With more than 40 million active daily users, it’s hard to imagine today’s workplace without Slack. The rise of remote and hybrid teams no doubt increased the cloud-based messaging app’s relevance.
However, another reason more than a million businesses rely on Slack is its slick integration capabilities. Anything you want to enhance, from collaboration to communication, can team up with Slack.
That includes team-building apps and other morale-boosting features. Today, we’re breaking down the best Slack apps to build morale, weave tighter bonds, and keep organization and productivity at optimal levels.
What are the signs of low team morale?
High turnover rates are the biggest sign of low team morale. In fact, you could call that one a billboard. Other problems signaling low morale include but aren’t limited to:
- Stagnant projects and initiatives
- High absentee rates and deadline extension requests
- General lack of enthusiasm
- Low participation in optional events or meetings
- Poor work-life balance
- No defined ways to express employee appreciation
- Slow professional growth, individually and as a company
- Frequent miscommunications and misunderstandings
- Toxic environments, like cliques or gossiping
Low morale is a common issue at companies of all sizes, industries, and locations. The solution is multifaceted, but bringing it to the team chat is a great start.
10 of the best Slack apps for building team morale
Ready to spruce up your tech stack and skyrocket team spirit? Here are some of our top picks for the best Slack apps. Test drive one or two integrations this week.
1. HeyTaco
Pardon our plug, but the whole purpose of HeyTaco is delivering user-friendly, playful peer recognition. We can’t think of a better morale booster than praise.
Key features:
- Give thanks with virtual tacos: We see the word “thanks” so much that it can start to lose its meaning. Mix it up and acknowledge every little contribution with a tiny taco instead! 🌮
- Seamless integration: No clicking away–HeyTaco exists nicely within Slack to keep positive interactions within easy reach.
- Leaderboards and rewards: Who has the most tacos? Who distributes them the most? Get metrics that measure engagement, encourage the friendliest competition ever, and consider giving rewards. We suggest that the person with the most tacos this week gets a real taco lunch.
Why it works: It works because it’s easy (and most people love tacos, too). HeyTaco is team-building that users barely have to think twice about. Little virtual tacos also become a company tradition, immediately invoking positive feelings.
2. Polly
With Polly, you don’t have to take it personally. Honest feedback and polling let the whole team be heard, so everyone can work toward a future they can support.
Key features:
- Anonymous feedback: Users can be constructive and honest with anonymity.
- Polls and surveys: Multiple choice, numerical, yes/no, and more polls instantly gather a consensus. Polly offers plenty of templates, but teams can also create their own.
- Results in real-time: Get fast results teams can act on, clarifying thoughts on the most complex company topics.
Why it works: Polly is a straightforward way to increase participation, deliver feedback, and give everyone a platform. Employees who feel their voice matters are more likely to feel satisfied with their jobs.
3. Quizbreaker
Quizbreaker can bond teams through gaming and trivia, with the option to keep topics close to their industry or roles.
Key features:
- Custom quizzes: Create your own quizzes on everything from a hot job-related topic to the show everyone on the team watches.
- Handy automation: Schedule quizzes in advance so leaders can stay on top of employee engagement anytime.
- Fully integrated: Quizbreaker offers a seamless Slack user experience. Team members receive a notification and can complete the quiz without leaving Slack.
Why it works: It’s a flexible app you can use for your specific goals. Try it for icebreaking, encouraging teamwork, measuring how well team members understand concepts, or just a fun break from the grind.
4. BanterBot
Tumbleweeds blowing through your team chat? Problem-solving sessions getting tense? Lighten the mood with BanterBot, a Slack-capable conversation starter.
Key features:
- A team-building tradition: If your team shares interests, BanterBot can spark regular conversations around a theme.
- Custom to your culture: Beyond shared interests, BanterBot can be customized to use the team’s inside jokes or match their sense of humor.
- Polling: The team isn’t stuck with an icebreaker tool that just doesn’t “get” it. Everyone can vote on which prompts spark conversations they want to join.
Why it works: Overall, BanterBot is most useful as a stress-buster that strengthens team connection through humor. It’s also a good pick for virtual teams with fewer opportunities to connect outside of work topics.
5. Giphy
Giphy’s Slack integrations enhance team interactions. Make others laugh, smile, or empathize with animations and GIFs that communicate what words sometimes cannot.
Key features:
- Massive media database: Choose from billions of GIFs, stickers, and more. There’s everything from animated art to funny reactions clipped directly from the team’s favorite sitcom.
- Custom options: Boost engagement by creating GIFs and media specific to your company or industry.
- Handy integration: Giphy offers solid Slack integration that makes it easy to add color and character to online convos.
Why it works: Giphy is ideal for teams that want to encourage a relaxed culture that values everyone’s personality and humor. It can help spark more organic conversations if the team isn’t into question prompts.
6. Donut
Break up silos on a virtual coffee break with Donut, the team-building app that introduces coworkers who may not interact daily.
Key features:
- Custom introductions: Want to link an experienced team member to a newbie? Donut lets you pair people up the way you like, even letting you customize the introduction.
- Automated introductions: Or, take a hands-off approach. The app knows who doesn’t interact much and can automatically pair people who could collaborate more.
- Conversation prompts: Donut can break the ice between two participants and help ensure they learn more about one another.
Why it works: Donut is a lifesaver for remote teams who are having trouble feeling connected to one another. It’s also a useful way to offer structured breaks everyone can still derive value from.
7. Standuply
Standuply keeps teams aligned by streamlining communication. It reduces time spent on meetings, emails, and more.
Key features:
- Custom, automated standups: Standuply schedules standups with team members in different time zones. You can also customize the questions asked during standups.
- Feedback gathering: Team members can stay in Slack to deliver beneficial feedback during retrospectives, continuously improving operations.
- Relevant range of integrations: In addition to Slack, Standuply integrates with other task management platforms like Trello and Asana for maximum alignment and engagement.
Why it works: Team-building apps like Standuply declutter schedules and inboxes. They keep everyone up to date and provide a channel for regular feedback. Not to mention, asynchronous teams can reduce miscommunications.
8. Ricotta
Many team-building apps focus on efficiency and productivity. Ricotta offers bonding opportunities with good, old-fashioned fun and games.
Key features:
- Trivia: More than 30,000 questions across 30 categories mean the team won’t get bored.
- Watercooler games: Features classics like “This or That” and “Two Truths and a Lie.” Word of advice: tread carefully around options like “Unpopular Opinions.” 😬
- Competitions: Have employees who don’t get much one-on-one interaction team up for company competitions and break-time challenges.
Why it works: Ricotta is a simple, easily integrated way to help avoid burnout while bringing the team together. It’s one of the best picks for more relaxed environments that enjoy gaming.
9. Trello
Organization can reduce stress, and Trello for Slack understands that. Tasks that move smoothly through the pipeline can give teams a sense of collective pride in a job well done.
Key features:
- Beloved user experience: Trello’s drag-and-drop design is easy for users of all technological proficiencies.
- Deadlines in clear view: When is it due? Who sees it next? Is that really my job? Assigning tasks with Trello gives everyone a clear understanding of their responsibilities, so there’s less passing the buck.
- Custom organization: Block out tasks and projects with lists, cards, and boards. You can even add colors and graphics with card covers.
Why it works: Trello is one of the best Slack apps because it suits team members who prefer visual representations of projects and progress. The clearly defined roles and project phases encourage better focus and team satisfaction.
10. Geekbot
Another standup assistant, Geekbot, promises to save hours in meetings and reports. Having difficulty discerning how a team member is really managing? It also measures moods for you.
Key features:
- Daily morale tracking: Geekbot promises to analyze responses for signs of stress, all visible in the Team Happiness Graph.
- Assign and track tasks: The Slack integration lets you assign tasks and check in on progress without leaving Slack.
- Custom standup questions: Like similar apps, Geekbot respects time zones and team needs. Tailor questions to the updates and type of feedback you want.
Why it works: Geekbot isn’t just about collaboration; it focuses on team members' well-being. This can be a key insight for asynchronous teams that don’t spend much time interacting.
Learning how to build team morale with HeyTaco
You have plenty of options, but team-building apps don’t have to be complicated. You also don’t have to make a large investment right away. Start with a simple mood-booster that symbolizes a job well done, every day.
