As a small business owner, your phone is likely your communication hub. It’s where you manage emails, phone calls, texts, and social media just to name a few. While these apps are essential for staying connected with your customers, tools like online fax can also help streamline communication, making it easier to send and receive important documents directly from your phone.
Whether you’re engaging with customers or collaborating with your team, these apps help unify your communication channels, making it easier to stay in sync with everyone.
In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the best communication apps for small businesses.
Top communication apps
From improving customer interactions to enhancing teamwork, these apps are designed to simplify and streamline how you connect and communicate with others.
1. Command Center
Command Center is a customer communication tool designed for small businesses, offering a centralized inbox to manage phone, email, and social media channels. It includes TeamChat for team collaboration and provides 60 minutes of free phone and video calls each month with automatic transcription. Pros include a free business phone line, CRM integration, and email support, while cons include limited platform integrations and suitability for larger enterprises. Pricing starts free, with paid plans at $20/seat/month.
2. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a leading messaging app with over 1 billion daily users, ideal for free international communication. It supports group video calls for up to 32 participants and offers diverse features like voice messages and chatbots. WhatsApp for Business is a cost-effective tool for SMEs, providing 1,000 free monthly conversations and free chats triggered by ads for 72 hours. While packed with features, advanced business tools may require setup. Free for personal use, with free-to-start business plans.
3. Gmail
Gmail is a top choice for email communication, offering free, user-friendly features and seamless integration with Google Drive and Calendar. Ideal for personal and business use, it supports up to 500 emails per day for free accounts, with paid Google Workspace options for advanced features. Tools like “Smart Compose” save time by predicting and personalizing your emails. In addition, documents from emails can be easily sent using the fax app for Android.
Pros include easy setup and compatibility with other tools, while limitations include email caps for free accounts and costs for business features.
4. Messenger
Facebook Messenger is a powerful tool for customer communication, used by over 40 million businesses in the U.S. It offers features like custom welcome messages, saved replies, and instant replies to streamline interactions. Businesses can also set their page status to “away” for transparency. Pros include advanced chatbot automation, ad integration, and the chance to earn the “very responsive” badge. While it’s free, setup can be time-consuming, and customer support is limited.
5. Slack
Slack is a group messaging platform ideal for businesses of all sizes. Its free plan enables basic communication, while paid plans offer advanced features like automation, AI tools, and audio/video messaging. Slack supports team collaboration through dedicated groups and app integrations like Google Calendar. However, the free plan has limitations, such as a 90-day message history and restricted features like Huddles and Canvases. Pricing starts at $7.25 per user/month for Pro, with higher tiers for Business+ and Enterprise.
6. Zoom
Zoom is a leading video conferencing app ideal for quick meetings and team collaboration. The free plan supports up to 100 participants with a 40-minute limit, while premium plans offer advanced features like AI-powered meeting summaries. Available on both desktop and mobile, Zoom allows seamless screen sharing, recording, and chat. Pricing starts at $13/month for Pro plans, with options for businesses and enterprises.
