Best One on One Meeting Tools: A Guide for Managers and Leaders
Learn why having a specific tool for your one-on-one meeting is beneficial and which tool is best for you and your team with our breakdown!
As a manager or leader, finding the best tools for one-on-one meetings can be difficult because there are so many options to choose from. After examining each tool further, it becomes apparent that various tools are beneficial for different reasons. Some tools streamline videoconferencing and telecommuting, while others prioritize collaboration and providing feedback in real-time. It all depends on what your goal is!
Keep reading to learn why having a specific tool for your one-on-one meeting is beneficial and a breakdown of eight different meeting tools so you can decide what the best 1:1 meeting tool is for you.
The best tools for 1:1 meetings
1 Fellow
Fellow is a fully integrated AI one-on-one meeting software that connects to your calendar and centralizes all your 1-on-1 meeting notes, recordings, feedback and action items. Fellow meeting notes offer real-time collaboration directly in video-conferencing platforms (including Google Meet and Zoom) so users aren’t distracted switching between tabs to take notes or access relevant documents. Instead both managers and direct reports can stay fully present in their 1-on-1 and team meetings.
The 1-on-1 note syncs with project management tools and offers embeddable media so everything is centralized and up-to-date. Private notes can also be taken during meetings and are only accessible to the author. Nothing falls through the cracks or gets forgotten with previous 1-on-1 notes accessible below the current meeting and undiscussed talking points and action items automatically carrying forward to the next meeting.
Users can leverage the AI Meeting Copilot to automatically record, transcribe, and summarize every meeting for an accurate record of every discussion or decision.
Fellow empowers managers and their teams to:
- Collaborate on a meeting agenda before every meeting
- Centralize action items from different meetings in one list
- Assign clear action items and takeaways at the end of each meeting
- Keep track of work interactions and feedback over time
Pricing: Starts at $7 per user per month
Ratings and reviews: 4.7/5 star rating on G2 with 1,974 reviews.
2 Zoom
Zoom provides videography and online chat services through a cloud-based peer-to-peer software platform that can be used in the workplace for things like one-on-one meetings, presentations, pitches, or even daily check-ins. Zoom is ideal for one-on-one meetings because it allows you to bring a face-to-face element to the encounter. Instead of a quick phone call, you’re able to sit face to face and hold a meaningful meeting. Additionally, Zoom is extremely easy to use, allowing both parties to meet and share their screens through conferencing software where one or many can join to collaborate or sit in on the meeting.
Pricing: Plans and pricing vary. The free plan is limited to 40 minute meetings, while the Pro plan starts at $15.99/per month/per user.
Ratings and reviews: 4.5/5 star rating on G2 with 54,165 reviews.
3 Taskade
Taskade makes it possible for remote teams to take their productivity to the next level by providing a hub where teammates can chat, organize, and get things done by collaborating in one unified workspace with tools like lists, notes, and mind maps.
Pricing: Free plan is available for up to 3 users. Business plans start at $23 per month, with 10 users included.
Rating and reviews: 4.6/5 star rating on G2 with 44 reviews
4 Nuclino
Nuclino is a cloud-based team collaboration software that allows teams to collaborate and share information in real time. Nuclino is great because you can leverage the collaborative document tool to flesh out meeting agendas, take thorough meeting notes, assign tasks, and follow up post-meeting.
The beauty of leveraging Nuclino is having the ability to organize knowledge, manage projects, and share ideas in one place.
Pricing: Nuclino offers a free introductory tier, and its paid plan costs $7 per user per month.
Rating and reviews: 4.7/5 star rating on G2 with 22 reviews
5Whereby
Whereby makes one-on-one meetings super simple by enabling everyone, everywhere, to connect over video without any external apps, downloads, or long meeting links. With Whereby, it’s as simple as creating your own customized URL and sending it out to your desired attendees. You can meet in your browser, mobile or desktop, or by simply clicking the link. Once you’re in you can customize your meeting room with a custom name, URL, and unique branding.
You can take your one-on-one meetings even further by leveraging Whereby’s integrations to run efficient classes, events, workshops or breakout groups with whiteboards from Miro.
Pricing: You can start for free or opt for a flexible business plan for growing teams starting at $9.99.
Rating and reviews: 4.6/5 star rating on G2 with 1,099 reviews
6 SuperSaaS
SuperSaas is the ultimate organizational tool that makes it possible for you to manage all of your resources, services, and locations in one bookable online calendar. You can send automated SMS/ email reminders, accept online payments, add booking specifics, integrate a zoom link, and create a predefined list of time slots that work best for your one-on-one meetings.
Everything you need to prepare for and execute online meetings is integrated into SuperSaas.
Pricing: This tool offers flexible online appointment scheduling and you can start out by testing the free service or a paid plan with more capabilities.
Rating and reviews: 4.6/5 star rating on G2 with 82 reviews
7 Slite
Slite is built for remote teams; making it possible for organizations of all kinds to gather their teams asynchronous discussions, decisions, and working docs in one place. Slite strives to eliminate confusion in a remote setting by enhancing collaboration through streamlined tools that help teams align and move in sync while working remotely.
Additionally, Slite provides users with templates for docs that pertain to product specs, company handbooks, meeting notes, and so much more. Planning for your next one-on-one meeting just got a whole lot easier.
Pricing: Plans cater to every stage of your company ranging from a completely free plan to a premium plan.
Rating and reviews: 4.6/5 star rating on G2 with 222 reviews
8 Small Improvements
One-on-one meetings are crucial for any organization and Small Improvements has built an entire company around this principle; striving to help you have better one-on-ones by providing you with the tools you need to prepare for better discussions, document discussions and key takeaways, follow up with important action items, and guide important or difficult discussions. Whether you’re looking to streamline performance reviews, celebrate great work, or turn your goals and objectives into actionable results, Small Improvements has it all.
One-on-one meetings are about more than just tasks and Small Improvements intends to help you go beyond just the status updates.
Pricing: The performance starter pack starts at $5 per user/per month while the Feedback and Performance Suite (which includes 1:1) starts at $7 per user/per month
Rating and reviews: 4.0/5 star rating on G2 with 32 reviews.
Why is it important to have a specific tool for your 1:1 meeting?
Having a specific tool for your one on one meeting is essential because it helps you stay organized and on track while providing you with a central location to document decisions and action items. Other benefits of choosing a specific 1:1 meeting tool to improve your meetings include:
1 Staying Organized
The key to hosting an effective one-on-one meeting as a manager or leader is staying organized and meeting tools help you keep conversations with your direct reports in one place, look back on past notes, and never forget what was said. Integrating a meeting tool into your toolkit will help you stay organized during the preliminary stages of your meeting all the way to your final action items.
2 Showing Up Prepared
Nothing is worse than showing up to a meeting unprepared and the best 1:1 meeting tool will ensure both parties show up educated, well-informed, and ready to discuss the talking points and action items at hand. The right meeting tool will enable you and your direct reports to collaborate on a meeting agenda that inspires a thoughtful two-sided agenda that prompts action and provokes conversation.
Delightful 1:1s
Build trust with your direct reports by having a collaborative meeting agenda where they can contribute talking points and ask questions with Fellow.
3 Saving Time
Taking advantage of technology is the ultimate way to optimize your processes and improve efficiency when it comes to hosting effective one on one meetings. Using proper 1:1 meeting tools will help you plan accordingly and save tons of time. When you run out of time, carry over incomplete talking points and action items from previous meetings so nothing gets lost.
4 Exchanging Feedback
Providing and receiving feedback gracefully is an imperative skill to have as a manager or leader and the best 1:1 meeting tool will make exchanging feedback a breeze. The right tool will enable you to leverage suggested questions and templates to inspire real-time conversations about growth and self-improvement. Having a feedback culture is a great way for your employees and company to grow.
Parting advice
The essence of one-on-one meetings lies in choosing the right tool for your organizational needs. From video conferencing software like Zoom to collaborative meeting note platforms like Fellow, each tool brings its advantages to the table. Remember, the value isn’t just in the technology. Choose wisely, and let your one-on-one meetings be a cornerstone of leadership.
