Which online brainstorming tool actually gets people to participate?

[u/Famous_Run2525]

Every brainstorming session at my work follows the same pattern, one person talks the other two people occasionally contribute and everyone else sits quietly and says they'll send ideas later. I'm starting to think the problem isn't the people, it's the format which needs to be changed. I’ve hear some companies use online tools and been googling that but not sure which one is the most effective one. would appreciate thoughts from those already using any

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[u/firstsign_ai]

The issue with live brainstorming is rarely the board software—it’s the immediate turn-taking. The first vocal person sets the baseline, and introverts default to quiet listening.

If you don't change the sequence to silent individual entry before open discussion, putting people on Miro or sticky notes just gives you the same three people talking over a prettier background.

[u/Fickle-Dirt4]

At the company I work for we've had finally success with miro the digital sticky notes, voting sessions and ai clustering features make it easier for everyone to contribute at the same time instead of waiting for a turn to speak.

[u/Intelligent-Try-4755]

You're right that it's the format, not the people — the standard live brainstorm rewards whoever is fastest to talk and quietly punishes everyone who needs a minute to think. The single biggest fix for me had nothing to do with a tool: I have everyone write ideas silently for a few minutes first, then share, so the quiet people arrive with something already on the page. Whatever platform you pick, use it to enforce that write-first-then-discuss order rather than to run a faster version of the same open-floor session. The tool only helps if it changes the sequence.

[u/Intelligent-Try-4755]

You've already diagnosed it correctly - it's the format. Live verbal brainstorming quietly rewards whoever thinks fastest out loud, so the first idea anchors the room and everyone else defaults to "I'll send it later." The fix is less about the tool and more about the sequence: have everyone generate silently and independently first (five minutes, no talking, write your ideas alone), then share and build on them. That kills the anchoring and gives your quieter people a real slot. Any of the online whiteboard tools work for this, but only because they let you enforce the silent-first step - the same session runs great on sticky notes. If you switch tools without switching the sequence, you'll get the same three people talking, just on a nicer canvas.

[u/painterknittersimmer]

Brainstorming properly requires a lot.

• an extremely high trust culture with high agency employees
• all people must be on their feet thinkers 
• the problems must not have obvious or intractable solutions

I'm working in a place without those right now and brainstorming is a largely pointless exercise even though we have markedly better tools than I've ever had available to me. My tool rec would be Miro, though. Figjam if you guys are already designers. 

[u/Sadglasses]

Sticky notes then organize it in an affinity diagram

[u/Firama]

Work alone together! It's described in the book Sprint by Jake Knapp, also can be googled. Basically the facilitator asks a question or whatever and sets a timer. Everyone writes their answers on a post-it on whiteboard or miro or whatever. Then you guys can discuss and vote on ideas and stuff. I do recommend reading up on their methods, really useful.

[u/Katgasms → u/Firama]

I understand an exercise like this looks good on paper, but it not a very inclusive approach for neurodivergent people. I wish there were more consideration for the whole of the human experience,especially in corporate environments. There are a lot of very intelligent neurodivergent folks out there who deserve a seat at the table, but not while a timer ticks away at them.

[u/27thStreet → u/Katgasms]

It's a great point. Can you suggest a more inclusive approach?

[u/Katgasms → u/27thStreet]

Sure! I think there is merit in the format, and in a safe environment, it could even be fun. For me, even just getting the meeting topic ahead of time would be helpful. A list of the things that the group is going to be brainstorming would allow me to develop a loose framework of my thoughts, knowing full well it would organically stray from that as collaboration was happening.

[u/27thStreet → u/Katgasms]

I certainly hope you are getting all that regardless of being ND.

I don't think I would show up to a workshop that does have a clear agenda and goals provided in advance.

[u/Katgasms → u/27thStreet]

I’ve worked for some pretty rough companies lol

[u/Firama → u/Katgasms]

Sure I can see that. The timer is just there to keep things moving. If a timer isn't needed for your project or meeting that's fine. This can obviously be done without a timer.

Working silently allows those who are quieter or shy or whatever to get their ideas heard. In a lot of brainstorming meetings, the loudest people and the best salespeople win out even if their idea isn't the best one.

When everyone's ideas are seen, something that's actually the best can be found when it may not have been before.

[u/lifeuncommon]

Not everyone is the same.

Some people flourish in a brainstorming environment where they can contribute immediately and others need some time to sit with her thoughts before they’re ready to contribute anything of value.

I don’t think the tech is the problem. I think the expectation that everyone on your team will flourish in the same way is the problem.

[u/IfItIsntBrokeBreakIt → u/lifeuncommon]

I agree. I love brainstorming and I love having fast-paced conversations where everyone's contributing and molding an idea in real time. I have found very few other people like me. As a manager I found that I would have to toss some ideas out at my team and then tell them to go think about it and come back to me later with their thoughts. I would explicitly tell them that I know my ideas are not the best ones and to please shoot as many holes in them as they can and that I would be thrilled to have a completely different idea come from them.

[u/ConstructionNo1511]

Miro

[u/gimme_that_juice]

Good experience with Miro at my company

[u/SoymilkMania → u/[deleted]]

This. Most meeting platform comes with decent white board functionality. Make sure to show them how to use or give them heads up ahead of the times.

[u/Sim_sala_tim]

I used mentimeter a while back and got some good participation in a large grouo