Owl Labs’ favorite collaboration tools [2025]

Ever wonder what fuels a productive (and happy!) team behind the scenes? Well, we recently did a quick poll around our virtual water cooler to find out which collaboration tools truly make our workday sing. The results are in, and we thought it would be a fun peek into how we operate and, just maybe, inspire your own team’s workflow. So, grab a coffee, and let’s dive into our top picks!

Making hybrid meetings human: The Meeting Owl (of course!)

First up, and with a resounding “of course!” from the team, is our trusty Meeting Owl. In the age of hybrid work, ensuring everyone feels included, whether they’re in the office or dialing in remotely, is essential. 

The Meeting Owl has been a game-changer with its intelligent 360-degree camera, mic, and speaker. It automatically focuses on whoever is speaking, making remote participants feel like they’re right there in the room. No more craning necks or wondering who said what – just seamless, engaging meetings where every voice is heard and seen. It’s made our hybrid collaboration smoother and, frankly, much more equitable.

Where ideas take flight: FigJam

When it comes to brainstorming, mind-mapping, or just generally letting creative chaos reign (in a good way!), FigJam is our go-to digital whiteboard. It’s an incredibly intuitive and flexible space where we can all jump in, throw virtual sticky notes around, sketch out concepts, and build on each other’s ideas in real-time. 

Whether we’re mapping out a new project, designing a user flow, or even just having a bit of fun with a team-building exercise, FigJam provides the canvas and the tools to make visual collaboration dynamic and engaging. The ease of use means everyone can contribute without a steep learning curve, making it a true team favorite for getting those initial sparks flying.

Our digital brain: Notion

If FigJam is where ideas are born, Notion is where they grow up and get organized. This all-in-one workspace has become our team’s central nervous system. From project management and task tracking to documentation and knowledge bases, Notion keeps us all on the same page – literally. 

We love Notion’s flexibility! We can build out databases, create detailed project plans, and share important information in a way that’s accessible and easy to navigate. Notion allows us to cut down on endless email chains and scattered documents, creating a single source of truth that’s invaluable for efficient collaboration.

More than just messages: Slack (especially the fun channels!)

No collaboration tool list would be complete without Slack, but for us, it’s more than just a messaging app for work-related discussions. Yes, it’s fantastic for quick questions, sharing files, and dedicated project channels. However, a big reason it made our favorites list is for its role in fostering our team culture – specifically, our fun channels! From #dogs-of-owl-labs and #song-of-the-day to #owl-sports where there are A LOT of Celtics fans), these channels are where our team’s personality shines. They provide those crucial moments of connection and levity that make working together even more enjoyable, especially in a distributed environment.

Show, don’t just tell: Loom

Rounding out our top five is Loom. In a world where we can’t always be side-by-side, Loom has revolutionized how we share information and provide feedback. This asynchronous video messaging tool allows us to quickly record our screen and ourselves to explain complex ideas, give detailed feedback on a design, or walk through a new process. 

It’s so much more personal and often clearer than a long email or a static screenshot. Need to demonstrate a bug? Want to give a quick tutorial? Loom makes it incredibly easy to create and share short, impactful videos, saving time and reducing misunderstandings.

There you have it – a glimpse into the collaboration toolkit that keeps our team connected, productive, and yes, even having a bit of fun along the way. Each of these tools plays a vital role in how we work together, proving that the right tech can truly enhance not just efficiency, but also the overall team experience.