In this Teamtailor review, we shed light on all the essential information you need to decide if it’s the right applicant tracking system (ATS) for you.

Recruiting and building the perfect team is no easy task, neither is finding the perfect software that suits your team’s needs.

If you’re considering using Teamtailor for your recruitment needs, you might have questions like, ‘Does it have the right features?’ ‘Will it integrate with your existing tools?’ and ‘What makes it stand out from the competition?’ We’re here with the answers.

We’ve analyzed many such tools, comparing the good points and the bad, to help you make an informed decision. So, keep reading this Teamtailor review to see if it’s the best software to recruit and build your dream team.

Teamtailor Pros and Cons

Full disclosure – at TechReport, we use Teamtailor for our hiring needs. Far from making us biased, it gives us a wealth of practical experience.

So, before we get into the details, here’s an overview of what we like and what could improve.

What is Teamtailor – Company Overview

Teamtailor is a cloud-based ATS with great built-in branding features. It’s an application for employers and recruiters to track their candidates through the recruiting process.

Founded in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2013, the original concept was to help companies attract and hire the best talent out there. The second priority was creating a highly intuitive and easy-to-use platform to provide employees, recruiters, and hiring managers with the best possible value.

Fast forward over a decade, the software addresses modern recruitment challenges, such as disorganized communication and applicant tracking. Its analytics dashboard provides valuable insights for streamlined decision-making. And its integrated mobile app ensures recruitment processes remain agile.

The platform also supports multiple languages if you need to fill roles overseas. It’s no wonder that over 125,000 recruiters worldwide use Teamtailor’s secure all-in-one recruitment software.

What’s the Best Use Case for Teamtailor?

Teamtailor is a good fit if you want an ATS that showcases your brand and gives candidates a positive experience throughout the recruitment process.

For our Teamtailor review, we found that it’s got a lot of functionality around filtering and customizing the recruitment stages, making it more suited to mid-sized and large companies in sectors with fierce competition for top talent.

For example, their Connect feature nurtures candidates who aren’t quite ready to apply. It’s like a marketing campaign aimed at potential hires.

Also, industries like marketing, tech, and creative agencies may find the social media integrations and customizable career sites helpful in attracting and engaging potential candidates.

If you’re a business with an in-house recruitment team, Teamtailor’s features can streamline your communication and collaboration.

Conversely, if you’re a startup or smaller business with modest recruitment needs, Teamtailor may be too complex or less cost-effective than other solutions, such as Monday.com Recruitment.

Teamtailor Key Features – What Are Its Benefits?

Drawing on our experience using Teamtailor, we’ve shortlisted the key features we feel have contributed to its reputation.

Teamtailor is one of the best applicant tracking systems we’ve seen. Its innovative features, like anonymous hiring, fully customizable workflows, a generative AI assistant, and automated workflows, provide an enjoyable candidate experience and make the hiring process so much easier.

Communicate With Candidates

Connect lets potential candidates express their interest in your company. You can see the department, role, and location they’re interested in.

They can also add themselves to your candidate bank and subscribe to future job opportunities based on their preferences.

There are three question layers. General questions appear on all your career pages. Then, as candidates explore your vacancies further, they’re presented with department- and role-specific questions.

We’re a global company, so an invaluable feature for us is that you can SMS your candidates in over 50 countries. In comparison, ClearCompany works best in the North American market.

Smart Automation

Teamtailor has several automation features to save you time and improve your recruitment process.

Smart Triggers

Smart Triggers allows you to automatically add notes and tags, move candidates through the recruitment funnel, book interviews, and send messages. What we like is that you can do all these in bulk, saving you even more time.

Smart Filters

In the candidate database, you can see the last activity, source, rating, application status, location, and team of each candidate. This is a great time saver as you can find candidates quickly and filter them using any of these criteria.

Automatic messages

Another time-saving feature we love is the message templates that are automatically sent to candidates. You can use Teamtailor’s default ones or create your own. There are three default templates:

• A welcome message when they use Connect to interact with your business
• A reply for when a candidate applies for a position
• A message for when a candidate’s application hasn’t been successful

Automatic Job Postings and Integrated Job Boards

When you publish a job posting, Teamtailor automatically posts the job on the free job boards they’ve integrated and that you have enabled. These include Jobatus, Jobbify, and Apec. Note, though, that most of the free channels are for the Swedish market.

There’s no guarantee it will appear on a channel, as the channel has the right to decide whether to publish or reject the job.

It then emails the candidates who have Connected with the location, department, and role you’ve included in the job ad.

Generative AI Assistant

Teamtailor has an advanced generative AI feature, Co-pilot. It contains a suite of complementary tools, each designed to help you recruit smarter. Co-pilot uses OpenAI’s GPT model, the same technology behind Chat GPT. Here’s a few examples of what it can help you with:

Note that the suggested candidates feature was very much hit-or-miss in our experience. For a job opening that received over 70 applicants, we’ve seen a few good AI recommendations. But there were just as many bad suggestions, so we realized it’s not that reliable at the moment.

Hiring managers are in no danger of being replaced anytime soon. It’s very likely that the candidate suggestion feature is still in beta, so we’ll keep an eye on it in future updates.

Analytics

Teamtailor’s analytics feature gives you complete insight into all parts of your recruitment process. Choose from various reports to ensure you have the right data you need to make effective decisions.

Note that only company and recruitment admins can access the full analytics view.

Teamtailor’s analytics are good, but there are a couple of limitations.

First, if you’re an Enterprise client, you’ll need BI connectors to create custom reports since the data export functionality isn’t available right now. This is a drawback if you have more than 500 employees or multiple locations.

Also, you can’t see your cost per hire, a valuable feature to measure your performance.

Career Site Builder

We think Teamtailor’s career site builder is one of its standout features. Yes, other ATSs offer this, but it’s usually not a key focus. This was one of Teamtailor’s original core features, around which it built the rest of the platform.

The beauty of the drag-and-drop blocks you use to create your career site is that you don’t need a designer or any technical knowledge. You simply choose the blocks you want and add your content.

Teamtailor Integrations

As well as the free job boards, over 20 other job boards are always included, such as Indeed + Glassdoor, Google Jobs (although this isn’t available in all regions), Jooble, and Monster.

Teamtailor boasts over 300 integrations, with its nearest competitors, Monday.com and ClearCompany, offering 200+ and 100+, respectively.

Other integrations include HR systems, such as Bamboo HR and Deel, and social media, like Snapchat and Facebook. You can also integrate employer branding, background checks, onboarding, and sourcing systems.

For us, a huge plus is the Zapier integration. With it, you can automate repetitive tasks across all your connected apps and services.

These integrations unify the various stages of your recruitment process. Teamtailor also offers an API, meaning you can add custom integrations to meet your company’s specific needs.

For further enhancements, you have add-on options like assessment and video interview tools.

A key consideration is that migrating data from your existing ATS to Teamtailor will cost you extra. You’ll have to contact your sales representative for the exact price.

Their developers will import the data for you. However, this can take up to four weeks, so make sure you factor this into your timetable.

Teamtailor Android and iOS Apps

Teamtailor is compatible with Android and iOS. Note that you’ll need iOS 13 or later and Android 5 or later.

Even when on the move, you can send candidates messages from your phone to keep conversations going.

There’s no pause in the recruitment process as you can still view candidates’ information, such as cover letters and applications, and add your ratings and reviews. The app also lets you share feedback with your team and ask for theirs.

Source Candidates

Teamtailor’s browser extension means you can source candidates from external sites. Download the extension from Chrome, Firefox, or Safari and click on it when you find a potential hire. You can then add the candidate to your Teamtailor database without leaving the page where you found them.

Proactively sourcing candidates in this way makes finding and hiring the perfect person for the job much easier.

Teamtailor Interface – How Easy Is It to Learn?

One of our favorite things about Teamtailor? It’s so easy to navigate. Many of its competitors, such as Zoho Recruit, have functional and straightforward interfaces. Teamtailor goes a step further with its customizable, polished, and visually appealing pages.

While some of the advanced features and customizations can be tricky, we find most of the platform streamlined and easy to understand.

The Teamtailor website contains incredibly comprehensive resources for simplified onboarding, including live webinars. If you get stuck, the platform offers live chat support and a dedicated customer success manager. However, the response times are occasionally not as speedy as we’d like.

We found that most businesses were up and running within two to three weeks. The exact timeline for onboarding and going live depends on factors like your team’s availability, resources, and project manager’s support.

It’s worth mentioning that Teamtailor recommends using the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. And you can’t access Teamtailor with Internet Explorer 11.

How to Use Teamtailor: Step-By-Step Guide

At TechReport, we use Teamtailor for our recruitment, so we have a good idea of how it works.

A crucial step in setting up your Teamtailor account is defining your settings, such as departments, roles, locations, and message templates. So, to help you get started, we put together this step-by-step guide of the basic set-up process to get you ready to post your first job.

Before you start, Teamtailor recommends that you first assign a project manager to guide the onboarding process.

Laying the Groundwork – The Activation phase

The steps in the activation phase lay the groundwork from which you can create and post your first job.

1. Set Up Departments and Roles

Create departments and roles to organize your Teamtailor account. It’s useful for you as the recruiter and the applicants. You can use these to filter jobs and reports; candidates can filter jobs by department.

To add a new department, go to ‘Settings’ ⇨ ‘Departments’ ⇨ ‘+ New Department.’ You’ll find ‘Settings’ in the drop-down menu on the top right under your company name.

Now, name the department and assign a manager so the candidate can see who’s responsible for it. The manager will be the contact person for any Connect email linked to that department.

Adding roles (‘+ New role’) to each department creates another filter for you and the candidates,

2. Set Up Locations

Next, add all the locations where you have openings. This way, you can see where candidates are interested in working. Make sure you add the full address, as many external channels require one for a job posting.

From the ‘Settings’ tab, go to ‘Location’ and ‘+ New location.’

3. Set Up Connect

Next, set up Connect. Here’s how to create the three question layers:

• General questions: ‘Settings’ ⇨ ‘Recruitment’ ⇨ ‘Connect’
• Department-specific questions: ‘Settings’ ⇨ ‘General’ ⇨ ‘Departments.’ Then click the relevant department, where you’ll find the Connect questions section.
• Role-specific questions: ‘Settings’ ⇨ ‘General’ ⇨ ‘Departments.’ Then click the role within the department.

4. Create Message Templates

The next step is creating the message templates.

You can use the default templates or customize them. Go to ‘Settings’ ⇨ ‘Message template’ ⇨ ‘+ Message template.’ Note that only recruitment and company admins can add and edit message templates.

5. Data and Privacy

If you’re part of the EU, go to the ‘GDPR settings’ and enable the data retention settings.

6. Create Your Site

Now, the only thing that’s left is to build your career site. The ‘Content’ tab is where you’ll find ‘Content editor.’

The editor is connected to your ATS, so it also shows all the departments and locations you added. All you do is go into each section and edit the blocks that will appear on the left-hand side of the screen.

7. Go Live

Once you’re ready to start publishing jobs, contact the support team from the bottom right corner. They’ll help you go live.

Create a New Job Ad

Now that you’ve done the background work, you’re ready to create and publish a job ad.

1. Create the Job

From the ‘Jobs’ tab at the top of the page, select ‘+ New job.’ First, add the job title and description. Note: You need to fill in these fields to save the job.

Next, write the pitch to tell candidates why they should apply. It will appear at the top of your ad.

To make it easier for your candidates to find a position they’re interested in, assign each job to the relevant role and department. Then, add the location so they know where the position is based.

Adding the department, role, and location helps Connected candidates create more specific profiles, improving the quality of your candidate pool.

You can then add any other customs fields necessary for your ad, such as salary, employment type, and whether the position is remote.

2. Create the Application Form

The application form ensures you get all the information you need from the applicants. Decide what personal information the candidate should add and the questions you want to ask. You can also indicate whether these fields are optional or mandatory.

3. Set Automatic Response Messages

You can use the pre-created auto-responses or one you’ve customized by clicking ‘Custom reply’ or ‘Custom reject.’

4. Activate Candidate chat

If you want to communicate directly with your candidates, the admin needs to activate the ‘Candidate chat’ function from ‘Settings’ in the ‘Add-on feature’ center.

The general chat will show up on all pages of your career site (you can deactivate it for specific job ads). You can also customize the chat message and contact person for a job if you need to.

When a candidate writes in the chat, your admins are notified.

5. Define the Recruitment Stages

Set up the recruitment stages to streamline your hiring process. From the job posting’s ‘Editor,’ click the ‘Stages’ tab and then ‘+ Stage actions.’ Here, you can add, remove, move, and edit the stages. Note, though, that you can’t change the ‘Inbox’ and ‘Hired’ stages.

6. Set Candidate Evaluation

In the evaluation step, add the skills and traits you’re looking for in the candidate. You can choose pre-set traits and skills from the drop-down menu or create new ones.

7. Publish

All that’s left to do is publish the job! You do this in the lower-right-hand menu.

Create and Send Job Offers

Once you’ve found someone you like, you need to create a job offer. Open the candidate’s profile and access the additional settings ( … ). Then select ‘Create job offer.’

Add the offer details in the next screen, such as the job the offer is connected to, the team members that need access to the offer, salary, and start date.

Once you’ve entered all the information, you can preview the offer, save it, or send it to the candidate.

If you’re an admin, you can create job offer templates under ‘Settings’ ⇨ ‘Recruitment’ ⇨ ‘Job offer templates.’

Teamtailor pricing

Sadly, Teamtailor doesn’t provide any pricing on its website, so you’ll have to contact their support team for a quote. On the plus side, this means you can create a plan that suits your exact needs. Pay for only what you want.

Teamtailor doesn’t have a month-by-month subscription or a free forever plan, like Monday.com. It’s only available on an annual plan. However, this isn’t a problem if you’re hiring all the time.

If you do want to test it out, there’s a 14-day free trial you can sign up for without any credit card details. A free trial is something its closest competitor, ClearCompany, doesn’t offer.

Teamtailor vs Leading Applicant Tracking Systems

When choosing an ATS, there’s no one-size-fits-all. To find the best fit for you, you’ll need to assess key characteristics like price, features, ease of use, and integrations.

So, how does Teamtailor compare to the applicant tracking systems around? Here’s a TL;DR table comparing the basics of each tool.

Teamtailor vs ClearCompany – Side-by-Side Comparison

Teamtailor and ClearCompany are both popular applicant tracking systems, but which one is right for you? Both offer robust features like applicant tracking, candidate management, and reporting; however, there are key differences that may sway your decision.

Criteria	Teamtailor	ClearCompany
Commonly used for	Applicant tracking Recruiting Job board Recruitment marketing platform	Human resources
Pricing	On request	On request
Integration	300+	200+
Languages supported	12	3
Free trial	14 days	No
24/7 live rep	No	Yes

Teamtailor Reviews – What Are People Saying?

We’ve described our experiences with Teamtailor in this Teamtailor review. But what do others say about it? Well, we think it’s an intuitive and smart ATS solution, and so did most users who left reviews on online review sites.

Many were impressed by its appealing interface, so much so it’s the feature that drew them to Teamtailor.

Others praised its flexibility and personalization features. However, some reviewers struggled to integrate the software with some third-party apps and commented on the limited functionality of the mobile app compared to the web app.

Teamtailor Alternatives

As with any business software, choosing the right one depends on your needs and budget. This ATS review focused on Teamtailor. However, there are many other ATS platforms available, and we’ve compared some of the best. So, if you’d like to do a bit more research, have a look at some of our other guides:

Why You Can Trust Our Review of Teamtailor

For our Teamtailor review, we drew on our experience using this ATS and described characteristics such as features, ease of use, and price. As these are the criteria against which we test Teamtailor’s competitors, such as ClearCompany and Monday.com, you can easily compare the different providers.

We’ve also included verified user reviews from reputable sites like G2 and Trustpilot for different perspectives, ensuring our Teamtailor review is comprehensive and unbiased.

Is Teamtailor Right for You?

In this Teamtailor review, we’ve outlined our experiences with the platform and other users. Combining the sources gives us a realistic idea of its strengths and areas where it could improve.

First, the positives. Its robust features and functionalities significantly streamline the recruitment process. The user interface is easy to navigate, and the onboarding process is admirable.

Compared to similar tools, Teamtailor stands out in collaborative features and integrations, making it a practical tool for modern recruitment.

However, its lack of transparent pricing and limited customization options may put Teamtailor at a slight disadvantage compared to its competitors.

In concluding this Teamtailor review, we feel it’s an excellent choice if you value collaboration and integration and want a tool that’s easy to use and makes your recruitment process more efficient.

FAQs

The post Teamtailor Review – Is it the Best ATS in 2024? appeared first on The Tech Report.

In this Wrike review, we share our test findings and discuss Wrike’s best use cases. We tried it ourselves, and found out why companies like Pfizer use it, but also why it’s not making headlines.

As the saying goes, ‘Work smarter, not harder.’ It’s a pretty good mantra to live by, especially if you’re running a business. Juggling multiple projects, keeping track of deadlines, and trying to improve your team’s collaboration can be overwhelming.

Wrike shares that mantra, which is why businesses of all sizes are turning to this popular project management tool to transform the way they work.

But if Wrike isn’t the perfect fit for your team, we’ve got some alternative solutions for you as well. Read on to find out how well Wrike integrates with other platforms, its pricing plans, the pros and cons, and its standout features.

Wrike Pros and Cons

Wrike’s software features in our shortlist of the best project management tools. But like the other solutions on that list, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick breakdown of what we found:

What Is Wrike – Product Overview

Wrike started in 2006 as an online tool to help teams collaborate and manage their workflow and projects. It was acquired by Citrix in 2021, evolving into a much more expansive tool aimed at simplifying today’s remote working environments.

As well as its project management features, Wrike comes with pre-built task, workflow, and communication templates. The customizable workspace lets you tailor the platform so you can work the way you want.

With a plethora of features and capabilities, it’s a perfect fit for teams that need to manage complex projects with multiple team members. It’s also compatible with Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.

The platform supports eight languages and includes industry-specific solutions. It’s no wonder some of the world’s largest global companies use Wrike to manage, organize, and run their business.

Is Wrike Good?

Wrike scored highly in our analysis of its collaboration and project management capabilities. It’s also praised for its comprehensive set of features like task management, Gantt charts, time tracking, and document management.

For many, Wrike has become an essential tool for project management as it allows real-time collaboration between teams.

Wrike’s software helps you manage your daily tasks, such as setting dues dates, adding assignees, and choosing and customizing statuses. You can also create custom fields, add subitems, attach files, and communicate with your team.

But what if you have many teams and departments? Deal with complicated processes, sophisticated projects, and multiple tools? Wrike’s software addresses all these modern challenges: it’s customizable, scalable, and easy to use.

But whether it’s a good solution for you depends on the type of projects you manage and your budget.

What Are Wrike’s Key Features?

From project management to process optimization to industry solutions, it likely has a solution to fit your team’s needs. Our Wrike review revealed several features key to the platform’s well-deserved reputation. Here’s a breakdown of what Wrike’s software can offer.

Views and Reporting

A feature we liked was how you can organize and view your tasks in a way that best suits you. Wrike has several customizable views you can choose from, including Gantt, List, Board, and Table.

Gantt Chart

Wrike offers everything you’d expect to see in Gantt views. You can set due and end dates, dependencies, impact, and statuses.

You can connect tasks and set dependencies to spot any conflicts. If you make a mistake when planning tasks, they’ll be automatically rescheduled when you add a dependency. The beauty of the Gantt chart is that you can adjust the schedule of your entire project with just a few clicks.

Board View

If you use an Agile methodology, your team may prefer Wrike’s Kanban-style Board view. With it, you can see each project’s progress, its due date, and the next planned projects. You can customize the statuses to reflect exactly how your team works.

Once you decide which view suits you best, you can set it as the default for each project.

Reports

Collecting status updates and analyzing data from multiple projects for different clients and across several teams is time-consuming and increases the risk of errors.

Wrike solves this problem. You can import data from 50+ digital marketing tools into your workspace and use filters to customize what’s analyzed.

Project Resource Planning

A unique feature of Wrike is that it also offers resource management tools to help you answer questions such as, ‘Can we take on a new project right now?’ and ‘Who should manage it?’

This functionality lets you see what your teams are working on, for example, what projects are assigned to whom and task effort levels, making it easy to see who’s overloaded or available to take on more work.

The time-tracking feature helps you see how long team members (or contractors) spend on tasks and projects. It makes calculating billable hours for invoicing much easier.

Knowing how many hours and resources you’ll need to complete a project allows you to monitor your spending in real time and keep within budget.

Advanced planning features, such as role assignment, are only available with the Pinnacle plan.

Workflow Automation

Wrike’s workflow automation capabilities (although ClickUp does offer more) let you automate and sync recurring and related tasks, streamlining your processes, minimizing errors, and helping you scale faster.

The Automation Engine notifies you of potential delays, new projects, and changes to task statuses. It then kicks in to move your work to the next step in your workflow based on status, priority, and risk.

Online Proofing

Wrike’s outstanding proofing software is where it shines (although it’s only available in the Business plan and above). You’ll be hard-pressed to find anything comparable. We think marketing teams especially will find it extremely useful for approval-based work.

You can proof more than 30 file types, including videos, images, web pages, and documents. It allows you to highlight, comment, annotate, and tag any team member with @mentions. You can also compare versions with Wrike’s sliding tool.

Wrike Integrations and Scalability

Our testing found that you can easily integrate Wrike with almost any tool. It boasts over 400 integrations, with its nearest competitors, Monday and Smartsheet, offering 200+ and 100+, respectively.

Wrike Integrate lets you connect with as many apps as you need, sync your data (between Wrike and 22+ apps), and add as many automations as you want. Automating your workflows enables your team to focus on their work better.

You can access Wrike Integrate only if you sign up for the Business plan or higher and only as an add-on, which will cost you extra.

Unfortunately, integrations are limited on the Free and Team plans. You can only access Wrike Integrate by signing up for the Business plan or higher and only as an add-on, which will cost you extra.

Wrike Android and iOS Apps

Wrike’s mobile apps for iOS and Android are feature-rich so come in handy if your team is always on the go. For example, you can use the app’s document scanner to digitize text and turn it into an editable format. It’s particularly useful as it’s integrated into Wrike, so you don’t need to use standalone scanning and optical character recognition apps.

With Wrike’s Smart Replies Feature, you can choose from pre-defined responses like ‘Let me check’ or ‘I’m not sure’. It’s a handy tool when you’re on the road and need to respond to messages quickly.

Is Wrike Easy to Use – A Step-By-Step Guide

Wrike’s modern, minimalist interface is tidy and straightforward to use. You can play with the color scheme, which is a nice touch.
The home screen is a central hub where you can control all your projects, teams, and budgets. Plus, you can create and assign tasks, and set deadlines, all from the same place.

However, compared to Monday, which is more visually intuitive, learning to use Wrike’s platform may take longer.

Here, we explain how to get started with Wrike, step by step.

1. Navigate the Workspace

When you open up Wrike, you’re presented with the default dashboard with three panes.

The navigation bar is on the left, where you’ll see all your teams and projects. The spaces in the middle pane are where you set up your tasks and subtasks. Clicking on a space brings up its details on the right.

2. Create Spaces, Projects, and Folders

Spaces are at the highest level of Wrike’s grouping type. They’re a centralized hub to store all your team’s information. You can create a space in three ways:

You use projects to report on, manage, and organize your work. There are also three ways to create a project:

1. From the green + on the top right (1)
2. From ‘Projects and Folders’ in the left navigation pane (2) and clicking on ‘Project’ in the menu that appears (3)
3. From ‘+ Item’ in the middle pane of the list view (4)

Folders help you create a structure so you can easily save and find information. You can create them in the same way you create projects, selecting ‘Folders’ instead of ‘Projects’.

You then choose where to store the folder (in a space, project, or another folder), the workflow, view, and who can access it.

3. Launch a Project

A marketing campaign, product launch, or go-to-market plan are all examples of projects. Here’s how to launch a project so everyone knows what to do and by when.

To create your project, right-click on the ‘Digital’ folder in the left pane, hover over it, and choose ‘Project’. Then name your project (in this case, ‘New Blog Post’). You’ll see that your project has its own attributes, including owner, start and finish dates, and status.

Once you’ve created the project, add the tasks needed to accomplish it. So, to create our blog post, we need to create the copy, proofread it, get the images, SEO it, and finally publish it.

Then, assign the tasks you’ve created. We found it’s best to assign only one person to each task so it’s crystal clear who’s responsible for what.

The best place to schedule tasks is a Gantt chart. Click the mass edit button (next to ‘By Priority’) and set the duration and due dates. The last step is to interconnect the tasks with dependencies.

By connecting the tasks, Wrike sees them as a single entity, not a set of random tasks. So, if you need to reschedule one task, Wrike automatically reschedules all the others accordingly.

Also, dependencies let everyone know when they need to start working on their task: once a team member has completed their task, the person responsible for the next one is automatically notified that it’s their turn to start.

You can also plan and work with your tasks on the Board and Table views.

Wrike Pricing – Does It Offer Good Value?

From teams getting started to those with complex work needs, Wrike offers five plans to cater to businesses of all sizes, budgets, and project-specific needs.

Paid plans range from $9.80–$24.80/month/user with custom pricing for Enterprise and Pinnacle plans. They are a tad pricier than other options (Smartsheet’s starting price is $7/month/user) but do come packed with features.

There is a 14-day free trial (Smartsheet offers 30 days), and you don’t need a credit card to sign up, meaning you’re not automatically charged for the plan at the end of the trial period.

It’s worth noting that premium features such as Wrike Integrate, Lock, and Two-Way Sync are only available from the Business, Enterprise, and Pinnacle plans at an extra cost.

Free Plan

If you’re just starting out and looking for a basic solution to collaborate on a shared task list with your team, the Free plan may be for you.

It’s not often a free plan allows unlimited users. By comparison, Smartsheet allows one, and Monday and ClickUp allow two. You also get a generous 2 GB of storage, although this is per account and not per user.

A significant plus is that the Free plan comes with Work Intelligence, which includes features such as smart search, document processing and text recognition, and generative AI.

However, you can’t track project progress, and the limit of 200 active tasks and subtasks can be restrictive. And if you deal with sensitive information and need enhanced security, you’ll need an Enterprise or Pinnacle subscription.

Team Plan

Designed for teams that need to collaborate and plan projects, the Team plan is Wrike’s entry-level paid subscription for 3–25 users.

You can create shareable dashboards and customize them to fit your specific projects, tasks, and files. These dashboards increase visibility so your team can focus on what’s important.

The Team plan unlocks the interactive Gantt charts and pre-built project management dashboards that provide a detailed progress overview at department, team, and individual levels.

Your storage allowance increases to 2 GB of storage per person, and you can integrate with certain productivity apps and tools: G Suite, Office 365, MS Project, Excel, and Slack.

Business Plan

The Business plan is Wrike’s most popular for teams of 5–200 people. This tier steps up the customization options a notch. It also includes calendar views, time tracking, timesheets, and 5 GB of storage per person.

Other advanced features introduced include projects and task approvals, AI risk prediction, Salesforce integration, and 200 automations per user per month.

Enterprise and Pinnacle Plans

To find out Enterprise and Pinnacle plan pricing, you’ll need to talk to a sales rep, as they’re only available on request.

Both these plans are designed for larger teams. You can have unlimited users (with a minimum of 5). The Enterprise plan focuses on upgrading security and scalability. The noteworthy security controls included are two-factor authentication, single sign-on, and role-based access.

You can also unlock Wrike Lock as an add-on, which allows you to manage your encryption keys to control data access.

With its advanced resources and capacity planning, the Pinnacle plan is for teams with complex work needs. This tier, described by Wrike as its most enhanced, gives you access to premium features such as advanced reporting, performance dashboards, and HTML5 proofing and approvals.

You also get 15 GB of storage and 1,500 automations per user.

Is it Hard to Cancel?

If you want to cancel a subscription, you need to contact the support team at least 30 days before the renewal date, otherwise, it will auto-renew.

Also, note that Wrike doesn’t refund unused periods.

Wrike vs Leading Project Management Software

There’s no one-size-fits-all project management solution. You’ll need to assess key characteristics like price, compatibility, and features to determine the best fit for your team.

So, how does Wrike compare to the best project management software solutions around? Here’s a TL;DR table comparing the basics of each tool.

Wrike vs Monday – Side-by-Side Comparison

Wrike and Monday are two of the most popular project management tools, but which one should you use? Both shine in task management, collaboration, and reporting; however, there are key differences that may influence your decision.

Criteria	Wrike	Monday
Use case	Advanced project management features for teams managing complex projects with multiple members	Teams needing a straightforward way to manage projects with a more visual and intuitive approach
Free plan max users	Unlimited users	Up to two users
Pricing	$9.80–$24.80/month/user; custom pricing for Enterprise and Pinnacle plans	$8–$16/month/user; custom pricing for Enterprise plan
Ease of use	Steeper learning curve due to its wealth of advanced project management features	User-friendly with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface
Integrations	400+	200+

What Do Wrike’s Reviews Say?

We’ve described our experiences in this Wrike review. But what do others say about it? Well, we liked it, and so did the users who left reviews on G2, where it scored 4.2 out of 5 (3,512 reviews).

Users also praised the software’s flexibility, communication features, and organizational capabilities. However, there were some comments relating to its steep learning curve.

Unfortunately, Wrike didn’t fare so well on Trustpilot, although there were only 172 reviews, and most were from users who were frustrated by its billing and cancellation policies, which may have skewed the rating. Others mentioned difficulties integrating the Wrike software.

Wrike Alternatives – What Else Can You Use?

While Wrike has an impressive number of features and functionalities, it may not be the right fit for you. In this case, take a look at some of our other guides, where we review some of the top project management solutions.

Why You Can Trust Our Review of Wrike

For our Wrike review, we thoroughly tested this project management tool against criteria such as features, ease of use, and price. We’ve used the same approach to test Wrike’s competitors so you can easily compare the different providers.

We’ve included verified user reviews from reputable sites like G2 and Trustpilot for different perspectives, ensuring our Wrike review is comprehensive and unbiased.

Is Wrike the Right Project Management Choice for Your Business?

Wrike is a terrific project management solution, although beginners may find it tricky to navigate, and it could be a bit pricey for smaller businesses.

That said, if you’re a marketer, agency, or company needing a customizable tool with advanced project and resource management functionalities, then Wrike might well be for you. It’s also a good option if easy collaboration is just as important to you as project management.

If you’re looking for a simpler, more intuitive solution, try Monday, or ClickUp if you’re budget-conscious.

However, the best way to see if the Wrike app works for you is to try the Free plan or sign up for its 14-day free trial. If it’s not the right fit, one of the alternatives we’ve mentioned may suit your needs better.

FAQs

The post Wrike Review — Tests & Best Use Cases in 2024 appeared first on The Tech Report.

In this guide, we take you through how to hire international employees and effectively manage a remote workforce in different countries. 

The adage, ‘It’s a small world,’ has never been truer. Collaborative technology and the rise of remote working have lowered the barriers between the global workforce and your business. It’s a great time to build an international team.

Whether you’re just hiring freelancers from abroad or establishing a presence in another country, the advantages are many. Companies that employ international employees benefit from new energy, insights, and ideas. These teams also tend to be more productive and inclusive.

However, hiring internationally can be daunting, especially when dealing with employment laws, relocation processes, and employee benefits. This guide also helps you navigate these challenges so you can feel confident when onboarding your international team.

We’ve also tested, reviewed, and compared the best recruitment software on the market to give you everything you need to succeed in your global hiring journey.

Read on to find out how to grow your most significant asset: your employees.

Summary of the Pros and Cons of Hiring International Employees

No doubt, hiring internationally brings many advantages. However, it also brings unique challenges. Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of hiring international employees:

The Key Benefits of Hiring International Employees

Hiring abroad can significantly benefit your business. Not only financially but also culturally, a diverse workplace gives us a greater understanding of the world around us.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the top advantages of international hiring:

Overview of Options for Hiring International Employees

If you’re looking to expand globally, there are several avenues through which you can find and employ international employees:

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Finding the right one for you depends on your needs and budget. Here’s a quick rundown of what each entails to help you decide.

Hiring independent contractors

Hiring freelance workers is useful if your business has unpredictable needs or has to fill short-term employee gaps. You can leverage the experience and knowledge of international experts without the complexities (and expense) that go with hiring permanent staff.

Unlike full-time employees, independent contractors take care of their own taxes and social security, so there’s less paperwork for you. They also don’t receive the same protection and benefits as employees on your payroll. 

However, if you choose this route, there are some factors you need to consider. For example, every country has its laws governing the classification of workers, and it’s important that you understand them. A common mistake is misclassifying a contractor as an employee, which can lead to legal disputes, fines, and damage to your company’s reputation.

Hiring an independent contractor is usually more cost-effective than hiring a full-time employee. It also gives you more flexibility. This option may be right for you if you need short-term, specialized, project-specific skills.

It’s also worth considering if you lack the funds to provide benefits such as health insurance and social security or don’t have the time to train and develop full-time staff.

Here’s a summary of what you need to know.

Hiring Through Opening a Local Entity

A foreign subsidiary is an independent entity (daughter company) created in another country that the holding (parent) company controls.

Although the parent company has complete ownership, the local entity must abide by the laws and tax regulations of the country where it’s been established. Once you’re up and running, you can legally hire employees in that country.

Opening a company in a foreign country involves vast amounts of paperwork to comply with local regulations. You’ll also have to open bank accounts and research payroll requirements. Hence, it’s advisable to consult a lawyer before you proceed.

This method of hiring internationally is ideal if you plan to expand to one country only and want to increase your local presence and brand identity. It’s also worth considering if you need to set up an office or production facility and understand the country’s tax and labor legislation.

Here’s a summary of what you need to know.

Hiring Through Employer of Records

An employer of record (EOR) is a company that can help you hire workers abroad without establishing a local office. It’s a safe and convenient option to quickly and easily access global talent.

EORs set up local entities all over the world so you can hire employees from any country. The best EOR services also handle the employee’s wages and taxes. Plus, they ensure you comply with local labor laws, tax regulations, and payroll. For example, if you’re a company based in the UK and want to hire someone from the UK, an EOR will help you provide all the employee benefits the UK requires.

Theoretically, the EOR is the legal employer of the staff in that country. Practically, however, you manage these employees in the same way as your domestic employees.

This option is worth considering if you want to expand globally and work with international workers from many countries, especially if you don’t want or can’t afford to set up multiple local entities. Using an EOR may also be a good option if you’d rather work with remote employees, need to hire staff quickly, and prefer to outsource payroll and onboarding.

Here’s a summary of what you need to know.

We’ve researched many such platforms and found Deel the best option for hiring international employees. With it, you don’t have to let compliance prevent you from accessing the global talent pool because it manages international taxes and employment benefits from 150+ countries through its onboarding and expert visa support.

Using International Payroll Services

An international payroll service or professional employer organization (PEO) helps with your HR processes to hire international employees. These companies are similar to EORs but with some key differences.

The main difference is that the PEO works with you to jointly hire your employees. It’s an excellent solution for small and medium-sized businesses that want help hiring full-time employees in a country where they already have a local presence. The service provider takes some of the HR duties off your hands, such as payroll and benefits, but you are still responsible for ensuring you comply with all legal requirements.

Here’s a summary of what you need to know.

After testing and comparing countless payroll solutions, we recommend Multiplier as one of the best services for international hiring. It lets you outsource compliance-related tasks and payroll and benefits administration in over 120 countries. Multiplier helps you manage employee benefits, onboarding, and compliance with local laws and regulations.

A Full Step-By-Step Guide on Hiring Globally

As mentioned, building a multicultural workforce brings great opportunities, including learning new ways of problem-solving and communication. However, it can be risky if you’re unfamiliar with local regulations and customs.

So, before you start looking for candidates, it’s important to be aware of these challenges and ask some questions. To help you answer these questions about how to hire international employees, we’ve developed this step-by-step guide. 

Step 1: Understand the Legal Requirements and Visa Processes

Knowing the labor laws in your and the candidate’s country is imperative, as the regulations in each country differ. For example, certain countries may ask you to cover a percentage of staff housing or office space costs. Also, review the tax and remuneration laws in both countries, as well as your federal and state regulations, as they may differ depending on whether you’re hiring permanent or temporary staff.

Once you understand what you need to do, it’s time to obtain the necessary certifications. In the US, for example, you’ll want to apply for the foreign labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). To submit this, you must demonstrate the following:

The DOL requires this information to ensure that hiring internationally doesn’t impact domestic employment, compensation, or working conditions.

The next step is petitioning the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) for visas, which will vary depending on your requirements. For example, you might want to temporarily apply for a non-resident to work in the US or petition for a foreign employee to become a permanent US citizen. 

Obtaining a work visa for a foreign national can be challenging. As well as sponsoring the person, you need to prove that there are no qualified local candidates. 

Visa Types for Foreign Employees

Here are some common visa types for foreign employees:

Also, make sure you understand the visa restrictions and requirements. Common visa requirements include proof of employment, qualification credentials, financial records showing they can support themselves, a police background check, character references, and a medical examination. 

Consulting with an immigration lawyer or a licensed immigration specialist can help ensure you comply with all visa requirements.

We found that Deel can help you navigate your way through often confusing legislation. The platform has over 200 legal experts who ensure your contracts are locally compliant and up-to-date. It is also GDPR and privacy law compliant.

Obtaining visas for international employees can take several months. Thankfully, Deel’s in-house team of immigration experts can handle everything visa-related, making the process seamless and stress-free.

Step 2: Define the Job Requirements and Qualifications

Writing a compelling job description is essential to finding the right employee as it helps determine how their skills align with your needs and holds the employee accountable for their responsibilities. 

Include the required education and skills and briefly explain the tasks involved. Also, describe your business and the benefits you can offer. For example, why would they want to work for you? What advantages do you offer? What makes your company stand out from the competition? 

It’s also worth mentioning the corporate culture and lifestyle options if you’re offering a relocation opportunity and the available support to ease the transition.

Bear in mind that language can be a barrier to productivity and integration, so you may want to consider a language proficiency test as part of the application process. It can assist you in deciding whether you can complete the task. 

Step 3: Develop a Recruitment Strategy

Next, you need to decide on a strategy for hiring international employees:

Step 4: Conduct Online Interviews

Now that you’ve clearly defined your job requirements, advertised your job opening, and have potential candidates, it’s time to conduct online interviews. While it’s easier than ever to conduct online interviews, don’t forget to consider time differences!

Asking the right questions is key to finding a candidate who’s the right fit for you and vice versa. Here are some that may help:

If possible and appropriate, consider conducting the first interview in the candidate’s native language. This can help ease tension, enabling the interviewee to express themselves freely.

Step 5: Provide Comprehensive Onboarding and Support

Your usual onboarding process focuses on introducing new employees to the position in a local context, such as company culture and job expectations.

Conversely, onboarding international employees is far more involved. You need to understand and be sensitive to various cultures, languages, and business practices. It’s a big responsibility, but with the right approach, you can create a welcoming and inclusive environment for your new global team members.

The benefits of assigning a mentor to help international employees adapt to new business values and processes are invaluable.

Deel is our global HR provider of choice. It equips your team with the tools, guidance, and features they need in a single platform to eliminate hiring and management borders.

Step 6: Foster a Diverse and Inclusive Work Culture

When working with people from different countries, creating a work environment that promotes mutual understanding and connectivity is vital. Diversity training helps combat prejudices, promote inclusion, and improve communication among people from different backgrounds.

Encourage discussions on values and beliefs and how they impact people’s attitudes and behaviors. Also, educate your employees on the similarities and differences between cultures. One way to do this is by observing holidays from each culture to demonstrate that every employee’s background is valued and respected.

It’s best to implement diversity training as early as possible to set a positive tone.

A Comparison of the Best Tools for Hiring Abroad

Numerous recruitment tools are available to help you hire the best international talent. We’ve reviewed some of the best and compiled this overview of their key features.

Reviews of The Top 3 Global Hiring Tools

Here’s a little more detail about our top three recommendations.

1. Deel — Best for Compliance Concerns, Global Hiring, and Payroll Taxes

Deel is a highly trusted platform that allows employers to hire individuals in over 150 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy, and India. With it, employers can use the skills and experience of a worldwide workforce by expanding abroad without creating a new company.

Deel also streamlines contract administration by providing built-in compliance and automatic invoicing, ensuring you pay international employees the right amount on time. To assist you in calculating the cost of an international worker, the platform provides free calculator tools.

With their internal experts, they provide the best advice and support for your pre-existing payroll setup. Plus, they offer fast and accurate help whenever you need it, with live chat and 24/7 customer service available to all users.

Deel also offers end-to-end management, including onboarding and termination services, and their easy-to-use web application makes it easy for you to manage your workforce properly. With features like contract management, overseas benefits, and expense tracking, you’ll have everything you need to keep your business running smoothly.

And if you need sophisticated adaptations like stipends, signing bonuses, and stock options, their integrated contract management feature has you covered!

2. Rippling — Best for Running Global Payroll

Rippling is a trusted all-in-one HR, payroll, and IT platform that simplifies payroll administration by paying each distributed team or employee in their local currency. The unified platform takes care of everything from payroll and benefits to time tracking and reporting, making managing your staff from a single user interface easy. 

Plus, it ensures enterprise-grade security, scalability, and operational efficiency. With its EOR service, you can hire and pay staff members anywhere in the world without having to establish a local subsidiary. Rippling takes care of payroll, contracts, employment taxes, benefits, and other legal and compliance concerns so that you can focus on growing your business. 

With the platform, there’s no need for manual calculations and data entry, as everything is done automatically. All you have to do is select the pay intervals for your staff, review the payroll, and give your approval.

Rippling also takes care of assigning country-specific compliance training to EOR staff members, so you don’t have to worry about whether your employees are getting the training they need.

The US payroll system takes care of tax deductions and filing and even provides a mobile app allowing employees to view their W-2s, check their pay stubs, and request time off.

3. Papaya — Best for Employee Benefit Packages and Workforce Management

Papaya’s cloud-based SaaS platform offers an all-in-one solution to help you manage your labor-related tasks effortlessly. You can use it in over 160 countries without needing to establish a local entity. It has country-specific onboarding workflows, an intelligent onboarding status tracker, and immigration services to make creating work permits a breeze. It also helps with employee relocation.

Moreover, Papaya connects with all management systems, supports all employee types (payroll, EOR, and contractors), and uses cutting-edge technologies to ensure compliance and avoid errors. Plus, it has a highly visible system for monitoring business intelligence and payroll expenditures in real time.

It also offers premium features like liability protection, advanced compliance, immigration and visa support, employee contract lifecycle management, and data security monitoring.

How We Test Hiring Software

So, how did we decide on our best hiring tools?

We thoroughly test, review, and compare all the leading EOR and HR service providers based on criteria like features, price, ease of use, and use case. We use the same approach for all our reviews so you can easily compare the different providers. 

We’ve included verified user reviews from reputable sites like G2, Reddit, and Trustpilot to give you different perspectives, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive and unbiased.

Our Other EOR and HR Guides

If you’re still undecided and need more information, we have other EOR and HR guides that may help ease your international hiring in 2024:

Embrace the Benefits of Hiring International Talent

Hiring international employees significantly benefits your company and opens opportunities for growth in new markets. You’ll also save on hiring costs, and there’s huge potential for remote collaboration.

However, hiring international employees isn’t a walk in the park. It involves numerous processes, from defining job requirements to interviewing potential candidates and visa processing. But it doesn’t have to be daunting; the right tool can streamline your global expansion. That’s why choosing the provider with the expertise that best fits your business needs is important.

This is why we recommend Deel. With it, you can hire potential candidates from over 150 countries without worrying about legal requirements. Plus, you’ll enjoy excellent 24/7 customer support. 

If you’ve considered hiring international employees but are daunted by its complexities, we hope this guide will help. 

International Hiring FAQs

References

• Why Hire Internationally (Localyze)
• Pros and Cons of Hiring International Employees In 2023 (Entrepreneur.com)
• 3 Best Options to Hire International Employees (Deel)
• A Guide to Hiring International Employees (Indeed)
• Best Work Permits for International Employees (HRone.com)
• How to Test for Language Proficiency in the Hiring Process (TestGorilla)

The post How to Hire International Employees in 6 Easy Steps: A Full Guide for 2024 appeared first on The Tech Report.

Whether you’re looking to transfer data to a new device, back up your phone’s content, or monitor your children’s online activity, knowing how to clone an Android phone is a useful skill.

Our smartphones are an extension of ourselves. Containing a wealth of personal information and memories, they know almost everything there is to know about us. It’s no wonder that many people want to duplicate that data, whether for legitimate reasons or otherwise.

This article aims to provide you with that know-how. We explain what phone cloning is and different ways to clone a phone, as well as the legal and ethical issues of this controversial practice.

And, as the idea of someone illegally cloning your phone without you knowing is rather alarming, we also discuss how to prevent your phone from being cloned.

So, let’s get started!

What is Android Phone Cloning?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines cloning as ‘the process of creating an exact copy.’ And that’s what phone cloning is: it’s replicating everything on one phone and transferring it to another.

Imagine taking your whole online life – data, apps, messages, contacts, location, everything – and copying it onto another phone. That’s the crux of phone cloning.

If that sounds scary, it should. There are several legitimate reasons why someone might want to clone a phone, but there are many gray areas and some unquestionably illegal ones.

Why Would You Want to Clone a Phone?

Even though there are legal, ethical, and technical issues associated with copying a phone’s data (which we cover later), many people still do it, and generally, for legitimate reasons.

1. Data Migration

Let’s be honest. Who wants to go through the hassle of manually transferring all the data on your old phone to your new one? With cloning, you can easily transfer all your settings, apps, and data from your old phone.

2. Protecting Confidential Information

You may also need to back up your phone if it contains confidential data, such as sensitive work documents or financial information. In fact, some companies may insist on it if you have a work phone.

Cloning your phone can be a lifesaver if it’s lost, stolen, or damaged, as you can simply restore the cloned data onto a new device.

3. Protecting Children Online

Unfortunately, cyberbullying, especially among young people, is on the rise. And shockingly, only 40% who experience it report it to their parents.

It’s no wonder parents are increasingly concerned about their children’s safety. Phone cloning helps parents monitor their children’s online activity and ensure they’re not exposed to anything inappropriate or dangerous.

4. Tracking Family Members’ Location

Many families use cloning technology so they can track each other’s location. It provides peace of mind. For example, if your partner’s job involves driving long distances, your children are driving to concerts, off on a road trip, or going on dates.

5. Detecting Vulnerabilities

Technical experts and white-hat and grey-hat hackers clone phones to detect any vulnerabilities criminals could exploit. Once found, they can develop and test solutions to fix these bugs and roll out software updates with improved security.

6. Illegal and Unethical Reasons

Unfortunately, some people have far less honorable reasons to clone Android phones:

If you believe Hollywood, people clone phones all the time. It seems nifty, but it’s not always done for the right reasons, raising ethical and privacy concerns.

Ethical Considerations and Legal Implications of Android Phone Cloning

Ethically, cloning another person’s phone without their knowledge or permission violates their right to keep their personal information private.

Legally, by cloning someone’s phone, you’re committing identity theft and fraud, serious crimes with serious penalties. You may also open yourself up to civil lawsuits for invasion of privacy, financial loss, or emotional distress.

Also important is that criminals can use cloning technology to steal personal information and for more serious activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, or terrorism. The consequences of these actions can be devastating to society as they undermine public safety and security.

These ethical and legal concerns have prompted governments and law enforcement agencies around the world to implement measures to combat phone cloning. They include:

The Difference Between Cloning and Hacking

Phone cloning is a legitimate process if you’re cloning your own phone or have the owner’s permission to clone their phone. You might do this to transfer data between an old and a new phone.

Hacking is a completely different story. It’s gaining access to a person’s phone, system, or network with or without their consent by exploiting vulnerabilities or weaknesses in security. When consent is not sufficiently given, hacking is illegal.

How to Clone an Android Phone Step by Step

So, how do you clone an Android phone? Well, there are a few phone cloning methods (some of which are legal and some not). Here’s a quick overview of some of the approaches:

Cloud Services

Cloud services, such as Google’s, store most of your data in the cloud, and phones generally now have a built-in backup and restore feature, making it easy to back up everything on the phone you want to clone and restore it to another one.

1. Back Up Your Data

To use Google’s cloud services, go to your phone’s settings. Select ‘Google’ or ‘System,’ then ‘Backup.’ If you haven’t backed up your phone before, you’ll need to turn on ‘Backup by Google One’. Finally, click on ‘Back up now’.

2. Restore the Data

You can only restore a backup from a lower Android version to a higher Android version. The good news is that you can switch your data from one phone to another, even if you don’t have your original device anymore.

1. Charge both phones (if you have your old device) and make sure you have a good Wi-Fi connection.
2. Turn on your new phone and follow the instructions until you’re asked if you want to copy apps and data. Choose ‘Don’t copy’.
3. When you’re given the option to use your old device, tap ‘Can’t use old device’ and then ‘OK’.
4. Sign into your Google account (the one you used on your old device) and carry on setting up the phone.
5. Choose your old device from the list of backup options and click ‘Restore’. For security, you’ll then be asked for the password for your old device.

Remote Cloning Apps

As the name suggests, remote cloning apps let you clone an Android phone remotely. They’re often used by parents who are worried about what their children are exposed to in the digital world.

One such monitoring app is uMobix. It’s designed to ensure your children’s online safety. It has location monitoring, so you can see where they are. You can even block calls and texts they receive if you feel they could be harmful.
Follow these steps to set up the app properly.

1. 1. Get consent from the owner of the device you want to clone. This includes your children if they’re 18 or older.
   2. Disable Google’s Play and Protect feature if you’re using a remote cloning app that isn’t on the Google Play Store, otherwise it’ll block the installation.

1. Create an account from your chosen app’s website. The provider will email you a download link. Open the link on the phone you want to clone and follow the installation steps.
2. Go to the settings and look through all the apps to find the remote monitoring app.
3. Select the app and turn on all the permissions, including background data and unrestricted data use.
4. Log into the app on your phone, and you should now be able to access the cloned phone’s data.

Using third-party remote cloning apps may seem like a good option, but it’s important to remember they’re not always reliable. To avoid any potential data leaks, we suggest using apps from the Play Store or legal apps that focus on protecting your data.

Network-Based Cloning

Network-based cloning is when someone – usually a hacker – exploits network vulnerabilities to launch cyberattacks or get unauthorized access to mobile devices.

Hackers exploit network vulnerabilities to sneak past security measures, access restricted systems, and steal confidential information. One way to do so is to clone your Android phone.

Black-hat hackers do this to cause harm and for personal gain.

White-hat hackers are above board. Companies pay them to find vulnerabilities so they can be fixed before they’re exploited.

Grey-hat hackers operate in an ethically questionable area. They find vulnerabilities in a system without consent but don’t exploit them. Instead, they share this information with the hacked target, but not always for free.

So, how do hackers identify and exploit a network vulnerability?

First, hackers need to find a vulnerability, which they do using specialized scanning equipment. They then exploit these vulnerabilities using methods such as installing malware and brute-forcing passwords.

IMEI Cloning

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a unique 15-digit serial number. Acting as your phone’s fingerprint, it contains details about the device, such as the type, make, model, and release year.

You can’t clone an IMEI number. Even if you could, you still couldn’t access the data on someone else’s phone with it alone, as it’s only linked to their device and not the information on it.

However, if a criminal has other personal information, such as your email address and phone number, they can use that with the IMEI to fool your network provider into carrying out a SIM swap and giving them your phone number. With this, they can access your phone, reset passwords, and steal personal information.

You can clone a phone’s SIM card, creating its exact replica. We should note that the process is illegal and carries severe consequences. It’s a technique often used by criminals to steal your phone’s identity and commit crimes.

A SIM card contains two numbers that your network provider uses to identify your phone number and you: the Ki (authentication key) and IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity). From making calls to browsing the internet, SIM cards are the powerhouse behind all your network-based operations.

Someone trying to clone your SIM may use an electronic scanner to copy its IMSI and Ki. However, it’s more likely someone will try to steal your SIM card, as scanners are very difficult to get and expensive.

How to Copy a SIM Card

To duplicate a SIM card, you’ll need a blank, writable SIM card and a SIM card reader/writer.

1. Put the SIM you want to clone into the card reader (first noting the IMSI number) and connect it to your computer.
2. Once it’s connected, launch the reader software to copy the card’s contents using the Ki.
3. Save the copied information onto your computer.
4. Disconnect the reader, place the SIM into your phone, and unlock it. You’ll be asked for the PUK code (personal unblocking code), which you get by calling your network provider.
5. Place the blank SIM into the card reader and connect it to the computer.
6. Use the reader software to write the original SIM card’s information to the blank SIM. Enter the PUK code when prompted.
7. You now have a cloned SIM card.

Once someone has cloned your SIM card and put it into their phone, they can intercept your calls and messages and access personal data (if you’ve saved this information to your SIM card).

How to Clone an Android Phone Legally and Successfully

Phone cloning is a valuable tool if you want to transfer data or monitor other phones if you do it ethically and responsibly. Here’s a handy guide to successfully and legally cloning an Android phone.

Check Operating System Requirements

Remote cloning apps may not be compatible with older operating systems, so ensure both phones meet the minimum requirements.

Also, remember that you can’t transfer your phone’s data from a higher Android version to a lower one.

Choose a Suitable Method

There are several ways you can clone a phone. Explore the different methods and choose one that is trustworthy and suits your needs. Expert opinions and user reviews are valuable sources of information.

Check Privacy Regulations

There are many legitimate reasons you may want to clone a phone, but it’s essential you respect people’s privacy. Always ask permission from the owner of the phone you want to clone.

Additionally, you should be aware of your region’s laws and regulations and the legal implications of phone cloning.

Back Up Your Data

Before you start the cloning process, back up your phone’s data. If you’re cloning someone else’s phone, back up the data on that phone, too.

Phone cloning is not 100% foolproof. This step ensures you don’t lose any information during the cloning process.

Stable Wi-Fi

Cloning a phone can take some time, so ensure both phones are connected to a stable and secure internet connection. Losing connection may mean data is corrupted or the cloning process is cut short.

Carefully Follow the Instructions

Read through all the instructions before you start the cloning process. Ensure you follow each step carefully. You may lose data if you miss a step.

Check the Process Has Been Successful

Once the cloning process has finished, check the data on both phones. All the settings, applications, and files should be there. Use the backup to replace any missing or corrupted data.

If you have any problems during the cloning process, the app’s website may contain resources to resolve these issues.

Limitations to Setting Up a Device from an Old Phone

Early mobile phones were little more than glorified radios, so it was relatively simple to intercept the signal and get the necessary codes.

Now, phones are digital, with advanced cybersecurity features that make it more difficult for someone to clone your phone without authorization and physical access.

These days, it’s almost impossible for someone to clone your phone by scanning it. Instead, they need physical access, even if only for a short time, to get the identifying numbers or install a cloning app.

One basic problem is technical limitations preventing some data and settings from being cloned. For example, some apps may not be compatible with your new phone, especially if the data is encrypted or protected by other security measures.

Additionally, the advanced security measures on newer phones, such as biometrics and encryption, make it much more difficult to clone a phone without physical access. Also, the more complex IMEI numbers are much harder to crack.

Other common issues you may encounter when cloning a phone are incompatible Android versions, software glitches, and an unreliable Wi-Fi connection.

It’s also worth mentioning that it is possible to clone Android to iOS and vice versa, but it’s a more time-consuming process.

How to Protect an Android Phone from Cloning

We increasingly rely on our mobile devices for all our activities, so it’s no wonder the risks from scams and online threats are growing. But how do you protect your online data, activities, and identity?

How to Stop Your Phone Being Cloned

However, all is not lost. The good news is there are some things you can do to protect yourself online.

1. Use a Strong Password

Setting a strong password, PIN, or pattern lock is your phone’s first line of defense. Use a unique one for each account.

The problem is trying to remember all those unique and complex passwords. Password managers securely store your passwords so you don’t have to remember them.

2. Regularly Update Your Phone’s Software

Ensure you’ve always got the most recent software. These updates add cool new features but, more importantly, security improvements, such as patches and bug fixes.

The updates are regularly released to fix vulnerabilities as they’re discovered to keep your device safe.

3. Use a VPN

A VPN increases your privacy and security by encrypting your online activity and sending it through a secure server. Using one makes it far more difficult for someone to intercept or monitor your data. It’s especially important if you use public Wi-Fi networks, which are generally unsecured.

NordVPN is one of the top VPN providers due to its military-grade encryption that keeps your browsing data safe.

4. Use Reputable Apps

When downloading third-party apps, be wary of apps that ask for too many permissions, such as asking for access to your text messages, even if you download them from Google Play. Unfortunately, some trojan and malware apps find their way onto the Play Store disguised as regular apps.

Always check an app’s ratings and user reviews before hitting that download button. To verify if the app is legitimate, look for the package name and developer information, which you can find in the app settings. Then compare this information with the official app listings on the Play Store.

5. Use Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a type of security that requires two separate verification methods. The three main types are something you know (your password), something you have (a code sent via SMS or email), and something you are (fingerprint or face recognition).

6. Keep Your IMEI Number Private

Keep your IMEI number private, just as you would your password. Someone with your IMEI could convince your network provider to give them your mobile number.

You may also need your IMEI number to file a police report if your phone has been cloned.

How to Tell if Your Phone’s Been Cloned

However, while these precautions make it more difficult for someone to clone your phone, it’s still possible. But how do you know if it has?

Here are a few signs that your phone or SIM has been cloned to minimize any damage :

Android Phone Cloning Takeaways

When used ethically and responsibly, phone cloning is a very convenient way to back up important information, transfer data from one phone to another, and keep loved ones safe.

There are many types of secure, professional phone cloning software you can use to move your digital life from one device to another safely and efficiently. Just be sure you understand the legalities of phone cloning and respect data privacy regulations.

However, some people have ulterior motives for wanting to clone your phone, so it’s important you take steps to protect yourself online.

FAQs

References

• Google Support – Back Up Your Device (Google)
• There are more mobile phones than people in the world (World Economic Forum)

The post How to Clone an Android Phone: Proven Ways Without Physical Access appeared first on The Tech Report.

Resource management software allows us to get the most out of what we have. The solution provides the information you need to align and prioritize work, assess resources, gauge capacity, and quickly adjust to changing variables.

In these tough economic times, we’re all trying to do more with less to maximize the return on our investment. To work as efficiently as possible, we increasingly rely on complex, cross-functional team projects.

In these situations, strategic planning becomes almost impossible without a single source of truth that can track all these projects and monitor the business’s resources and capacity.

Undeniably, resource management tools are indispensable to a business’s success, so choosing the right one is crucial.

To help you find the perfect fit, we reviewed the leading resource management tools and compiled our top picks – the ones we felt stood out in criteria such as price-to-feature ratio, free offerings, and reputation.

If you’re ready to take your resource management to the next level, read on!

The 10 Best Resource Management Tools in 2024: Shortlist

Before we dive into the details – both the positive and the negative – of our resource management tool top picks, here’s a quick overview of the rankings and why each one made it onto our shortlist.

1. Monday – Overall, the best resource management solution for 2024
2. ClickUp – The best free resource planning tool as it offers unlimited users on its free plan
3. Wrike – The best resource management tool for complex projects
4. Smartsheet – The top spreadsheet-style project planning resource management tool
5. Teamwork – Affordable, customizable resource planning software
6. Zoho Projects – The best budget-friendly resource planning tool
7. Quire – The best resource management software for entrepreneurs and small teams
8. Awork – Easy-to-use resource management software
9. ProWorkflow – Solid resource management systems for managing a heavy workload
10. Resource Guru – A great resource management tool for remote workers

Why You Should Use Resource Management Software

Simply put, resource management is about deciding how to use your resources as efficiently as possible to maximize your company’s performance. A resource is anything you need to complete a project, such as people, space, time, money, technology, and consumables.

However, it’s not only about distributing resources.

Resource management plays a vital role in many other business processes, which is why more and more companies are looking for solutions to help them manage their resources more effectively.

Here are just some of the benefits of using resource management tools.

While each business will need different things from its resource management software, some features are essential.

The Best Enterprise Resource Planning Software Reviewed

So, without further ado, let’s get into the details of our top ten best resource management software solutions. We explore the key features, pros and cons, pricing, and more to help you decide what tool is right for you.

If you just need a quick overview, our comparison table gives you the essential details, such as the starting price, whether there’s a free version, and what it’s best for.

1. Monday – Overall, the Best Resource Management Software for 2024

Monday takes the top spot in our list of the best resource management software solutions, and not only because it’s what we use every day. Other user reviews testify to its popularity among professionals across all industries due to its wide range of features and user-friendly interface.

If you’re looking for a platform to streamline your work and communication, Monday might be just what you need.

Its software can help you track your tasks and projects. You can view your workflows in several ways, such as lists, maps, Kanban boards, or Gantt charts, to monitor your progress in whatever way works best for you.

The software is also incredibly customizable, with dashboards that let you track all the data you need in one place. And, of course, it’s got all the features you’d expect from a top-notch resource management tool, like workflow templates, automation, and task board customization.

With all your tasks, progress tracking, and team collaboration in one place, you can be sure you’ll meet your deadlines. This centralized approach not only saves you time but also improves transparency and accountability.

Another of Monday’s impressive features is its role assignment functionality. You can assign each team member a specific job, meaning they have access to everything they need to complete their tasks. It’s a great way to keep things organized and avoid confusion about who’s working on which project.

Pricing

Whether you’re a freelancer, small team, or larger organization, Monday has got you covered. There’s also a decent free plan that’s perfect for up to two people.

You can make timeline or ownership adjustments from anywhere with the monday.com app. And with seamless integration with over 40 other apps, like Slack, Google Drive, and Trello, you can stay connected and organized at home or on the go.

As well as the free plan, there’s also a 14-day free trial on all the paid plans, so you can test Monday with all its bells and whistles before committing.

2. ClickUp – The Best Free Resource Management Tool as It Allows Unlimited Users on Its Free Plan

ClickUp is a tool that has everything you need to make managing your resources so much easier. You can access a variety of helpful tools like task and time management, document collaboration, and team communication all in one place.

ClickUp’s interface is intuitive and user-friendly, so even if you’re new to project management software, you’ll find navigating and getting started easy.

ClickUp is one of the best free resource management tools out there. Its generous free plan, which allows unlimited users and tasks, sets it apart from other software.

We were also impressed by ClickUp’s Everything View, which lets you see all your tasks and projects and search for specific items, saving you time.

The free plan comes with a unique in-app video recording feature, making collaborating on projects more visual and engaging. You can easily annotate your videos with links, images, and text to make your points crystal clear.

Plus, unlike other platforms such as Quire, which require additional (and often costly) integrations for time-tracking, ClickUp has this feature built-in.

On top of that, there’s a chat functionality for real-time collaboration, two-factor authentication to keep your data secure, and plenty of customization options that allow you to create custom task statuses, fields, and views that work best for you and your team.

Pricing

Like Monday, ClickUp offers four paid plans catering to various budgets and needs.

It also has a free plan, but in terms of the amount of storage capacity included (100 MB), it comes joint last with Teamwork.

3. Wrike – The Best Resource Management Tool For Complex Projects And Multiple Industries

Wrike is a popular project management software that’s been growing in popularity due to its extensive features, such as role assignment, which helps streamline managing complex projects with multiple decision-makers.

One of the things we like about Wrike is how it helps teams collaborate. The software allows you to edit projects together in real time, leave comments on tasks, share files, and more.

Plus, features like @mentions make it simple to stay connected and ensure everyone’s on the same page.

You can tailor Wrike to fit your specific needs. With customizable workflows, templates, and fields, you can create a resource management system that works best for you and your team.

Plus, the platform supports eight different languages, so it’s great for international teams.

We particularly liked that Wrike’s free plan includes many of the platform’s resource management features. With these, you can track a project’s progress, keep an eye on your team’s workload, and spot possible bottlenecks so you can make informed decisions from start to finish.

Wrike also offers automation capabilities (although ClickUp does offer more) that can save you and your team a lot of time and effort. For example, there’s deadline tracking, push alerts, and custom request forms that can all help streamline your workflow.

Compared to Monday (which uses color and other visuals), learning to use Wrike’s platform might take longer as it’s less visually intuitive.

Pricing

If you’re an individual or a small team, the free plan is ideal for you, as it allows up to five users and unlimited projects. Wrike’s free plan also comes with a generous 2 GB of storage, second only to Zoho, which offers 5 GB.

The paid plans are a little pricier than some other options, but they all come with a 14-day free trial, so you can try before you buy.

4. Smartsheet – The Top Spreadsheet-Style Project Planning Resource Management Software

It’s a cloud-based platform that makes it easy for teams, vendors, and stakeholders to collaborate seamlessly while managing budgets, organizing schedules, and automating tasks.

Its interface looks just like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, making it a popular choice for those used to working with spreadsheets.

The platform’s advanced analytics feature lets you combine multiple sheets into one report that you can share with anyone who needs to be kept in the loop. Plus, the activity log is a great way to see who’s been using the platform and how they’ve been interacting with it.

Our favorite feature is linked updates – changing data in the consolidated report also updates any relevant sheets attached to the report and vice versa. This makes removing outdated information a breeze and reduces the risk of human error.

If you’re concerned about getting lost in the details, the Resource Management Software by Smartsheet gives you an eagle-eye view of all your projects. With this, you can quickly see overall project progress, forecast, allocate resources, track time sheets, and create dynamic reports.

We also love the conditional formatting feature. Like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, if conditions like deadlines or the status of projects change, you can create visual cues like red cells to highlight risks or green cells to show completion.

Pricing

Like most other resource management tools, Smartsheet offers a free basic plan. What’s unique, though, is its very generous 30-day free trial. Thirty days is pretty much the perfect amount of time to play around with the features, build out the tools that work best for your needs, and then decide if it is the right platform for you.

One downfall is that the storage on the free plan is limited to 500 MB. While that works for a lot of businesses, some may need more space. For comparison, Wrike’s free storage cap is 2 GB per user.

5. Teamwork – Affordable Customizable Resource Planning Software

If you’re looking for an affordable, customizable resource management solution, Teamwork is one of the best. It lets you assign resources to tasks and projects and ensures everyone on your team has an equal workload.

Among its many features that help teams collaborate more effectively is the Gantt chart view, which is perfect for projects with multiple dependencies. With this view, you can easily see, which lets you visualize resource allocation and spot any potential bottlenecks before they become a problem.

Teamwork also has list, board, and table views so your teams can track project progress in a way that works best for them.

Another feature worth mentioning is Teamwork Chat, similar to Slack or Microsoft Teams. It’s a centralized platform where team members can discuss projects in real-time on a centralized platform.

Teamwork’s free plan contains a host of valuable features, like mobile and desktop apps, timesheets, and file sharing. And, if you work with freelancers or contract employees, the billable time-tracking and invoicing features are a great plus.

Pricing

Teamwork is one of the more affordable resource management tools on our list. It also has a decent free forever plan that includes everything you need for resource management and client work.

Of course, there are some limitations, such as the number of features and users. Also, it only offers 100 MB of storage, which is the lowest of all the resource management solutions on our list. But if you need more functionality, there are four affordable paid plans to choose from.

6. Zoho Projects – The Best Budget-Friendly Resource Planning Tool

Managing projects can be daunting, but Zoho Projects makes it much easier with its numerous collaboration features and intuitive resource management tools.

Zoho Projects gives you a clear visual overview of your resources, which makes it easy to see which ones are overused or underused. This way, you allocate resources more effectively and avoid potential bottlenecks.

Plus, it updates resource availability in real-time, making it easy to adjust schedules and assignments as needed.

Zoho Project’s free version is packed with features that simplify resource management. For example, it comes with an intuitive drag-and-drop feature that simplifies workflow design and integration with other apps in the Zoho ecosystem.

With task cloning, you can create new tasks from existing ones, saving you time and effort. You can also track project-related issues, such as errors and defects, and assign responsibility to team members for resolving them.

We were impressed by Zoho Projects’ focus on collaboration and communication. The platform offers an integrated chat box for instant messaging, and with the paid plans, you can upload files, avoiding the constant to-ing and fro-ing of project-related emails.
You can also create a separate forum for each project to keep information overload to a minimum.

Another excellent communication feature is Zoho Meeting, which lets you start video conferences straight from the task view. And to foster collaboration, Project Feeds automatically notify team members when there is a project update.

Pricing

Zoho Projects offers two paid plans, which are very affordable. So, if you need premium features, like tracking project dependencies, blueprint task automation, and setting reminders, it won’t break the bank.

What sets Zoho Projects apart is its incredible 5 GB of storage on its free plan. It’s the most generous in terms of storage. Its nearest rival is Wrike, which offers 2 GB.

7. Quire – The Best Resource Management Software for Entrepreneurs and Small Teams

Designed with small and medium-sized businesses in mind, Quire is a whiz at task management, allowing you to create, assign, and track tasks effortlessly.

Its standout feature is its infinite nested task list, an invaluable offering that lets you break down large, complex projects into smaller and more manageable tasks and subtasks.

The organized structure of nested tasks makes it much easier to see task dependencies and ensure everything is on track.

Aside from the nested task list, Quire also has a Kanban and timeline view, and you can customize all three to suit your team’s preferences.

You can seamlessly switch between the two as Quire integrates Kanban boards with nested task lists. Combining visual systems in this way makes it easier to track work. You can see the progress of everyone’s work and if someone has run into difficulties and is falling behind.

On top of that, we think you’ll like Quire’s Smart Folder if you’re juggling multiple projects. This feature lets you see all your tasks from different projects in one place.

Pricing

While the free plan (for up to ten users and eight projects) is a great starting point for individuals and small businesses, it lacks valuable features, such as Dynamic Timeline, to track project progress and spot potential bottlenecks.

Also, time reports and multiple assignees are only available on the paid plans.

Like Smartsheet, Quire offers a generous 30-day free trial on each of its paid plans, giving you plenty of time to decide whether it’s the right fit.

8. Awork – Easy-to-Use Resource Management Software

Awork is a cloud-based resource management tool that will suit teams of all sizes. It can handle numerous projects, marketing, resource, and event management tasks to streamline work and boost productivity.

With this solution, there’s no need to waste time finding information – everything is compiled in one place. You can easily coordinate your team and projects whether you’re in a client meeting or working from home.

Awork seamlessly integrates with a wide variety of third-party apps. You can directly link to popular services such as Lexoffice, sevDesk, MS Teams, Slack, and Google Drive for easy cross-app functionality.

If you need even more apps and services, you can use Zapier or the free Rest API.

We were impressed by the project workload overview. The feature helps identify conflicts or who could take on more work so you can immediately see who’s available to handle urgent tasks.

Pricing

Awork is a relatively new company, so we found it surprising that there’s no free plan, which could help attract new customers.

There are three paid plans, the cheapest of which is $11/month/user, making it the second most expensive tool on our list (ProWorkflow starts at $18/month/user).

9. ProWorkflow – Among the Best Resource Management Systems for Managing a Heavy Workload

ProWorkflow is a cloud-based project management software with a great range of features, such as capacity planning and task allocation.

One thing that sets ProWorkflow apart from other similar tools is that it doesn’t cap the number of projects on any of the paid plans.

Plus, the built-in time-tracking tool is incredibly convenient as you don’t have to use a third-party app to keep track of the time you’ve spent on different tasks or projects.

With its reporting capabilities, you can easily monitor workloads and identify who may need extra support.

We especially liked the Active Staff View. With it, you can see what each team member is working on and how they’re spending their time.

If you’re looking to integrate ProWorkflow with other apps, you can do so through Zapier, but keep in mind that you’ll need a Zapier subscription for this. Other resource management solutions, such as Monday, offer many more.

Another thing to note is that ProWorkflow has some limitations when it comes to project board options. For instance, you can’t create Gantt charts like you can with other solutions. For example, ClickUp offers unlimited Gantt charts on its free plan. project management tools. Instead, ProWorkflow has a Gantt view as part of its timeline board.

Pricing

ProWorkflow is the most expensive resource management tool on our list, and we feel it doesn’t have the features to justify the price. The five-user minimum is another drawback. There’s also no free plan or free trial, so you can’t try it before you buy it.

It’s worth noting that there’s not much difference between the professional and advanced plans. The former is only missing the client project requests, internal project requests, custom fields, and custom forms.

10. Resource Guru – A Great Resource Management Tool for Remote Workers

Resource Guru is a cloud-based resource management solution designed to streamline your resource management process.

This tool simplifies scheduling and booking, ensuring that all your resources are used efficiently, avoiding common pain points:

Resource Guru also lets you generate detailed reports to help you make data-driven decisions. The reports include information such as team performance, how resources are being used, and how project progress.

Unfortunately, Resource Guru doesn’t have apps for iOS or Android, which could be a big drawback for some businesses.

We found it to be a very user-friendly resource management tool with clear scheduling features. Resource Guru does have some customization options and a great interface, but it’s important to note that it may not be the right choice for more complex projects that need extensive integrations. However, it’s a great choice if simplicity is more important to you than advanced functionality.

Pricing

While Resource Guru may not be as feature-rich as some of its competitors, its pricing structure reflects that. With a starting price of $4.16/month/per user, its closest budget-friendly rival is Zoho Projects at $4/month/user.

Unfortunately, there’s no free plan, but Resource Guru does offer a 30-day free trial.

The Best Resource Planning Tools Compared

Now that we’ve delved into the details of the best resource management software for 2024, it’s time to bring it all together.
To help your decision-making process, we’ve compiled this TL;DR version, highlighting the key features of each tool.

How to Choose the Best Resource Management System

If you’re looking to choose the right resource management system for your business, the plethora of options can be overwhelming. While there are many systems, not all of them will be suitable for you. To help you choose, we’ve compiled a list of key factors to consider.

Pricing vs Features – Striking the Right Balance

While it’s tempting to opt for the cheapest plan, especially when on a tight budget, they may not have the crucial features you need. On the other hand, feature-rich systems can be expensive, and you may end up paying for features you’ll never use.

So, focus on the must-have features and look for systems that offer a good feature-to-price ratio.

Another thing to keep in mind is scalability. As your business grows, you’ll need a system that can handle more users without costing you more money.

Integration – Ensuring Seamless Collaboration

Integration is also important. Your resource management system should work well with the tools you’re already using or plan to use in the future, like JIRA, Dropbox, or Slack. That way, you can collaborate seamlessly across all your existing platforms.

User Interface – Enhancing User Experience

The user interface is another key factor. You want a system that’s easy to use and navigate, with reporting features that match your workflows. Free trials can be really helpful in figuring out how user-friendly a system is.

Customer Reviews – Learning from Others’ Experiences

Last but not least, customer reviews are a great way to learn about a system’s performance. Look for both positive and negative reviews to get a balanced view. If you see a lot of negative feedback, that’s definitely a red flag.

What’s the Best Free Resource Scheduling Solution?

Whether you’re an individual, a startup on a tight budget, or new to the world of resource management, a free resource management solution is a great way to get up and running.

Unfortunately, free plans do come with some restrictions, making them difficult to compare. To help you, we’ve compiled this quick overview of the best free resource management plans available in 2024.

The Final Rundown: What’s the Best Resource Management Software to Use in 2024?

The best resource management tools will ensure you get the most out of your resources, boosting efficiency and keeping your business running smoothly. So, it’s essential you choose the one that best fits your needs.

All the software solutions we’ve reviewed in this article excel at doing this and more, as they also include project management features. They also integrate with third-party apps to streamline your workflow even more.

Overall, we feel Monday is the best of the best. It’s reasonably priced (starting at $8/month/user) and packed with features. And if you’re unsure which plan is right for you, the 14-day free trial lets you test it before committing.

Resource Planning FAQs

The post The Best Resource Management Software – Top 10 Compared for 2024 appeared first on The Tech Report.

Whether you’re a parent who wants to keep their children safe, a suspicious partner who wants reassurance, or an employer who wants to uncover insider risks, a reliable monitoring app can be a helpful way to gather the information you need.

One such spy app is Haqerra. In this Haqerra review, we explore everything you need to know about its pros and cons, how it works, how it measures against other spy apps and any alternatives.

By the end of this Haqerra review, you should have a clear idea of whether Haqerra is the right choice for your monitoring needs.

Haqerra Pros and Cons

There are a few factors to consider when choosing a spy app, such as what operating system it supports. You’ll also need to consider what you want to use it for, as this will help you narrow down your options and choose the features you need.

Here is a quick overview of Haqerra’s pros and cons:

What is Haqerra?

Haqerra is a versatile spy app that lets you track the activities on a target device. As we mentioned, there are several reasons why you might want to use a spy app, and whatever you’re looking for, Haqerra aims to supply you with the tools you need.

The app boasts a wide range of features, including call monitoring, text message tracking, GPS location tracking, and social media monitoring. We’ll delve into these features later in this Haqerra review.

As with all our reviews, we aim to give you as much information as possible. However, as sometimes happens, we didn’t find as much as we’d like. But let’s face it. This is a spy app review, so understandably, people may be reluctant to admit they’ve used it.

That being said, we have some other spy app reviews if you’d like to compare some of the more established ones. One spy app we can recommend is mSpy, as it repeatedly scores highly in various categories.

How Does Haqerra Work?

However, using social engineering or phishing tactics to manipulate someone to install spyware is possible and is a method that hackers often employ.

To make sure you’re choosing the right tool for the right job, it’s essential to understand what spyware is and how it works. So, in this section, we run through the basics of what you need to know.

Haqerra, like most spy apps, discreetly installs software onto the target device in what seem to be normal downloads or websites. Once installed, it works in stealth mode, so the device’s owner doesn’t know it’s there.

The app collects data such as GPS locations, social media activity, browser history, and audio and video files. It then sends the data it’s collected to your online account, which you can access through any browser.

This allows you to remotely monitor the activities on the target device without raising suspicion.

Spy Apps Need Administrative Access to The Network

Administrative access (or administrative privileges) gives you substantial control over a network or system, such as installing software, accessing information, and deleting data.

To do what it does, a spy app needs administrative access to the target device:

Jailbreaking an iOS device may void its warranty and have legal implications. Always check the legality of jailbreaking in your jurisdiction before proceeding.

For iOS, you can also remotely install Haqerra if you have the person’s iCloud credentials and they haven’t activated two-factor authentication (2FA). If, however, 2FA is activated and iCloud backup isn’t enabled, you’ll need to physically access the device.

Once you run the software, the code will do the rest – you’ll have access to any data you need.

Haqerra Features

Haqerra has more than enough features to monitor a target device’s activities and give you peace of mind.

So, let’s take a closer look at some of these features and how they can help you.

Call Monitoring

Haqerra allows you to monitor all incoming and outgoing calls on the target device. With it, you can access call logs, including contact details, call length, and timestamps.

Social Media Monitoring

In today’s digital world, we live much of our lives online, and social media is a big part of that. With Haqerra, you can monitor some of the most popular social media platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. You can see messages, posts, comments, photos, and videos.

Text Message Monitoring

Using Haqerra, you can monitor text messages and conversations on the target device. You can read the contents, see attachments, and even track deleted messages. It’s a helpful feature if you’re an employer wanting to prevent insider risks.

Browser History Monitoring

As Haqerra can monitor the target device’s browser history, you can see which websites were visited and when and how much time was spent on each. It’s a great feature if you’re a parent concerned about the type of content your children are accessing.

Location Tracking

Haqerra offers GPS location tracking, which allows you to track the target device’s location in real-time – an essential feature if you’re a parent wanting to ensure your children’s safety.

Keylogger

Haqerra’s remote keylogger feature records all keystrokes on the target device. You can use it to track sensitive information such as passwords, usernames, and banking login details.

Screen Recorder

Haqerra’s screen recorder takes screenshots of the target device within the timeframe you’ve set. This allows you to see social media activity, as well as hidden pictures, websites visited, and personal files.

Device Compatibility

You can install Haqerra on both Android and iOS devices. For iOS, it’s compatible with iOS 7–13+ without jailbreaking the device. For Android devices, it’s compatible with Android 4 or higher.

One drawback, however, is that you’ll need to root the target device to monitor Facebook, Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, Wi-Fi networks, and Gmail.

Haqerra Price – Is It Expensive?

As well as Haqerra’s features, you'll want to consider your budget, as spy apps can range in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. Haqerra offers three subscription plans – monthly, quarterly, and annual – allowing you to choose the one that best suits your needs.

The monthly plan is the best option if you’re looking to monitor someone for only a short time. For a medium-term solution, the quarterly plan is more economical.

The annual plan is by far the most cost-effective and ideal if you’re looking to monitor someone for an extended period.

Compared to other spy apps, Haqerra’s pricing falls somewhere in the middle – it’s neither the cheapest nor the most expensive.

Is Haqerra Hard to Cancel?

You can’t try Haqerra before you commit to a pricing plan, as it doesn’t offer a free trial. However, not many spy apps do, so that’s not really an issue. Reportedly, it’s a choice made to ensure the product’s sustainability and maintain quality.

We feel that Haqerra would benefit from offering a demo as other spy apps do. It’s an excellent way to gain user confidence as they have a better idea of what they’re getting for their money.

Haqerra does have a 14-day refund policy, but be aware that you can’t use this as a way to trial the software, as Haqerra does not issue refunds for personal reasons, such as changing your mind or buying the app by mistake.

It’s worth reading the refund policy carefully, as it includes several restrictions and exclusions.

Haqerra vs Other Spy Apps

To help you find the best spy app for your needs, we’ve compared Haqerra to some of the best ones available.

As you can see, each spy app has its strengths. Choosing the one for you comes down to what you want to use it for. If you’d like a more in-depth overview of these apps, take a look at our best spy app reviews.

Haqerra Reviews

Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any user testimonials on reputable review sites. But that’s not to say people haven’t used it. Haqerra’s website explains how to spy on phones, so it’s unlikely that people would admit to using it.

Some of our other spy app reviews, such as those aimed at parents, will give you a more comprehensive insight into the app’s functionality. Consider reading those if you’re looking for a specific solution.

Alternatives to Haqerra

As we mentioned, there are many reasons why you might want to use a spy app. While Haqerra offers a reliable set of features, it’s always good to explore alternatives, especially if you have a specific use for the app in mind.

To help you with your research, here are some of our other spy app reviews. If something catches your eye, simply follow the link for a more in-depth review of its features:

Why You Can Trust Our Review of Haqerra

We thoroughly researched Haqerra to compile this review, evaluating features such as functionality and pricing. We follow the same approach for all our other spy app reviews, making it easy for you to compare the different services.

As we always aim to present you with an unbiased and comprehensive overview of anything we report on, we feel it’s our duty to provide you with different perspectives, so when it’s possible, we scrutinize other user reviews from reputable sites like TrustPilot and Reddit.

Is Haqerra Worth It?

Before deciding whether Haqerra is worth the investment, there are a few factors to consider.

First, ensure it supports the Android or iPhone version you want to track. Secondly, think about what you want to use it for, as this will help you narrow down your options and choose the features you need. Lastly, you'll want to consider your budget.

Overall, Haqerra seems to be a reliable and efficient spy app that will give you a good overview of the target device’s activity. It’s easy to install, compatible with iOS and Android (to some extent), and an affordable option for parents, partners, and employers.

FAQs

The post Complete Haqerra Review — Does It Work in 2024? appeared first on The Tech Report.

Building meaningful customer relationships has been the cornerstone of business since time immemorial. Impactful customer relationship management is still the key to optimizing your sales processes and powering growth in today’s increasingly digital and competitive environment.

A sales CRM (customer relationship management) is a powerful tool to help simplify and optimize your sales process. However, there are many options out there, and a misstep can prove to be a costly mistake.

To help you navigate this journey, we explain why sales management CRM matters and how it can benefit you. Step by step, we guide you through choosing the best CRM for your sales team and how to implement it successfully so you can fully maximize its potential.

What Is a CRM For Sales Management?

Essentially, a CRM simplifies sales by making it easier to manage every step and customer interaction in your sales process. The sales process is a set of actions your sales team follows to turn a potential customer into an actual one. The image below is HubSpot’s infographic outlining a seven-step sales process.

Many of these steps, or parts of them, can be automated. A CRM simplifies the whole sales process by doing just that.

So, before implementing a CRM, work with your sales team to see what works and what doesn’t.

A CRM also integrates all the tools, channels, and platforms you use. It collects and stores information like customer names and contact details, communication history, spending habits, and preferences on one platform that all team members can access.

Using machine learning, the CRM analyzes this data so you can better understand your customers’ behavior and predict what they might do next.

With these essential insights, you can improve your marketing efficiency and grow your business.

Sales CRM software empowers you to make more data-driven decisions, saving you time and money so you can focus on what matters most – keeping your customers happy.

Can a CRM For Sales Management Really Make a Difference?

In a nutshell, yes, it can. Here are some case studies demonstrating how much of a difference a CRM can make for sales management.

Deezer, a music streaming app, increased customer engagement by 483%, the number of customers reached by 250%, and the number of campaigns per week by 142%. All this within weeks of using one of the top CRM software providers.

If you want to get ahead of the game, attract more customers, and keep them, you need sales management CRM software.

A Forrester economic impact study reported that Motorola increased its ROI (return on investment) by 346%, increased team productivity by $121K, and decreased its administration time by $123K in three years after using a CRM for sales management.

Why Does Sales CRM Implementation Matter?

Successfully integrating a sales CRM alleviates the limitations of a top-down approach, fostering a more collaborative, data-driven, and customer-focused environment.

However, achieving this unifying effect is difficult with the top-down approach common in sales management.

The Drawbacks of Doing Things Top-Down

In many organizations, the decision-making and process planning happens at the executive level and is dictated down, often with little input from the sales and marketing teams. This approach, though, has several drawbacks that stifle overall sales performance.

Imposing sales strategies without considering realities on the ground alienates the sales team and management, leading to frustration and demotivation. Additionally, you will likely get a much lower adoption rate if team members feel excluded from decision-making processes.

Also, without a CRM, sales data and other related information are often scattered across different tools and platforms, making it difficult to achieve a unified view of the customer journey. This lack of visibility can result in missed opportunities, duplicated efforts, and poor team coordination.

In addition, manually tracking and measuring key sales metrics is tedious and time-consuming. This slows the decision-making process, leading to strategies that no longer represent the status quo.

Part of the problem is that the data in the spreadsheets sales managers rely on is likely to contain errors because, as conscientious as your team members may be, mistakes are bound to happen when inputting vast quantities of data. Especially when they’re using several platforms and communication channels.

Benefits of a Sales CRM

How to Assess the CRM Needs of Your Sales Team

Before choosing a CRM system, you must first determine your CRM needs and what you want to achieve. Otherwise, with all the options out there, how do you know which system is the best fit for your business?

Below, we’ve described the different stages to help you assess what you want to achieve by implementing a CRM and how to choose one that best fits your needs. But first, here’s the TL;DR version:

1. Determine your goals and requirements
2. Involve the teams that will be using the CRM
3. Determine what type of CRM system you will need
4. List the CRM features that make up your ideal tool
5. Check the privacy policy and data security
6. Determine your budget and resources
7. Compare, trial, and test

Determine Your Goals and Requirements

Ideally, a CRM system should benefit not only your sales team but all teams across the business. So, while it’s important to assess your sales team’s goals and CRM needs, also consider what other departments (such as marketing and accounting) need and how to integrate the system across the whole business.

Here are some questions to help you get started:

Involve the Teams That Will be Using the CRM

At the very least, you should engage the sales, marketing, and customer support teams. Finding out what their challenges are and where they see opportunities for improvement will give you a comprehensive idea of the features that will benefit the whole business.

Engaging the teams from the outset makes them feel part of the process and goes a long way to ensuring their buy-in and adoption.

How To Choose the CRM System That Best Fits Your Needs

Now that you have a better idea of the general business requirements and front-line realities, you’re better equipped to start your research and identify the CRM system that best fits your needs.

Determine What Type of CRM System You Will Need

Broadly, CRM solutions are grouped into three main categories: analytical, collaborative, and operational. Evaluate each type against the challenges you’re trying to address.

The function of analytical CRMs is to analyze your data so you can identify trends. For example, they’ll help you determine the most common customer complaints, which marketing campaigns are the most successful, and what the best-selling products or services are.

Collaborative CRMs unite disconnected teams and departments and focus on keeping and satisfying customers rather than increasing sales. They do this by ensuring all teams, such as the sales, marketing, and call center teams, can access the same information on all customer interactions.

This vastly improves the customer experience and solves their unfailing complaint of having to repeat themselves whenever they talk to someone new.

Operational CRMs focus on streamlining and automating repetitive sales, marketing, and service processes, such as email creation, lead tracking, and distributing customer satisfaction surveys. It makes it easier for companies to provide a consistent service as they scale.

You may decide that you need more than one of these systems. However, some functionalities overlap in today’s CRM offerings, so you may not have to sacrifice one feature for another.

List the CRM Features That Make Up Your Ideal Tool

The exact configuration of features required will differ from business to business. However, there are some key functionalities all CRM tools should have. Here’s our checklist to help you target your research:

When compiling your list of features, consider making two: a list of must-haves (the essential features you can’t do without) and a list of nice-to-haves (features that would smooth your processes a little more but aren’t crucial).

You may not need all these features in the list or may require more, but we hope it helps you in your search.

Check the Privacy Policy and Data Security

Ever stricter data privacy laws make it crucial you ensure that the CRM complies with all relevant regulations (such as the GDPR and CCPA) to protect yourself from legal ramifications. Make sure you read the provider’s privacy policy to understand how it protects users’ data.

Some things to question:

Determine Your Budget and Resources

As well as the initial investment, you’ll also need to consider things such as maintenance costs, technical support, training, and future customization and expansion costs when compiling your budget.

Consider the number of current and potential future users when comparing various CRM pricing plans. Always check the minimum and maximum number of users permitted for each tier and the cost implications of upgrading to a higher one.

When compiling our top 10 best CRM software, we found Zoho CRM to be the best for small businesses and Oracle Netsuite a great choice for large enterprises.

If you’re on a tight budget, some CRM providers offer free plans, and we’ll talk more about these later in the ‘Are There Any Good Free Sales CRM Software Solutions?’ section.

Compare, Trial, and Test

Once you’ve compiled your shortlist of CRMs that meet your must-haves list, check other users’ experiences with the software.

Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. Online user recommendations and reviews are extremely valuable resources. They give you real-world insight into how the system works in practice.

Before making your final decision, take advantage of the free trials or demonstrations many CRM suppliers provide. This allows you to assess how well the system integrates with your processes and whether it meets your team’s needs.

Also, use these trials to assess how user-friendly the CRM system is. Intuitive interfaces shorten the learning curve and increase the likelihood of its adoption.

It would be helpful to get an idea of the provider’s customer service, as your team needs to be able to get the help they need when they need it. Assess how quickly they respond, how helpful they are, and the technical knowledge the support team has.

How to Properly Implement a CRM For Sales Management, Step by Step

Originally, CRMs were designed to help sales teams organize customer data and identify and pursue leads. However, with proper planning, a CRM system can benefit almost every department in your business.

Here, we take you through how to implement your sales CRM implementation successfully so that you can apply it to all departments across your company.

Build your CRM Task Force

Assemble a group of CRM ‘project champions’ to support the various teams during the CRM implementation process. Include representatives from sales, marketing, IT, and other relevant departments.

Here are some of the roles you may want to include in your task force:

Get Your Sales Team Onboard

For your CRM implementation to be successful, you’ll need buy-in from your teams. We’ll expand on how to do this later in our section on ‘What It Takes to Sell Your Sales Team on a CRM’.

Prepare and Import Your Data to the CRM Platform

Importing your data from all your systems to the centralized CRM platform is a crucial step in the implementation process. If you don’t have the necessary technical experience in-house, consider consulting a CRM data migration specialist.

Before transferring your data, assess its quality and accuracy and back it up. Make sure nothing is missing, and either delete or merge any duplications. It’s also worth making copies. If you can, consider doing a practice run with a small number of several data types. That way, you can see where potential problems may arise.

After the migration is complete, check your data again. For example, ensure all duplicates are merged, no data is missing, and the fields are formatted correctly.

Set Up the New CRM System and Decide User Permissions

Once you’ve imported all your data, work with your CRM task force to set up your CRM system and integrations.

Configure the system to reflect your business’s unique processes and structures. For example, you should be able to customize the sales stages, deal pipelines, contact fields, email templates, and reporting or dashboard views.

Once the system is set up, you can integrate the other tools your teams use. These may include documentation, project management, internal messaging, and analytical tools.

The next step is to onboard the teams so each department only has access to the tools and data they need. Access to too much information can jeopardize data security. However, not being able to access enough information can slow down productivity.

You don’t want people to have to ask permission every time they want to use a tool or access data. It’s just not practical. Your CRM will help you manage who can access what data.

Thoroughly Train Your Teams

While implementing your CRM, you can start workshops to familiarize your teams with CRM basics and how to use it to help them work more efficiently. Tailor each workshop to the individual needs of each department.

For example, your customer support team will need to know how to automate email responses to queries and complaints, the sales team to configure lead generation, project managers to generate task reports, and the marketing team to compare advertising costs with sales revenue.

Create training manuals that explain how the main CRM features that your team will use work. Each feature should have its own chapter that includes troubleshooting advice. Also, take advantage of the online resources that your CRM provides.

Continually Review and Refine

Once you’ve got your CRM system up and running, the work doesn’t stop there. Business processes are constantly changing, so it’s important to regularly get feedback from each department. If you know your teams’ specific challenges, it’s easier to resolve them and make using the CRM easier and more efficient.

Determine Whether Your CRM Implementation Has Been Successful

A large part of reviewing your CRM implementation is to measure how successful it’s been. Comparing the before and after figures of these key metrics can help you do that:

You can customize your CRM dashboard to immediately show you all the metrics you’re interested in.

How Long Does It Take to Implement a Good Sales Management CRM?

The time it takes to implement your sales CRM chiefly depends on the system’s complexity, the size of your business, how much customization you need, and how well you train your teams.

To help you in your implementation process, we’ve created this roadmap to help you check your progress. Remember that you can do some of these tasks at the same time.

These timelines are simply rough guides. Implementing a simple CRM in a small company is a much shorter process than implementing a far more complex tool in a large organization with multiple and complex interlinked processes. If the latter applies to you, you may need to double or even triple these timelines.

Are There Any Good Free Sales CRM Software Solutions?

No matter the size of your organization, keeping track of your customer data can be challenging, so implementing the best CRM for your sales reps is essential to developing and maintaining your customer relationships.

Some premium paid plans can be a little pricey if you’re on a tight budget. However, some reasonably priced ones and even some free options are out there.

The Best Free CRM Software

Whether you’re an individual, small business, or startup, a free CRM solution can be invaluable for managing your sales processes. There are a few robust options out there, and here’s a brief overview of our top picks. Read our article on the best free CRM software to streamline your business if you’d like to know more about each solution.

That said, it’s worth keeping in mind that free CRMs have some limitations. You may not get as many customization options, reporting and analytics capabilities, or integrations. You may also not get the same quality of customer support.

Try It Before You Buy It

If you need more functionality than the free plans offer, trying some CRM solutions before you commit to one is a good idea.

To help you compare your options, we’ve researched some of the best CRM tools and compiled this table showing the length of their free trials and the starting price of their paid plans.

What It Takes to Sell Your Sales Team on a CRM

CRM implementation is not just about the technology; it’s also about the people driving the technology. No matter how many bells and whistles your CRM solution might have, if your teams can’t see how it helps them do their jobs, they won’t use it. Especially if it involves significant process changes.

If you’ve been following the steps in this guide, you’ve already done the following:

Congratulations! You’re most of the way to maximizing adoption. Here are a few more steps that can help.

Use Rewards and a Little Friendly Competition

Injecting a little fun into the workday can help boost your team’s CRM adoption. For example, you could begin by offering weekly or monthly rewards to those who generate the most leads or close the most deals.

Regularly Discuss Challenges and Encourage Feedback

It’s important that your teams feel comfortable reporting their challenges using the CRM system. They need to be confident that helpful feedback, constructively delivered, will be taken seriously.

Regular meetings where everyone can discuss any issues they’re facing will help teams feel more valued and motivated.

Turn Team Leaders into CRM Champions

Get your team leaders to lead by example. By ‘going first’, they can demonstrate the benefits of the software and that they’re willing to work with the team to resolve any snags. It shows they’re part of the team and fully invested in the change. Involving themselves in the team’s work builds trust, increases morale, and helps create a positive work environment.

The key takeaway from this guide is that implementing a CRM may seem overwhelming, expensive, and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Understanding the steps involved empowers you to confidently choose and successfully implement a CRM that suits your unique needs. With this guide, we hope we’ve helped you do that.

FAQs

The post How to Implement a CRM for Sales Management Step by Step appeared first on The Tech Report.

If you’re anything like us, you probably spend much of your time online, catching up with social media, shopping, or just checking yesterday’s football score. The price, though, of using all these services is your privacy.

With the increasing number of cyber threats and data breaches, it’s crucial you protect your online activities. A VPN (virtual private network) can help by creating a secure and encrypted internet connection, making it more difficult for prying eyes to find you and track your online activity.

PrivateVPN is one such service that claims to protect your online life, so we decided to test it out and see if it lives up to its reputation of balancing cost, performance, and reliability. In this PrivateVPN review, we’ll share our experiences with the service, highlighting what it can do and how well, what it will cost you, and how it measures up against some of its competitors.

So, let’s dive right in with a quick overview of PrivateVPN’s strengths and where there’s some room for improvement so you can decide whether it’s worth your trust, time, and money.

PrivateVPN Pros and Cons

What is PrivateVPN?

Although smaller than many of its competitors, PrivateVPN has garnered attention in the VPN market for its good range of features, including OpenVPN, Wireguard protocols, and a strict no-logs policy.

Before we get into the details of PrivateVPN and its offerings, here’s a brief overview of some of its key specs.

PrivateVPN Best Use Case

Undoubtedly, PrivateVPN is a good choice for those who love streaming, as you can bypass regional censorship and unblock many popular streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and my personal favorite, Disney+. Plus, with its strict no-logs policy, you can stream securely from anywhere in the world.

PrivateVPN has a VPN app specifically made for Kodi that allows you to connect up to six devices at the same time. With it, you can safely and securely access dozens of geo-restricted channels like HBO, NBS Sports and CBS.

Additionally, PrivateVPN allows P2P file sharing, so you can share even large files quickly and securely, as only users on the same P2P server can access those files. While its users often praise PrivateVPN’s P2P sharing feature for its torrenting abilities, the company doesn’t encourage the activity.

On top of that, you can connect to up to ten devices simultaneously, which is great if you have a lot of devices or a big household. That’s an impressive number compared to some of its rivals – NordVPN offers six, and ExpressVPN up to eight.

Is PrivateVPN Trustworthy?

Using a VPN means your ISP can no longer see what you’re doing online. However, your VPN provider might be able to if they haven’t designed their systems with privacy in mind.

So, it goes without saying that if you choose a company to protect your personal information, you’re going to have to trust it. After a bit of digging, we deemed PrivateVPN to be a worthy candidate.

However, nothing is perfect, and in 2020, industry researchers found that PrivateVPN had security flaws that could have put users at risk when connected to public Wi-Fi networks. The vulnerability could have let hackers install malware on users’ devices through a fake VPN software update.

PrivateVPN was quick to patch these flaws as soon as they were notified, demonstrating the company’s pledge to protect its users.

PrivateVPN is headquartered in Sweden, where it is an established VPN service provider. Sweden is widely considered a data-secure country, even though it is a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance; simply put, it’s a group of 14 countries that have agreed to share their citizens’ online activity.

However, Sweden’s strong freedom of speech ethos and PrivateVPN’s strict no-logs policy means that’s not really an issue. So, even if the government does demand users’ data, it won’t have anything to share.

The company has built its credibility around a commitment to a no-logs policy and strong encryption. However, it’s a shame there’s no way to prove its claims, as PrivateVPN doesn’t yet conduct third-party audits. If this reassurance is important to you, take a look at our review of the best VPNs on the market.

Does PrivateVPN Have Good Security?

Overall, PrivateVPN scores highly on the security front. Its robust encryption and privacy policy make sure of that. Here’s a quick rundown of PrivateVPN’s protocols that help keep you safe.

VPN Protocols

PrivateVPN supports multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and Wireguard. In our opinion, OpenVPN offers the best balance between speed and security.

Another helpful feature PrivateVPN offers is Stealth VPN, which is especially useful in countries with strict censorship, like China. It does this by disguising your traffic as SSL traffic, which hides the fact that you’re using a VPN. However, we recommend that you only consider using this if you’re in a country with severe internet censorship, as it will significantly slow down your connection.

Data-Logging Policy

PrivateVPN has a zero no-logs policy. This means it keeps no records of your online activity at all, so your ISP or hackers have nothing they can use to track you.

Crucially, PrivateVPN’s privacy policy specifically states that it does not collect or store logs of users’ activities, including:

Like most VPN providers, you do need to provide PrivateVPN with some basic details like your email address and a password when signing up, but it keeps this information only for as long as it’s needed.

Encryption

PrivateVPN uses an encryption method called AES-256 bit, developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to protect the US government from digital security breaches, and is now its default encryption algorithm. NIST also made it freely available to non-governmental organizations that provide encryption services.

PrivateVPN also offers OpenVPN. As its name suggests, it’s an open-source VPN protocol, which means anyone can see its code. The advantage of this is that cybersecurity experts worldwide have verified its security.

Additionally, you have the option of WireGuard connections, as PrivateVPN offers this protocol on its desktop apps. It’s a free and open-source software, delivering a far more sophisticated level of encryption. It’s also considered the fastest and easiest to scale, manage, and update to keep up with the constantly evolving cybersecurity threats. While you do need to manually connect to WireGuard, it’s simply a matter of clicking a few buttons once you’ve installed it on your device.

Before entrusting a VPN provider with your private data, rather than asking, ‘Does the VPN encrypt data?’ ask, ‘What encryption does the VPN use?’

Connection Guard

IPv6 is the latest IP (internet protocol). It was designed to help address the growing problem of the ever-increasing number of connected devices.

PrivateVPN’s connection guard is a handy feature. It protects your privacy by combining IPv6 and DNS leak protection with both a system-wide and application-level kill switch to protect you even if your VPN drops.

Review of PrivateVPN's Features – The Good, The Bad, and The Meh

PrivateVPN has a great mix of features that make it a strong contender in the VPN market, especially considering it’s a little smaller than many others in the ring. Let’s delve into what these features are and how well they can work for you.

Network Size

PrivateVPN boasts a network of over 200 servers spread across more than 60 countries. While this is a relatively low count (providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN have thousands), it still gives you a decent range of global coverage.

PrivateVPN’s servers are generally well distributed to provide reliable and speedy connections. However, it doesn’t have many servers in Africa, Australia, or New Zealand, so you may encounter some connection issues if you’re traveling there.

Port Forwarding

Port forwarding allows devices in private networks to connect over the internet with other public or private devices. It’s an essential feature for fast download and upload while torrenting and one that PrivateVPN provides.

To set it up, first, go into the PrivateVPN client to get the port number. You then simply input that number in the connection settings in your torrenting client.

Kill Switch

Any serious VPN contender has a kill switch in its security arsenal. Without one, if, for some reason, your VPN disconnects, most operating systems will automatically reconnect you to your local IP address. It's not a great solution — you lose the protection of your VPN encryption, meaning your data and location are discoverable.

Fortunately, PrivateVPN has you covered. As soon as your VPN connection drops, its full-system kill switch steps in and cuts your internet connection, thus protecting your privacy. Then, once your VPN connection is back up and running, the kill switch automatically restores your internet access without any action from you.

One drawback of PrivateVPN is that it doesn’t offer split tunneling. This means you can’t select which parts of your online activity go through the VPN and which connect directly to the internet.

So, if you’re using an app or website that doesn’t accept VPN traffic, for example, you’ll have to completely disconnect from the VPN.

Obfuscation

PrivateVPN has built-in obfuscation through its proprietary Stealth VPN protocol. This feature protects you against DPI (deep packet inspection) while browsing in countries with strict censorship, such as China. The protocol disguises your traffic as SSL traffic, hiding that you’re using a VPN and allowing you to bypass surveillance from ISPs and governments.

PrivateVPN works hard to keep its obfuscation technology current, as stringent firewalls can block outdated obfuscation methods.

DNS Leak Protection

A DNS (domain name system) protocol is essentially a group of servers that track the records connection IP addresses and domain names. Unfortunately, there are some security flaws, such as when someone provides a false IP address for a domain.

For example, this omission means that a hacker could redirect your search for privatevpn.com to a fake site to steal your passwords and other personal information, even if you’re using a VPN.

Fortunately, PrivateVPN’s software comes with built-in DNS leak protection, which routes your DNS requests through their own DNS servers, ensuring your browsing activity remains private.

One drawback is that PrivateVPN doesn’t offer WebRTC leak protection, which you’ll need if you use browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox. This is a feature of some more prominent VPNs like Surfshark and NordVPN, and others, like CyberGhost VPN, have browser extensions that disable WebRTC.

IP Address

PrivateVPN provides a dynamic IP address. While these IPs are free, the static IPs a server generates are shared among that server’s users. Much like a public IP address.

This setup, though, does have its advantages. You have the flexibility of accessing IPs in multiple locations and connecting up to ten devices simultaneously.

However, other VPNs, such as CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN, offer dedicated IP addresses that are uniquely yours if you prefer the stability and higher level of security they provide. As no one else can use them, you usually have to pay extra for them.

Speed and performance

Besides the security and privacy level, another crucial consideration when choosing a VPN is its speed and performance. After all, nobody wants to deal with slow loading times or buffering when streaming their favorite shows or movies.

As with any VPN, there’s bound to be some variation in speed depending on where you are, what time of day it is, and the server you connect to. However, PrivateVPN's extensive server network and optimized servers help minimize speed loss.

More Features Are on The Way

While PrivateVPN doesn’t seem to have implemented any significant updates recently, there may be some exciting new changes on the horizon.

Miss Group, a digital solutions provider, acquired PrivateVPN in 2022. In its press release, Miss Group’s CEO described PrivateVPN as ‘the fastest-growing private VPN product worldwide.’ A vote of confidence indeed. He’s also ‘confident that with Miss Group, PrivateVPN will be able to provide stronger VPN services to the market.’

We think it’s safe to say there’ll be some exciting changes to PrivateVPN’s features soon.

PrivateVPN Pricing – Do You Get Your Money's Worth?

Overall, we found that PrivateVPN offers exceptional value for the 12-month contract. It’s one of the cheapest around, making it a great choice if you’re on a budget.

When buying any tool, weighing up form and functionality with cost is essential. In this regard, PrivateVPN is unique in that each of its paid plans offers the same features, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice features for price.

The paid plans are affordable and well-priced at $9.90 billed monthly, dropping to $6.00 per month if you pay quarterly. This drops even further to $2.00 per month with the two free years that come with the annual plan. After that, it renews annually at $6.00 per month.

The free trial is where PrivateVPN falls short. It doesn’t always offer one, so you have to contact customer support to ask if it’s available. If it is, they’ll send you a code for a 7-day trial. PrivateVPN advertises its free trial on the website, but clicking on it redirects you back to the paid plan options.

However, you can still try PrivateVPN for free by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. But there’s a significant catch. The guarantee only applies if you’re a new user or haven’t changed your initial purchase, such as upgrading your plan. You’ll also have to enter your payment details if you want to go down this route.

If you’re looking for a better try-before-you-buy option, take a look at our best free VPN recommendations.

Payment options include credit cards, Paypal, and bitcoin. It’s worth noting that bitcoin or other cryptocurrency payments are non-refundable.

How to Use PrivateVPN — Step-By-Step

It only takes about 10 minutes to download and start using the app as we found out in our PrivateVPN review - an extremely straightforward process.

On the PrivateVPN website, click the Get PrivateVPN button, and it’s plain sailing from there.

First, select your plan.

Then, follow the steps to create your secure account.

After completing the payment process, you’ll be directed to the download page. Here, select your operating system and click the purple Download button.

Open the downloaded file, follow the instructions to install the app, and sign in with the login details you provided when signing up.

You’re now ready to start browsing, safe in the knowledge you’re protected.

While we found this an uncomplicated process, an added bonus is that PrivateVPN offers help via remote control if you get stuck when installing or configuring the app. It provides remote control installation for Windows, Mac, and Linus operating systems and OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP protocols.

Privacy-conscious individuals might not want this, but it’s potentially for beginners who need a bit of help.

PrivateVPN Ease of Use

If you want a VPN that just works and keeps you safe without having to get to grips with lots of additional settings, then this one’s for you.

We found PrivateVPN’s interface easy to navigate with informative and easy-to-read dashboards. The interface is similar across platforms, so you get a consistent user experience across all your devices.

Windows and Mac

The app opens with a clean and simple view, perfect for tech novices, providing a quick way to connect and choose your server location.

If you’re more tech-savvy, the Advanced View button reveals more settings, giving you greater customization.

The connection button is at the top right of the window. On the left-hand side are some menu options like Dashboard, Settings, Connection Guard, Stealth VPN, and Help & Support.

The Dashboard is where you choose the location you want to connect to, the type of VPN protocol you want to use, and the encryption level for OpenVPN. You can also see how much data you've used.

In the Settings section, you’ll find some other options, many of which are not default settings, like starting and automatically connecting to PrivateVPN on startup.

Connection Guard is where you’ll find several security options, such as IPv6, DNS leak protection, and an internet kill switch. There’s also an app guard that automatically closes certain apps if your VPN connection drops.

To help bypass VPN blockers and firewalls, PrivateVPN introduced the Stealth VPN setting. If you’re having trouble connecting, you can specify a port to see if it resolves the issue.

Unfortunately, Mac lacks some of the features Windows has. It’s missing server ping times (so you can choose the fastest ones) and, more importantly, no kill switch or DNS leak protection.

Android and iOS

PrivateVPN’s mobile apps only have the simple view, which works well on the smaller screen. The interface is similar to the desktop version but has slightly different features.

The Android app offers more features than iOS: OpenVPN encryption, IPv6 leak protection, an auto-connect function, a kill switch, and a stealth VPN.

Other devices

PrivateVPN’s compatibility doesn’t stop there, as it’s also available on all your favorite streaming devices from anywhere in the world.

PrivateVPN Comparison With Other VPNs

Pitted against other VPNs, PrivateVPN stands strong. While it’s often scrutinized due to its smaller server network and occasional performance issues, its commitment to a no-logs policy and strong encryption is a huge plus.

It also competes well in terms of performance, delivering solid speeds and stable connections. Additionally, it can unblock a good range of popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.

Of course, no VPN provider is perfect, each having particular strengths and weaknesses. So, choosing the right one will depend on what’s important to you. Are you looking for speed? Security? Streaming capability? Device compatibility?

Head over to our dedicated VPN page if you’d like to see more in-depth reviews of the tools we mention in the table. Whether you’re looking for the best free VPN for Chrome extensions or the top 10 best corporate VCPs, we’ve got you covered.

What Do PrivateVPN Reviews Say?

In this PrivateVPN review, we’ve described our experiences with it. But what are others saying about it? In the spirit of providing an unbiased review and different perspectives, we’ve combed the internet for some recent and honest user opinions.

Almost unanimously, users described the customer service as faultless. Others talked about the competitive pricing, quality streaming, obfuscation, and range of compatible devices.

Some user reviews touched on some minor issues, such as slow server speeds, logging in, and problems getting started with OpenVPN. However, these reports weren’t common and were promptly solved by the support team.

It’s to be expected that not everyone will be happy with the overall service, as personal preferences and requirements play a role. Overall, though, the reviews from PrivateVPN’s users were overwhelmingly positive, praising customer support, user-friendly apps, decent speeds, and a wide range of streaming services.

Good Alternatives to PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN offers a solid service, but exploring alternatives that may better suit your needs is always worthwhile. Here are the bare bones of some other VPNs that you may want to consider.

If something piques your interest, simply follow the link for a more in-depth review of its features.

Why You Can Trust Our Review of PrivateVPN

We thoroughly tested the app for our PrivateVPN review, evaluating features such as privacy and security, speed and performance, pricing and plans, and ease of use. We followed the same approach for our other reviews on leading VPNs, making it easy for you to compare the different services.

As our aim is to present you with an unbiased and comprehensive overview of PrivateVPN, we feel it’s our duty to provide you with different perspectives, so we scrutinize other user reviews from reputable sites like TrustPilot and Reddit.

Is PrivateVPN Worth It?

PrivateVPN is an ideal choice if you’re looking for an easy-to-use service for streaming content and strong customer service.

For our PrivateVPN review, we found out it provides a seamless and enjoyable user experience. If you’re looking for a solid and dependable service with robust privacy features without sacrificing ease of use, then PrivateVPN is for you.

The app's user-friendly interface makes navigating and setting it up easy, whether you're a VPN beginner or an experienced user.

While the app also offers a range of customization options, it doesn’t provide as many technical features as other VPNs, such as split tunneling or dedicated IP addresses. That said, it’s a strong contender if you’re simply looking for a VPN that will secure your online traffic without all the bells and whistles.

Our takeaway verdict is that PrivateVPN is excellent value for money, especially if your main priority is fast, reliable, secure streaming and torrenting. Despite lacking some advanced features, it competes well with more established VPNs on the market.

PrivateVPN Review FAQs

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