41 Best Small Business Tools

Small Business Software and Tools

Why Use Business Tools?

If you’re like most small business owners, you wear a lot of hats. Business software and tools help small business owners and their teams stay organized and productive while juggling the many tasks required to keep the business running smoothly.

Benefits of Business Tools

• Budget-Friendliness: Using free or low-cost business tools and software saves you the much-needed capital you would’ve spent hiring a professional service to invest in your business.
• Increased Productivity: Organizing, planning, and delegating projects is easily done using virtual business tools, making business owners and teams more productive.
• Easy and Fast Communication: Communicating with your team members and networking with other professionals is simplified by platforms that provide work-friendly instant messaging and virtual meeting options.

Best Small Business Software and Tools (Free and Low Cost)

Skip Ahead To:

Brainstorming and Startup Tools
Business Planning Tools
Business Development Tools
Communication Tools
Accounting Software and Payroll Software
Design Tools
Marketing Tools
Website Builders
Project Management Software
Legal Tools
Productivity Tools
Outsourcing Tools
Networking Tools

 

Brainstorming and Startup Tools

1. TRUiC Business Ideas Generator

For those interested in starting a business but not sure where to start, our free Business Ideas Generator allows users to explore over 700 business ideas in a range of industries. Select an industry of interest, such as finance & real estate or clothing & fashion, refine your search by additional specifications such as experience level or startup costs, and you’ll be provided with business ideas that suit you — all in three easy steps.

Pricing: Free

2. TRUiC Business Name Generator

Selecting a business name is one of the most important steps in starting a small business. Creating a marketing-friendly business name that compliments your business personality is easy and free with the TRUiC Business Name Generator. The best part is that this tool only searches for business names that have available web domains.

Pricing: Free

3. Google Docs

Easily used on computers and mobile devices, Google Docs provides the tools you need to create word documents, spreadsheets, forms, and slideshows for free. Brainstorms are easily shared and created collaboratively with this platform, and all content is automatically saved so you can refer back to it later.

Pricing: Free

4. Coggle

Coggle allows you to easily create and share notes with your team members and develop mind maps individually or as a group. Easily share content with your team or create private flow charts of your own with unlimited diagrams that you can refer back to even if you cancel your subscription.

Pricing: Free – $8/month

 

Business Planning Tools

5. TRUiC Business Plan Generator

A business plan is essential for starting and growing your business. Using our free Business Plan Generator, you can create the map for your business’s first three to five years of operation, outlining the necessary steps you need to take to reach important milestones. This free business tool will help you prioritize and reach your business goals.

Pricing: Free

6. LivePlan

LivePlan is a business planning app that allows you to create a business pitch, make a budget and business forecast, and compare your numbers with your competitors. Additionally, you can connect the app with other business tools you use such as QuickBooks, Xero or manually enter accounting information to manage business finances, oversee budgets, and keep your sales goals on track with the LivePlan dashboard.

Pricing: $15/month – $20/month

7. Upmetrics

Upmetrics is an AI-powered business planning software offering tools like a business plan generator, financial forecasting, and a pitch deck builder. With over 400 business plan samples and integrations with QuickBooks and Xero, it simplifies planning and financial projections. Upmetrics also includes strategic planning tools and collaborative workspaces for easy team alignment. 

Pricing: $7/month – $37/month (billed annually)

 

Business Development

8. SBA Learning Center

The Small Business Administration (SBA) Learning Center is a great resource for tools to help entrepreneurs plan, launch, manage, market, and grow their businesses. Each goal is broken up into actionable objectives that give businesses owners the information they need to accomplish their goals. In addition to this, the SBA provides state-specific information about everything you need to know to start your business legally.

Pricing: Free

9. SCORE

SCORE is an education and mentorship focused organization that provides valuable resources to small business owners. With SCORE, you can find mentors remotely, take online courses, and participate in webinars all on one platform. Everything on the site is geared toward helping small businesses succeed for free with the help of the nation’s largest network of business experts.

Pricing: Free

10. SBDCNet

SBDCNet is a virtual resource of free small business resources. On the website, you can learn valuable information about starting a small business, find additional resources specific to your industry, and conduct market research with their compilation of the most recent industry reports. Additionally, if you are testing new business ideas, SBDCNet provides an extensive list of reports on small business ideas to help you gauge the efficacy of your business idea.

Pricing: Free

 

Communication Tools

11. Slack

Communicating with your team is fast and easy with Slack, an instant messaging communication tool with the capability to organize users into public or private channels. Unlike email chains, communicating through Slack keeps conversations organized and efficient to increase productivity. With Slack, you can also add unlimited team members as your business grows.

Pricing: Free – $12.50/user/month

12. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a business-friendly communication app that’s easily used on mobile devices and computers. Video conferencing, calls, and instant messaging are all possible with this app as well as in-app document editing with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. With Microsoft Teams, communicating with your team is easy and organized, allowing you to focus on getting projects done faster as a team.

Pricing: Free – $20/user/month

13. Kixie

Kixie, a Voice Over IP system, can be used on desk phones, mobile devices, and desktop applications, providing your business with a phone service that is both flexible and useful. This phone service is on a pay-per-user basis, which means you will only pay for the services you need. In addition, Kixie provides customer relationship management (CRM) service that tracks and records sales calls to give you accurate reporting for analysis.

Pricing: $29/month – Custom pricing

 

Accounting Software and Payroll Software

14. QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a popular and effective accounting software that provides tools to optimize your company’s financial health with sales and expenses tracking. Viewing profit and loss reports, paying employees and vendors, and examining financial statements is easily done with QuickBooks’ management tools. Moreover, all these impressive features are accessible via the app’s user-friendly dashboard.

Pricing: $7.50/month – $75/month

15. ADP

With plans created for different business sizes, ADP offers a variety of options to ensure your business’s needs are met. This app offers payroll services, recruiting tools, time management tools, HR services, and more. The best part is that you can choose the services you need for your business and leave the rest.

Pricing: Varies depending on business needs

16. Gusto

Gusto provides not only payroll and HR features; you can also onboard and manage new employees with the app’s new-hire reporting. Additionally, file and reporting payroll taxes is easily done through the app at both state and federal levels. This is a full-service app that offers users all the features they need to successfully manage their payroll and accounting on one platform.

Pricing: Starts at $39 plus $6 per person per month

 

Design Tools

17. TRUiC Logo Maker

The TRUiC Logo Maker makes creating an eye-catching and marketable logo for your business easy and free. With this helpful design tool, you can choose the logo, font, and more to match your business’s personality, then let the logo maker do the rest. You end up with a custom, budget-friendly logo for your business’s marketing and branding needs.

Pricing: Free

18. Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud is a hub of tools to design and create for your business that keeps all related apps in one, manageable setting. Businesses that use Adobe Creative Cloud have access to a plethora of features such as Adobe stock images, Typekit, and Behance, as well as the ability to sync and share files within the app. This app works well for managing creative projects and tools, leaving users free to create.

Pricing: For businesses, $33.99/month – $79.99/month

19. Canva

Canva is a design app that allows users to collaborate on custom templates and designs. With this app, you can easily share and print designs professionally, bringing your team’s ideas to life hassle-free. The best part is that with Canva’s free plan, you can access thousands of design tools and 250,000+ templates.

Pricing: Free – $30/month/person

 

Marketing Tools

20. Hootsuite

With social media as one of the most powerful tools available to small businesses, managing your business’s social network channels through an app like Hootsuite saves you valuable time and makes social media marketing a snap. This app keeps 5 to 35 of your social media platforms in one place (depending on the plan you choose), making monitoring and interacting customer interactions easy and fast.

Pricing: $25/month – $599/month

21. Mailchimp

With Mailchimp, businesses can create and manage mailing lists, view audience data, and review valuable insights about the effectiveness of marketing campaigns — all in one place. In addition, the app allows you to create custom email templates to give your email marketing campaigns a personalized touch.

Pricing: Free – $299/month

22. Yelp for Business

Adding or claiming your business on Yelp is the first step to taking advantage of all of the benefits this business app has to offer. With Yelp for Business, you can interact with customers, relay important information about your business, and review analytics to improve performance and reach new customers. Businesses can also advertise on the app to reach customers looking for related services.

Pricing: Free – Varied pricing depending on business needs

 

Website Builders

23. Wix

Building a website with features and functionality that’s also mobile friendly is easily done with Wix. Create your own design, manage, and grow your business online with one of Wix’s four plans to develop a business website that stands out. Plus, with custom search engine optimization (SEO) plans, you can reach new customers and gain exposure.

Pricing: $14/month – $39/month

24. Weebly

Weebly is an easy-to-use website builder that allows users to create a free website with the opportunity to upgrade features as their business grows. With ecommerce from Square, websites made with Weebly have built-in capabilities that allow them to sell and market products easily.

Pricing: Free – $26/month

25. GoDaddy

While GoDaddy is known mainly as a platform to host websites, you can also build a custom, mobile-friendly website with GoDaddy that includes built-in marketing tools to help support and grow your business. The platform also offers tools to manage reviews, order, and social networking from one dashboard.

Pricing: Free – $24.99/month

26. Squarespace

Squarespace users can create a website with one of their ready-to-use, award-winning design templates risk-free using their free trial. Add onto your website with premium design tools or use Squarespace’s marketing features for effective email marketing campaigns and social tools. Plus, with ecommerce and online scheduling capabilities, there are options for a variety of business types.

Pricing: $12/month – $40/month

27. WordPress

WordPress is a widely used website builder that boasts more than 54,000 plugin tools. From analytics to ecommerce, WordPress provides features that complement a variety of business types. Plus, with their free basic plan, businesses on a budget can still create a website that can grow with their business.

Pricing: Free – $45/month

 

Project Management Software

28. Monday

Monday is a project management app that prioritizes communication while making organizing tasks super simple. Not only can you create projects within the app, but you can also add tasks and clear steps for each task to effectively communicate project needs to team members. In addition, Monday makes it easy to share the status of each project. This app is available on desktop and mobile devices.

Pricing: Varies depending on business needs

29. Asana

Productivity is key with Asana, the project management app that prioritizes streamlining workflow. The app provides a platform for your entire team to organize projects and communicate their status to make accomplishing their goals easier. Additionally, you are able to create projects within the app, give concrete timelines, and outline steps for optimal communication among your team members.

Pricing: Free – $24.99/user/month

30. Trello

Trello provides a space to organize projects in terms of priority using boards, lists, and cards. The app also helps keep users on track with due dates and calendar commands. For businesses that use multiple business apps, Trello can be synced with additional apps such as Dropbox and Google Docs for a streamlined work experience.

Pricing: Free – Varied pricing depending on business needs

 

Legal Tools for Small Businesses

31. TRUiC’s LLC Legal Forms

Starting a business legally doesn’t have to be expensive; with TRUiC’s extensive list of free LLC legal forms, you can access forms you will need to start an LLC without spending valuable funds. For more information about starting a business, we always recommend seeking the help of an attorney.

Pricing: Free

32. Rocket Lawyer New Business Bundle

For businesses that require ongoing legal services, Rocket Lawyer is the best choice to form your LLC. With this bundle, you receive free incorporation service, one year of registered agent service, as well as one year of legal services for half the price with our Rocket Lawyer Discount.

Pricing: $349.99 + State Fee

 

Productivity Tools

33. Google Workspace

Google Workspace allows users access to helpful tools such as Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Chat, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Sites, and provides a custom business email account. Encourage productivity by compiling all your most helpful business tools on one platform that is optimal for team collaboration.

Pricing: $6/user/month – $18/user/month

34. OmniFocus

Create to-do lists to organize and manage projects with OmniFocus, the time management and productivity app that helps keep projects on track. To make organization even easier, this app also allows users to sync projects with both Apple and PC products.

Pricing: Starts at $49.99

35. RescueTime

Anyone who is consistently distracted by social media, news, or other internet distractions will find this time management app useful. RescueTime helps users effectively manage their time by creating detailed reports on time spent on apps and websites. Set time limits for specific apps or websites and even restrict websites that distract you from important work tasks with the app.

Pricing: $78/year or $12/month

36. Todoist

Todoist can be used to create to-do lists to organize all of the projects and tasks you’re juggling. Plus, users can quickly and easily add tasks to your calendar so you can focus on getting things done. For teams, Todoist also offers collaborative tools that allow you to delegate tasks, discuss projects, and track project progress from a smartwatch, mobile device, or computer.

Pricing: Free – $5/user/month

 

Outsourcing Tools

37. Upwork

If your business utilizes the help of freelance workers, Upwork makes finding and hiring the right contractors for your business easy. Feel confident about your freelance hires with UpWork’s rating and reference system that gives you a clear picture of the skill and background of potential hires. Whether you need web designers or content writers — UpWork is where you will find people to help grow your business.

Pricing: Free – $849/month

38. WriterAccess

WriterAccess is a platform for sourcing the work of content creators. Find the right freelancers for your business with casting calls, AI-powered matching, and advanced search tools; then review candidates by their star ratings and customer reviews. If you aren’t sure if this is the right service for you, try WriterAccess out for free using their two-week free trial.

Pricing: $39/month – $99/month

39. Fiverr

Finding freelancers within your budget is easy with Fiverr, the freelance service platform that charges by the project — never hourly. Projects start at $5 a job, and Fiverr is home to freelancers with various skill sets such as drop shippers and web designers. You can also feel secure in your hiring choices with Fiverr’s standard of proven business experience and customer success management.

Pricing: Starts at $5/job

 

Networking Tools

40. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a networking app that’s home to a huge population of business professionals to connect with. Plus, this site can be used to find new hires that are well-suited to your business. For new business owners, especially, LinkedIn is a great tool to build a network of experienced professionals to help start and grow your business.

Pricing: Free or LinkedIn Premium Business: $59.99/month

41. Shapr

Shapr is a networking app for entrepreneurs to connect with business professionals at every stage of their business development. Business owners can network, find talented employees, raise funds, or find mentors that are experts in their field. Created specifically for startups, Shapr provides a platform for businesses to build a strong network on one, easy-to-use platform.

Pricing: Free – $99.99

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