You’ve finally nailed the perfect workflow—files are shared, deadlines are clear, and everyone seems to be on a roll (on a Monday morning!).
Now, all you need is collaboration software to maximize your team’s synchronization and productivity. But is the software secure enough?
Without the right security protocols, your team’s hard work is at risk. It’s like walking a tightrope without using a safety net below—one wobble, and it’s all downhill from there!
This is where secure collaboration tools step in.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 platforms that’ll help your team work together without compromising on security.
Summarize this article for me please⏰ 60-Second Summary
- ClickUp: Best for collaborative project and task management
- Microsoft Teams: Best for video conferencing with Microsoft Suite integration
- Slack: Best for centralizing internal communication and collaboration
- Basecamp: Best for simplified team collaboration and work management
- Trello: Best for collaborating through Kanban boards and checklists
- Notion: Best for collaborating through customizable dashboards
- Google Workspace: Best for holistic collaboration with Google Suite
- Zoom: Best for conducting high-quality video meetings
- Asana: Best for task dependencies and powerful automation
- Toggl: Best for remote team collaboration
- Wire: Best for unified communication and collaboration
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look for In Secure Collaboration Software?
Some of the basic features you should look for in a secure collaboration platform include:
- End-to-end encryption: Ensures that your data is secured at all stages (even in transit) and can only be accessed and read by intended users
- Access control: Allows admins to define who can view, edit, or share specific files or data, keeping sensitive information insusceptible to unauthorized members
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Supports 2FA or MFA (e.g., password and mobile verification) to prevent unidentified logins
- Private workspace: Allows sharing sensitive files and documents (like project financial reports) only with select people
- Data loss prevention: Stores data and allows easy retrieval in case of unexpected data loss
- Activity logs: Allows you to monitor and track changes, including who made the change, what change was made, and when it was done
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe 11 Best Secure Collaboration Software
1. ClickUp (Best for collaborative project and task management)
ClickUp, the everything app for work, keeps data, documentation, and conversations safe for companies of all sizes. It combines secure messaging and advanced task management in one comprehensive project management platform.
Collaboration begins with chat for most of us. A built-in messaging solution, ClickUp Chat connects your conversations with all the related assets, like tasks, docs, dependencies, etc., within the workspace. Official Follow-Ups can be created by assigning a chat message to a specific team member to reduce ambiguity and increase accountability within teams.
Like everything else in ClickUp, Chat is also powered by ClickUp Brain, ClickUp’s very own neural network. This means you can get AI-generated chat summaries, answers based on chat history, and information related to the thread you are looking at.
When it’s time to convert an important chat message into a trackable action item, click on ‘Create task with AI,’ and ClickUp Brain creates a task with the complete chat thread added to the task description, so no time is wasted looking for context.
That said, real-time collaboration is not limited to Chat in ClickUp.
Create detailed documents, wikis, or project charters with ClickUp Docs and invite your team members to work alongside you. You can connect the docs to relevant tasks, keeping all the information in one place. Pair this up with numerous communication plan templates, and it’s easier than ever to keep your team in sync!
ClickUp’s Collaboration Detection further streamlines collaboration between teams working on the same document. A live cursor shows all the collaborators simultaneously active in that location and highlights changes being made in real time, making it easy to identify the owners of edits and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
However, if you’re more of a visual planner, ClickUp Whiteboards would be right up your alley. With an intuitive interface, you can sketch, draw, and bring concepts to reality. Thanks to built-in AI Image Generator, you can quickly generate images to add more context to your whiteboards.
📌Pin It: Want to hit the ground running? Use ClickUp’s Whiteboard templates to document your ideas or create project timelines, even when catching up on a team meeting.
Engage in collaborative asynchronous communication with team members through screen recordings via ClickUp Clips. You can add these clips to any conversation, embed them within task notes, download them as an MP4 file, or share a public link.
And you don’t even have to worry about organizing your Clips. ClickUp automatically stores every Clip you create to your personal Clips hub, giving you all-time visibility.
While you focus on boosting the team’s productivity, ClickUp’s security protocols ensure user data protection with 256-bit SSL encryption, SOC 2 Type 2 certified AWS data centers, and continuous adherence to GDPR and HIPAA regulations.
ClickUp best features
- End-to-end encryption: Prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its security protocols
- Two-factor Authentication (2FA): Monitor your workspace and prevent unapproved access with two-factor authentication (2FA)
- SOC 2 Compliance: Benefit from organizational and technology controls that are independently audited at least annually
- Custom permissions: Go beyond the default and give additional controls to Guest, Admin, or Member roles
- Custom roles: Create and assign custom roles (other than admin, guest, and member) like super admin, editor, and limited member
ClickUp limitations
- New users may experience a steep learning curve due to ClickUp’s extensive features
ClickUp pricing
- Free
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- ClickUp Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7 per member per month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (9,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,000+ reviews)
2. Microsoft Teams (Best for video conferencing with Microsoft Suite integration)
Microsoft Teams is a go-to video conferencing tool for cross-functional teams running on the Microsoft Office suite. It’s a secure collaboration tool for hosting online meetings and having real-time conversations with peers.
The tool safeguards against unauthorized access through SSO and 2FA. It also keeps the video communication line secure from attackers through Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP).
Microsoft Teams best features
- Microsoft Defender: Allows you to determine any malicious content in Teams and block it from user access
- Safe attachments: Protects against cyber threats by checking for and detecting any malicious attachments
- Secure Score: Measures your organization’s data security and recommends actions to improve your account, app, and device security
Microsoft Teams limitations
- Notifications can become overwhelming, especially when you’re a part of multiple groups or clubs
- Collaboration with people outside your organization requires extra setup
Microsoft Teams pricing
- Microsoft Teams Essentials: $4 per user/month (billed annually)
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6 per user/month (billed annually)
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 per user/month (billed annually)
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22 per user/month (billed annually)
Microsoft Teams review and ratings
- G2: 4.3/5 (15,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (9,700+ reviews)
Not sure if Microsoft Teams is the best fit? Check out our picks of the best Microsoft Teams alternatives to find your perfect collaboration tool!
3. Slack (Best for centralizing internal communication and collaboration)
Slack is a team communication and collaboration software that offers instant messaging, file sharing, and advanced search features.
You also get Enterprise Key Management (EKM), which gives you complete control of your encryption keys. This means no one, not even Slack, can access the data except you. It’s also lightweight, consuming less system resources for a smooth, lag-free collaboration session.
Slack best features
- Single sign-on (SSO): Adds a security layer to prevent unauthorized access by partnering with ADFS, Google Workspace (SAML), and Okta
- Audit logs: Records user activity, helping you detect unrecognized logins or changes
- Role-based access control (RBAC): Gives you the power to manage access across your team based on each person’s roles and responsibilities
Slack limitations
- File storage limitations don’t allow you to share large files
- Free plan does not store conversations for more than 30 days
Slack pricing
- Free
- Pro: $8.75 per user/month
- Business+: $15 per user/month
- Enterprise Grid: Custom pricing
Slack ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (33,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (23,000+ reviews)
Check out these handy Slack alternatives if you need better file storage capabilities on your collaboration tool.
4. Basecamp (Best for simplified team collaboration and work management)
Basecamp is a project-based collaboration software that helps you collaborate in async and remote environments with work, messages, schedules, files, and more.
Its built-in document tool helps you brainstorm ideas or write detailed plans and share them with your team. Everything you do stays encrypted and is sent over using a HTTPS connection, ensuring no leakage.
Basecamp best features
- File and data encryption: Stores your file securely through AES-256, which scrambles the data so only authorized systems can read and access it
- PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance: Conducts regular audits by submitting a self-assessment (SAQ A 3.2) report, keeping your payment info safe
- Suspicious activity monitoring: Offers a built-in system to monitor and alert you about any unusual behavior, like repeated failed login attempts
Basecamp limitations
- Uploading big files in the chat takes a bit too long
- Threaded conversations are difficult to track after long collaboration sessions
Basecamp pricing
- Free: $0 per user/month
- Plus: $15 per user/month
- Pro Unlimited: $299 per user/month (billed annually)
Basecamp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.1/5 (5,300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (14,000+ reviews)
➡️ Bonus: Top Basecamp Alternatives
📮ClickUp Insight: About 41% of professionals prefer instant messaging for team communication.
Although it offers quick and efficient exchanges, messages are often spread across multiple channels, threads, or direct messages, making it harder to retrieve information later. With an integrated solution like ClickUp Chat, your chat threads are mapped to specific projects and tasks, keeping your conversations in context and readily available.
5. Trello (Best for collaborating using Kanban boards)
Trello is a Kanban-focused collaboration software that organizes your work into a beautiful drag-and-drop card system. At a glance, you can see which projects are in progress, which need to be reviewed, and which are ready to go live.
All of your data will stay secure under a government-approved, FedRAMP-certified system. Even though the tool is simple and light, its security is way heavier.
Trello best features
- Secure sign-in: Adds a layer of security through native two-factor authentication or Google Authenticator
- Automated scans: Allows you to run weekly automated checks and annual data breach tests, detecting and resolving any potential vulnerabilities in the system
- Bug Bounty Program: Invites ethical hackers through Bugcrowd to find and report security flaws, ensuring your data gets first-class treatment
Trello limitations
- Private items or personal notes can’t be easily distinguished from shared team boards
- Prone to cluttering with very large projects
Trello pricing
- Free: $0 per user/month
- Standard: $5 per user/month
- Premium: $10 per user/month
- Enterprise: $17.50 per user/month (billed annually)
Trello ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (13,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (23,000+ reviews)
Need a clutter-free experience? We’ve picked some great Trello alternatives!
6. Notion (Best for collaborating through customizable dashboards)
Notion is a secure collaboration tool that brings creativity and customizability to the forefront. It empowers you to design workflows, share ideas, and manage tasks while ensuring data security.
You can keep tabs on the tool’s security and compliance through annual internal security audits. Going even further, Notion stores your data on AWS, using a combination of databases, keeping it safe and sound.
Notion best features
- Multi-factor authentication: Allows you to make login more secure by adding multiple layers of authentication
- Data sovereignty: Complies with regulations like GDPR, ensuring safe data hosting and management
- Key management: Offers digital locks while maintaining full data control through a trusted third-party service
Notion limitations
- Occasional performance hiccups when dealing with extensive databases or large volumes of data
- The mobile app is not as robust as its desktop version, offering limiting functionality for on-the-go workers compared to Notion alternatives
Notion pricing
- Free: $0 per seat/month
- Plus: $10 per seat/month
- Business: $15 per seat/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Notion ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (5,900+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (2,400+ reviews)
7. Google Workspace (Best for holistic collaboration with Google Suite)
Google Docs (and Google Workspace) is a leader in the collaboration workspace. In fact, Google’s Office Suite had over 44% share of the Office suite technology market, while Microsoft Office 365 had 30%.
Now, Google Workspace is a solid collaboration tool due to its extensive range of apps and top-notch security features. Using AI-powered defenses, Google protects your inbox from spam, phishing, and malware attacks, letting you browse efficiently.
Google Workspace best features
- Advanced Encryption Standard (AES): Encrypts the data using 128-bit or AES protocol with distinct keys
- Access controls: Lets you define who can view, edit, or share specific files, ensuring that sensitive information remains accessible only to authorized parties
- Mobile device management: Enables administrators to manage and secure mobile devices for Google Workspace access
Google Workspace limitations
- The search functionality within Google Drive can be frustrating, as it sometimes struggles with locating older files or documents with generic names
- Complexity in navigating and managing permissions across various apps and files, especially in larger team settings
Google Workspace pricing
- Business Starter: $7 per user/month
- Business Standard: $14 per user/month
- Business Plus: $22 per user/month
- Enterprise: Custom quote
Google Workspace ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (42,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (16,000+ reviews)
➡️ Also Read: Google Workspace Alternatives: Tools Like G Suite
8. Zoom (Best for conducting high-quality video meetings)
From sharing quarterly project updates to hosting fun monthly town halls, Zoom makes collaboration within large teams effortless. Its ease of use and real-time connectivity make it an effective team collaboration tool.
The platform uses encryption to secure all your video, audio, and screen sharing during meetings, with cryptographic keys known only to participants.
Zoom best features
- Waiting rooms: Meeting attendees can only join after the host joins the call
- Passcode-enabled meetings: Provides access to meetings only through shared passwords
- Authentication integrations: Connects with powerful identity management platforms like Centrify, Microsoft Active Directory, and OneLogin to protect the call from unapproved personnel
Zoom limitations
- Sometimes the audio becomes erratic or the video quality decreases, which makes meetings less efficient
- The 40-minute limit on group meetings in the free plan can be restrictive
Zoom pricing
- Basic: $0 for only one user
- Pro: $13.33 per user/month
- Business: $18.32 per user/month
Zoom ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (56,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (13,000+ reviews)
➡️ Read More: Best Zoom Alternatives
9. Asana (Best for task dependencies and powerful automation)
Asana is an intuitive, collaborative software that supports task dependencies, helping you streamline your tasks and projects more efficiently. You can store files, run automated workflows, and stay connected with your team through native commenting and @mentions features.
If you use Asana’s mobile app, you’ll have control over what your team members can download, screenshot, and copy-paste on the mobile app, safeguarding your data.
Asana best features
- Session duration limits: Sets session duration to manage each user’s logged-in duration and request sign-in requests after it expires
- Data residency: Hosts your data for higher reliability and performance in four countries—the US, Germany, Japan, and Australia
- Guest invite control: Allows people with access to invite more guests only from an approved list of email domains
Asana limitations
- Doesn’t support assigning multiple people to the same task
- It takes a lot of thought and adoption from the whole team to make it work
Asana pricing
- Personal $0 per user/month
- Starter: $10.99 per user/month
- Advanced: $24.99 per user/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
- Enterprise+: Custom pricing
Asana ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (10,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (13,000+ reviews)
10. Toggl (Best for remote team collaboration)
Toggl has a visually appealing interface on Kanban boards and Timeline view. It stands out as a good Asana alternative since it lets you add multiple assignees to a single task, which is helpful for multi-step tasks.
And you don’t need to lose sleep over data loss, as Toggl backs it up every 24 hours.
Toggl best features
- Data encryption: Transmits data over a public network using TLS 1.2, AES-256 encryption, and SHA2 signatures to maintain privacy and collaborate securely
- Multiple storage technologies: Stores your data across multiple systems to protect it against unexpected hardware failures
- Advanced single sign-on: Helps minimize the risk of stolen credentials by managing login controls through the identity provider (Google Authenticator, Okta, etc.)
Toggl limitations
- It doesn’t have a built-in communication tool like some Toggl alternatives with chat embedded within the workspace
- Slow loading times or lag, especially when dealing with a high volume of tasks and projects
Toggl pricing
- Free: $0 per seat/month for up to 5 users
- Capacity: $5 per seat/month
- Starter: $8 per seat/month
- Premium: $13.5 per seat/month
Toggl ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (40+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (100+ reviews)
11. Wire (Best for unified communication and collaboration)
Wire is a comprehensive workplace collaboration platform that brings messaging, file sharing, document collaboration, and team communication under one roof.
What’s even more interesting is that Wire’s code is completely open-source and available on GitHub, giving you the utmost transparency into how the Wire team stores and manages your data.
Wire best features
- ID-Shield: Runs identity checks in the background and gives you a go-ahead if you’re talking to the right person
- Wire Secure: Keeps past communication secure in case of breach (Forward Secrecy) and replaces compromised keys to keep future ones secure (Post-Compromise Security (PCS))
- Self-deleting messages: Allows you to set a timer, after which messages will disappear for both participants
Wire limitations
- When problems arise during device synchronization, it may be necessary to perform a fresh sync using a new encryption key
- Lacks 2FA, which is a prerequisite in any secure collaboration tool
Wire pricing
- Free
- Wire for enterprise: €7.45 (approx. $7.73) per person/month
- Wire on-premise: Custom pricing
Wire ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (60+ reviews)
Summarize this article for me pleaseProtect Your Business Data and Conversations With ClickUp
When it comes to sensitive information—financial reports, client project details, and daily work-related conversations—security isn’t optional.
This is why you need a secure collaboration tool like ClickUp, where security isn’t an afterthought, it’s built-in.
ClickUp maintains high-level data security through encrypted keys, compliance, and custom permissions. Of course, you also get excellent collaboration features like Whiteboards, Docs, Chat, and Clips to enhance productivity and keep members in sync.
Sign up for ClickUp today and experience seamless collaboration without breaking a sweat about security!
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
