The following page responds to a request asking for advice on switching organizing platforms. This question has also been raised by others around the world to meet various activist needs. The original request to the HUB was regarding intergenerational challenges when choosing a platform, thus, lived experience is welcomed to improve this page. This page compiles content on general organizing platforms, platforms for online documentation and platforms for meeting online. The information included comes from reviews of each platform, plus the HUB team's personal experience using each for organizing purposes.
We have included suggestions for encrypted (secure) and open platforms. Security may or may not be a concern based on the types of actions your group organizes, and who is involved. See our page on Legal information for activists for more on performing a risk assessment to determine which platform is right for your needs.
No matter which platform you choose, we highly suggest creating a document, video, or offering 1-1 how-to sessions for people who may need support joining and using the platform you're organizing on. Do not simply offer a video/document that the platform offers to learn it's use; tailor this to how your group uses the platform to improve clarity and comprehension.
You may also consider using the 'buddy system' to pair up new members, or people who are new to using the platform, with someone who is more familiar to support them in learning the ropes.
Communication with others outside the Global North; one of the more commonly used platform in the Global South
Quick, secure messaging with those involved in an action while it's happening (if security isn't an issue)
Good for organizing that requires less frequent communication (i.e. meeting reminders, sharing webinars/training opportunities), or if you have less than 15 or so members
Pros
Cons
Good for worldwide communication; widely used globally
Free, and easy to download
Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling
Less of a learning curve to learn how to use
Can hold video calls with up to 32 people (though you need to manually add anyone after 15)
Desktop and mobile apps, plus web version available
Can share files up to 100MB in size
Supports multiple languages
GIFs, stickers, emoji and message formatting options
Can back up data on cloud (not as good for privacy, good to retrieve messages if you need to redownload the app)
Can choose between voice or text messages
Not as secure as platforms as signal (most similar alternative). concerns regarding privacy, data sharing, and third-party access to user information
Requires an internet connection
256 members limit per chat
Can manage notifications to limit overwhelm, but everything being on one channel can become hard to follow/keep up, and can't organize topics/discussions
Compatibility with older devices and operating systems can be limited
Good for organizing arrestable actions, or actions that involve sensitive information, or are higher risk for those involved (see our page on Legal information for activists for more on risk assessment)
Quick, secure messaging with those involved in an action while it's happening
Good for organizing that requires less frequent communication (i.e. meeting reminders, sharing webinars/training opportunities), or if you have less than 15 or so members
Pros
Cons
Secure, open-sourced, end-to-end encryption. Metadata information of users is private, does not collect extra data on users.
Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling
Can be used to hold secure video calls with up to 40 people
Can create disappearing messages (messages that delete after a certain period of time)
Free, and easy to download
Less of a learning curve to learn how to use
Available on a variety of devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux
Can choose between voice or text messages
Occasional problems with sending and receiving (though very infrequent)
Less well known; may need to convince people to give it a try
Requires phone number to register
No GIFs, stickers, and message formatting options. Emojis are available as reactions to convey emotion.
No cloud backup (good for privacy, bad if you need to reinstall the app)
Can manage notifications to limit overwhelm, but everything being on one channel can become hard to follow/keep up, and can't organize topics/discussions
Email/protonmail
Suggested uses:
Outreach to those outside your regular membership (i.e. those not involved in organizing directly, but that show up to your actions and/or support your group to a less frequent/engaged extent).
Sending lengthy messages
Suggest switching to protonmail if your group is organizing arrestable actions, or actions that involve sensitive information, or are higher risk for those involved (see our page on Legal information for activists for more on risk assessment)
Pros
Cons
Good for sending lengthy information that wouldn't be appropriate to send in a messaging app
Good for one-way sending (e.g. mass outreach to an email list) or 1-1 conversations
Can send file attachments that are large in size
Not good for frequent communication of short messages/with multiple people; harder than other platforms to go back and view previous messages. Easy for messages to get lost in email chains.
Can manage notifications to limit overwhelm, but can become hard to follow/keep up, and can't organize topics/discussions
Written communication only; no option for emojis to personalize or convey emotion, no option for voice messaging or video calling
Many people's emails are flooded with messages for other obligations (business, appointments, subscriptions, event reminders etc). Being unable to designate a specific channel or filter can mean messages are easily missed/forgotten.
Facebook messanger
Suggested uses:
Good for organizing that requires less frequent communication (i.e. meeting reminders, sharing webinars/training opportunities), or if you have less than 15 or so members
Quick, secure messaging with those involved in an action while it's happening (if security isn't an issue)
Pros
Cons
Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling
Easy to reply to people's messages directly
GIFs, stickers, emoji and message formatting options
Can send files up to 25MB
Can choose between voice or text messages
Can hold video calls with up to 50 people
Need a facebook account to join a chat
Can manage notifications to limit overwhelm, but everything being on one channel can become hard to follow/keep up, and can't organize topics/discussions
One of the least secure options (facebook collects a lot of data from it's users)
Discord
Suggested uses:
Frequent communication/multiple discussions going, or if you have over 15 or so members
When working in multiple working groups, or if you have many different parts involved in your structure (i.e. social media, wellness, outreach etc).
Pros
Cons
Can be used to hold video calls with up to 25 people
Keeps multiple discussions organized to make it easier to keep up and keep track of topics/discussions
Free to use
Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling
Can be overwhelming to some; many messages, servers, and channels to keep up with. There are options to limit notifications to reduce overwhelm.
Slack
Suggested uses:
When working in multiple working groups, or if you have many different parts involved in your structure (i.e. social media, wellness, outreach etc)
Frequent communication/multiple discussions going, or if you have over 15 or so members
Pros
Cons
Keeps multiple discussions organized to make it easier to keep up and keep track of topics/discussions
Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling
Fees involved for use if you'd like messages stored for more than 90 days.
Keybase
Suggested uses:
Organizing arrestable actions, or actions that involve sensitive information, or are higher risk for those involved (see our page on Legal information for activists for more on risk assessment)
When working in multiple working groups, or if you have many different parts involved in your structure (i.e. social media, wellness, outreach etc).
Frequent communication/multiple discussions going, or if you have over 15 or so members
Pros
Cons
Keeps multiple discussions organized to make it easier to keep up and keep track of topics/discussions
Can see people's pictures when messaging; gives a friendly feeling
Not very familiar; may need to convince people to give it a try
Tools for online documentation
Google drive
Suggested uses:
For hosting information that does not need to be kept secure
Pros
Cons
Cryptpad
Suggested uses:
For hosting information that should be kept secure
Alternative to cryptpad is Skiff (fewer document types than cryptpad)
Pros
Cons
Open-source, end-to-end encrypted
If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca.
