13 Leading Intranet Software Platforms to Consider in 2024

In one way or another, every organization depends on intranet software—or at least a combination of tools—to fulfill the functions of an intranet. This is because workplaces require effective internal communication, centralized and easily shareable information, and an environment where employees feel valued and engaged.

Over the past decade, the demand for such solutions has grown significantly. The rise of remote work and advancements in technology have reshaped how modern organizations communicate and collaborate. Studies, including the 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Intranet Packaged Solutions, highlight the increasing pressure on workplaces to meet the expectations of both employees and customers. As a result, organizations are prioritizing innovative ways to retain and engage their workforce.

Intranet software provides the answer. It brings together everything an organization needs to function—communication tools, workspaces, document storage, employee directories, knowledge sharing, and integrations—all in one centralized platform. It eliminates the reliance on email for company-wide, departmental, or exclusive communications. Leadership can foster a human-centric culture that supports dynamic and distributed teams, while employees can collaborate seamlessly from anywhere. Additionally, directors gain real-time visibility into project updates and ongoing tasks.

In general, organizations seeking intranet platforms aim to achieve specific ROI goals, such as boosting productivity, streamlining workflows, and enhancing employee engagement. However, some intranet software providers cater to niche use cases, which may or may not align with your organization’s unique requirements. In this post, we’ll explore the key benefits of intranet software, provide tips for selecting the best platform to meet your needs and review the top intranet software solutions of 2024.

What is Intranet Software?

An intranet is a digital space where an organization manages communication, shares knowledge, and fosters collaboration. Intranet software acts as a central hub for employees, HR teams, and managers, offering tools to manage people, projects, and data in one place. It helps administrators keep track of employee information, while also allowing team members to share updates and manage tasks effectively.

But intranet software has evolved into more than just a workplace tool—it’s also about building company culture. Modern intranets help employees connect with their organization and coworkers, making them feel more engaged. That’s why many intranet platforms now call themselves “employee experience platforms” or “employee communication apps.” As organizations shift towards employee-focused workplaces, intranet technology reflects this change. No matter what you call it, it all serves the same purpose: improving how employees experience their work environment.

To boost employee engagement, many intranet platforms include features such as:

• Recognition badges for appreciating colleagues
• Social tools for liking, commenting, and sharing ideas
• Interactive organizational charts
• Forums for discussions
• Easy customization options

These features give your company culture a digital identity. The key question is: what are you looking for? Do you need an all-in-one platform with tools for communication, document management, and employee engagement? Or are you looking for a solution to solve a specific problem, like improving internal communication?

Your organization’s needs will determine the right intranet platform for you. While intranet software offers many tools, here are some top features to keep in mind.

Features Every Intranet Software Should Have

Workspaces

Workspaces (sometimes called “Spaces”) are sections in intranet software dedicated to specific teams, departments, or projects. They centralize communication, people, and files in one place, making it easy for teams to stay organized and focused. For example, a sales team can have a workspace to access a directory of salespeople, share updates in a sales forum, or find important documents like competitor comparisons. Leadership teams can use private workspaces to handle confidential discussions and files. With flexible intranet software, you can create workspaces for any purpose, giving your teams a central hub for all their needs.

Knowledge Sharing Tools

No matter your industry, effective knowledge-sharing tools are essential for teamwork and easy access to internal information. These tools, like wikis, articles, and forums, help teams collaborate and create valuable content. Features like comments, likes, and notifications encourage interaction and make sure important updates aren’t missed. Notifications can even pop up in apps like Slack, Teams, or your browser for extra visibility.

Advanced Search Tools

Think of your intranet software as your organization’s internal version of Google. A good search tool helps employees quickly find documents or conversations within the intranet. The best tools go a step further, offering results from both inside and outside the intranet, with filters and tags to make searches faster and more precise.

Recognition of Challenges and Badges

This is where employee engagement meets intranet software. In addition to tools like polls, surveys, and comments, many platforms offer features specifically designed to boost morale. Badges allow managers and coworkers to recognize achievements or give kudos, making employees feel valued while encouraging positive behavior. Recognition challenges can also be set up, where employees complete tasks or programs to earn rewards, adding a fun and motivating element to the workplace.

Content Publishing Features

To share information, engage employees, and inspire action, you need tools that make creating great content simple. Features like adding tables, embedding videos, customizing layouts, and using images and colors can make your content more visually appealing and easier to understand. This not only enhances communication but also keeps readers more engaged. Some intranet platforms even allow you to set expiration dates for content, so authors get reminders to update outdated information. Approval workflows can also be set up to simplify the content creation process.

Org Charts and People Directory

Modern intranet platforms are all about people, so org charts and directories are must-haves. A well-designed org chart connects your workforce and helps employees see how they fit into the bigger picture. Employee profiles can also include more than just work-related details. They can showcase personal interests and skills, helping employees feel recognized and valued.

Collaboration Tools

Sharing information is important, but true success comes from effective collaboration—especially for remote teams or large organizations. Intranet software should include tools that let employees work together easily, no matter where they are. Features like integrations with platforms such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 allow team members to work on documents in real time. Task management tools, like case and ticket systems, help connect the right people to resolve issues or complete specific tasks.

Integrations

For your intranet to truly be a one-stop solution, it should integrate seamlessly with the tools your employees and administrators already use. Without this, your intranet could become just another app employees switch between, wasting time and reducing productivity. Single sign-on (SSO) integrations are key—they allow for smooth data transfers, uniform login credentials, and automated employee profile setup. Additional integrations with apps like Slack, Teams, Outlook, Vimeo, and Excel can further streamline workflows.

The goal is to boost productivity by centralizing tools, aligning teams with relevant information, and fostering stronger connections. Whether your team is remote, frontline, or spread across different locations, the right intranet software can unite everyone with customized pages and engagement features that enhance your company culture.

13 Leading Intranet Software Platforms to Consider in 2024

There are many intranet software options available, and most seem to offer similar features. But how do they compare? And which one fits your needs? We’ve ranked some of the best intranet platforms to help you narrow down your choices.

1. Creative Social Intranet

Creative Social Intranet is a modern intranet software platform designed to enhance workplace communication, collaboration, and employee engagement. It serves as a centralized digital workplace where organizations can streamline internal communication, share knowledge, and foster a connected and engaged workforce.

With features like document management, employee directories, collaboration tools, and social engagement options, Creative Social Intranet helps businesses improve productivity and create a positive workplace culture. It’s particularly focused on building employee-centric experiences through tools like recognition badges, polls, forums, and social feeds, making it easier for teams to stay informed and connected.

2. Axero

Axero is a versatile intranet software that offers tools for internal communication, knowledge sharing, and employee engagement. It’s highly flexible, making it suitable for a variety of industries, from universities creating digital hubs for students to companies managing internal operations. Axero stands out for its easy customization, allowing users to adjust page designs and tools without relying on external support. However, since Axero is packed with features, it may feel overwhelming for organizations seeking a simpler platform.

3. Workplace from Meta

Workplace by Meta is a collaboration tool similar to Facebook but designed for businesses. However, Meta has announced it will discontinue Workplace by 2026, so users will need to migrate to other platforms soon. While it offers a familiar interface and attractive pricing, it’s no longer a long-term solution.

4. Bloomfire

Bloomfire is specialized intranet software focused on knowledge sharing and customer relationship management. It integrates with popular apps like Salesforce and Zendesk, making it a good choice for organizations that rely on client-focused tools. However, some users have reported slow search functionality and limited content creation features.

5. Simpplr

Simpplr combines intranet tools with email capabilities, offering features like a newsletter builder that pulls content from the platform. However, some features, such as the newsletter and Leadercast video, require extra payment. Users have also found customization options limited, leading to cluttered homepages and weaker event management capabilities.

6. Monday.com

Monday.com is a collaboration platform ideal for remote teams. It helps manage projects, workloads, and sales pipelines effectively. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface, but implementing the software can be time-consuming, and it lacks advanced features. Additionally, customer support services come with added costs.

7. SharePoint

SharePoint, a Microsoft product, is often mistaken for intranet software. It’s a document management system that can be used to create an intranet. While it integrates deeply with Microsoft 365, its complexity requires organizations to hire developers for maintenance, making it a costly and complicated option.

8. Workvivo

Workvivo focuses on employee communication and engagement, offering tools like podcast hosting and live-streaming events. The interface is easy to navigate, but customizing the platform requires support from Workvivo’s team. Users also wish for more flexibility in formatting and permissions.

9. Yammer

Yammer, also by Microsoft, is a simpler platform designed for internal communication. It’s affordable but lacks advanced features. Users have complained about excessive email notifications and limited customization, which can hinder productivity.

10. Interact

Interact is tailored for medium-sized companies focused on communication. It offers design services and tools to segment communications. However, its search and calendar tools lack advanced features. Additionally, it’s only available as a cloud-based application, so it’s not suitable for on-premise solutions.

11. Noodle

Noodle is a cost-effective and user-friendly intranet platform. Its interface is similar to Facebook and LinkedIn, making it easy for users to adopt. However, some integrations, like Outlook sync, need improvement, and the platform can occasionally be glitchy.

12. Unily

Unily provides tools for internal communication, knowledge sharing, and engagement. It offers drag-and-drop widgets for creating engaging pages. However, some users experience glitches, and maintaining the platform’s metadata requires manual updates, which can be time-consuming.

13. Blink

Blink is an employee-focused intranet that combines communication and engagement tools in one app. Its intuitive design makes navigation easy, but it lacks flexibility for controlling the user experience. Users also find it difficult to locate posts due to their chronological display of content.

How to Choose the Best Intranet Software?

Selecting the right intranet software takes time because the market is flooded with options that seem similar. Start by checking trusted reports or reviews to identify top-rated platforms. This will help you focus on solutions that are reliable and packed with useful features.

Next, list your organization’s goals and requirements. Think about how your team will use the platform and what features are most important.

Key Questions to Ask When Choosing an Intranet Software Vendor

1. How customizable is the platform, and are there any changes that only the vendor can make?

Customization is essential to make your intranet platform unique, reflect your company’s identity, and improve user engagement. However, it’s a common weak point for many platforms. While some vendors claim their platforms are easy to customize, even basic changes like modifying logos or banner colors may require support from their team. On the other hand, some platforms offer extensive customization options, but this could add unnecessary complexity. You might need to hire developers or in-house specialists to manage the design, layout, and functionality. Understanding the limits of customization, any potential add-on costs, and how much vendor involvement is required will help you identify the best solution for your team.

2. How advanced are the communication tools?

Internal communication is a core intranet function, yet some platforms only offer basic tools. Understand how admins send messages, whether they can create custom employee groups for targeted communication, and what channels (email, push notifications, etc.) are available to deliver updates. Evaluating these features ensures you can effectively reach employees with important information.

3. What integrations does the software offer, and how well do they work?

A strong intranet integrates seamlessly with your essential tools—like email servers, document management systems, messaging apps, and calendars. Beyond confirming if an integration exists, ask about its depth and functionality. A well-integrated intranet ensures smoother workflows and centralized access to resources.

4. How flexible are permission settings?

Flexible permissions and governance determine how efficiently the intranet can be managed. If permissions are too limited, IT teams or designated users may be burdened with routine updates. On the other hand, well-defined permissions allow departments to self-manage their content, saving time and improving efficiency.

5. What does the implementation process involve?

Rolling out new software can be challenging, especially for tools like intranets that serve entire organizations. Understand the vendor’s implementation process, including training options, onboarding support, and timelines. Clarify how much assistance is provided and whether it’s tailored for different user groups, so employees feel confident using the platform.

6. What ongoing support does the vendor provide?

Reliable customer support ensures a smooth intranet experience. Ask how vendors handle issues—whether through direct contact, ticketing systems, or self-help documentation—and what their response times are. Clarify if ongoing support, updates, or training sessions incur extra costs. A strong vendor should feel like a long-term partner, not just a one-time provider.

7. How frequently does the vendor update the platform?

A forward-thinking intranet vendor will regularly introduce new features to keep up with workplace needs. Ask about their product roadmap, including how often updates are released (monthly, quarterly, annually) and whether innovation is a priority. A modern, future-ready intranet will support your organization’s growth and evolving goals.

8. How does the mobile app compare to the desktop version?

For companies with frontline workers or remote teams, a mobile intranet app is essential. Understand how the app works, its limitations compared to the desktop version, and how customizable it is. A seamless mobile experience ensures that all employees, regardless of location, can stay connected.

Conclusion

Asking the right questions during vendor evaluations will help you uncover hidden limitations and gain clarity on key features. By working with project leaders to prioritize your needs and thoroughly researching top platforms, you can confidently choose intranet software that meets your organization’s requirements. Intranet software plays a vital role in modern workplaces by centralizing communication, streamlining operations, and keeping employees connected. As your company grows or changes, a flexible and robust intranet will adapt with you, ensuring long-term success and engagement for your teams.