The Best Remote-First Companies and Fully Remote Companies

Remote-first companies and 100% fully remote companies have become pioneers in redefining traditional work structures in recent years, as the way we work has undergone a massive transformation. 

With remote work gaining immense popularity and acceptance from small businesses to large corporations, innovative organizations have recognized the power of granting autonomy, flexible schedules, and work-from-home policies that allow their employees to work from anywhere in the world.

The practice of forming remote businesses has helped level the playing field for all kinds of companies that otherwise would not be able to afford commercial office space in major hubs, helping successful startups and entrepreneurs emerge in spaces from consumer products and proprietary video data to software development, education, and design.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the best companies offering remote-first and fully remote options, exploring their benefits (like flexible PTO, health care, and flexible time), their impact on work-life balance, and the exciting opportunities they present for both job seekers and organizations. We’ll showcase a diverse range of businesses from various industries, highlighting their unique approaches, values, and contributions to the evolving world of work. 

Whether you are seeking remote job opportunities or considering implementing a remote work model within your organization, this guide will serve as a valuable resource to research the remote work landscape and make informed decisions.

*Erik’s Guide is reader-supported and this guide contains affiliate links, so I may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase through links on my site at no additional cost to you. Plus, you may even earn a discount. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products and services I would or do use myself, and I’m incredibly grateful for you and your readership.


What are the top fully remote companies?

Working from home for a top remote-first company

As the trend towards hiring remote employees for work-from-home jobs continues to gather momentum, let’s take a closer look at some of the top companies offering fully remote and remote-first options that are leading the way.

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1. Automattic Inc. 

Best Fully Remote Company - Automattic

Founded by Matt Mullenweg, the creator of WordPress, Automattic Inc. is the software company behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, Simplenote, Longreads, VaultPress, Akismet, Gravatar, and more. With their open-source approach, they have created a suite of services designed to help budding businesses establish and enhance their online presence. 

Automattic Inc. leads the remote work revolution with a fully distributed workforce across more than 95 countries. The forward-thinking technology company prioritizes work-life balance, recognizing that allowing its employees to work from anywhere in the world leads to more productive and satisfied employees. As a result, they have created systems and tools to facilitate communication, collaboration, and transparency among their remote teams without a centralized office.


2. Zapier

Zapier - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Known for building a platform that streamlines automation between over 3,000 web applications, Zapier has carved out a niche in the productivity and task automation market. 

The company employs a 100% remote workforce, reinforcing its belief in the efficacy and efficiency of remote work and the outdatedness of the traditional office. Zapier’s employees can be found all around the globe, emphasizing their commitment to sourcing the best talent irrespective of geographic location. In addition to flexible work hours, Zapier offers its remote employees a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare and a competitive salary.


3. BetterUp 

BetterUp - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

BetterUp is a mobile-based coaching platform that aims to bring professional coaching to a broader audience. The company uses AI to curate personalized development resources, such as expert coaching, to help individuals realize their full potential. 

Operating with a remote workforce, BetterUp utilizes technology to bridge the gap between professional development and mental wellness across global borders. They value the flexibility of working remotely and use it to attract top talent worldwide, providing their services to a diverse and global customer base. Plus, they offer stellar employee benefits, including flexible schedules, wellness programs, and pet insurance.


4. Atlassian 

Atlassian - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

A leading provider of global team collaboration and productivity software, Atlassian has created popular tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Trello. The software company adopted a “Team Anywhere” policy that showcases its commitment to remote work and the belief that high-quality work can be achieved irrespective of location. 

With this approach, Atlassian offers its employees flexible work options, allowing them to choose the environment that enhances their productivity the most. They continually invest in building robust remote-friendly practices and tools, ensuring their distributed teams remain cohesive and engaged.


5. Buffer 

Buffer - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Buffer is a powerful social media management tool that enables businesses and marketers to schedule posts, track the performance of their content, and manage all their accounts in one place. Buffer’s commitment to transparency is reflected in their fully remote work model, which they have maintained since their founding. 

By choosing to go office-less, they have built a diverse team across different time zones and continents, working together to create a superior product. They actively share their experiences, successes, and challenges as a remote team, contributing to the broader discourse on remote work. Plus, they offer generous parental leave of 12 weeks for new moms and dads.


6. InVision 

InVision - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As a digital product design platform, InVision helps teams create a collaborative and streamlined web design process. They have a fully remote team that collaborates to create better digital products. The company’s remote-first approach allows it to tap into global talent and diverse perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions. 

It also offers employees a high level of flexibility and autonomy. InVision equips its employees with the necessary resources and tools for working remotely on a distributed team and fosters a culture of transparency and open communication.


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7. Toptal 

Toptal - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Toptal connects businesses with the top 3% of freelance developers, designers, and financial experts globally. As the world’s largest fully remote company, Toptal operates with no geographical boundaries, sourcing the best freelance talent from around the globe. 

This approach allows them to offer round-the-clock services, maintain a diverse and skilled talent pool, and deliver a high level of efficiency and productivity. Toptal’s unique business model showcases the power of remote work and serves as a blueprint for other companies transitioning to remote work.


8. CrowdStrike 

Crowdstrike - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As a global provider of cloud-delivered security, CrowdStrike is a forward-thinking technology company that offers next-generation endpoint protection, threat intelligence, and incident response services. Operating with a remote-first work environment, CrowdStrike leverages the diverse and geographically scattered workforce to deliver cybersecurity solutions for businesses of all sizes. 

This approach allows them to respond swiftly to security threats and maintain a high level of service across different time zones. Their remote work culture is built around trust, autonomy, and continuous communication, leading to a supportive work environment.


9. Makepath

Makepath - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies


Makepath is a fully remote technology company specializing in data engineering, machine learning, and cloud solutions. With a distributed team of experts, Makepath embraces remote work, allowing employees to work from anywhere in the world. Their remote-first approach fosters flexibility, collaboration, and autonomy, enabling individuals to deliver innovative solutions and drive business growth.

Known for their expertise in building scalable data pipelines and implementing machine learning algorithms, Makepath empowers organizations to transform raw data into actionable insights. Their remote work model not only attracts top talent from around the globe but also promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and industry best practices, Makepath delivers exceptional results while maintaining a healthy work-life balance for their employees.


10. 10up

10up - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

10up is a fully remote company providing a range of services from web design to content creation. Their distributed model allows them to tap into a global talent pool, assembling a team of skilled professionals that bring a diverse array of insights to their projects.

Offering a flexible working environment, 10up’s employees enjoy the benefits of work-life balance while delivering innovative digital strategies and superior web experiences to their clients.


11. Doist 

Doist - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Known for creating renowned productivity tools such as Todoist and Twist, Doist’s services have significantly enhanced the world of task management and global team communication. They’re a fully remote company, seamlessly integrating work into the lifestyle of their employees, who enjoy the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. 

This approach has not only enabled the company to attract a diverse pool of global talent, but it has also directly contributed to the development and continuous enhancement of their highly-effective project management and team communication tools. As a result, Doist showcases a successful model of a fully remote company that values flexibility, autonomy, and strong work-life integration.


12. Aha! 

Aha! - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As a leading provider of roadmap software, Aha! has established itself as a vital resource for companies making strategic decisions. Working 100% remotely, the company is a staunch advocate for remote work, offering their employees the flexibility to achieve a desirable work-life integration. 

This decentralized approach proves that a company can achieve significant success without a traditional central office. Aha! uses its model to encourage businesses to rethink their workspace norms and harness the power of remote working, underlining that physical presence is not a prerequisite for productivity and success.


13. Hotjar 

Hotjar - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Specializing in behavior analytics and user feedback service, Hotjar employs its distributed team members to gain a comprehensive understanding of user behavior and offer tips and solutions that enhance user experiences. Operating as a fully remote organization, the company uses its remote-first model to foster a culture of flexibility, transparency, and inclusivity. 

This approach enables Hotjar to tap into the best global talent, irrespective of their location, and encourages employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance while delivering high-quality work. Their successful remote operations serve as a testimony to how organizations can build a strong, cohesive team without physical proximity.


What are the rest of the top companies that allow you to work remotely from anywhere?

Working as a digital nomad for a remote-first company

14. Intradiem 

Intradiem - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As a provider of workforce automation solutions for customer service organizations, Intradiem operates as a remote-first business, which allows it to stay on the cutting edge of workforce optimization. According to the company’s careers page, “Most of [Intradiem’s employees] work remotely â€“ from all over the country – and promote a work-life blend for us and the people we love.”

By offering their employees autonomy and balanced work-life integration, the company drives productivity and effectiveness in delivering solutions to complex problems that enable businesses to manage their workforce more efficiently. Intradiem’s remote operations reflect its commitment to workplace flexibility and its understanding of the productivity advantages this model can bring to both the company and its employees.


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15. Cash App 

Cash App - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As a financial services provider, Cash App has effectively leveraged a distributed workforce that spans across many geographical locations. This strategy not only allows for greater flexibility but also fosters diversified remote teams that work collaboratively towards delivering a seamless peer-to-peer payment service. 

Cash App has shown that remote work can be a viable model for even highly regulated industries such as finance, emphasizing the company’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and employee satisfaction.


16. GitHub 

GitHub - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Hosting the world’s largest community of developers, GitHub has become synonymous with open-source software development and collaboration. GitHub’s all-in-one platform has developing tools to review code, manage projects, and build software alongside millions of other developers. 

As a remote-first company, GitHub recognizes that great ideas don’t always happen at a desk in a small office. Their distributed workforce contributes to the richness of their community, bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences. They provide resources and tools to facilitate remote work and ensure their team members remain connected and engaged.


17. GitLab 

GitLab - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As one of the largest all-remote companies globally, GitLab offers a single application to cover the entire DevOps lifecycle. Its remote model allows the company to leverage a wide array of talents and skill sets that might otherwise be inaccessible, resulting in an efficient and diverse solution for software development. 

GitLab has set a high standard for how to effectively manage a large, distributed workforce, and its success is a testament to the potential of fully remote operations.


18. Dropbox 

Dropbox - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

In its transition to a “virtual first” model, Dropbox has demonstrated its adaptability and commitment to fostering a flexible, inclusive, and diverse workforce. With remote work being the primary experience for all employees, the company has successfully navigated the challenges of maintaining connectivity, engagement, and productivity among team members who do not share a physical location.

It has also built Dropbox Studios, physical spaces for remote workers to visit for some much-needed IRL face time when video calls start to feel too flat. Dropbox’s transition serves as a model for other companies contemplating a similar shift.


19. Panorama Education 

Panorama Education - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Operating remotely, Panorama Education brings together a team of engineers, educators, and designers committed to improving education. The company strongly believes in utilizing technology to connect people who are the best minds in their field, irrespective of location, driving innovation in educational practices. 

This approach allows Panorama Education to stay at the forefront of educational innovation and continuously contribute to transforming the landscape of education.


20. Elastic 

Elastic - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As the makers of Elasticsearch and the Elastic Stack, the company is remote-first and operates with a distributed team, with certain other roles designated to particular locations. This model allows the company to tap into global talent, fostering a dynamic and adaptable work environment that is reflected in its highly scalable and efficient software engineering solutions.

Elastic’s commitment to remote work illustrates the company’s awareness that creativity and innovation are not confined to a physical location but can flourish in a distributed work environment.


21. Articulate 

Articulate - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As a fully remote company, Articulate provides award-winning tools for creating e-learning courses. Their remote model allows them to effectively understand and cater to the needs of various global clients, thereby creating solutions that make learning accessible and engaging. By leveraging the power of remote work, Articulate has been able to recruit top talent globally, leading to the creation of innovative, world-class e-learning tools.


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22. Simon Data 

Simon Data - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Simon Data is a remote-first company providing a data-driven marketing platform. Firmly believing in maintaining a healthy work-life balance for its employees, the company recognizes that success comes from well-rounded individuals working in an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. By removing geographic limitations, Simon Data is able to recruit diverse team members who collectively drive the company’s mission to deliver cutting-edge data science and information technology solutions to its clients.


23. Trustly 

Trustly - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As an online banking e-payments company, Trustly supports a remote-first environment. By adopting this model, Trustly enhances its team’s productivity and engagement, leading to the development of safer, faster, and more efficient online payment solutions. Trustly’s commitment to remote work highlights the company’s understanding of the evolving digital workspace and its ability to adapt to meet the needs of its employees and customers alike.


24. Bounteous 

Bounteous - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Providing insights, strategy, design, and technology services, Bounteous fosters an inclusive and fully remote culture. The company uses its remote workforce to generate ideas and solutions that cater to a wide array of business needs, ultimately leading to more comprehensive digital experiences. Bounteous’ commitment to remote work has allowed it to maximize its potential, offering services that deliver real impact and value to its clients.


25. Basecamp 

Basecamp - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Basecamp, a popular project management tool, operates with a fully remote approach — in fact, its founders even wrote the first book on remote companies.

By removing geographic constraints, the company has successfully built a team that brings a variety of perspectives to the table, contributing to a versatile tool that accommodates various business needs. The success of Basecamp’s remote-first policy underlines the potential of such models to foster diversity, innovation, and productivity in a highly competitive technology landscape.


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26. Time Doctor 

Time Doctor - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Time Doctor is a remote-first company specializing in productivity and time-tracking software for businesses around the world. Its fully remote workforce experiences the nuances of remote work firsthand, fostering a deep understanding of the needs of distributed teams. This insight, coupled with their commitment to using cutting-edge technology, enables Time Doctor to create innovative solutions that ensure the productivity and accountability of remote workers, catering to businesses across various sectors.


27. Revolut 

Revolut - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Revolut, a groundbreaking fintech company, has embraced a remote-first approach, allowing its talent to work from any corner of the globe. This approach not only enhances their employees’ work-life balance but also fosters a culturally diverse workforce, which brings a myriad of insights and experiences to the table. Revolut’s innovative digital banking services, tailored to a global customer base, are the direct result of this flexible work environment.


28. Chegg 

Chegg - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Chegg, an edtech leader with a remote-first policy, offers an array of academic services from textbook rentals to online tutoring. The company’s embrace of remote work helps foster a work-life balance for its employees while driving the development of effective educational resources. Their distributed team’s insights help Chegg continually adapt to the evolving needs of students worldwide, providing valuable learning support to millions of users.


29. Help Scout 

Help Scout - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As a customer service and customer success platform, Help Scout champions a remote-first work environment, ensuring that its services are available to clients around the globe. This setup allows Help Scout to hire passionate remote workers and better understand and address diverse client needs, thereby enhancing the quality of their personalized support tools. The company’s commitment to fully remote work helps build an inclusive culture, attracting talent that’s passionate about customer support and driving the continuous improvement of their platform.


30. Salesforce 

Salesforce - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Salesforce, a global leader in CRM solutions, has rolled out a flexible work model dubbed “Success from Anywhere.” This remote-friendly strategy allows Salesforce to tap into a broad talent pool and enables employees to deliver high-quality work from any location. This flexibility translates to the company’s ability to provide effective business solutions tailored to clients’ specific needs across different industries.


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31. Bumble

Bumble - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Renowned for its revolutionary dating app, Bumble offers flexible work options to foster a healthy work-life balance. This flexibility has had a profound impact on employee wellbeing, promoting productivity, and creating an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. As a result, Bumble continues to redefine the landscape of online dating, promoting positive social change by empowering women to make the first move.


32. Instacart 

Instacart - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As a premier online grocery delivery and pick-up service, Instacart employs a “Flex First” work model, promoting a harmonious balance between professional growth and personal life. This remote-first approach has enabled Instacart to cater to the growing demand for online grocery services, utilizing insights from a diverse workforce to continually improve user experience and increase accessibility.


33. Aiven 

Aiven - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Aiven is a cloud data platform company operating under a remote-first model, with 30% of its “crabs” working fully remote jobs. By empowering their employees to work from any location, Aiven encourages diverse perspectives and ideas. Their globally distributed team has contributed to the creation of reliable, scalable, and business-critical data infrastructure solutions, proving the value of remote work in the tech industry.


34. Slack 

Slack - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Slack, the popular team communication platform, has adopted a digital-first work strategy. This flexible work setup has not only improved employees’ work-life balance but also provided valuable insights for the continuous refinement of their platform. By experiencing the intricacies of remote work firsthand, Slack is able to devise more effective ways to enhance team collaboration and productivity.


35. Trello 

Trello - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Trello, an Atlassian company, offers a visual tool for project management and collaboration. With a culture of flexibility and autonomy, Trello allows employees to work 100% remotely from their preferred locations. This practice has further enriched their tool, reflecting the diverse insights of a distributed workforce, and providing an efficient, user-friendly solution that helps teams around the world organize their work effectively.


36. Pleo 

Pleo - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Pleo, a leading provider of company cards and expense management software, operates under a remote work policy that promotes work-life balance and productivity. By allowing most of its team (but not all) to work from anywhere in the world, Pleo harnesses a diverse array of insights that fuel its mission to simplify company spending. Their smart company cards and automated expense reports are a testament to the innovation that can come from a flexible work environment.


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37. Shopify 

Shopify - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Shopify, a renowned e-commerce platform that helps people build new revenue streams online, has shifted to a “Digital by Default” model, embracing the benefits of a remote-first workforce. This strategic move ensures continuous service provision to businesses seeking to design, set up, and manage their stores across various sales channels, proving that physical location is no barrier to delivering excellent e-commerce solutions.


38. Siemens 

Siemens - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Siemens, a global powerhouse in industrial manufacturing, has adopted flexible working as their new standard. This move encourages a culture of trust and empowerment, fostering innovation and productivity among their diverse workforce which includes fully remote, hybrid, and in-office employees. This approach aligns with Siemens’ pioneering spirit in technology and helps them maintain their high standards in delivering industrial products and services.


39. Twilio 

Twilio - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Twilio is a cloud communications platform as a service (PaaS) company that enables developers to build, scale, and operate communication within their software engineering applications. By allowing almost all of its employees the flexibility to work from any location, Twilio cultivates a diverse remote-first workforce. The variety of insights and perspectives brought to the table contribute significantly to the development of innovative solutions that shape the future of digital communication.


40. Square 

Square - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

As a leading financial services and mobile payment company, Square gives most of its employees the option to work from anywhere in the world. This flexible approach enhances workforce diversity and fosters a remote-first culture of innovation and creativity. By promoting a distributed work model, Square continues to develop inclusive business tools that empower individuals and organizations to participate in the economy.


41. Zyte

Zyte - Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies

Providing advanced data extraction solutions, Zyte operates with a fully remote team scattered across the globe. This model allows the company to benefit from the various perspectives and skills that their team members bring to the table, which has proven instrumental in their ability to provide comprehensive and tailored information technology and data solutions. 

Their work has highlighted how remote work can enhance a company’s scope and ability to deliver high-quality, customized services to its clients.


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FAQS on remote-first companies and fully remote companies

Employee for a top remote-first company

What is a remote-first company?

A remote-first company is an organization that operates under the assumption that all employees work remotely as a default. This doesn’t mean that they don’t have a physical office space, but the policies, tools, and operations are designed with remote work in mind. They make it a priority to ensure that employees can perform their roles effectively from anywhere around the world. The idea behind a remote-first approach is that it allows companies to hire talent regardless of geographical location, leading to diverse and highly skilled teams.

What is a fully remote company?

Working from home for a remote-first company

A fully remote company, also known as a distributed company, is an organization that doesn’t have a physical office at all. All employees, including the leadership team, work remotely, often spread across different cities, countries, or even continents. These companies rely heavily on digital tools and technology for collaboration and communication. A fully remote setup can give companies access to a broader pool of talent, reduce overhead costs, and provide employees with the flexibility to design their work around their lifestyles.

What are the benefits of working in a remote-first or fully remote company?

Employee for top remote-first companies

Working in a remote-first or fully remote company offers numerous benefits. Firstly, employees gain a high level of flexibility, allowing them to maintain a healthy work-life balance. They can save time by eliminating commutes and often have the freedom to set their own schedules. Secondly, remote work often results in increased productivity as employees can create a work environment that suits their individual needs. Thirdly, remote work can provide significant cost savings, as employees often spend less on commuting, work clothes, and meals. Finally, remote work allows employees to work from any location, which can be particularly beneficial for those who wish to travel or live away from urban centers.

Are there any drawbacks to working in a remote-first or fully remote company?

Working remotely for a remote-first company

While there are many benefits to working remotely, there can also be some challenges. One common issue is the potential for isolation, as remote workers don’t have the same level of social interaction as those working in a physical office. This can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness or disconnection. It can also be harder to separate work from personal life when working from home, leading to the risk of overworking. Lastly, communication can be more challenging in a remote setting, as nuances can be lost in written communication, and there can sometimes be difficulties in scheduling meetings across different time zones.

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How do remote-first and fully remote companies manage communication and collaboration?

Employee working from home with a baby for a top remote-first company

Remote-first and fully remote companies prioritize establishing efficient communication and collaboration channels to foster strong teamwork and seamless collaboration. Here are a few strategies they employ:

  1. Virtual Communication Tools: These companies leverage a range of virtual communication tools such as video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams), instant messaging apps (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams), and project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello). These tools facilitate real-time communication, file sharing, and project tracking, ensuring teams stay connected and aligned.
  2. Regular Team Meetings: Remote-first and fully remote companies often schedule regular team meetings, both at the individual and group levels. These meetings serve as opportunities to discuss projects, provide updates, address concerns, and foster a sense of connection among team members. Check out our guide on the best AI transcription tools for some great tools for recording your meetings with audio-to-text technology so you have documented notes of all the important takeaways.
  3. Clear Communication Guidelines: Establishing clear communication guidelines is vital in remote work settings. This includes defining response times, preferred communication channels for different types of messages, and setting expectations for availability and responsiveness.
  4. Virtual Collaboration Platforms: Companies utilize virtual collaboration platforms, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft Office 365, to facilitate collaborative document editing, file sharing, and version control. These platforms enable seamless collaboration on projects and ensure that team members can work together efficiently.
  5. Team Building and Social Activities: Remote-first and fully remote companies understand the importance of building a strong team culture. They organize virtual team-building activities, social events, and informal virtual gatherings to foster camaraderie, boost morale, and strengthen relationships among team members.

By implementing these strategies, remote-first and fully remote companies create an environment that promotes effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork, despite the physical distance between team members.

How do remote-first and fully remote companies build company culture?

Working from home for a top remote-first company

Building a company culture in a remote environment can be challenging, but it’s certainly not impossible. Many remote companies emphasize clear communication, shared values, and regular feedback to create a strong culture. They might have regular virtual team-building activities, like game nights or happy hours, to foster connection. Some also have annual or bi-annual in-person retreats for team bonding. Moreover, they might prioritize things like professional development, wellness programs, and recognition programs to make employees feel valued and engaged.

Can remote-first or fully remote companies be as successful as traditional companies?

Employee for a top remote-first company

Absolutely. There are numerous examples of remote-first or fully remote companies that have achieved significant success. Companies like GitLab, Buffer, InVision, and Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com) are fully remote and have demonstrated robust growth and profitability. They have shown that with the right tools, processes, and culture, companies can thrive without a central physical office.

What’s the difference between remote-first vs fully remote companies?

Working from home for a top remote-first company

Remote-first companies operate on the principle that work does not need to be done in a specific place to be executed successfully. While they may have physical offices, their policies, procedures, and culture are all designed with remote work as a priority. On the other hand, fully remote companies do not have a physical office at all, and all employees work remotely.

What are the challenges in running a fully remote or remote-first company?

Working from home for a top remote-first company

Running a fully remote or remote-first company comes with its own set of challenges. One of the primary challenges is communication and information technology. Without face-to-face interaction, miscommunication or misunderstandings can occur more easily. It requires clear and effective communication strategies, such as using written documentation, video conferencing, and project management tools, to ensure everyone stays aligned and informed.

Another challenge is fostering a strong company culture and sense of belonging. Building relationships and maintaining team cohesion can be more challenging when employees are geographically dispersed. Remote companies need to be intentional about creating opportunities for virtual team-building, social interactions, and celebrating achievements to foster a sense of community and shared purpose.

Additionally, maintaining productivity and accountability can be a challenge in a remote environment. Distractions at home, the blurring of work and personal boundaries, and the lack of direct supervision can impact productivity levels. Remote companies need to establish clear expectations, provide resources and support for employees to maintain focus, and implement effective performance tracking and feedback mechanisms.

What is the future of remote-first and fully remote companies?

Working remotely for a top remote-first company

The future of remote-first and fully remote companies looks promising. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work and highlighted its viability for many industries. Companies that have successfully transitioned to remote work during the pandemic are likely to continue embracing remote or hybrid work models in the long term.

The future will likely see more companies adopting a flexible and remote-first approach. This shift can result in increased job opportunities for individuals who may not have access to traditional office-based roles. It also allows companies to tap into a global talent pool, fostering diversity and bringing together individuals with different perspectives and experiences.

Advancements in technology will further facilitate remote work, with the development of more sophisticated collaboration tools, enhanced virtual communication platforms, and improved cybersecurity measures. Companies will continue to refine their remote work policies, establish best practices, and invest in infrastructure to support remote work arrangements or, at the very least, a hybrid schedule.

Remote work is no longer seen as a temporary or emergency measure but rather a strategic approach to work. It offers benefits such as increased productivity, cost savings, and improved work-life balance. As companies adapt to this new way of working, the future of remote-first and fully remote companies is likely to be more prevalent and integral to the modern work landscape.

How can remote-first and fully remote companies ensure employee well-being and work-life balance?

Working from home with a kid for a top remote-first company

Ensuring employee well-being in remote-first and fully remote companies is crucial. These companies can take several steps to support their employees’ well-being. Firstly, they can encourage work-life balance by setting clear expectations around working hours, providing flexibility for personal commitments, and discouraging overworking.

Remote-first and fully remote companies can also promote physical and mental well-being by providing resources and support. This can include access to virtual wellness programs, mental health resources, and opportunities for remote fitness activities. Regular check-ins and one-on-one meetings can also provide a platform for employees to discuss any challenges they may be facing and receive support.

Building community and a strong sense of connection is vital for employee well-being in remote environments. Remote companies can foster this by organizing virtual team-building activities, promoting social interactions through chat channels or virtual hangouts, and celebrating milestones and achievements as a team.

On top of that, providing professional development opportunities and avenues for career growth can contribute to employee well-being. Remote-first and fully remote companies can offer virtual training, mentorship programs, and opportunities for skill development to ensure employees feel supported and motivated in their career progression.

How can job seekers find remote work and apply to jobs at remote-first and fully remote companies?

Applying to work for a top remote-first company

Job seekers interested in work-from-home jobs at remote-first and fully remote companies have several avenues to explore when searching for opportunities. Here are some strategies to consider:

  • Utilize Remote Job Boards: Remote job boards specialize in curating job listings specifically for remote positions. Websites like FlexJobs, Remote.co, We Work Remotely, and Remote OK are popular platforms that aggregate remote job opportunities across various industries. These platforms often provide advanced search filters and features that allow job seekers to find relevant remote positions easily.
  • Leverage Professional Networking Platforms: Build a strong presence on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn and create a profile that highlights your remote work experience or interest in remote opportunities. Join remote work-focused groups and engage with professionals in your desired field. Networking can provide valuable connections and insights into remote job openings.
  • Research Remote-First Companies: Identify remote-first and fully remote companies that align with your skills and interests. Visit their websites, explore their careers pages, and subscribe to their job alerts or newsletters. Many remote companies actively promote their job openings on their websites, making it easier for job seekers to apply directly. You can also discover what benefits remote companies provide, including health care, generous parental leave, and even pet insurance.
  • Attend Virtual Job Fairs and Events: Virtual job fairs and events are becoming increasingly popular, offering opportunities to connect with remote-friendly employers and learn more about remote work trends. Check for virtual job fairs and industry-specific events that cater to remote work or include remote-friendly employers.
  • Collaborate with Remote Work Communities: Engage with online communities and forums dedicated to remote work and remote job opportunities. Platforms like Reddit’s r/RemoteJobs and r/DigitalNomad, as well as Slack communities like Remote Workers and Nomad List, are great places to seek advice, ask questions, and find leads on remote job openings.
  • Customize Your Resume and Applications: When applying for remote positions, tailor your applications to highlight your remote work experience and other digital skills. Emphasize your ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and communicate efficiently in a remote setting. Demonstrate your familiarity with remote collaboration tools and your commitment to remote work success. And of course, keep your resume up to date with your latest remote working experiences.

Prepare yourself mentally in advance because competition for remote positions can be fierce, so it’s essential to showcase your remote work capabilities and passion for working remotely in your applications and interviews. Stay persistent, continue building your remote network, and remain proactive in your job search to increase your chances of finding and securing remote-first or fully remote opportunities.

Wrapping it up: The best remote-first + fully remote companies

Working from home for a top remote-first company

The rise of remote jobs has led to the emergence of remote-first companies and fully remote companies that prioritize flexibility, productivity, and work-life balance. This guide has provided insights into the best companies with remote-first and fully remote practices across a number of industries.

We explored tech pioneers like Automattic Inc., Zapier, and GitHub, which have embraced remote work to foster collaboration, innovation, and global connectivity. Non-tech companies such as Buffer, Aha!, and Panorama Education have also successfully implemented remote-first or fully remote models to deliver exceptional services and products.

Working for these companies offers numerous benefits. The flexibility and work-life balance enable employees to integrate work seamlessly into their lifestyles. The global opportunities and diverse teams contribute to a rich and inclusive work environment, fostering creativity and innovation.

However, running a remote-first or fully remote company is not without its challenges. Overcoming communication barriers and ensuring productivity and accountability require innovative solutions and effective remote working practices. Tools like Slack, Trello, and Time Doctor assist in addressing these challenges.

The future of remote-first and fully remote companies is promising. As technology advances and companies realize the benefits of remote work, this model is likely to become even more prevalent. Trends such as the shift towards digital-first work and the adoption of flexible work models will shape the future of remote work.

For job seekers, remote-first and fully remote companies offer exciting career opportunities. Utilizing remote job boards like FlexJobs, Remote.co, and We Work Remotely can help in finding and applying for remote positions. Building a remote network and customizing applications to highlight remote working skills will enhance your job search prospects.

The best remote-first and fully remote companies have proven that remote work is not only viable but also beneficial for both businesses and employees. By embracing the remote work model, these companies have fostered a culture of flexibility, innovation, and inclusivity, shaping the future of work for years to come. Whether you are a job seeker or an organization exploring remote work possibilities, this guide provides valuable insights and resources to thrive in the remote work landscape.

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