s somewhat outdated interface.
Browse password managers
Feedly, the successor to Google Reader for the day before
Everyone remembers the disappearance of Google Reader. Everybody. Fortunately, Feedly has arrived at the best of times to provide a real alternative to Google’s RSS feed reader. The application has retained the principles that have made Google so successful, while developing welcome features.
The list of the best monitoring tools
The alternative: Flipboard. RSS feeds are great for building a thorough and fully mastered watch, but it takes a lot of time. Flipboard has the advantage of allowing a dynamic watch to be set up very quickly.
Zapier, the benchmark application for automating tasks
If you’re not yet using an automation app, it’s high time you got equipped! These services save precious time and secure sometimes complex processes, for which human action does not bring added value. Zapier is the automation benchmark for professionals: the tool can connect to a large number of services and manage very specific workflows.
Find tools to automate tasks
© Zapier
The alternative: IFTTT. The free version of If this than that is less interesting than before, but the features of its Pro version are closer to Zapier.
Screen, to take a video capture of your screen
Among the recurring needs of professionals: recording their screen, to send a video capsule to colleagues or clients. Screen is a free tool perfectly suited to this need, the most popular of the year 2020!
The alternative: Loom. The tool remains the industry benchmark for capturing video.
Practical tools to record your screen
Google Chrome Destkop, the free remote access tool
Remote desktop tools aren’t just for kids who help their parents use their computers. They are also used in companies by IT departments and by service providers wishing to help their customers. Google Chrome Desktop is a benchmark because it’s free and easy to use.
The alternative: TeamViewer. A recognized remote access and remote assistance tool.
The best remote access tools
Livestorm, the French application to do a webinar
Like videoconferences, webinars were very popular in 2020. Several platforms are doing well, including the French Livestorm. The free offer above all allows you to discover the application since it is limited to 20 minutes and 10 registrants. You will need to opt for a plan at 89 euros per month to benefit from 100 participants per webinar, which can last up to 4 hours. Note that Livestorm also includes a videoconferencing feature, offered free of charge these days due to the health context.
The alternative: Demio. A little less expensive tool for organizing webinars. You can also look to the side of video conferencing tools like Zoom to organize your virtual events.
