Working remotely has gained popularity in the tech world and several other industries. Developers can now work in the comforts of their homes while maintaining productivity and efficiency. Many companies are also beginning to see the advantages of hiring remote developers as it can help save on operational costs.

Remote work can have many distractions, especially for a developer. Most developers work continuously once they get into a rhythm, but potential distractions can halt work and reduce efficiency. The good news is that there are now several productivity tools to help remote developers work efficiently.

Communication Platforms

Among the best tools to boost productivity are communication platforms. As a remote developer, you will need to be in touch with your team and employer to share updates and progress reports. Good communication can also enhance productivity as you can immediately identify and resolve issues with your team.

1. Slack

Slack is one of the best communication platforms today. It has a simple interface that can divide departments into different channels. This ensures that remote developers can focus on their specific tasks. It is a good platform for both small and large teams. You can also easily exchange files while communicating with your team. Another good feature of Slack is its ability to integrate with other popular platforms that remote teams use. It can integrate with Google, Trello, Zoom, Dropbox, and more.

2. Google Hangouts

Hangouts is another good communication platform that offers chat and video features. All you need is to set up a Google account, and you can use Hangouts to communicate with your team. The platform also syncs with the entire G Suite. This allows you to discuss schedules from your Google Calendar or share files on Google Drive without needing to sign in repeatedly with each link.

Video Conferencing Apps

Remote workers also need video conferencing apps for quick meetings or conferences. Although some companies prefer to communicate via email or chat messaging, video calls can convey a complex subject quicker.

3. Zoom

Zoom has been around since 2011, but it gained popularity in recent years as more companies shifted to remote work. It can provide HD-quality video conferences that can accommodate hundreds of participants. What’s more, you can even use the free version of Zoom for quick calls under 40 minutes. Zoom also has a screen recording feature that you can use to share your coding process with other developers.

4. Google Meet

The Google Suite is still among the top choices of remote developers worldwide. With Google Meet, participants don’t need to download any additional software on their computers. You can log in directly through your browser to connect with your team.

Project Management Tools

Project management tools are essential to remote work. These tools help keep track of development stages and workflow. Using a project management tool can also help companies avoid excessive meetings, allowing remote developers to focus on their work.

5. Basecamp

Basecamp has a smooth user interface and a visual board. It allows users to set timelines, assign specific tasks, and send files all in one platform. This way, once you log in, you will know exactly what tasks you need to complete. Basecamp also has a chat function for urgent messages and announcements.

6. Trello

Trello is another popular project management tool. It promotes a lean management system with a clean interface and visual tools. Trello works by creating cards that contain specific tasks for each remote worker. As the work progresses, these cards can be updated or rearranged to show the progress of the project. Many startups use Trello for its simple yet efficient functionality.

Cloud-based Storage

You will also need cloud-based storage when working remotely. As a developer, you will be exchanging a lot of files for your team to check. Cloud-based storage makes sending files easier compared to attaching large files in an email.

7. GitHub

GitHub is popular cloud-based storage in the web development community. It acts as a staging platform. Here, remote developers can share their code and collaborate with other developers to improve it. It is highly used in remote development projects.

8. Google Drive

Another product of Google Suite, Google Drive is a popular cloud-storage option that can provide up to 15GB of storage for each account. You can store most file formats and sync your files across devices for easy access.

Developer-specific Tools

Remote workers need productivity tools that can help them efficiently complete their tasks.

9. Codestream

Codestream allows developers to share code with their teams. This helps in speeding up each task as the whole team can contribute to improving the code. Since you can share your code directly, your team can add their feedback and comments on each line. Codestream enhances problem-solving and collaboration between team members.

10. Jira

Jira is similar to Basecamp but is mainly used for software development. Remote agile software development teams use Jira to assign specific tasks, monitor progress, report bugs, and so on. It can also easily integrate with developer tools, making it one of the best project management tools for remote developers.

Final Word

Development work is specific to each project. Productivity tools can help remote developers share work and meet deadlines. Going beyond productivity tools, companies can also opt to use a workflow builder that can be customized according to their needs. 

It is important to keep track of productivity to ensure that the project adheres to its timeline. Efficiency must also be maintained to ensure that developers produce quality outputs to achieve their goals.