This webpage was created to provide the cooperative movement with useful information on software and technologies that can be helpful in their work and to better serve their members. The digital revolution is a big challenge for many in the cooperative movement. Below is a list of tools and apps created by IT coops, recommended by IT coops, made by and/or for the cooperative movement.
Can’t find what you are looking for here? Join our Patio platform, post what you’re looking for, and the IT coops will recommend solutions. There is also an open list of coop made software or coop run services on the Patio platform here.
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted, the tools and apps listed below have not all been used or endorsed by the ICA but have been recommended by cooperators or created by IT coops.
Collaboration Tools
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Loomio Cost: see website |
Loomio makes it easy for groups of all shapes and sizes to collaborate and make decisions across time and space. Discuss and make decisions with colleagues, committees and boards. Recommended by: the ICA & many other coops |
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NextCloud Cost: 0 for a small amount of storage space. See website for more options. |
NextCloud is a multi-purpose online shared space with tools like file sharing and storage, online document editing, email, calendars, tasks, etc. Recommended by: GreenNet. ICA uses for file storage and sharing. |
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Cost: Agromovil takes a small percentage of each transaction arranged on the platform. |
A mobile, cloud-based platform connecting producers, transporters and markets. Recommended by: DotCoop and Comultrasan. |
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Kantree Cost: EUR 7 per user per month |
Kantree is a flexible work management and collaboration platform to unleash collective intelligence. From click-and-done templates to the most advanced customization options, Kantree helps teams take control of workflows to better plan, track, collaborate and become more efficient. |
Online Chat, Email and Discussion
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Discourse Forum Cost: $5+ depending on host. IT coops can give you a good quote on patio (ICA’s discussion forum built with Discourse). |
Online discussion forum offering secure and private spaces. Recommended by: ICA and various other cooperators. |
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Mattermost Chat Cost: 0 for basic |
Messaging service. Chat in private or public channels, direct messages, masses of emojis :) Recommended by: GreenNet. |
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Mumble Cost: 0 for basic |
Voice chat. Recommended by: GreenNet. |
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Thunderbird Cost: free |
Email client from the makers of Firefox. Recommended by many cooperators. |
Operating System, Operating Software and Security
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GNU/Linux Cost: free distribution options available here. |
Linux is an operating system and GNU is the software developed to work with it. Recommended by: many cooperators. |
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Libre Office Cost: free |
Suite of office tools including document editing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Recommended by: many cooperators. |
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Cybersecurity Managed Security Platform Cost: Contact Kishor Kumar, kishor@ulcyberpark.com |
Assess and Secure the IT and ICT infrastructure. Recommended by: ULCCS, developed for all coops. |
Websites & Internet Browsers
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Drupal Cost: free software |
A platform for building websites. Recommended by: ICA and other cooperators. |
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Mozilla Firefox Cost: free |
Website browser. |
Customer Relationship Management & Accounting Software
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CiviCRM Cost: free to download, but host and installation assistance recommended here. |
CRM software developed for nonprofit and civic sector. Some features: Contact management, Contributions, Events Recommended by: ICA and many cooperators. |
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HMS - Hospital Management System Cost: Contact Kishor Kumar, kishor@ulcyberpark.com |
The integrated care management through our Hospital Information System (HIS) automates the whole patient care, electronic medical records, real-time health information, administrative and inventory functions. Recommended by: ULCCS, developed for hospital coops. |
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MYCOOP Cost: free here. |
MYCOOP is a platform to manage membership and loyalty programs for cooperatives, startups, small business enterprises, and community members. Through this application partners can provide information, promotion, and develop wider membership. |
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GNU Cash Cost: free |
Accounting software. Recommended by Agaric. |
Productivity Tools
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Moodlight Cost: free trial period |
Emotional intelligence for teams, an instrument for helping teams to be present, to recognize their emotions, share them, and work on achieving another level of team synchronization and vibration. |
Mapping & Directories
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Cost: contact ICA for a quote to turn your data into LOD. |
Cooperatives Connect is an online platform supported by Linked Open Data, created to help the cooperative movement connect, communicate and collaborate. Recommended by: ICA and DotCoop |
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ULGIS Cost: Contact Kishor Kumar, kishor@ulcyberpark.com |
An integrated platform for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data. ULGIS reveals deeper insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations—helping users make smarter decisions. Tool for community planning and utilities. Recommended by: ULCCS, developed for agribusiness and dairy coops. |
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COVID-19 Management Portal Cost: Contact Kishor Kumar, kishor@ulcyberpark.com |
The Covid-19 management portal provide software, services, and materials that help people to understand, manage, and communicate the impact of the outbreak. Recommended by: ULCCS, developed for cooperatives and governments to contain and manage the pandemic. |
We also want to hear from you! If you are using any great tools that can benefit other cooperators, let Gretchen Hacquard know and we will post it here. Preference is given for tools that are open source, have been created for and/or by coops. Please provide the following details for each tool or app:
- App name
- Developed by? Are you a coop, company, etc…?
- Short description of the app. What problem will it solve for members?
- Web link for more information about the app
- Photo
- Cost
- Who recommends/uses the app
