Top Small Business Apps to Streamline Operations in 2024
Running a small business? It’s tough, right? One minute you’re scheduling appointments, the next you’re trying to balance the books. It’s a lot for anyone, but the right small business apps can make a huge difference.
In this article, we’re not just scratching the surface; we’re diving into the top 14 app categories that are set to revolutionize your small business. Our carefully curated list of top business apps isn’t just about variety; it’s about quality and relevance. Each app addresses a specific need or challenges that small business owners face, making them not just useful, but essential tools for business growth and efficiency.
Evaluation Criteria
- User-friendly interface: How intuitive is the app’s interface, ensuring ease of use for small business owners and team members with varying technical skills?
- Functionality and features: What essential features does the app offer to enhance the efficiency and productivity of small businesses in different industries?
- Integration capabilities: How seamlessly does the app integrate with other tools and software commonly used by small businesses, promoting a connected and streamlined workflow?
- Scalability: Can the app accommodate the growth of small businesses, providing scalable solutions that align with evolving needs and increasing demands?
- Affordability: How cost-effective is the app for small businesses, considering budget constraints while offering valuable functionalities?
- Customer support: What level of customer support does the app provide, ensuring that small business owners receive timely assistance and guidance when needed?
- Security measures: How robust are the app’s security features, safeguarding sensitive business data and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations?
❗ Our reviews are impartial, there is no payment from specific apps. We are dedicated to offering valuable insights to small business owners, aiding them in discovering effective and tailored solutions for their unique requirements.
Project Management/Time Tracking Apps
Managing projects and keeping tabs on time can be tough for small businesses. But, with the right project management and the best time tracking software, it’s a whole lot easier. These tools are lifesavers, helping you organize your work, meet deadlines, and make the most of every hour.
Everhour
Everhour steps up as a standout small business time tracker app or a time tracker app for self-employed, offering a comprehensive time tracking and project management solution that’s both powerful and user-friendly. It’s designed to integrate effortlessly with the tools your team already uses, like Asana, Trello, and Jira, making it an ideal choice for small businesses looking for a seamless experience.
Key features
- Native integration with over 40 popular apps including Asana, Notion, and Github.
- Work hours tracker and time clock app for accurate payroll.
- Customizable reports for detailed insights into team productivity.
- Budgeting features to keep projects financially on track.
- Automated invoicing based on tracked time and expenses.
- User-friendly interface for ease of use.
Why is it great for small businesses?
For small businesses, Everhour is more than just a time tracker; it’s a productivity powerhouse. Its integration with a variety of business management apps makes it incredibly versatile, while its invoicing, budgeting, and expense tracking features are tailor-made for the unique needs of smaller enterprises.
Asana
Asana’s project management features make it a versatile tool that helps teams stay organized and on track. It’s about bringing clarity and focus to your projects, no matter how complex they may be.
Key features
- Cross-functional work management
- List, timeline, and board views for task organization
- Automation of workflows
- Real-time insights and reporting
- Over 200 Asana integrations
Why is it great for small businesses?
Asana shines as a small business app, offering a clear, easy-to-use platform for managing tasks and projects. Its ability to automate workflows and provide real-time insights is invaluable for small businesses looking to grow and scale efficiently. The extensive integration capabilities (for example, Everhour’s Asana time tracking integration) make Asana a comprehensive solution for small business management.
Employee Management Apps
As a small business owner, managing your team efficiently is key to success. That’s where employee management apps come in. They offer streamlined solutions for everything from scheduling to payroll, ensuring your team is well-coordinated and your business runs smoothly.
Shifts by Everhour
Shifts by Everhour stands out as one of the best business apps, especially as scheduling software for small businesses. It’s a comprehensive solution for shift-based teams and non-desk employees. It replaces traditional, cumbersome methods like Excel, bringing smart scheduling to the forefront of small business operations.
Key features
- Automated scheduling to ensure optimal staff allocation.
- Enhanced employee satisfaction with easy schedule access and time-off requests.
- Compliance with labor laws and regulations.
- Real-time insights and analytics for data-driven scheduling decisions.
- Simplified process for creating and managing team schedules.
- Mobile clock-in and clock-out feature for easy time tracking.
- Centralized timesheets for attendance and payroll management.
Why is it great for small businesses?
Shifts by Everhour brings a host of benefits to the table for small businesses. It can boost scheduling efficiency, a game-changer when it comes to saving precious time and resources. Small businesses also stand to gain from significant cost savings, with the app’s smart scheduling capabilities capable of slashing labor costs.
But it’s not just about the bottom line; this app prioritizes employee satisfaction. With Shifts by Everhour, small businesses can not only streamline their scheduling processes but also ensure that their workforce is happier and more engaged with their work schedules.
Gusto
Gusto is an employee management system, tailor-made for the needs of small businesses. It combines payroll, benefits, and HR into one seamless package.
Key features
- Automated payroll processing that’s accurate and reliable
- A suite of benefits administration tools, including health insurance and 401(k) plans
- HR resources for compliance, employee onboarding, and documentation
- Customizable features to suit various business sizes and types
Why is it great for small businesses?
Gusto is a renowned name among apps for small businesses with its all-in-one functionality. It simplifies payroll and HR tasks, ensuring both compliance and accuracy. This efficiency not only saves valuable time but also aids small businesses in attracting and retaining talent, thanks to its professional and efficient HR and benefits system.
Customer Management Apps
Customer management is the lifeblood of any successful small business. It’s the art of not only knowing your customers but also understanding their needs, and preferences, and how to serve them better. In today’s digital age, effective customer management tools, particularly the best apps for small businesses, are the secret sauce that empowers you to build strong relationships, provide top-notch service, and ultimately thrive in a competitive market.
Zoho CRM Plus
Zoho CRM Plus is a suite of business applications designed to strengthen customer relationship management across sales, marketing, and support teams. It addresses the challenge of managing customer information in silos by providing a unified view of customer data on a single platform.
Key features
- Unified customer view for sales, marketing, and service interactions.
- All communication channels in one place.
- Collaboration with chat, calls, and screen sharing.
- Features Zia, an AI assistant for lead monitoring, call management, and sales suggestions.
- Integrates with third-party apps.
Why is it great for small businesses?
Zoho CRM Plus is undoubtedly one of the best apps for small businesses. It aids in streamlining customer interactions, automating routine tasks, and offering data-driven insights. With its AI-powered assistance, it enhances lead and sales management for small businesses. Its user-friendly platform and extensive integrations simplify and amplify the effectiveness of managing customer relationships.
Salesforce Sales Cloud
Salesforce Sales Cloud is a powerhouse of customer relationship management. Designed to turbocharge sales efficiency, it’s built on the Einstein AI platform, making it a smart choice for businesses looking to leverage AI-powered automation and intelligence.
Key features
- AI-driven insights for enhanced sales strategies.
- Comprehensive customer data integration.
- Advanced analytics for informed decision-making.
- Customizable to fit unique business needs.
- Robust automation for sales processes.
Why is it great for small businesses?
Salesforce Sales Cloud brings the power of AI to the fingertips of small business owners. This means less time spent on mundane tasks and more on strategic decision-making. With integrated analytics, small businesses can make decisions based on data, not guesswork, ensuring a more targeted approach to sales and customer engagement.
Financial Management Apps
Managing finances can be a complex yet critical task for a small business where every penny counts and financial clarity is vital. It’s not just about keeping the books; it’s about gaining insights into your business’s financial health and making informed decisions.
FreshBooks
FreshBooks offers a comprehensive accounting solution tailored to the unique needs of small business owners and freelancers. It’s designed to make invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting as easy as a breeze.
Key features
- Professional invoicing with automated payment reminders.
- Double-entry accounting tools for a clear picture of business finances.
- Automated online payment options for faster client payments.
- Expense tracking with receipt photo uploads and email forwarding.
- Project collaboration tools for team and client communication.
- Detailed reporting for insights into business performance.
- Mobile app for managing finances on the go.
Why is it great for small businesses?
FreshBooks grows with your business, offering features that cater to expanding needs and integrating with over 100 other business apps. Hence, it is an ideal solution for small business owners looking to take control of their finances without getting overwhelmed by complexity.
Xero
Xero transcends the typical boundaries of a small business app, presenting itself as a complete, cloud-based accounting solution. Tailored specifically for the intricacies of small business finance, it combines an intuitive interface with a suite of potent features.
Key features
- Automated bank feeds and reconciliation for up-to-date financial data.
- Simple invoicing with options for recurring invoices and automatic reminders.
- Real-time financial reporting for instant insights into business performance.
- Easy integration with over 800 third-party apps for enhanced functionality (including Xero time tracking integration).
- Vigorous inventory management to track stock levels and values.
- Payroll integration for streamlined employee payment processes.
Why is it great for small businesses?
As a cloud-based solution, Xero provides the convenience of managing finances from anywhere, a crucial advantage for dynamic small businesses. Additionally, its adaptability across different industries, from construction to retail, makes it a comprehensive financial management tool for a diverse range of small businesses.
Invoice and Billing Apps
For small businesses, effective invoice and billing processes are vital for maintaining steady cash flow, ensuring timely payments, and keeping accurate financial records. Powerful billing and invoicing software reduces administrative work, allowing business owners to focus on growth. Proper invoicing is key to maintaining good client relationships and financial stability in a small business.
QuickBooks
QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based financial management tool that’s become a staple among the best business apps. It’s designed to cater to the unique invoicing and billing needs of small businesses, offering a suite of features that perform these essential processes.
Key features
- Customizable invoicing templates to fit the brand and style of the business.
- Automated billing and invoice scheduling to save time and reduce manual effort.
- Real-time tracking of invoice statuses and payments for better cash flow management.
- Numerous integrations with various payment gateways and other tools (for example, Quickbooks time tracking integration) for quick and easy payment processing.
- Efficient expense tracking and receipt management to keep finances organized.
- Detailed financial reporting for insights into business performance.
Why is it great for small businesses?
When it comes to the best small business apps, QuickBooks Online stands out as a valuable tool for accelerating payment processing and enhancing cash flow management. This app simplifies the invoicing process, offering seamless payment solutions that are essential for sustaining a strong financial foundation.
Zoho Invoice
Zoho Invoice is well-known in the world of free business apps as a primary online invoicing software tailored for small businesses. Renowned for its simplicity, robust security, and zero cost, it’s an ideal solution for businesses seeking to enhance their invoicing and payment collection processes without financial burden.
Key features
- A variety of professional invoice templates that are easy to customize.
- Multilingual billing capabilities to cater to a global clientele.
- Automated recurring invoices to save time on regular billing.
- Efficient tracking of billable hours and expenses.
- A secure customer portal for effective communication and payments.
- Comprehensive reporting tools for a clear financial overview.
Why is it great for small businesses?
Zoho Invoice, one of the best free business apps, helps small businesses project a professional image, fostering trust and encouraging timely payments. Its automated features and efficient tracking systems reduce manual effort and errors, allowing business owners to concentrate on core business functions. The app’s comprehensive reporting tools offer valuable insights into the financial health of the business, supporting informed decision-making.
Social Media Management Apps
Social media management is crucial for small businesses to increase reach and connect with customers. It goes beyond posting updates to building engagement and loyalty. Effective social media use helps small businesses access new markets, offer real-time service, and understand consumer trends, providing a cost-effective way to compete in larger markets.
Sprout Social
Sprout Social is an all-in-one social media management platform that’s recognized as one of the best business apps for transforming marketing strategies. It’s designed to help small businesses harness the full potential of social media across various channels.
Key features
- Unified platform for managing all social media interactions.
- Advanced analytics for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
- Customizable reporting to align with specific business needs.
- Integration with leading platforms for a unified customer experience.
- Tools for engagement, publishing, listening, and advocacy.
- AI and Machine Learning technology for strategic decision-making.
- Comprehensive solutions for customer care and community management.
Why is it great for small businesses?
Sprout Social provides tools to simplify customer interactions, helping small businesses stay connected with their audience. Moreover, the platform’s analytics and reporting capabilities enable businesses to make informed decisions based on social media performance. As a business management app, Sprout Social simplifies the handling of various social channels, saving time and resources.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a standout social media management app for small businesses, offering an all-in-one platform for managing, scheduling, and analyzing content across various networks. It elevates social media efforts, making digital marketing more accessible and effective for small businesses.
Key features
- Schedule posts across multiple social networks from a single dashboard.
- AI tools to assist in creating captions and hashtags.
- Offers Hootsuite Advanced Analytics to track both paid and organic social media metrics.
- Integration with Canva for designing posts.
- Streamlines content approval processes.
- Tools to measure and report the ROI of social media efforts.
- Monitor activity and engage with audiences across all platforms.
Why is it great for small businesses?
Hootsuite’s scheduling and AI assistance save significant time in content creation and posting. Advanced analytics enable small businesses to make informed decisions based on social media performance. Additionally, with comprehensive monitoring tools, businesses can stay engaged with their audience, responding quickly to queries and feedback, making it one of the best apps for business success.
Marketing & Analytics Apps
In the small business arena, marketing and analytics are key to growth and success. They’re not just about promotion, but about understanding the market, engaging customers, and measuring impact. These tools enable small businesses to make data-driven decisions, tailor marketing efforts, and track campaign effectiveness, leading to smarter spending, improved customer engagement, and a stronger market position.
HubSpot Marketing Hub
HubSpot Marketing Hub is considered one of the top business apps for small businesses, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to enhance marketing efforts. It restructures marketing activities and provides valuable insights, making it an unbeatable solution for small businesses looking to optimize their marketing strategies.
Key features
- Integrates various marketing tools in one place for ease of use.
- Automates marketing tasks and workflows to increase efficiency.
- Provides detailed insights into marketing performance.
- Helps improve online visibility and search rankings.
- Manages and schedules social media content across platforms.
- Creates and sends targeted email campaigns.
- Tracks and nurtures leads throughout the sales funnel.
Why is it great for small businesses?
If you are looking for the best apps for small businesses, HubSpot Marketing Hub stands out as a game-changer. It simplifies the marketing process, eliminating guesswork and minimizing both time and stress.
Through its powerful analytics, you gain precise insights into where to invest your resources for the highest returns. Additionally, HubSpot Marketing Hub assists in crafting resonant content, enabling you to cultivate a devoted fan base that can contribute to your business’s success.
Mailchimp
When searching for the best apps for business, Mailchimp truly shines. It has evolved into a comprehensive marketing platform, far beyond its roots as an email marketing service. It’s now a popular solution for small businesses looking to expand their marketing reach.
Key features
- Personalize communication based on customer behavior.
- Create content effortlessly with AI-driven tools and templates.
- Target customers using criteria like spending habits and behaviors.
- Gain insights with tailored reports and funnel visualizations.
- Onboarding support included with paid plans for easy setup.
- Automate marketing to engage customers effectively.
- Sync with tools like Salesforce, Shopify, and Google Analytics.
Why is it great for small businesses?
With Mailchimp’s smart automations, you’re always on point with your messaging. Its AI tools mean less time creating and more time doing what you do best. Likewise, analytics tools give you the scoop on what’s working, so you can double down on it.
Small Business Apps: Final Say
Wrapping up, it’s evident how vital these small business apps are in boosting productivity and streamlining operations. From managing finances to enhancing client communication, each app serves as a key piece in the puzzle of efficient business management.
We encourage you to explore these top business apps, tailoring them to your unique business needs. Begin by integrating Everhour, with its user-friendly time tracker, into your daily workflow. This will not only help in precise time management but also in aligning your tasks more effectively.
Remember, all these apps are not just tools; they’re the building blocks for a more organized and productive business environment. They aim to maintain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic market.
If you are managing a team of 5 or more and looking to boost efficiency, Everhour is the best small business management software to keep your team on track. With seamless time tracking, you can easily estimate task durations, set clear budgets, and generate detailed reports inside Asana, Trello, Jira, or any other pm tool.
