An intranet app gives employees mobile access to company news, resources, and communication tools—whether they’re in the office, at home, or on the frontline. For organizations with hybrid and deskless workers, a mobile intranet app ensures information is always within reach. In this guide, we’ll explain what intranet apps are, why mobile matters, key features to look for, and compare the best intranet apps of 2025.
What Is an Intranet App?
An intranet app is a mobile or desktop application that connects employees to their company intranet. Instead of logging in through a web browser, staff can access company news, documents, training, and conversations on their phones or tablets.
Benefits at a glance:
- Instant updates with push notifications
- Access anywhere (including offline reading)
- Streamlined intranet communications
- Improved employee engagement through social features
👉 Learn more about the evolution of modern intranet software.
Why Mobile-First Matters for Today’s Workforce
Most employees no longer sit at desks all day. Frontline staff in retail, healthcare, hospitality, and transportation rely on their smartphones as their primary work tool. A mobile intranet app ensures they receive critical updates on time and can engage with the company culture wherever they are.
Key advantages of mobile intranets:
- Push notifications for urgent news and safety alerts
- Offline access for workers in low-connectivity zones
- BYOD & MDM support for secure bring-your-own-device policies
- Easy publishing for managers and comms teams
HubEngage and others vendors like Staffbase, Interact, Unily highlight their mobile capabilities because that’s where employee demand is shifting. To compete, your intranet should be designed mobile-first, not as an afterthought.
Core Features to Look For in an Intranet App
When evaluating intranet apps, prioritize these must-have features:
- Push notifications & targeting – Send instant alerts to specific teams, roles, or locations.
- Social & community features – Likes, comments, and group discussions boost engagement.
- AI intranet search – Help employees find policies, SOPs, and resources instantly. See more on AI intranet search.
- Offline access – Ensure workers can read critical updates even without internet.
- Security & compliance – SSO, MFA, MDM/EMM, and data encryption protect sensitive data.
- Analytics & reporting – Track read receipts, open rates, and channel effectiveness.
- Multilingual support – Critical for global workforces. Explore multilingual intranet solutions.
👉 Learn about all the essential features in an employee app.
The Best Intranet Apps in 2025 (Comparison Guide)
Here’s a side-by-side look at the best intranet apps for 2025, including strengths, standout features, and ideal use cases.
| Platform | Best For | Mobile Strengths (Push/Offline) | Notable Features | Pricing (From) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HubEngage | All-round engagement & frontline comms | Easy to use, Push alerts, offline content, multilingual | Social intranet, Gamification, AI insights, surveys, recognition | $3–6/user/mo |
| Staffbase | Large enterprises | Strong push + integrations | Content hub, mobile branding | On request |
| Interact | Mid-size orgs needing M365 tie-in | Push + mobile content targeting | Knowledge hub, governance tools | On request |
| Unily | Enterprises w/ global teams | Multilingual + offline access | Integrations, employee journeys | On request |
| LumApps | Google Workspace users | Mobile-friendly, offline docs | Social intranet, integrations | On request |
| Blink | Frontline + deskless workers | Strong offline, push chat alerts | Messaging + intranet combined | $3–6/user/mo |
| Simpplr | Fast-scaling companies | Push & offline ready | AI recommendations, social feeds | On request |
| Workvivo | Culture-driven engagement | Push + offline events | Social intranet + podcasts | On request |
| Happeo | Collaboration + G-Suite | Mobile push, easy access | Channels, communities | On request |
| Guru | Knowledge management first | Push Q&A + offline KB | AI-powered wiki | On request |
👉 Explore how employee intranet platform combines communications, recognition, and engagement into a multi-channel + mobile experience.
Mobile Intranet Security & Compliance
When rolling out a mobile intranet, security is critical. Look for:
- Authentication: SSO, MFA, biometrics
- Device controls: MDM/EMM policies for BYOD
- Encryption: End-to-end data protection
- Permissions: Role-based content access
- Audit trails: For compliance and governance
Rollout & Adoption: How to Launch an Intranet App
A mobile intranet succeeds only if employees adopt it. Best practices include:
- Pilot with frontline teams to gather feedback early.
- Communication plan using newsletters (employee email campaigns) and posters.
- Champions program to encourage adoption.
- Training sessions with SOP templates (SOP communications).
- Track KPIs like active users, content reach, and feedback.
👉 See our guide to intranet communications for more rollout strategies.
How to Choose the Right Intranet App (Checklist)
When comparing apps, use this quick checklist:
- ✅ Team size (SMB, enterprise, or frontline-heavy)
- ✅ Industry (healthcare, retail, transport, etc.)
- ✅ Integrations (M365, Google Workspace, HRIS, LMS)
- ✅ Security & compliance (SSO, MFA, audit logs)
- ✅ Analytics depth
- ✅ Budget & scalability
- ✅ Support & training
👉 If you’re evaluating broader platforms, see our guide to the best intranet software platforms.
Conclusion
A well-designed intranet app keeps employees connected, engaged, and informed—whether they’re in the office, on the frontline, or working remotely.
👉 Try employee intranet platform to see how you can unify communications, recognition, surveys, and engagement in one mobile-first platform.
FAQs
What is a mobile intranet app?
A mobile intranet app is an employee app that brings company news, resources, and tools directly to smartphones. It’s designed for frontline, hybrid, and deskless workers.
Is an intranet app different from an employee app?
Yes. An employee app often focuses on HR tasks (scheduling, payroll). An intranet app is broader—covering communication, engagement, and knowledge sharing.
Can intranet apps work offline?
Yes. Leading platforms allow offline reading so employees in areas with limited connectivity can still access critical information.
How do push notifications work?
Admins can send targeted push alerts to groups (e.g., store staff, departments) ensuring instant delivery of urgent updates.
What security should a mobile intranet include?
SSO, MFA, device controls (MDM/EMM), and encryption are standard requirements for secure mobile intranets.
How is an intranet app different from Slack or Teams?
Slack/Teams are chat-based collaboration tools. Intranet apps are broader employee communication hubs—covering news, knowledge, recognition, and engagement.
Can you ask employees to download an intranet app on their personal mobile phones?
Yes, you can—as long as you clearly state the app is a resource to help employees with work and productivity. It’s important to:
- Provide a terms of service clarifying that the download is optional, not mandatory.
- Note that the company will not reimburse employees for personal data usage or related costs.
- Make this explicit for unionized and hourly workforces, where compliance and fairness are especially critical.
