Visual collaboration platforms are flexible, cloud-based environments that allow teams to communicate and collaborate in real time. Visual collaboration platforms provide an infinite, scalable canvas and offer collaboration features like simultaneous editing, whiteboarding, diagramming, screen sharing, sticky notes, commenting, labeled cursors, text chat, and video and audio conferencing.
These tools are leveraged by both remote and co-located teams, but some products are better suited for one or the other; some visual collaboration platforms require proprietary hardware or are intended huddle rooms with large touchscreen devices, while others can be used on any device. Given their flexible nature, visual collaboration platforms are industry-agnostic and used by multiple types of teams for a variety of projects or purposes. Common use cases include, but are not limited to, project planning, prototyping, storyboarding, and meeting management.
While some visual collaboration platforms provide native communication features, other products integrate with established business instant messaging software and video conferencing software. Visual collaboration platforms will host a variety of integrations so users can easily attach files and build workflows within the application. Many offerings will also provide their own APIs so businesses can connect their visual collaboration platform to other tools in their stack.
To qualify for inclusion in the Visual Collaboration Platforms category, a product must:
Provide an infinite canvas that can be broken down into smaller and/or separate workspaces
Allow users to simultaneously access and edit a canvas
Attach original files and links to a canvas
Support real-time communication via video conferencing, voice chat, and/or text chat
Provide universal search within the application
Allow users to save their canvas in the cloud
