Whether working remotely in an entirely different country or an office setting amongst a team, database developers can leverage the features of collaboration tools to stay on the same page, increase efficiency, share ideas, provide feedback, and more. This guide features some of the best collaboration tools for database developers so you can enjoy similar benefits.
In particular, we will be looking at the following collaboration tools:
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Basecamp
When it comes to collaboration, Basecamp is one of the top tools around. Database developers may choose Basecamp for its collaborative features first, then enjoy its robust project management capabilities as well. Basecamp has the following features:
- Campfire chat
- File sharing
- Messaging system with @mentions, likes, and shares
- Project management tools
Campfire is Basecamp’s top collaborative feature. It offers real-time group chat that is ideal for asking quick questions and getting instant answers. Campfire is not your typical group chat, though, as it also has @mentions, the ability to attach code samples, files, and quotes, plus videos, sounds, and emojis. To replace long, confusing, and drawn-out emails, Basecamp has the Messages feature. Use it to hold long conversations with other database developers on more complex topics and enjoy added features within, such as likes, shares, and embedded files or images.
Basecamp’s collaborative features for database developers continue with to-do lists, polls, project schedules, and a single space for storing, discussing, and sharing files. The software’s collaborative integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, Trello, Slack, Miro, OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams.
As for pricing, Basecamp offers its basic plan for $15 per user, per month and Pro version for $299 per month for unlimited users. You can learn more by visiting their pricing page.
Want to learn more about Basecamp’s pricing and features? Check out our Basecamp Project Management Software Review.
Airtable
Airtable is a database-driven project management and collaborative tool. It uses relational databases as its foundation and offers excellent customization and versatility through an intuitive interface. Other features of Airtable include:
- Kanban boards
- Gantt charts
- Calendar sharing
- Form views
Airtable offers Kanban boards, Gantt charts, shareable calendars, a form view for collecting data, and other views for visualizing progress and seeing where you stand. The software lacks internal chat, but you can use it to comment on tasks and collaborate via team dashboards and file sharing. If you find Airtable’s in-house collaborative features less than what you hoped, you can integrate it with apps like Gmail, Slack, and more.
Airtable pricing begins with a free version with limited features and user roles. The Plus version is $10 per user, per month and is great for custom workflow creation. Pro is available for $20 per user, per month and is the most popular choice for mid to large sized teams. Its Enterprise edition requires a consultation with the sales team for pricing.
You can learn more about Airtable by reading our Airtable Project Management Review.
Asana
Asana is popular project management software that can help database development teams manage projects from A to Z. But it also works wonders for communication and staying in sync thanks to its many collaboration features, which include:
- Task mentions and commenting
- Communicate with partners outside of the organization
- Workload views
- Advanced task management
Database developers can collaborate in Asana via task comments, @mentions, followers that help them stay in the loop on relevant tasks, private messages to individuals or teams, project conversations, and team conversations. Beyond collaborating with other database developers on your team, Asana lets you collaborate with partners, contractors, and vendors as well.
Other Asana collaborative features worth mentioning include a teammate view that lets you see your colleagues’ workloads, file sharing, an inbox that functions similar to email, dashboards, likes, approvals, task assignees, tasks, subtasks, and Kanban boards. Asana is also highly customizable, flexible, and carries a modern design that is easy on the eyes.
Asana pricing starts with a basic version, which has limited features, but is free. Its Premium option starts at $10.99 per user, per month and is suitable for teams seeking more ways to manage projects and collaborate. Its Business plan is $24.99 per user, per month and is best for larger teams or mid-sized teams looking to scale.
You can learn more about Asana’s features and benefits in our Asana Project Management Software Review.
Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects works well for small database development teams seeking collaboration via project management software, but it can also suffice for growing teams looking to scale.
It does not take much effort to get up and running with Zoho Projects, and once you begin, you can start customizing the PM and collaborative software to fit your unique style and needs. Zoho Projects comes with a laundry list of features to manage projects, including:
- Zoho Forums for comprehensive discussions
- Interactive feed repository
- Project management tools
- Advanced document and file sharing
The main focus in this article is on Zoho’s collaboration tools. Database developers can use the tool to collaborate via @mentions for individual users or teams, comments, discussions on specific tasks, events, or milestones, and forums for more in-depth conversations.
Remote database developers may find Zoho Projects’ forums to be its most helpful collaborative feature, as they offer detailed discussions in a highly-organized format that can reduce the need for frequent virtual meetings. Other Zoho Projects collaborative features include an interactive feed with comments and attachments, pages that act as a repository of information to bring everyone – even new additions to the team – up to speed, and document sharing.
Zoho pricing begins with its free offering, which has limited features for up to 3 users. Premium is available for $5 per user, per month and is a great choice for small to midsize teams. Its Enterprise version costs $10 per user, per month and has advanced features including custom roles and domains, task workflow rules, and SLAs for issues.
You can learn more by reading our Zoho Projects Project Management Software Review.
Todoist
Todoist is an organizational and collaboration tool that, true to its name, works and looks like a to-do list. It has the following features:
- Built-in task management tools
- Multiple views
- Activity stream for workload overviews
- Easy to use interface
Individual developers and smaller database development teams can use it to stay organized, stay on schedule, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks with features like easy-to-add tasks, recurring due dates, subtasks, priority levels, reminders, notifications, task delegation, Kanban boards, calendar feeds, comments, and file uploads.
Database development teams seeking more from the collaboration software can try Todoist Business, a premium plan geared explicitly towards teams that is used by over 100,000 organizations worldwide. With Todoist Business, you can access all of your team’s tasks, discussions, and files in one organized place. You can plan projects, assign tasks, share and discuss files, set due dates, track progress, and more. You can view the team’s activity stream according to team member or project to get a heads up on what is going on too.
Todoist pricing begins with its free version, which has limited projects and features. Upgrade to its Pro plan for $4 per user, per month, and you will gain advanced features and up to 300 active projects. Its Business version is best for teams, and costs $6 per user, per month and unlocks all of Todoist’s features.
You can learn more by reading our Todoist Collaboration Tool Review.
Slack
Do you find yourself corresponding with other database developers primarily via email? Then you may want to consider Slack for your collaboration needs, as many consider it the top messaging app on the market and much more ideal for staying in touch than old-fashioned email. Slack offers the following features:
- Channels and rooms for group conversations
- Audio and video calling
- Integrations with popular productivity tools
Slack is easy to use and personalize, has channels that serve as focused project spaces to keep everything organized, file sharing, team chat, and huddles for audio and video calling. Slack also integrates with Zoom, Outlook, Gmail, Microsoft Teams, and many other apps to give you all the collaboration and functionality you need in one place.
Slack’s pricing begins with its Basic plan, which costs $7.25 per user, per month. Business+ costs $12.50 per user, per month. For larger organizations, the Enterprise version has custom pricing, which you can learn about by speaking with the sales team.
Miro
If you are a database developer in the market for a whiteboard app to collaborate with team members, Miro may be right up your alley. Many feel that Miro is the top online collaborative whiteboard around, and it can bring remote database developers together, regardless of location, so they can share ideas and brainstorm. Features include:
- Whiteboards
- Diagramming tools
- Third-party integrations
Miro makes it easy to collaborate in real time, even if you have never used an online whiteboard before. Whether you are seeking a collaboration tool for brainstorming, diagramming, mapping, strategic planning, etc., Miro can do it all. And if you want to extend Miro’s functionality even more, it integrates with over 100 apps, including collaborative ones like Google Workspace, Zoom, Slack, Dropbox, and Microsoft Teams.
Miro pricing starts with its free version, for unlimited users with limited features. Its Starter option is $8 per user, per month for a single workspace with unlimited boards. The Business version costs $16 per user, per month and grants members unlimited workspaces. There is an Enterprise option, with custom pricing from the sales team.
Teamwork
Like other products on this list, Teamwork is customizable and user-friendly project management software that database developers can use to collaborate in many ways. Teamwork has the following features:
- Project and task management features
- Plenty of integrations
- Built-in chat software
- Advanced document management
Teamwork has comments, @mentions, messages, proofs, and document management and file sharing. Teamwork also integrates with Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Gmail, Slack, and other collaborative tools, plus it has its own Teamwork Chat for Desktop and Teamwork Chat for Mobile integrations that offer further avenues for communication.
Teamwork pricing starts with its free forever plan, which offers limited features for up to 5 users. The Starter version costs $5.99 per user, per month. Its Deliver option is $9.99 per user, per month. Finally, its Grow version is ideal for scaling teams and costs $19.99 per user, per month.
You can learn more in our Teamwork Project Management Tool Review.
LiquidPlanner
LiquidPlanner’s biggest selling point as project management software is its predictive scheduling feature that helps you reduce risk and meet deadlines. But database developers can also use the tool to collaborate via Slack integration. It has the following features:
- Predictive scheduling
- Project forecasting
- Great visualizations
- Built-in time tracking
Is LiquidPlanner the most robust tool for database developers in terms of collaboration? Not necessarily, but we list it because the tool can help in so many other ways that database development teams may find it worth considering. This is especially true if you need to manage complex projects with certainty through LiquidPlanner’s predictive scheduling and forecasting capabilities and want added perks like multiple views for visualizing progress, robust time tracking, and more.
LiquidPlanner’s pricing begins with its Essential version, which costs $15 per user, per month. The Professional option starts at $25 per user, per month, and its Ultimate will run you $35 per user, per month.
You can learn more in our LiquidPlanner Project Management Review.