By: Jennifer Brazer
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen
12 Essential Remote Business Tools for Success in 2025
I remember launching my first remote business from a tiny Airbnb kitchen table with just a laptop and a half-charged Wi-Fi hotspot. That scrappy beginning taught me a valuable lesson: success in a remote setup doesn’t come from working harder—it comes from working smarter with the right tools.
Since those early days, remote work has become mainstream. Approximately 28% of employees worldwide worked remotely in 2023, up from 20% in 2020. And it’s easy to see why: studies show remote workers are up to 47% more productive than office workers, with 77% reporting increased productivity.
Whether you’re freelancing solo or running a fully distributed team, these 12 remote business tools will sharpen your workflow, keep communication tight, and help you thrive—no matter where you’re logging in from.
Why Remote Business Tools Are Non-Negotiable
Remote work isn’t just a perk—it’s how business happens today. The number of remote jobs has tripled since 2020, with fully remote positions increasing from 10% in Q1 2023 to 15% in Q4 2024.
Without the right tech stack, you’re flying blind. Remote business tools replace everything from watercooler conversations to office brainstorms, sticky notes to physical handshakes.
You need tools that help with:
- Communication (both real-time and asynchronous)
- Project management and scheduling
- Team collaboration and feedback
- Remote system access and data security
- Client interactions and integrations
Let’s break down each category with the best tools that real teams (mine included) use every day to run businesses without borders.
Essential Remote Communication Tools
Zoom – Face-to-face wins trust
When tone matters and body language says more than words, Zoom delivers. With screen sharing, recording, and breakout rooms, it replicates in-person meetings better than anything else.
Why it’s a staple:
- Clear HD video and audio (even with spotty internet)
- Great for team huddles, webinars, and client calls
- Easy calendar integrations with Google or Outlook
Pro tip: Use virtual backgrounds when your living room doubles as your office.
Zoom has revolutionized how we connect virtually, becoming one of the most important remote team communication tools for businesses of all sizes.
Dialpad – Use AI to work smart, not hard
This isn’t your average business phone app. Dialpad uses AI to transcribe calls, deliver sentiment analysis, and integrate with CRMs like Salesforce—meaning fewer follow-ups and more clarity.
What makes it powerful:
- Real-time call transcripts and summaries
- Smart CRM sync that prevents duplicate work
- Voicemail to text (huge time-saver)
Project Management Tools That Keep You on Track
Trello – Drag-and-drop productivity
Trello is like a digital corkboard where you can move tasks as easily as sticky notes. It’s perfect for visual thinkers who need to see workflows at a glance.
Top uses:
- Set up Kanban boards for task stages (To Do → Doing → Done)
- Tag teammates and deadlines directly inside cards
- Use Power-Ups to add calendar views or file attachments
Effective digital project management starts with the right tools, and Trello makes it easy to visualize your entire workflow in one place.
Asana – For when structure is everything
When your team’s juggling dozens of moving pieces, Asana’s format goes deeper. Timelines, dependencies, and templated workflows help you stay organized—even during chaos.
Best features:
- Assign tasks with due dates and dependencies
- Set up dashboards for at-a-glance team progress
- Automate recurring task workflows
Asana has become a standard for digital project management software because it handles complex projects with ease while keeping everyone accountable.
Collaboration Tools Designed for Remote Input
Figma + Figjam – Real-time creative sessions
Figma is the gold standard for collaborative design, and Figjam is its brainstorming companion. Together, they act as a team whiteboard for digital creatives.
Why designers (and non-designers) love it:
- Draw together on wireframes and mockups live
- Drop comments and sticker notes for feedback
- Run remote design sprints inside one browser window
Loom – Feedback without booking a meeting
Want to explain something without hopping on Zoom? Loom lets you record your screen and voice to walk someone through your ideas—on their own time.
Use Loom to:
- Onboard new hires with easy video walk-throughs
- Give design or document feedback without typing paragraphs
- Replace bulky email chains with quick visual context
A Stanford study by economist Nicholas Bloom found that employees working from home two days a week were just as productive and likely to be promoted as their full-time office counterparts. Tools like Loom and Figma help maintain this productivity by enabling seamless collaboration regardless of location.
Remote Access & Security Tools You Can Trust
TeamViewer – When you need hands-on help (From miles away)
Sometimes a teammate just needs to “be on your computer.” TeamViewer lets them do that securely. It’s a must-have for support teams and anyone who needs remote desktop functionality.
Features that save the day:
- Secure login with two-factor authentication
- Easy session logging for compliance
- Cross-platform support (Mac, PC, mobile)
Cloud-based storage solutions – Keep everything safe and sync’d
Stuffing files into local folders won’t cut it when you’re remote. Cloud systems like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive ensure everyone’s working on the same document, with version control built in.
What it means for you:
- Access files anywhere, even on mobile
- Real-time collaboration on spreadsheets, docs, and presentations
- Backup protection if hardware fails
Implementing secure cloud-based business solutions has become essential as companies shift to remote and hybrid models. These cloud-based business solutions provide both flexibility and security while enabling better collaboration.
Client Management & Automation Tools
Copilot – Your new virtual assistant
Managing a client list can get messy fast. That’s where Copilot comes in. This tool combines contracts, payments, messaging, and task automation—so you’re not babysitting admin work.
How Copilot helps:
- Centralized dashboards for each client
- Automated weekly reports and check-ins
- Seamless integration with Stripe, Gmail, and more
For freelancers especially, finding the right productivity software for freelancers can make the difference between spending hours on admin tasks versus focusing on billable work.
Build Your Virtual Command Center
Running a remote business means building your HQ in the cloud. And like any headquarters, it needs the right floors (project management), doors (communication), windows (collaboration), and locks (security).
Don’t chase every shiny tool. Start with these essentials, test what clicks with your team, and build out from there. With 91% of employees worldwide preferring to work fully or almost completely remotely, having the right tools isn’t just about productivity—it’s about attracting and retaining talent.
You’ve got everything you need to lead from anywhere—and if you’re looking to streamline your business accounting and operations even further, check out the powerful support over at Complete Controller.
FAQ
What are some free tools for remote work?
Try Zoom’s basic plan (40-minute limit on group calls), Trello’s free board system, Slack’s free channels with 10,000 message history, Loom’s basic video messaging with 5-minute recordings, and up to 15GB free storage on Google Drive. These free options provide solid functionality for small teams or solo entrepreneurs getting started with remote work.
How do I keep my data secure when working remotely?
Secure your remote work by using cloud services with strong encryption (like Dropbox Business or Google Workspace), enabling two-factor authentication on all tools, using a VPN when on public networks, setting up clear access controls for team members, and training your team on security best practices like recognizing phishing attempts and using password managers.
What’s the best communication tool for remote teams?
The best communication setup combines multiple tools: Zoom for video meetings requiring face-to-face interaction, Slack for quick daily updates and team chat, and Dialpad or a similar service for client-facing calls with AI transcription. Different communication needs require different tools—no single solution handles everything perfectly.
How can I improve remote team productivity?
Boost remote productivity by setting clear expectations and goals, using project management software like Asana or Trello to track progress, scheduling regular but focused check-ins, encouraging async communication to reduce meeting fatigue, providing the right tools for collaboration, and trusting your team with flexibility while focusing on results rather than hours logged.
What should I do first when transitioning to remote work?
Start your remote transition by selecting core tools—a project management system (Trello/Asana), a primary communication channel (Slack/Teams), video conferencing (Zoom), and cloud storage (Google Drive/Dropbox). Then create clear communication protocols, set expectations about availability and response times, and implement regular check-ins to maintain team connection while allowing for adjustment and feedback.
Sources
- Apollotechnical. (2025). “Surprising Working From Home Productivity Statistics (2025).” https://www.apollotechnical.com/working-from-home-productivity-statistics/
- Complete Controller. “Remote Work Security Post-COVID.” https://www.completecontroller.com/remote-work-security-post-covid/
- Complete Controller. “Efficient Paperless Office Solutions.” https://www.completecontroller.com/efficient-paperless-office-solutions/
- Complete Controller. “Gain Your Freedom with Freelancing.” https://www.completecontroller.com/gain-your-freedom-with-freelancing/
- Hive Blog. (2025). “28 Remote Work Tools & Software for 2025.”
- Nicholas Bloom. (2020). “The Impact of Working from Home on Productivity.” Stanford University.
- Robert Half. (2025, February 19). “Remote Work Statistics and Trends for 2025.” https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/remote-work-statistics-and-trends
- Splashtop. (2025, May 2). “Remote Work Trends: Top 10 Predictions for 2025.” https://www.splashtop.com/blog/remote-work-trends-2025
- StrongDM. (2025). “11 Surprising Statistics on Remote Work for 2025.” https://www.strongdm.com/blog/remote-work-statistics
- Wikipedia. “Zoom Video Communications.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZoomVideoCommunications
- Wikipedia. “Asana (software).” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana_(software)
- Wikipedia. “Cloud Storage.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_storage
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
