Computer Software Programs for Small Business

Small Business software needs are always changing and growing. Whether you’re a new business owner starting out, or an experienced one looking to update your system, it’s important to keep up with the latest trends. That’s where small business software reviews help – by providing an overview of what is available and how it can be used in your business. This way, you can make the best decisions for your business, without being overwhelmed.

This guide will cover topics such as All-In-One Small Business Software, Best Small Business Accounting Software, and Free Accounting Software.

Computer Software Programs for Small Business

1. Best accounting software: Xero

A cloud-based accounting program geared exclusively toward small businesses is called Xero. It offers capabilities for accountants to assist make sure their clients have sound balance sheets as well as tools for businesses to track financial performance and cash flow in real-time. Financial KPI tracking and performance comparisons between actual and chosen time periods are both possible with customizable financial reports. Businesses can quickly take online payments in many currencies from services like Stripe and PayPal as well as credit cards. Additionally, Xero makes it simple to prepare and distribute invoices, as well as to remind clients to make payments automatically when their bills are past due.

2. Best eCommerce software: Shopify

Although there are several excellent eCommerce systems available, Shopify is the best since it offers a hosted, all-in-one solution that makes it easier for small businesses to launch an online store rapidly. Users may utilize marketing tools like meta titles and descriptions, construct custom URLs, and easily enhance promotions across social media networks like as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Users can also sell products globally with local language support. Additionally, Shopify provides a huge selection of plugins to make processes like inventory management simpler.

3. Best project management software: Trello

Trello is a task management and collaboration application that supports a variety of projects, including data entry, marketing campaigns, content creation, customer assistance, and sales tracking. It’s vital to note that, while these types of papers can be attached, it works for the majority of projects except for budgeting and invoicing. It’s a handy and simple application for smaller organizations that tracks tasks effortlessly using due dates, card cover images, users, a task commenting function, labels, priorities, and more. Additionally, each project management pipeline can accept attachments like files, photos, or documents.

4. Best time tracking software: Toggl

For very small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who just need a simple time tracker, Toggl might be the best bet. While there are many great software solutions out there that include extensive features such as expense management, mileage tracking, employee monitoring, and more, many small businesses don’t need all of those features (and don’t want to pay for them). With Toggl, it’s all about ease of use because employees can instantly track time across hundreds of third-party apps, computers, and devices — just hit Start and the timer gets going. Toggl is free with paid tiers that start at $9/month for add-ons such as invoicing features. 

5. Best online payment software: PayPal

Two of the most popular online payment platforms are PayPal and Stripe. Despite the fact that they have many similarities, including a processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 for online payments, PayPal is a superior choice for startups and small enterprises. PayPal is a better alternative for small business owners since it is simpler to set up and use, while Stripe gives more customization choices to suit larger enterprises. One of the most extensively used systems in the eCommerce sector, PayPal enables millions of customers and merchants to send and receive payments using bank accounts and credit cards. Customers can finish purchases using PayPal, PayPal credits, or Venmo by adding the PayPal button to the payment page.

6. Best email marketing software: MailChimp

Because MailChimp is adaptable, reasonably priced, and allows customers to add features and capabilities as business needs evolve, we believe small businesses can’t go wrong with it. In actuality, businesses with fewer than 2,000 users can use it for free. This is a big benefit for small businesses or entrepreneurs who wish to cut costs as much as they can while expanding their enterprises. However, even the higher tier plans are affordable, with the Essentials and Standard plans coming in at just $9.99 and $14.99 monthly, respectively. (Take note that the real rate changes depending on the subscription count.) However, MailChimp includes a wide range of tools, including behavioral targeting, A/B testing, customized templates, complex segmentation, and more, that place targeted marketing and other marketing strategies front and center.

7. Best collaboration tools: Slack

The Swiss Army Knife of team collaboration tools is Slack. It makes it possible for team members to connect on any desktop or mobile device, which is especially helpful for smaller organizations that do not have a single workplace (or whose employees work remotely due to COVID-19 measures). A variety of capabilities, including voice and video calling, are available on Slack. Additionally, it is simple to interface with other business tools like MailChimp and Google Drive, enabling effective information sharing between all of these platforms. Additionally, Slack makes it simple to upload and exchange documents including Word docs, JPEGs, MOVs, PDFs, and Google Drive files. Slack is actually used by some firms instead of email because it’s simpler.

8. Best document management software: G-Suite

Google’s free cloud computing, collaboration, and productivity package is called G-Suite. Because it offers a one-stop shop for all document management requirements, it is perfect for small enterprises and independent contractors. Users can quickly and simply create and share documents (Google Docs), spreadsheets (Google Sheets), and presentations inside the collection of separate apps (Google Slides). Team members can design an email account to make it appear more professional, access email, hold video meetings, and encrypt data. Documents, including large files, may be effortlessly uploaded and shared with anybody inside or outside the company thanks to G-15GB Suite’s of free cloud storage space. Owners of the documents specify how users can access each file and provide them the option to “see only,” “edit file,” or “completely access and edit.”

9. Best human resources/payroll software: Gusto

Many smaller businesses use both full-time workers and temporary or contract workers. They therefore require a payroll management system that can handle both W-2 and 1099 employees. Because it can handle payroll processing and payroll tax obligations for all types of workers, Gusto is perfect for these kinds of circumstances. Gusto makes it simple to add new employees and identify their job classification. Even better, because both categories of workers are regarded as employees, the expense of maintaining payroll for a full- or part-time employee is the same as that for a freelancer or contractor. In addition, Gusto charges monthly fees as opposed to other payroll firms’ per-payroll pricing models. This implies businesses can process payroll as often as necessary.

10. Best customer relationship management (CRM) software: Act!

built primarily to satisfy the requirements of small and medium-sized organizations. We are aware that many CRM tools are created with the robust requirements of enterprise businesses in mind, but our mission is to assist smaller businesses in gaining access to these benefits at a reasonable price point, without additional CRM integration fees, hidden costs, or expensive and pointless features. Key advantages consist of:

  • Tiered plans to meet every need: Choose from one of three plans that offer basic to advanced CRM and email marketing that includes thousands of emails per month. With clear features and pricing, customers can choose the plan that’s right for them and scale as business needs change.
  • Powerful built-in tools: Take advantage of relationship and task management capabilities across all three plans. Every plan includes a library of email templates, campaign management and reporting features, opportunity tracking, our companion mobile app, cloud storage, and more. 
  • Advanced automation: In our higher-tiered plans, customers benefit from powerful marketing automation tools, intuitive dashboards and analytics, team management features, app integrations, sales pipeline management, and more. 
  • Easy setup: Act! offers user-friendly onboarding processes that greatly simplify the experience for newcomers to CRM. Our dashboard is highly intuitive and fully customizable so businesses can adapt it to meet specific business needs, customer profiles, and market requirements.  
  • Cloud-based technology: Access business apps and data 24/7 from anywhere. The Act! mobile app makes it easy to stay engaged with customers without losing time or opportunities.

Best Small Business Accounting Software

No 1: FreshBooks

The appealing thing about FreshBooks is its intuitive including polished web service. It’s a top home business accounting software. It offers improved UX or user experience. Also, it provides easy-to-navigate platform, improved collaboration and deliver product enhancements swiftly. It’s also very pocket friendly; only at $15 monthly.

The upcoming version will offer other add-ons, for instance, non-invoice revenue recordings, extra partner integrations, bank reconciliation including the expanded reporting. Users can choose the modern or classic versions. It provides great invoicing tools.

It’s a challenge using latest versions, especially if you are a newbie. Even though the new FreshBooks is loaded with instinctive navigation tools and has unique design, there are a lot of cool stuff that are missing, for example, service products, product records just to mention a few.

Pros

  • Enhanced user-experience
  • Up-to-date collaboration estimates/projects/tools.
  • Suitable for various businesses.
  • The settings are entirely context-sensitive

Cons

  • Service records/product records are missing
  • Does not offer options for tracking inventory
  • The customers’ records are never expansive

No 2: YNAB

This is an exceptional accounting software for home use. It has been designed for budget creation based on ones’ specific goals. In addition, it’s highly flexible which makes it suitable when emergencies strike. Moreover, it synchronizes ones’ bank accounts and gives accurate and real-time financial details. Importantly, it generates graphs including charts automatically. That said, keeping track of your financial progress is completely hassle free.

Specifically, it’s a budgeting tool, and it does not perform functions such as investment and taxation.

Pros

  • This accounting software is easy to operate at home.
  • The customer care services responsiveness is commendable.
  • The user interface of this software is great.
  • It offers a variety of features, all in one package

Cons

  • It might not be of high relevance to someone who does not have some accounting skills.
  • Requires internet connections which is not readily available in some areas.
  • Contains a lot of ads which are sometimes irritating.

No 3: KeepSoft

KeepSoft is accounting software for home used to assess personal finances, manage debts as well as track expenses or income. Thus, it’s expressly essential for planning forthcoming expenses. Moreover, you really do not need to be a computer guru to use it. Its interface’s simple to use.

The software comes full with helpful features. For instance:

  • Calculator: For calculating the money entered.
  • Labeled graphs: Displaying the amount of money saved and used.

Users can create password to protect their sensitive details.

Pros

  • It’s easy to use and operate.
  • Has a mobile application which makes it relevant even to those who do not have access to a computer device.
  • Has a great user interface.
  • The customer care of this software is very responsive.

Cons

  • Does not support format of many financial applications, for example Microsoft Money. It supports HTML, Excel, MS Access, Lotus and XML, though.
  • No latest versions
  • The pricing structure isn’t listed making it hard to know if it meets the budget needs.

No 4: MINT

This home based accounting software has been designed in such a way that it helps the users to easily track their bills. Through this accounting software, one can set up automatic bills payment from within. Additionally, it is straightforward to create budget. Besides that, it provides budgeting and cash management suggestions.

Better yet, the software is entirely free. In case you’re using the Mint mobile application; you get credit score free of charge.

Pros

  • It has a great user interface which allows easy navigation.
  • It is easy to operate.
  • The cost of acquiring this home-based accounting software is relatively low.
  • It has a range of feature hence very convenient.

Cons

  • Cannot perform complex calculations.
  • Lacks some features to perform other home accounting related functions.
  • Contains ads or links which can be very irritating and annoying at times.

No 5: Wave

As its name suggests, wave have taken the accounting field with a storm since 2010. Of late, it has more than 2.5 million users and the number is increasing incredibly fast. It has been raked by many agencies as exceptional free home accounting software.

The reason the software is ‘exploding’ is that it’s totally free. In addition, it offers classy invoicing tools for expense tracking, contact management and estimates. What’s more, the tools are vital for billing and sales tax settings. The latest iPhone including Android apps were launched recently and the software upgrades are done regularly to address the specific needs of the users.

Pros

  • Excellent customer support
  • Loaded with numerous useful features
  • Very simple to use
  • Accrual accounting
  • Frees
  • Stunningly beautiful invoice templates

Cons

  • Tax support’s unavailable
  • Not ideal for big businesses

Free Accounting Software

budgeting software

Managing your money successfully includes keeping a close eye on your expenses. One way to do that is to take advantage of free software and services. Free personal finance software can be surprisingly robust, helping you track spending, create and manage budgets, and run reports.

Mint

Mint is a free online budget planner from Intuit, the makers of TurboTax and Quickbooks. This app brings all of your financial data together, showing you an overview of your budget, spending, bills, and credit score. You can create your own budget, set goals and reminders, and sync your data between web and apps. Security is enhanced by encryption and multi-factor authentication. You can also use Mint to track your investments and portfolio.

Access Mint via the web or phone apps for iOS and Android.

GnuCash

GnuCash is desktop software; its features include tracking bank accounts, stocks, income, and expenses. GnuCash is based on double-entry accounting for balanced books and you can run a number of reports to see your financial data. GnuCash also offers small-business accounting tools that let you manage customers and vendors, handle invoicing and bill payment, and even payroll.

GnuCash is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, BSD, and Solaris. There is a companion app for Android that will let you track expenses on the go and later import them into the desktop software.

AceMoney Lite

AceMoney Lite bills itself as the best Quicken alternative. You can manage your budgets, track your finances in multiple currencies, keep an eye on your investments and analyze your spending habits. You can also do online banking. As this is the lite version, you’re limited to two accounts; the full version supports unlimited accounts.

AceMoney Lite is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X.

Personal Capital

Personal Capital offers free financial software for tracking investments and planning for retirement, in addition to its tools for cash flow, spending, budgeting and net worth. Personal Capital’s focus is on investments, showing you the performance of your portfolio over time and helping you make decisions for the future, so its budgeting components aren’t as robust as other software.

If you’re not an investor or prefer fine-tuning your budget to getting the broad view, Personal Capital may not be the best fit. However, if you want to save for college or retirement, its free tools will show you whether you’re on track.

Personal Capital can be accessed via the web or apps for Android and iOS.

Buddi

Buddi is an open-source budget software that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems and has been translated into multiple languages. Buddi can encrypt financial data with a password, and it’s designed to be easy to use even if you have no financial background.

Features include budgeting, tracking accounts, and personal finance reports, but you will have to enter transactions manually. Free plugins add more features, and the online user manual is easy to read and use.

Buddi is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

Free Budget Spreadsheets

If you don’t need fully featured personal financial software and you’re just concerned about keeping a budget, there are some great free budget spreadsheet templates you can use with Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc or Google Sheets. Just download and open them in your spreadsheet software to get a handle on your cash flow.

All-In One Small Business Software

1. Striven

Striven is a comprehensive software program that unifies accounting, CRM, project management, HR, operations, and other features into a single, user-friendly interface. The software tool Striven supports both front- and back-office staff and has a wide range of capabilities. The highly adaptable software from Striven is appropriate for a range of sectors, including real estate, manufacturing, professional services, and construction.

Highlights:

Full-stack, scalable, customizable business management suite

Natively integrated complete system

Detailed financial and productivity reports generated in seconds

Communication portals for customers, vendors, and subcontractors

Project, task, and time management w/ interactive calendars

Full CRM dashboard

Applicant tracking system

Inventory management

Customizable dashboards for each employee

Employee biographies and a company newsfeed for remote culture building

2. Acumatica

By offering remote access to accounting, CRM, financials, and other tools, business management software called Acumatica enables you and your entire organization to work from any location.

Highlights:

Project cost and budget tracking

Visibility of pre and post sale contracts

Advanced data analysis toolkit

3. Odoo

The integrated software suite from Odoo focuses on providing CRM and ERP functions that let companies in any sector manage numerous front and back office tasks.

Highlights:

POS transactions

Track employee timesheets

Custom invoice development

4. Visibility

Visibility is an all-in-one business management ERP with comprehensive scheduling and business analytics functions for large manufacturing companies.

Highlights:

Reporting and analysis capabilities

Engineering and product lifecycle management

Material and production planning

5. Tecsys

Highlights:

Scalable platform

Manage purchase-to-pay solutions

Multi-company financial reporting

6. Brahmin Solutions

A platform for operations management called Brahmin gives expanding businesses the tools they need to sell goods and services directly to customers and other enterprises.

Highlights:

Automated inventory management

Batch and expiry tracking

Manage multiple locations and warehouses

7. Netsuite

Financial management, order management, supply chain management, and other business intelligence operations are all handled by the Netsuite by Oracle software suite.

Highlights:

Procurement services

Intuitive budgeting and forecasting interface

Financial management dashboard powered by data

8. IFS

IFS is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that runs in the cloud and offers solutions for service management and enterprise asset management with a focus on automation and business intelligence analytics.

Highlights:

Mobile apps that are also offline-capable

Remote assistance panel

Process automation

10. ACS Embrace

Embrace is a complete ERP software package that supports supply chain, inventory, and financial management.

Highlights:

Work in progress (WIP) tracking

Forecasting software

11. Holded

Highlights:

Control payment deadlines

Automatic bank reconciliation

Customize sales funnels and processes

12. The Blue Box

The Blue Box is a cloud-based business management tool with capabilities for sales, inventory, procurement, and marketing that can be customized to fit your company’s needs.

Highlights:

Multi-warehouse capable

Task management interface

Financial accounting module

13. Ramco

Ramco is an all-in-one enterprise resource planning system for business management that aims to link a company’s previously unconnected divisions.

Highlights:

Real-time maintenance operations overview

Facility management services

Contract workforce management

14. Ellucian

Ellucian is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) information system that is designed to help academic institutions manage student and faculty information to increase operational effectiveness.

Highlights:

KPI driven interface

Document management capabilities

Spend management tools

15. Unit4

Professional services, nonprofit, and educational markets are among those served by Unit4, an all-in-one ERP software package.

Highlights:

Process automation

Project management dashboard

Industry-specific reporting

Types of Accounting Software

Spreadsheets to Manage Financial Data

Small businesses frequently utilize spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or OpenOffice to assist with bookkeeping. A spreadsheet can be modified to practically any simple accounting requirement. Spreadsheet programs can be used, for instance, to list expenses, sales, or other pertinent financial data, as well as to manage more complex accounting operations. Spreadsheets are typically used in conjunction with other accounting processes; only extremely simple businesses should rely completely on them to manage accounting.

Commercial Accounting Software

Most, if not all, of a small- to mid-size business’s accounting requirements can be met by commercial accounting software like QuickBooks, TurboCash, or FreshBooks. Accounting software integrates with virtually every type of organization and enables you to design bespoke features to meet your unique requirements. Commercial accounting software frequently contains reports that give a picture of a business’s health and the forms required for taxes, as well as graphs that summarize data. The merits and limitations of each form of commercial accounting software are different.

Enterprise Accounting Software

Enterprise accounting software helps manage the operational complexity that larger businesses may have. Accounting software for larger businesses sometimes incorporates accounting with additional software services including project planning, business analytics, and workflow management.

When a large business chooses this kind of accounting software, it frequently follows a multistage routine that involves asking accounting software vendors for information, seeing the product in action, and speaking with other businesses that also use the software. Enterprise software is frequently based on relational databases as opposed to two-dimensional spreadsheets because these databases can show the relationships between various sets of information, such as the sales volume from all customers compared to their regions or the number of employees at each company. Oracle, SAP, or Microsoft Dynamics GP are three examples of popular accounting software for businesses.

Custom Accounting Software

A company will occasionally develop its own accounting software. This frequently occurs almost by accident: when a company expands, skilled employees may be requested to design software to handle various accounting circumstances. Eventually, the company may discover that it has written its own unique accounting software. In other cases, a company develops its own software since no existing commercial accounting tools can satisfy its requirements.

Conclusion

Small business software can help boost revenues and enhance daily operations. You may make the most of this kind of software by concentrating on the particular requirements of small enterprises. Your bottom line can also be improved by employing small company software to increase productivity and profitability. With these fundamentals in mind, it’s simple to understand why small businesses are a crucial component of any company; they provide a greater range of programs that may be used to enhance operations.

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