Best French Collaborative Tools
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- The comparison covers Talkspirit, Monday.com, Jamespot, eXo Platform, Wimi, Lumapps, Jalios, Whaller and interStis.
- Digital sovereignty is the thread running through it: these tools are not subject to the Cloud Act, the US law enacted in 2018.
- Wimi and Whaller host data in France, and Jamespot handles development, hosting and support in France.
- Talkspirit covers chat, video conferencing, co-editing and project management for companies, nonprofits and public bodies.
- Prices start at €4 per month per user with Jamespot and eXo Platform; LumApps is quote-only.
- Free trials run from 15 days with Talkspirit to 32 days with Interstis.
Digital sovereignty and data protection are now key concerns for organizations. To address them, many are turning to French collaboration tools that aren’t subject to the Cloud Act.
Enacted in 2018, the Cloud Act is a US federal law that requires US service providers to hand over, on request from federal authorities, all data stored on their servers — both in the United States and abroad (Source: Wikipedia)
There are many French alternatives to US solutions that aren’t subject to this extraterritorial law, yet are just as powerful.
Information sharing, project management, document storage and co-editing, chat, video conferencing, team brainstorming… The features these tools offer are (almost) endless!
Looking for a tool to streamline your teams’ work? Here’s a comparison of the 9 best French collaboration tools to boost your employees’ productivity.
- Talkspirit
- Monday.com
- Jamespot
- eXo Platform
- Wimi
- Lumapps
- Jalios
- Whaller
- interStis
1. Talkspirit
The all-in-one platform that simplifies information sharing, energizes exchanges, and streamlines collaboration.
Talkspirit is a collaborative tool that is secure and 100% made in France, helping you improve your internal communication, make information flow more easily, and simplify teamwork. The platform includes a wide range of features for remote collaboration: chat, video conferencing, groups, sharing and co-editing of office documents, polls, checklists, project management… It’s designed for companies (SMEs and mid-market firms), nonprofits, and public bodies. Among its clients: Gîtes de France, CEA, Eckès Granini, Armée de Terre …
Key features:
- chat & video conferencing
- LiveLow webinar module
- online co-editable documents (docs, spreadsheets, presentations)
- project management module to plan and assign tasks to team members, and collaborate with stakeholders inside and outside your organization
- email-free access to onboard ALL of your employees
- available on all devices (PC, mobile, and tablet)
- responsive customer service & user support (FR and EN), 7 days a week
- GDPR: data hosted in the EU (with OVHcloud)
Drawbacks:
- Talkspirit is a versatile solution that may not be ideal if you’re only looking to address a single need
- no free version
Pricing:
- paid plans starting at €5 / month per user. Volume discounts from 500 users. Preferential terms for nonprofits.
- 15-day free trial
- personalized demo
In 2022, Talkspirit was named the number-one collaboration tool by the GetApp ranking (Gartner group).
Read user reviews of Talkspirit.
2. Monday
The software that lets you work the way that suits you
The clear, easy-to-use interface of Monday lets you build a workflow tailored to how your teams actually work.
Key features:
- Kanban system
- Gantt chart
- due-date setting
- task assignment
- ease of use
Drawbacks:
- no free version
- high pricing
Pricing:
- Basic plan at €8 / month per user
- Standard plan at €10 / month per user
- Pro plan at €16 / month per user
- Enterprise plan on a quote basis
3. Jamespot
The collaborative platform for building collective intelligence within your teams.
Jamespot is a collaboration tool that helps boost the productivity of teams by encouraging information sharing and knowledge sharing, and by streamlining day-to-day project management.
Key features:
- ready-to-use customizable platform
- modular, with many downloadable in-house apps (which can also be a drawback)
- ability to set up custom workflows
- development, hosting, and customer service 100% French
Drawbacks:
- modules must be downloaded to access certain features
- technical support needed to fully leverage the platform’s flexibility.
Pricing:
starting at €4 / month per user, with a 30-day free trial of the premium version.
4. eXo Platform
The employee-centric digital workplace that adapts to your needs.
eXo Platform is a French digital platform that strengthens communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing between employees to improve their performance and engagement. This collaboration tool also makes peer recognition easier between colleagues through several gamification features.
Key features:
- creation of project spaces and interest communities
- internal knowledge base to centralize expertise
- document sharing and co-editing within each space
- access to business apps and processes
- gamification: leaderboards, kudos, and a points system convertible into virtual currency
Drawbacks:
- no free trial available
- user interface that could be improved
- deploying the platform can take time
Pricing:
starting at €4 / month per user (for at least 100 users)
5. Wimi
The tool that makes organizing teamwork simple and effective
Wimi is a SaaS tool that brings together in a single space everything you need to organize your work and your teams, communicate effectively, and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Key features:
- all-in-one project management solution
- clear, intuitive interface
- data hosted in France
Drawbacks:
- many email notifications
- high pricing
Pricing:
- Start plan, free
- Pro plan at €6 / month per user
- Business plan at €9 / month per user
- Enterprise plan on a quote basis
6. LumApps
The SaaS platform dedicated to the employee experience that engages every employee through personalized communication
LumApps is a platform for all of your external and internal communications. A holistic collaborative tool that integrates with your professional tools and apps (notably the Microsoft and Google suites).
Key features:
- interface customization
- assisted translation
- message sharing in public and private communities
- officially approved by Google
- native integrations with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Drawbacks:
- no free trial available; pricing mostly on a quote basis
- more focused on project management and knowledge management than collaboration
Pricing:
on a quote basis only
7. Jalios
The digital workplace that transforms the employee experience and fosters collective innovation.
JPlatform is the collaboration and digital workplace solution from French vendor Jalios, designed to drive new, more agile ways of working. This all-in-one platform offers a wide range of collaboration features, as well as document management and knowledge capitalization.
Key features:
- community and collaborative spaces
- rich feature set and modularity
- content creation, sharing, and management
- course creation with the Social Learning app
- task management with Kanban view
- integration with Microsoft 365
- available in 16 languages
Drawbacks:
- training required to use some of the features
- no live video
Pricing:
- Jalios Workplace MS 365 Edition plan at €5 excl. VAT / user per month
8. Whaller
A secure social network for exchanging and sharing within the company.
Whaller is a tool that helps companies, organizations, and nonprofits create their own collaborative tool. The platform is organized around spheres — discussion spaces sealed off from one another that let you exchange messages and documents.
Key features:
- fully customizable platform
- document sharing, polls, events…
- access rights management
- data hosted in France
- motivation tools (badges, points, cards with built-in quizzes…)
- creation of secure, siloed spheres
- option to invite people outside the organization
- Kanban module that groups tasks by sphere
Drawbacks:
- unsatisfactory usability
- mobile app that needs further development
Pricing:
on a quote basis, with a free version and a free trial period.
9. InterStis
The collaborative platform for responsible organizations
Interstis is a collaborative platform that makes remote work and teamwork easier.
Key features:
- ease of use
- shared calendar
- task management
- video conferencing
- integrated collaboration suite
Drawbacks:
underdeveloped integration system for third-party apps
Pricing:
- À la carte plan starting at €15 excl. VAT / month per space
- Unlimited plan on a quote basis
- 32-day free trial
- special plans for healthcare professionals. More information on the vendor’s website.
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Now it’s your turn to choose! :)
Each of these solutions has its pros and cons, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of the free trials offered by vendors to make the right decision and simplify your employees’ work.
FAQ
Because digital sovereignty and data protection are now key concerns for organisations. French collaboration tools are not subject to the Cloud Act, the US federal law that requires US providers to hand over data stored on their servers.
Enacted in 2018, the Cloud Act is a US federal law that requires US service providers to hand over, on request from federal authorities, all data stored on their servers, both in the United States and abroad.
Wimi and Whaller both list data hosted in France, and Jamespot states that its development, hosting and customer service are 100% French. Talkspirit hosts data in the EU with OVHcloud.
Listed prices start at €4 per month per user with Jamespot and eXo Platform, at €5 with Talkspirit and Jalios, and at €6 for the Wimi Pro plan. Monday ranges from €8 to €16 depending on the plan, and LumApps is quote-only.
Mostly yes. Talkspirit offers a 15-day free trial, Jamespot a 30-day free trial of its premium version, and Interstis a 32-day free trial. Wimi has a free Start plan, while eXo Platform and LumApps offer no free trial at all.
Yes. Talkspirit is designed for companies, SMEs and mid-market firms, nonprofits and public bodies, with preferential terms for nonprofits. Whaller helps companies, organisations and nonprofits build their own collaborative tool, and Interstis offers special plans for healthcare professionals.
