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Table of Contents

Top Rated Instant Messaging & Chat Software with Collaboration Tools in 2026

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Verified reviewer profile picture

All user reviews are verified by in-house moderators and provider data by our software research team.  Learn more

Last updated: March 2026

Collaboration tools enable real-time editing, file sharing, group chats, and video conferencing, fostering efficient teamwork and communication. They streamline project management, allowing team members to work together seamlessly from different locations. Our reviewers in instant messaging & chat software rated this feature as important.

10 Best Instant Messaging & Chat Software with Collaboration Tools

Product
User rating
Starting price
Slack logo
4.7
(24K)
8.75
per user/per month
visit website
Asana logo
4.5
(13.5K)
10.99
per user/per month
visit website
monday.com logo
4.6
(5.7K)
9
per user/per month
visit website
Microsoft Viva Engage logo
4.2
(819)
8
per user/per month
learn more
Telegram logo
4.7
(6.4K)
Empty state illustration for "No pricing info"

No pricing info

learn more
Basecamp logo
4.4
(14.4K)
15
per user/per month
learn more
Trello logo
4.5
(23.4K)
5
per user/per month
learn more
Google Workspace logo
4.7
(17.4K)
7
per user/per month
learn more
Microsoft Teams logo
4.5
(10.9K)
4
per user/per month
learn more
ClickUp logo
4.6
(4.5K)
10
per user/per month
learn more

See other top Instant Messaging & Chat products with collaboration tools

How we picked the 10 top rated products

We chose the high-performing solutions on this list based on verified user ratings on our site. Depending on available data, qualifying products either had to be among the most user-reviewed or the most searched-for products in the Instant Messaging & Chat software category. They also needed to have sufficient reviews about collaboration tools, have a minimum user rating of 3 out of 5 for that feature, and show evidence of U.S. market presence. We then added a distinction for up to three products based on our proprietary ratings and reviews: Highest rated, Highly rated for collaboration tools, and Highly rated for free version. Sponsorship or client status has no influence on the selection of these products, but it may impact the order in which products appear.

Details for the 10 best products

Slack logo

Slack

Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(175)
3-4(6,592)
5(17,257)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.8
Real-Time Notifications4.7

User insights about the collaboration tools feature

Reviewers emphasize Slack's effectiveness for team collaboration through channels, direct messaging, and integrations with other tools like Google Drive and Jira. They appreciate the real-time communication, file sharing, and the ability to create groups for specific projects. Users find the huddle feature and the seamless integration with third-party apps particularly useful for enhancing productivity.

See related user reviews

“The Collaboration tools are great in assisting small to large groups within slack. We are able to message each other through various options to get the assistance we need! We can create different groups and rooms within slack to collaborate on certain topics and to assist teams!”
CR

Carmel R.

Owner

“The collaboration tools in Slack, like shared channels and file sharing, enhanced teamwork by making it easy to collaborate on projects in real time without losing track of important discussions.”
MP

Matteo P.

Graphic Designer

Starting price
8.75per user /
per month
visit website
Pros and Cons based on 24,024 verified reviews

Effective remote communication

Efficient colleague communication

Enhanced team collaboration

Streamlined project management

Extensive integration options

High resource consumption

Inconsistent notifications

Confusing thread management

Slack's pricing drawbacks

Messaging limitations

See pros and cons details
Asana logo

Asana

Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(230)
3-4(5,263)
5(8,045)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.3
Real-Time Notifications4.5

User insights about the collaboration tools feature

Reviewers find Asana's collaboration tools highly effective for managing team projects. They appreciate the ability to assign tasks, comment, and tag team members. Users highlight the integration with other tools like Slack and the customizable features for different project needs. They also value the real-time updates and the ease of tracking project progress.
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“Asana has a few different collaboration tools that link to different aspects of its workspace. My preference is task comments and likes. It allows team members to both comment directly on a task with questions or status updates for the rest of the team or 'like' a task to be kept updated on its progress.”
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Melissa R.

Quality Assurance Engineer

“As I have already mentioned Asana does an amazing job at making collaborating with others very simple. You assign every task to one person who is responsible of overall completion each task but you can add collaborators each task that will receive communications updates on them so that anyone that contributes to working on anything you create in Asana is easily accessible by that need it. When viewing work using the timeline view you can also see what work needs done before other can be started and see who is assigned to complete those tasks so if needed while you wait for your task be available to begin you assist others and ask them if they need to delegate any work to you to get things moving along that way there is never any points where you are progressing on work.”
LG

Lydia G.

Founder

Starting price
10.99per user /
per month
visit website
Pros and Cons based on 13,538 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Comprehensive project tracking

Enhanced team collaboration

Efficient task organization

Effective employee management

Overwhelming email notifications

High premium costs

Complex user experience

See pros and cons details
monday.com logo

monday.com

Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(71)
3-4(1,933)
5(3,710)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat
Real-Time Notifications4.5

User insights about the collaboration tools feature

Reviewers appreciate monday.com's collaboration tools for their ease of use and real-time updates. They highlight the ability to assign tasks, share files, and communicate within the platform. Users find the integration with other apps and the customizable features helpful for managing projects. They also value the ability to collaborate with external stakeholders and the mobile accessibility.
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“It allows teams to work on projects simultaneously, while keeping each other updated of their project status. You can share images and documents, and tag people to respond to things.”
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Molly N.

Digital Designer and Social Media Coordinator

“Collaboration is the essential element of Monday.com. I like that you can collaborate within the system, but you can also share a particular workspace with people outside the system and use your dashboard to easily create reports with updates on it for stakeholders. The additional integrations available expand the collaboration opportunities to the point that you can almost do everything you need to do in a day without ever leaving the platform.”
BD

Brandi D.

Program Developer

Starting price
9per user /
per month
visit website
Pros and Cons based on 5,714 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Boosts team productivity

Effective progress tracking

Enhanced organization capabilities

Visual task management

Highly customizable platform

High costs for small teams

Overwhelming email notifications

Occasional performance issues

Limited mobile functionality

See pros and cons details
Microsoft Viva Engage logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(33)
3-4(418)
5(368)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.4
Real-Time Notifications

User insights about the collaboration tools feature

Reviewers appreciate Microsoft Viva Engage's collaboration tools for facilitating communication and idea sharing across different locations. They highlight the integration with Microsoft 365 and the ease of sharing files and comments. Users find the chronological workflow and the ability to tag colleagues useful for maintaining organized discussions.

See related user reviews

“Amazing collab tool between teams, especially in corporate organization with many departments or across the country.”
VL

Valerie L.

Administrative Assistant

“It makes it so easy to share stuff to everyone in the company or to just specific teams so we can work together on ideas and projects.”
MC

Morgan C.

Social Media & Content Specialist

Starting price
8per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 819 verified reviews

Global colleague communication

Efficient file sharing

Centralized news sharing

Enhanced employee engagement

Overwhelming notifications

Disorganized post management

Outdated user interface

See pros and cons details
Telegram logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(37)
3-4(1,797)
5(4,569)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.7
Real-Time Notifications

User insights about the collaboration tools feature

Reviewers highlight Telegram's collaboration tools for their effectiveness in team communication and file sharing. They appreciate the cloud-based storage, encrypted messages, and the ability to create large groups. Users find the integration with bots and the customization options useful for enhancing collaboration. They also value the ease of adding new members and the real-time updates.

See related user reviews

“Useful chat rooms for collaboration, participants could be added using chat link, or by invitation from participants and admins. Convenient for collaboration that requires high number of attendees, especially if opinions are needed, open-ended views are allowed.”
KL

Kelvin L.

Freelancer

“I think that the Telegram App offers a wide array of collaboration tools for anyone looking to collaborate on a project; it allows for file sharing, video chat and text chat, which are all really big tools for collaboration.”
JD

Jasmine D.

Small Business Owner

Starting price
Empty state illustration for "No pricing info"

No pricing info

learn more
Pros and Cons based on 6,403 verified reviews

Effective team communication

Efficient file sharing

Reliable communication

High security messaging

Cross-device compatibility

Annoying notifications

Poor contact management

Lack of competitive advantage

User account issues

Messaging system flaws

See pros and cons details
Basecamp logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(319)
3-4(6,844)
5(7,241)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.4
Real-Time Notifications4.6

User insights about the collaboration tools feature

Reviewers value Basecamp's collaboration tools for their user-friendly design and effectiveness in managing team projects. They highlight the ability to comment on tasks, share files, and communicate in real-time. Users appreciate the centralized location for project discussions and the ease of adding team members. They also find the notification system helpful for staying updated.

See related user reviews

“I work on different projects with multiple colleagues, and the collaboration tools mean we can all contribute and make changes to different project basecamps simultaneously, and see where changes have been made.”
LS

Lucas S.

Content Producer

“The simplicity of the UI made the collaboration significantly simpler. The notifications, the comments, mentions and the common drive made it easy to communicate and close tasks without the risk of individual items getting buried. With most of my clients, the need for email communication was completely eliminated as we had Basecamp to refer to.”
HL

Haleema L.

Consultant

Starting price
15per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 14,404 verified reviews

Efficient file sharing

Enhanced team communication

Streamlined team collaboration

Effective project organization

Seamless client management

Frequent technical issues

Overwhelming notifications

Inefficient search functionality

Limited layout customization

Subpar user experience

See pros and cons details
Trello logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(237)
3-4(8,675)
5(14,566)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat
Real-Time Notifications4.5

User insights about the collaboration tools feature

Reviewers highlight Trello's collaboration tools for their simplicity and effectiveness in managing tasks and projects. They appreciate the ability to share boards, assign tasks, and leave comments. Users find the real-time updates and integration with Google Drive valuable for team coordination. They also mention the ease of inviting team members and the intuitive interface as key strengths.

See related user reviews

“Being able to collaborate and set specific tasks for team members such as my VA make it easy to work on projects together and be able to see where a project is at without having to spend time corresponding via email or message. We can use trello and track each others progress and know exactly what stage the project is in, leave comments for each other and pick up where the other left off easily. ”
RS

Rachel S.

Coach

“We have used trello for collaboration with clients where we wanted to let them know where tasks are at the moment, but we also needed their valuable input on the development of tasks. Trello allowed simple collaboration, easy and quick notifications and clear overview of change log on tasks.”
DS

Djordje S.

Client Manager

Starting price
5per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 23,478 verified reviews

Flexible task organization

Effective team collaboration

Intuitive drag-and-drop interface

Comprehensive track management

Inadequate notification system

Pricing concerns and limitations

Limited file management

See pros and cons details
Google Workspace logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(165)
3-4(4,148)
5(13,127)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.6
Real-Time Notifications4.5

User insights about the collaboration tools feature

Reviewers indicate that Google Workspace's collaboration tools are highly valuable for real-time teamwork. They highlight the ability to work simultaneously on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, with instant updates and auto-saving. Users appreciate integrations with Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Meet, making remote collaboration seamless. They find the commenting and tagging features particularly useful for feedback and task management.

See related user reviews

“Real-time collaboration in Google Docs and Sheets was a game-changer, allowing for instant feedback and edits. It helped my team stay on the same page during design iterations and project planning.”
MP

Matteo P.

Graphic Designer

“The collaboration works smoothly whenever we need to work on a group document or update a process hosted in a document on the cloud. I know that others will see my updates in real-time or be able to check the Version History to see my changes.”
AJ

Adam J.

Customer Support Team Lead

Starting price
7per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 17,440 verified reviews

Effective remote teamwork

Enhanced workflow efficiency

Accessible cloud storage

Seamless document sharing

Seamless app integration

Dependence on internet

Inconsistent customer support

High costs and limitations

Complex account management

Challenging file management

See pros and cons details
Microsoft Teams logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(199)
3-4(4,361)
5(6,343)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.7
Real-Time Notifications4.5

User insights about the collaboration tools feature

Reviewers find Microsoft Teams' collaboration tools essential for remote work and team communication. They highlight the integration with Microsoft 365, file sharing, and real-time document editing. Users appreciate the screen sharing, video conferencing, and the ability to create channels for specific projects. They also value the ease of use and the comprehensive set of features for team collaboration.
Verified reviewer profile picture
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“Teams is built around simplifying group work, and easy ways to group chat. Channels are quick to set up and conversation threads are great for business referencing. Workspaces and channels are clearly defined and permissions make it secure. The absolute best colab feature is the ability for many users to work on a spreadsheet or document, with all changes and actions noted and saved.”
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Taryn F.

Software Solutions Consultant

“We can easily share files (documents, spreadsheets, presentation files) with other members and they can open the same file to collaborate with the file updates.”
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Fabiano M.

Project Manager

Starting price
4per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 10,903 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture
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Remote work facilitation

Effective colleague communication

Enhanced team collaboration

Unified communication platform

Seamless office integration

Resource-intensive performance

Inconsistent notifications

Inefficient search functionality

Complex file management

Call management limitations

See pros and cons details
ClickUp logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(50)
3-4(1,339)
5(3,165)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.5
Real-Time Notifications4.5

User insights about the collaboration tools feature

Reviewers appreciate ClickUp's collaboration tools for their comprehensive features and ease of use. They highlight the ability to assign tasks, comment, and share files within the platform. Users find the real-time updates and integration with other tools valuable for team coordination. They also mention the customizable views and the ability to track progress as key strengths.
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“The collaboration tools allow for easy task assignment and tracking. This key feature helps teams work together more efficiently and reduces overall confusion while increasing accountability. ”
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Philip S.

Owner

“The ability to tag other team members in tasks/sub tasks if multiple team members are working on a project. Also being able to assign to multiple team members and assign watchers. ”
BS

Bianca S.

Supervisor, Connections Planning

Starting price
10per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 4,554 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Enhanced team collaboration

Boosted productivity

Comprehensive project management

High customization and flexibility

Continuous improvements

Slow performance speed

Inconsistent bug fixes

Complex navigation

Limited mobile support

Overwhelming email notifications

See pros and cons details

Other Top Rated Instant Messaging & Chat Software with Collaboration Tools in 2026

Connecteam logo

Connecteam

Category Leaders

Enhance employee management with the only all-in-one app

visit website
Connecteam is the collaboration, engagement and communication app that moves work forward and keeps your team connected in the tap of a button.

Read more about Connecteam

Users also considered
Slack logo

Slack

Category Leaders

A single place for team communication and workflows

visit website
Slack is a single workspace that connects users with the people and tools they work with everyday, no matter where they are or what they do

Read more about Slack

Users also considered
Axero logo

Axero

Category Leaders

Intranet software and collaboration solutions.

visit website
Axero provides easy-to-use instant messaging and chat software that boosts productivity, unifies your people, and helps your company thrive. Increase productivity. Unite employees. Improve culture.

Read more about Axero

Users also considered
Staffbase logo

Staffbase

The first AI-native employee experience platform

visit website
Staffbase is the first AI-native Employee Experience Platform that connects Comms, HR, and IT to deliver trusted, personalized experiences for every employee, on every channel.

Read more about Staffbase

Users also considered
Trainual logo

Trainual

Onboarding and training software

visit website
Trainual is an all-in-one employee training platform that centralizes documentation, onboarding, and knowledge management for businesses. The system enables organizations to capture processes, create SOPs, and build comprehensive training programs while tracking completion and ensuring compliance through e-signatures. Trainual integrates with various work applications and serves companies across multiple industries including healthcare, real estate, and business services.

Read more about Trainual

Users also considered
Google Workspace logo
Category Leaders

Collaboration application suite for teams

learn more
Google Workspace is a suite of applications from Google which offers a number of tools to communicate and collaborate with colleagues, store files, and manage data from all devices.

Read more about Google Workspace

Users also considered
Trello logo

Visual collaboration tool for shared project perspectives

learn more
Trello is a project management tool that helps teams organize and manage their tasks. It caters to a range of industries and teams, from marketing to engineering. Trello's simple and intuitive interface makes it easy for any team to get started and stay on top of their work.

Read more about Trello

Users also considered
Asana logo

Project tracking and workflow management platform

learn more
Asana is a chat and collaboration tool where you can connect all your work in one place and bring teams together, anywhere. From lists to boards, to calendars and gantt charts, organize work your way. Join millions of teams across 190 countries who use Asana to get more done.

Read more about Asana

Users also considered
Google Meet logo

Messaging, voice, and video calls for team communication

learn more
Google Meet is a video conferencing platform for teams to communicate via messaging, voice, and video. Features include high-definition video and audio conferencing for up to 100 participants, multi-device chat sync, stored chat history, real-time captions, meeting recording function, and more.

Read more about Google Meet

Users also considered
GoTo Meeting logo

Online meeting software with HD video conferencing

learn more
GoToMeeting is an IM & chat tool that allows users to host an online meeting with high-definition video conferencing from their Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone or Android device, with up to 250 participants. Users can meet, screen share and chat via internet browser, mobile or desktop application.

Read more about GoTo Meeting

Users also considered
Microsoft Teams logo

Chat-based workspace in Office 365

learn more
Microsoft Teams is a chat-based workspace in Microsoft 365 which lets users collaborate on documents, make voice & video conference calls, view chat logs, and more. Teams has replaced Skype for Business as Microsoft's online meeting solution.

Read more about Microsoft Teams

Users also considered
Basecamp logo

Flexible project management and team communication tool

learn more
Basecamp is a comprehensive project management software that helps teams stay organized and on track. Trusted by millions, Basecamp puts everything needed to get work done in one place, providing a structured way to manage projects, collaborate with clients, and communicate company-wide

Read more about Basecamp

Users also considered
Telegram logo
Category Leaders

Cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging app for all devices

learn more
Telegram Messenger is a cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging platform supported by native apps on most popular operating systems and devices, allowing users or user groups to connect and conduct voice calls, send messages, multimedia and files of all types across an end-to-end encrypted service

Read more about Telegram

Users also considered
monday.com logo

Project management software

learn more
monday.com is a cloud-based Work OS, where teams create workflow apps in minutes to run their processes, projects, and everyday work. Teams shape workflows and projects, code-free, with a platform that adapts to shifting needs, liberates teams from manual grunt work, and connects teams in a collaborative work space.

Read more about monday.com

Users also considered
ClickUp logo

Productivity platform for marketing agencies

learn more
ClickUp is a productivity platform that helps businesses combine project management tools, AI capabilities, and collaboration features in a unified workspace. The system can integrate tasks, documents, goals, and chat functionality while offering AI-based agents that automate workflows and answer questions. ClickUp serves teams across various departments with enterprise-grade security certifications including SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA compliance.

Read more about ClickUp

Users also considered
Webex Suite logo

One app for everything. And everyone.

learn more
Webex brings together Calling, Meeting and Messaging modes of collaboration into a seamless, engaging, inclusive and intelligent experience.

Read more about Webex Suite

Users also considered
ScreenConnect logo
Category Leaders

Remote meeting platform for resolving customers' queries

learn more
ScreenConnect is a help desk solution that allows businesses to detect and resolve customer queries through remote monitoring capabilities. Agents can prevent potential cyberthreats & protect data via features such as AES-256 encryption and two-factor authentication.

Read more about ScreenConnect

Users also considered
Google Chat logo

Communication tool for businesses and non-profits

learn more
Google Chat is a communication software that helps businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations collaborate on projects and tasks. It lets users set up virtual chat rooms and chat threads, track task progress, and create follow-up tasks on a centralized platform.

Read more about Google Chat

Users also considered
Miro logo

Miro is a visual workspace for innovation

learn more
Miro is #1 collaborative whiteboard platform, trusted by over 13M users worldwide. Easily collaborate, ideate and centralize communication. Get feedback, reviews, and approvals with multiple communication options using video, chat, commenting and many other collaborative features and integrations!

Read more about Miro

Users also considered
Zoho Desk logo

Customer service software for businesses of all sizes

learn more
Zoho Desk is a web and mobile-based customer service software that enables businesses of all sizes and types to deliver customer support, empower agents, and maintain operations.

Read more about Zoho Desk

Users also considered
When I Work logo

Staff scheduling, time tracking, and communication tool

learn more
Use When I Work to schedule, track time and attendance, and communicate with employees, all in one place. Create schedules quickly and easily, and send the schedule to staff with just a click. Save time. Improve accountability. 14-day free trial.

Read more about When I Work

Users also considered
Zoho Meeting logo
Category Leaders

Web conferencing tool to host online meetings and webinars.

learn more
Use Zoho Meeting's built-in instant messenger tool to send instant chat messages to meeting participants during web conferences

Read more about Zoho Meeting

Users also considered
Workplace from Meta logo

A simple and secure way to connect your organization.

learn more
Workplace from Facebook is a secure enterprise social networking platform that allows co-workers to connect immediately via Work Chat instant messaging

Read more about Workplace from Meta

Users also considered
Discord logo

Online platform for audio, text, and video communication

learn more
Discord is a complete communication tool that makes it possible to exchange text and audio messages, and individual or group video calls. This interaction takes place on public or private servers, which are only accessible to users who have received an invitation.

Read more about Discord

Users also considered
Avaza logo
Category Leaders

All-in-one, client-focused project management for teams.

learn more
Avaza is a business management solution which includes features for project management, resource scheduling, online timesheets, expense management, online invoicing, recurring invoicing, quotes and invoices, and more. Avaza also integrates with third party platforms to streamline workflows.

Read more about Avaza

Users also considered

Key features for Instant Messaging & Chat software

Based on GetApp's analysis of verified user reviews collected between July 2021 and August 2024.

  • Real-Time Chat: Reviewers value instant communication, message visibility indicators, integration with other communication tools, and the ability to create group chats. 93% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Real-Time Notifications: Users highlight the importance of instant alerts for messages and activities, customizable settings, and the ability to manage notifications for different channels. 91% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Mobile Access: Reviewers appreciate the ability to stay connected and productive on the go with full access to communication, files, and meetings through mobile devices. 91% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Document Storage: Users emphasize the convenience of secure cloud storage for easy access, sharing, and collaboration on documents from any location. 90% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Two-Way Audio & Video: Reviewers highlight the high quality of audio and video calls, enabling clear communication and effective collaboration during meetings. 88% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Screen Sharing: Users find screen sharing essential for real-time collaboration, presentations, and demonstrating processes, noting its ease of use and ability to enhance remote meetings. 86% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.