You’re deep in a project, trying to address a bug in your codebase. Each fix you try causes ripple effects in modules other team members are working on, which leads to even more chaos. Coordinating in real time feels like an uphill battle, and searching for updates across various platforms only adds to the frustration.
This scenario is all too common for software development teams juggling multiple tasks, dependencies, and contributors.
In these moments, the right software development collaboration tools can be a game changer. From streamlining code reviews to improving version control and real-time communication, these tools help engineers work together seamlessly, even across time zones.
Find out how top collaboration tools can boost productivity and keep projects on track.
Key software development collaboration tool features
Team collaboration doesn’t always come easily, but the best collaboration tools will help. Keep these essential features in mind when evaluating new tools for your team:
- Streamlined visual communication: Visual communication, like video sharing, accelerates understanding and reduces lengthy explanations. Developers can use tools like Loom’s screen recorder to create or view concise videos that detail code changes, clarify instructions, or walk through troubleshooting steps.
- Workflow-friendly integration: Effective collaboration tools minimize workflow disruptions so developers can focus on their primary tasks, including asynchronous code reviews and remote pair programming.
- Balanced technical simplicity: The best tools maintain technical depth while also being intuitive enough for cross-functional collaboration—bridging the gap between developers and other teams, such as product managers, designers, or customer support.
Collaboration tools that simplify jargon while providing accessible written or visual documentation help all team members contribute effectively, regardless of their technical expertise.
1. Loom
Loom excels as a collaborative tool for asynchronous communication. Developers can easily share complex code walkthroughs, project updates, and feedback via video while reducing meetings or lengthy comment threads. Teams can even use integrations with platforms like Slack and GitHub to seamlessly embed Loom videos into chat threads or pull requests.
Known for its simplicity and convenience, Loom enhances the depth and clarity of code reviews, so teams can provide detailed, constructive feedback without rushing through them. It’s easy to create and share documentation with a user-friendly interface designed to make collaboration smooth and efficient.
Features:
- Loom AI: Use Loom AI to instantly turn your videos into detailed Jira or Linear tickets.
- Video library: Delve into your Loom video library—a knowledge base for onboarding new team members and sharing processes.
- Asynchronous video sharing: Communicate with a helpful Zoom alternative, especially for global teams working across time zones.
Pros:
- Start recording and sharing videos in a matter of minutes
- Easily pause while recording to gather your thoughts, or rewind and try again
- Editing and sharing available immediately after recording
Cons:
- You can’t opt to record only a portion of your screen
Pricing: Free plan available. The Business plan starts at $15 per user per month.
Try Loom for Engineering for Free2. Jira
Jira is a structured, agile-focused collaboration tool specifically designed for software development. It offers robust task management capabilities with advanced features for bug tracking, sprint planning, and customizable workflows. Jira’s interface is ideal for agile teams. It supports detailed project organization including Scrum and Kanban boards.
Features:
- Developer-friendly integrations: Add utility via Jira integrations with tools like Confluence and Bitbucket to centralize documentation, code management, and issue tracking.
- Valuable data insights: Get insights on productivity with reporting and analytics features.
- User-friendly interface: Customize Jira’s intuitive UI to suit various project and developer needs.
Pros:
- Break down long-term plans into individual tasks
- Integrates with tools like Slack, Trello, and Google Drive
- Reporting capabilities for projects include progress per team member
Cons:
- You can’t download reports—they’re only available directly in Jira
- Mobile app is not very user-friendly
Pricing: Free for up to 10 users. The Standard plan starts at $7.53 per user per month.
3. Trello
Trello’s boards, lists, and card views offer a flexible, visually focused experience for collaborating teams that need a less structured project management tool. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for team members outside of development to participate, maximizing alignment.
Features:
- User-friendly interface: Include your entire team with numerous customization options for all experience levels.
- Automations: Create basic rules with triggers and actions, like moving a task, or card, to a specific section once it’s marked complete.
- Templates: Access popular templates for business, design, engineering, marketing, and more in the Trello template library.
Pros:
- Jira integration supports high-level planning with in-depth sprint and issue-tracking
- Free plan includes custom backgrounds and an unlimited activity log
- All plans feature unlimited Power-Ups
Cons:
- Only Trello’s Premium plan includes various project views
- Limited file uploads and automations might not suffice for more complex projects
Pricing: Free basic plan. The Standard plan starts at $5 per user per month.
4. Figma
Figma is a cloud-based design and collaboration tool primarily used for UI/UX design. It enables teams to work on designs in real time, making it a powerful platform for software development collaboration by bridging the gap between designers, developers, and other stakeholders.
Features:
- Real-time collaboration: Work on the same design file with other users simultaneously, streamlining teamwork across departments.
- Developer handoff: Inspect designs, extract code snippets, and access assets directly with Figma’s intuitive userface.
- Online whiteboard: Share ideas, align on plans, and brainstorm as a team using the FigJam online whiteboard.
Pros:
- Intuitive interface and real-time collaboration improve productivity and teamwork
- Teams can create, test, and comment on interactive prototypes directly within the platform
- Flexible pricing tiers suit individual users and teams of all sizes
Cons:
- Limited offline functionality can hinder productivity during connectivity issues
- Learning curve for developers or non-design team members navigating the design-focused interface effectively, if you need to collaborate with them
Pricing: Free for small teams with limited features. The Professional Team plan starts at $15 per seat per month.
5. GitHub
GitHub is an essential tool for version control and tracking changes to ensure seamless collaboration on code development and integration. It integrates with a variety of CI/CD tools, adapts to existing tech stacks, and allows teams to customize workflows as needed.
Features:
- Loom integration: Speed up feedback cycles by attaching video explanations directly to pull requests for more thorough, contextual code reviews.
- Powerful documentation and knowledge-sharing: Create a reliable, centralized place for code, feedback, and project management.
- Copilot chat: Accelerate the pace of software development when you use GitHub’s AI developer tool as your codebase assistant.
Pros:
- Robust documentation for developer guidance
- Multiple people can work on the same piece of code, online or offline
Cons:
- Security concerns with trusting GitHub’s cloud with high-value intellectual property
Pricing: Free for public repositories. The Team plan starts at $4 per user per month.
6. Confluence
As a knowledge management tool, Confluence is built for teams that need centralized documentation. Its integration with the Atlassian Suite, including Jira, supports the organization of complex projects with linked pages for task tracking, meeting notes, and project progress.
Features:
- Highly adaptable interface: Use templates for quick document creation and easy-to-use collaborative features.
- Robust security measures: Manage stringent compliance requirements with granular access controls.
- Accessible documentation: Make navigating and accessing necessary information simpler for all users.
Pros:
- Dedicated team spaces included under the same umbrella organization
- Supports many content types, like images, whiteboards, videos, and Jira tickets
Cons:
- Customization features for a team or project’s specific needs can be difficult
Pricing: Free plan for up to 10 users. The Standard plan starts at $5.16 per user per month.
7. Basecamp
Basecamp is a clear-cut project management tool designed to simplify team collaboration and organization. It excels in providing a centralized platform where teams can share updates, assign tasks, and streamline communication, making it an effective choice for software development projects.
Features:
- Automatic check-ins: Send automatic polls and messages to your team on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis to get regular status updates.
- Customizable dashboard: Get a home page that shows you everything you need and nothing you don’t—including pinned and recent tasks, your schedule, and your assignments.
- Campfire chat: Real-time group chat within the platform allows you to attach files, quotes, and code samples without leaving Basecamp.
Pros:
- Super-intuitive interface makes collaboration and using the myriad of features easy
- Reduces the need for scattered emails and meetings while boosting alignment and productivity
- Offers a wide variety of built-in tools to touch on most, if not all, of your team’s responsibilities
Cons:
- There’s no free plan available
- There are no built-in spring planning features
Pricing: Free 30-day trial, then paid memberships start at $15 per user per month.
How to evaluate software development collaboration tools for your team
Selecting the right online collaboration tool depends on understanding your team’s unique needs and workflows. Consider the following factors when evaluating new software:
- Identify team needs: Recognize that preferences vary—some team members might prefer video, while others rely on written documentation. Loom can complement traditional methods, supporting distributed teams with flexible communication options.
- Assess core features: Integration, task management, communication, documentation, and customization features should align with your team’s collaboration style and technical requirements.
- Consider usability: A tool should be user-friendly for both technical and non-technical team members, ensuring smooth adoption and daily use.
- Research security features: Prioritize privacy settings, encryption, and compliance to make sure your data is well-protected.
- Evaluate cost and scalability: Determine whether the tool’s pricing is sustainable as your team grows, and if its features scale with increasing team size and project complexity.
- Factor in vendor support: Consider the level of customer support and vendor-provided resources. Reliable support can be crucial for issue resolution and user training.
Boost team efficiency with Loom’s smart collaboration features
Collaboration doesn’t have to be complicated. With Loom, you can simplify team communication, improve productivity, and bridge gaps between technical and non-technical team members effortlessly.
Whether you’re aiming to cut down on meeting time or document intricate code reviews, Loom offers flexible and accessible solutions for modern software development teams.
Make team collaboration easier with Loom’s screen recorder. Get started today.
Try Loom for Engineering for Free