Meet Zoho's workspace platform Vani: What is it, key features, who can use it

On October 1, 2025, Zoho Corporation, a prominent Indian software developer, introduced Vani, an advanced visual collaboration platform aimed at enhancing teamwork in today's fast-paced work environment. Building on the success of Arattai, Vani is designed to revolutionize how distributed teams brainstorm, collaborate, and implement ideas, akin to the functionality of Google Workspace. Vani marks the latest addition to Zoho’s extensive range of productivity tools. Unlike conventional collaboration software that primarily emphasizes chat and document sharing, Vani prioritizes visual thinking. According to a blog post from Zoho, the platform offers a digital canvas where teams can brainstorm, map concepts, sketch workflows, and execute plans all in one cohesive environment. Tailored for hybrid and remote teams, Vani provides users with tools such as whiteboards, diagrams, mind maps, and sticky notes to visualize their ideas while facilitating teamwork through integrated video calls, contextual comments, and asynchronous collaboration. Research indicates that more than 60% of Generation X and Millennials find visual aids like diagrams and videos to be more effective for collaboration than text alone, highlighting the need for a solution like Vani that addresses this communication gap. One of Vani's standout features is its infinite whiteboard, allowing users to brainstorm without restrictions. Teams can create mind maps, flowcharts, sketches, and diagrams that adapt in real-time. The platform's AI capabilities can instantly generate visual elements, helping users overcome creative blocks. At the core of Vani is its focus on collaboration, allowing teams to work together in real-time or asynchronously through features such as built-in video meetings, contextual comments, voice notes, and emoji reactions. The Flow feature tracks the evolution of ideas, enabling team members across different time zones to revisit discussions and contribute at their convenience. In contrast to many collaboration tools that only facilitate brainstorming, Vani empowers teams to transition ideas into actionable plans. Users can create database tables, build workflows, and track deliverables all within the same platform. Pre-built templates and kits expedite project launches, while integrations with Zoho and other third-party applications ensure a seamless workflow. Vani organizes projects within Spaces (shared folders) and Zones (individual canvases), transforming collaboration into a structured yet adaptable process. The platform incorporates artificial intelligence to streamline workflows, helping teams visualize more efficiently, summarize discussions, and automate subsequent tasks. By merging brainstorming, collaboration, and execution into a single flow, Vani sets itself apart from competitors. The company envisions this as a new rhythm for teamwork: "Visualize. Collaborate. Execute." With the increasing trend of distributed work and the rise of visual communication, Zoho’s Vani positions itself as a pioneering tool for the future of collaborative efforts, encouraging teams to work visually and ensure no idea goes unnoticed.