Workplace is gone. What Meta’s exit means for your intranet

When Meta announced it was shutting down Workplace, it sent a clear message: even well-funded, high-profile workplace platforms are not immune to disruption. Unlike many discontinued tools, Meta didn’t leave customers with multiple migration paths – it named one transition partner. But is that really the only option? And what does Workplace’s demise reveal about the future of intranets? 

In our 2025 report, we’ve analysed how vendors are responding to this shift and what it means for Internal Comms and IT leaders. One thing stands out: this isn’t just about replacing Workplace or throwing any-old-social-tool into the digital workplace; it’s about rethinking how digital workplaces should support engagement, communication, and company culture. 

In this article, we unpack what Workplace’s exit tells us about the changing role of intranets, Microsoft’s uneven approach, and how organisations can future-proof their employee experience platforms. 

 The response to Workplace’s exit 

Meta’s decision to discontinue Workplace has led vendors to focus more on social and community features. Many now include home page feeds, but without careful design, these can create a cluttered experience. Colibo and Haiilo offer stronger approaches by allowing admins to configure layouts (as indeed, does Workvivo). 

Haiilo includes a timeline-driven home page design that’s supported by optional and configurable widgets.

Given the prevalence of social media in our private lives, employees expect more than basic ‘likes’ and want ways to engage with messages that doesn’t require them to write comments. More vendors now offer multiple reaction types, and platforms like Blink have introduced ‘Stories’, enabling employees to share short-lived, visual posts with custom stickers. 

Stories are familiar from social media platforms and Blink has taken inspiration from this simple functionality.

Many SharePoint-based intranets use Viva Engage for social spaces, Teams for collaboration, and Forms for surveys. But our report found that Microsoft’s approach lacks cohesion, making it difficult to build a unified experience. Viva Engage is shifting towards corporate comms and leadership messaging, while Teams is used for project spaces or working with colleagues. ‘Social’ can span both of these, so as a result, many users remain confused about ‘what to use when?’ when it comes to Teams vs Engage. Plus, while Forms can be used, it remains limited for surveys, offering only basic functionality (particularly around analysis). 

For organisations moving away from Workplace, there are alternatives, but no platform is an exact like-for-like replacement. Each option takes a different approach, making it essential to assess what best fits your organisation’s needs. Some vendors double down on social interaction, while others offer more structured tools, such as configurable layouts and richer engagement options. The key decision is whether to replicate Workplace’s experience or take a broader approach to digital workplace engagement. 

The future of intranets – three key trends 

1. Social feeds are everywhere, but the risk of clutter is real.
   Many vendors offer timeline-style homepages, but without careful design, they can overwhelm users. Tools such as Colibo, Haiilo and Interact mitigate this by offering customisable layouts, letting admins control what employees see. 
2. Employee engagement is moving beyond ‘likes’ to richer interactions.
   Simple reactions are no longer enough – Blink’s Stories and multi-reaction features are gaining traction. Platforms like Staffbase and Unily are adding structured workflows (Journeys) to guide employees through onboarding and key processes. 
3. Microsoft’s intranet ecosystem remains fragmented.
   Viva Engage is shifting towards corporate comms, while Microsoft Forms offers only basic surveys. Our report highlights how SharePoint, Viva, and Teams each handle social experiences and engagement differently, making it harder to create a seamless experience. 

These trends show that while social and engagement features are changing, not all implementations are effective. The challenge is ensuring they improve, not complicate, the digital workplace. 

Conclusion – what businesses should do next 

The end of Workplace is a reminder that no platform is permanent. Vendors are racing to fill the gap, but approaches vary; for organisations moving away from Workplace, the key is not just finding a replacement, but reassessing what’s needed.  

Our report highlights: 

• If social-driven engagement is a priority, platforms like Haiilo, Oak Engage, Unily and Blink offer strong alternatives. 

• If a broader digital workplace approach is needed, intranet solutions like Staffbase, Akumina, Omnia or Appspace may be a better fit. 

• If you rely on Microsoft tools, be aware of Viva Engage’s evolving role and potential limitations. Add-on tools like Powell Intranet may fit some of the gaps, however. 

Before making a decision, businesses should evaluate engagement needs, platform longevity, and how tools fit into daily workflows. ClearBox’s latest report provides an in-depth comparison to help organisations make the right choice, with an assessment scenario dedicated to community, social, and engagement requirements.