Loomio
ActiveOverview
Loomio is a web-based decision-making tool for groups and distributed organizations to collaborate asynchronously on discussions, proposals, and consensus-building, with features like threaded conversations, file sharing, and data visualizations such as pie charts for feedback.145 It targets collaborative organizations, communities, and teams needing a permanent record of decisions across time zones, functioning as a customizable forum with optional email notifications.19
Key Features
- Decision Proposals - Initiate proposals for group feedback and consensus using updatable pie charts and visualizations.
- Threaded Discussions - Create threads and communities for conversations, questions, updates, and file sharing.
- Email Notifications - Optional email delivery for discussions and daily summaries.
- Profile Customization - Edit name, photo, bio, location, and notification settings.
- Group Training - Offers training, integration support, and collaboration coaching.
- Async Collaboration - Supports decisions across time zones with searchable records.
- Customizable Groups - Users can start and manage groups with discussions and outcomes.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Group | Free | Basic discussions, proposals, and decision-making tools. |
| Paid Plans | Contact for pricing | Priority development, group training, integration support, and collaboration coaches. |
Platforms & Requirements
Loomio is a web application accessible via any modern browser on desktop or mobile devices, with no native apps; users can add a home screen shortcut on smartphones for quick access.2 No specific minimum requirements are stated beyond standard web capabilities.
Integrations & Ecosystem
- Facebook signup
- Google signup
- Twitter signup
- Github signup
- Gravatar for profiles
- Email notifications and preferences
Alternatives
| App | Difference |
|---|---|
| Discourse | General forum software focused on discussions rather than decision proposals and consensus tools. |
| Decidim | Open-source platform emphasizing participatory democracy with more governance features. |
| Consul | Government-oriented tool for citizen proposals and budgeting, less focused on general groups. |
| Slack | Real-time messaging app without built-in decision-making polls or consensus processes. |
Reputation
Loomio is recognized for enabling collaborative, consensus-oriented decisions in groups, with strengths in open-source accessibility, async support, and neutral facilitation.1510 Users appreciate its role in building trust through profiles and records, though it lacks native mobile apps, relying on web access.2 It maintains independence and community focus without major criticisms noted in available sources.
Sources (10)
- https://democracy-technologies.org/tool/loomio/
- https://www.loomio.com/blog/2016/04/22/smartphone/
- https://help.loomio.com/en/user_manual/users/user_profile/index.html
- https://www.loomio.com
- https://www.loomio.com/about/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mb2_D74ktM
- https://docs.framasoft.org/en/loomio/getting_started.html
- https://help.loomio.com/en/user_manual/overview/orientation.html
- https://help.loomio.com
- https://github.com/loomio/loomio