Launching a startup can be like being thrown into the Hunger Games.
While it’s not a fight to the death, you still need to win the race. But you can’t do it without a proper tool.
Imagine Katniss Everdeen without her bow; she wouldn’t have succeeded in winning the game.
Just like Katniss, you need a trusty tool or two. In a startup’s case, you’ll have a cornucopia of options.
Too many. 🫠
Out there, in the wild, there are plenty of resources that simply want to say:
To avoid becoming overwhelmed by the huge number of startup tools, you need to let us be your Effie Trinket, your most trusted advisor when it comes to choosing the right solution.
In this guide you’ll discover a list of 30 great tools any startup needs in 2024 to reach new heights of success, from project management tools to project collaboration tools and more.
Project management tools
Attention, startup warriors! Whether you’re cheering or sighing at the thought of more projects, managing them effectively is crucial.
From hiring teams to crafting marketing strategies and launching products, this journey you’re tackling demands organization and efficiency.
In this section, we dive into essential project management tools that can empower your team and streamline operations. Let’s explore how these tools can elevate your startup’s capabilities from day one.
Asana
Asana is the equivalent of a popular tribute. Most will place their bets on it to win the games. And it’s charming enough to win everyone’s hearts.
But what is Asana, exactly?
Asana is a project management tool many startups use to juggle their projects. Why does it get so much love?
Will Yang, Head of Growth and Customer Success at Instrumentl, says, “Asana stands out for its intuitive interface and extensive integrations.”
This makes Asana an “invaluable asset for startups aiming to keep tasks organized while scaling.”
Alan Muther, founder and Digital Marketing Expert at Ardoz Digital, is also impressed by Asana’s visual and straightforward interface. “It’s different from its competitors, offering tracking graphs and alerts for overloads to prevent burnout among workers.”
See? Asana cares about your team! 🫶
Best for: Individuals and small teams.
Key features:
- Add labels so you can filter your work
- Organize your work as a list, kanban board, etc.
- Break work into tasks with clear owners and deadlines
Pricing: Asana has a free-forever plan with unlimited tasks, projects, and messages.
If you want fancy features like a timeline or Gantt view, growing teams need to pay $10.99/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Intuitive user experience Plenty of integrations Enhanced collaboration | Not beginner-friendly No report templates |
Trello
Is Trello a good choice for you?
Allow Collen Clark, Lawyer and founder of Schmidt & Clark LLP, to vouch for it: “Trello is an excellent choice for startups when it comes to project management.”
Why is that, Collen? “Having a platform that can scale with the company’s growth is crucial.” So, the thing that recommends Trello most is its flexibility.
Trello is most suitable for “creative teams who want to stay on top of their workflows” due to its visual boards. That’s what James Smith, founder of Travel-Lingual, had to say about Trello.
“It’s a visual pleasure that lets you quickly see what’s in front of you.”
Plus, it has a “user-friendly interface that is very easy to use,” according to Nikola Baldikov, SEO expert at InBound Blogging.
Overall, Trello stands out as an excellent choice for consolidating tools, teammates, and tasks into one accessible platform.
Best for: Individuals or small teams looking to scale collaboration.
Key features:
- Intuitive kanban board layout
- Streamlined project tracking
- Innovative automation capabilities
Pricing: Trello is a free tool for your whole team, with unlimited cards and power-ups per board.
Their cheapest plan starts at $5/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Good workflow creation Easy to organize and assign tasks Intuitive visual boards | Limited options for complex project tracking Not many integrations with other tools |
Monday.com
Don’t be fooled by the name. You might’ve shuddered when you heard the word Monday just now. But you’ll soon learn to love it.
Seriously.
Monday.com is a powerful project management tool that boosts your team’s efficiency and productivity. With Monday, you can customize any workflow to fit your needs.
Don’t believe us?
It’s okay. We have Ashwin Ramesh, CEO of Synup, who’s highly excited about Monday.com. “Working with this tool has been a great experience. […] You can assign people to the task, and share documents within that task.”
In short, you’ll always know what you’re working on. If your priorities change, you can easily reflect that in the platform. Like a mirror!
Best for: Individuals, small teams, and enterprises.
Key features:
- Keeps track of your pipelines and performance
- Streamlines your data analysis
- Manages your sales process and client communications
Pricing: You can try Monday.com for free but if you want unlimited items and prioritized customer support, it’s $12/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| 200+ project templates Live chat feature Minimalistic user interface | Per user pricing limits Time tracking only on Pro plans |
Jira
Have you met Jira? No?
No problem. You’ll have the pleasure of meeting it right now! It’ll surely be love at first sight. 😉
It’s another popular alternative to Asana. But what makes it a great tool for startups?
According to John Pennypacker, VP of Sales & Marketing at Deep Cognition, it’s Jira’s “[…] project-tracking capabilities, issue and bug management, customizable workflows, and reporting features that make it easy to track progress.”
Plus, Jira is cloud-based, helping teams of all sizes stay connected, no matter the location.
Moreover, you have plenty of integrations with tools like Slack and Trello. The result? Everyone on the team is on the same page!
Best for: Software development teams.
Key features:
- Facilitates collaboration among testers, stakeholders, etc.
- Tracks bugs and monitors progress
- Automates workflows to keep your team focused
Pricing: You can use Jira for free for up to 10 users. For more, you’ll have to pay $8.15 per user.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great project-tracking capabilities Customizable workflows Bug-tracking functionalities | User interface can be confusing You can’t download reports |
ClickUp
Are you looking for one app to replace them all? Fantasizing about changing the world with a single click?
Then, ClickUp might be the right option for you.
ClickUp is the favorite tool of Diana Zheng, Head of Marketing at Stallion Express, who calls it “a powerful platform for effective collaboration.”
Through charts and graphs, you can easily see your project’s status. Plus, you have multiple reports, task templates, and checklists to help you make more informed decisions.
With this tool, you improve collaboration across the board. And get your remote teams to work more closely together, like there’s no distance between them.
Best for: Teams of all types across any industry.
Key features:
- Multiple view options
- Real-time reporting
- Mobile app
Pricing: For personal use, ClickUp has a free-forever plan. Small teams can use ClickUp for $10 per member per month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Customizable workflows Robust collaboration tools Comprehensive reporting | Steep learning curve Limited free plan |
***
So, cross ‘project management tool’ off your list. Hopefully, the tools provided here suffice for your needs.
Now, let’s move on to communication tools.
Communication tools
The 3 C’s of any relationship: communication, communication, and communication.
Just like any successful partnership, your startup team needs it. Whether you’re packed into a cozy office or scattered across the globe, sharing ideas and updates can’t rely on carrier pigeons! 🕊️
While charming, it’s not very practical. What you really need is a stellar communication tool. Find the right one, and your team can stay connected, efficient, and effortlessly effective.
Slack
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, everyone’s heard of Slack.
That’s why it’s a top contender for the best communication tool, not just for startups but for businesses of different sizes.
People love using Slack! For many, it has been a game changer, as it keeps teams of all sizes connected. If you’re a remote team that wants to dabble in asynchronous communication, Slack is the perfect tool.
As Sudhir Khatwani, founder of The Money Mongers, puts it: “It’s the digital water cooler that keeps us connected.”
Moreover, while sometimes there’s too much chatter and notifications, you still benefit from a more streamlined workflow. Antony Deroshan, co-founder of Domain Coasters, says that Slack has channels for everything, “from serious project talks to where we share cat memes (essential, right?).”
Plus, Slack offers plenty of integrations with tools like Trello or Google Drive, so it’s easy to centralize all communication in a single place while sharing files and holding meetings.
Best for: Anyone can use Slack, but it’s important to think about your team’s needs and business operations.
Key features:
- Managing and tracking documents
- Shared channels across workspaces
- Setting reminders
Pricing: Markéta Chalupníková, co-founder and COO at Tolgee.io, says, “Slack is great for small startup teams as it offers a free plan with the essential features startups need without breaking the bank.”
For small teams that want power, you’ll pay $7.25/month. Or, if you need to scale, you can opt for the Business plan.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy-to-use interface Multiple built-in communication channels Multiple integrations | Too many notifications Message history often gets buried |
Zoom
Online meetings. Video conferences. Webinars. Zoom can do all of these, but it’s also so much more.
Zoom is a widely used platform for online communication, making it essential for remote teams.
According to Tristan Harris, Demand Generation Senior Marketing Manager at Thrive Agency, “Its intuitive design allows users to join meetings quickly and easily without needing any technical knowledge or setup.”
He highlights Zoom’s additional features, including video calls, file sharing, chat functions, and the ability to make presentations, which simplify communication between teams.
Best for: Remote startups and businesses of all sizes.
Key features:
- Whiteboard content generation
- Multi-language support
- Recording and transcripts
Pricing: You can use Zoom for free for up to 40 minutes per meeting.
If you need to host longer meetings, then you can opt for its Pro plan at $14.99/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| You can use it for free Supports a large audience Google Calendar support | You need to download an app Many subscriptions and add-ons |
Google Meet
Meet Google.
Oh, what are we saying? Google is everywhere! When we search for something or when we want to take quick notes.
But what you didn’t know is that it’s a great tool for startups.
For many people, Google Meet is a go-to for intense brainstorming sessions. But what some love the most is its native and seamless integration with some Google Workspace functionalities.
Take, for example, Google Calendar.
Riva Jeane May E. Caburog, PR/Media Coordinator at Nadrich & Cohen, says that this integration simplifies scheduling. Plus, “the integration with other Google apps streamlines collaboration.”
Amy Kauffman, VP of Marketing at Let’s Tango, sums up Google Meets in a few words — “Reliable and easy video conferencing and screen sharing for internal and external meetings.”
Best for: Any type of business.
Key features:
- Record meetings
- Mute or unmute participants
- Built-in chat features
Pricing: Google Meet (and the whole Workspace) is entirely free to use.
But if you want more advanced features like Gmail Business email or more space in Drive, the cheapest plan starts at $6 per user per month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Integration with Google Workspace Easy-to-use and intuitive interface Timely reminders | Occasional video glitches Advanced features come with paid subscriptions |
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is another popular tribute, favored by people to improve their collaboration.
Like Google, Microsoft Teams integrates with Office 365 apps.
What do you get from this merger? As James Smith of Travel-Lingual puts it, “a full-service communication suite.”
Microsoft Teams is a great option for startups, at least in the initial stages. It has seamless collaboration features such as instant messaging, shared task lists, group calling, etc.
Microsoft Teams doesn’t care where you’re from.
You’ll feel right at home with this tool. Use interactive emojis to high-five remote team members. And keep the good vibes going.
Best for: Diverse teams that want a workspace for real-time collaboration.
Key features:
- Instant messaging and conversation channels
- Document storage in SharePoint
- Hundreds of plugins
Pricing: Microsoft Teams has a free version, yay!
If you want to benefit from its advanced features, you need to pay $4/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Integration with Office 365 Easy implementation Chat additions | Lack of notifications Limited number of channels |
Flock
Birds of a feather flock together, as the saying goes.
So, maybe Flock — an online tool for collaboration and communication — will be the one that appeals to you the most.
And no, it’s not a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It’s actually a pretty good tool with features like video calling, integrated search, and file sharing.
But more than that, Flock allows you to effectively communicate with your team through team channels. Or private messaging.
It’s a tool that mostly focuses on relationships by bringing people closer together and reducing the distance between remote teams.
No wonder. With integrations like Zoom, Twitter (now X), and Trello, it’s a tool that packs a punch.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes across different industries.
Key features:
- Integrated search
- Voice notes
- Personal or team-wide to-dos
Pricing: The free plan is great, but it has limited features. If you want access to more storage capacity, you’ll have to opt for a paid subscription starting at $6/user/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable paid plans Full-features messaging User-friendly | Limited paid plan Connectivity issues |
***
Found the best way to communicate with your team?
All of the options presented here are great for keeping in touch with your team and crafting great projects together.
But a project isn’t complete without feedback!
Project collaboration and feedback tools
A project without feedback is like toast without jam. No one will like it. And it’ll only lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction.
To avoid such daunting scenarios, you also need a feedback tool.
Here are our options, starting with…
MarkUp.io
If there’s something strange with your project, who you gonna call?
MarkUp.io!
Let’s talk a bit about MarkUp.io, a super easy way to collaborate with your team.
It’s a simple tool where you upload your content to the platform. Then, invite users to share their thoughts.
But what MarkUp.io also does is eliminate the clunky and time-consuming aspects of project management.
Not our words! Daniel Kroytor, founder of TailoredPay, left us a review:
“MarkUp.io allows your team to gather in the same place, removing the disconnect of email and other types of communication, and allowing for alterations, annotations, and updates of visuals in either real time or saved for return visits.”
Best for: Individuals, creative teams, and enterprise organizations.
Key features:
- Integrations with tools like Zapier or Slack
- Drag-and-drop attachments for quick file sharing
- Search features for finding relevant feedback
Pricing: MarkUp.io is free for five MarkUps and unlimited users.
For unlimited MarkUps, you can opt for the Pro plan at $25/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Responsive support team Easy to use Attach files with comments | Slow loading times |
Frame.io
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a place where you can frame your photos.
Nope. It’s a review and collaboration platform that streamlines your flow and helps you collect the best feedback.
It’s a central hub where you can share media, track feedback, and streamline your workflow. What do you get in return? You enable your team to work closely together from anywhere on the globe.
Plus, you keep everyone on the same page. With Frame.io, you’ll get more actionable and specific feedback that speeds up the feedback process.
In a nutshell, Frame.io is all about more delivering, less mind-reading.
Tip: For Frame.io alternatives, check out this article. 😉
Best for: Frame.io is great for anyone who wants to leave frame-accurate comments.
Key features:
- Automatic alerts for chosen actions
- Integrations with Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, etc.
- Side-by-side version comparison
Pricing: You can use Frame.io for free; no credit card required.
The ‘ideal’ Starter plan, as they call it, starts at $15/user/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Upload multiple file types Fast file-sharing service Draw directly on the frame | Limited team members per project Not-so-intuitive interface |
Marker.io
This tool is MarkER.io. And its main hobby is allowing users to leave website feedback.
Marker.io lets you collect client and peer comments. But it’s also a useful tool for developers who dream of being bug exterminators.
With a single click, you can report issues and fix them before it’s too late.
Marker.io also has website annotations that help you get your point across. It has visual markups and a high-quality screen capture, making website feedback a breeze.
Best for: Agencies, software companies, and e-commerce enterprises.
Key features:
- Session replay
- Console recording
- Network logs
Pricing: Sadly, Marker.io doesn’t have a free plan. But it does have a 15-day free trial if you’re interested.
Its paid plan starts at $59/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy installation Customizable widget Integrates with your workflow | Might be expensive for some startups |
Miro
Miro, Miro on the wall, what’s the best feedback tool of them all?
Miro is a great visual workspace startups can use for innovation. It’s a place where you can gather your team and work on awesome projects together.
We return to Travel-Lingual’s James Smith: “With its virtual whiteboard features and visual collaboration, Miro makes brainstorming easier than ever.”
In a nutshell, it’s a must-have for any startup looking for a dynamic platform.
Shreelekha Singh, Content Lead at Floik, says “I love Miro’s customization options and the ability to whip up beautiful and organized flowcharts from a blank canvas.”
Best for: It’s an online workspace for any type of business.
Key features:
- Optional anonymity
- Spreadsheet imports
- Ready-made templates
Pricing: If you want to enter the Miroverse, you can do so for free!
Its paid subscription plan starts at $8/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Customizable templates Continuous improvements Unlimited brainstorming space | Hard-to-understand controls Session expiration issues |
***
We’ve explored a bunch of categories by now. But we’re not done yet!
Let’s explore some of the best productivity tools and office suites.
Productivity and office suites
As a startup, getting swamped with tons of tasks is easy. You have to do this, do that, talk with a client, etc.
Sometimes, it feels like this:
It’s simply overwhelming. Plus, you barely have time to waste.
There’s a silver lining — and it goes by the name of a productivity tool. Let’s see which one’s the best for startups.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is as old as dinosaurs. You’ve been using it since its creation, especially if you’re a Windows user.
How did it last this long?
As Diana Zheng from Stallion Express puts it, “Microsoft 365 and Google Workspaces meet many business requirements.”
Do you need a tool to write your ideas? You have Word. Or how about crafting fun presentations? PowerPoint.
It’s a space where you can easily create, share, and collaborate. Plus, it brings together all your favorite Microsoft apps in one intuitive platform.
Tom Andrew, founder and Lead Developer at Where to Stream, has this to say: “[…] Microsoft 365 offers scalable solutions for document management and collaboration.”
Which is exactly what you need!
Best for: You can use this tool at home. But small businesses and enterprises can also benefit from using Microsoft 365 because it’s a cost-effective and easy to use tool.
Key features:
- Real-time editing
- Connect via Skype
- PDF conversion and editing
Pricing: Unfortunately, you can’t use Microsoft 365 for free. You have to pay for its services.
It has multiple paid plans, depending on your needs.
| Pros | Cons |
| Collaboration is easy Work anywhere, anytime Easy access to files | Costly for some businesses Not the most intuitive option |
Google Workspace
Google Workspace is Microsoft 365’s biggest rival. Or is it the other way around? 🤔
Either way, it’s another viral productivity tool many startups can use to pave the way to greatness.
Plus, most people are familiar with it. Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Docs — these are all tools we use daily to make our lives easier.
Lisa Richards, CEO and creator of the Candida Diet, says, “Google Workspace empowers our team to collaborate in real time regardless of location … It ensures we deliver the best possible service and maintain our competitive edge.”
What Lisa also wants to emphasize is Google Workspace’s security. “Advanced protection and compliance capabilities afford us peace of mind.”
Best for: Startups of any type in any industry.
Key features:
- Gmail for brand building
- Easy integration with other apps
- Safeguards business data
Pricing: Google Workspace is usually free to use but you’ll have to pay $6/user/month for more advanced features.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use Range of apps Reduces spam | Requires Internet access Not as advanced as other tools |
Zoho Office Suite
Between the two biggest powerhouses, Google and Microsoft, it’s easy to overlook other options.
But Zoho Office Suite has made a good impression. And it’s here to stay.
Sooo, what makes Zoho Office Suite a good productivity tool?
First of all, it’s a secure, collaborative work platform. It plays nicely with all kinds of plugins, such as Box, WordPress, or Zapier. This way, you can work with familiar tools — and lose nothing in doing so.
Secondly, Zoho Office Suite doesn’t judge. It embraces different working styles. Like to work from a cafe all the time? Great! Zoho approves.
Your docs are automatically saved in the cloud so that you can access them from anywhere.
Best for: Modern and remote startup teams.
Key features:
- Tracks version history
- Document approval features
- Present from anywhere
Pricing: Zoho Office Suite is free for individuals. For teams, the Workplace pricing plan starts at $2.93 per month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheaper pricing plans Plenty of integrations Unified ecosystem | No offline accessibility May require a learning curve |
***
Four down, four more to go.
Let’s see what customer relationship management (CRM) tools your startup can use to grow.
Customer relationship management (CRM) tools
A business with no customers? Unheard of! How else are you going to make some cash?
And it’s not just a walk in the park either.
You can’t just write some details about a client on a sticky note and forget about it.
You have to nurture that relationship. Like a mother hen teaching the chicks how to eat.
So, let’s see which CRM tool is the best for your startup.
HubSpot
HubSpot. The one CRM to rule them all.
Many startups universally love it. We’re not just saying that willy-nilly.
Tierney Pretzer, Growth Lead at Numeric.io, says, “Our team uses and loves HubSpot … We don’t need to be CRM experts to make the most of it.”
Many others vouch for it, including Robert Brill at Brill Media. “It’s scalable … It’s flexible. You can do a lot with the platform, and they are consistently adding new features to make it more user-friendly.”
In conclusion, HubSpot is easy to use due to its user-friendly interface and it doesn’t require specialized knowledge to create something with it. Plus, the tool’s versatility is a big plus for many organizations, as it can scale as their business grows.
Best for: Any startup that wants a little extra, like marketing tools.
Key features:
- Chatbot builder
- Email marketing
- Landing pages
Pricing: Hubspot CRM is free to use for individuals and small teams.
Its starter pack starts at $30/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful marketing and sales automation Scalable software Easy to use | Can be slightly costly Has annual contracts |
Salesforce
Salesforce is HubSpot’s brother from another mother.
They’re equally brilliant. But maybe Salesforce is a better match for you than the alternative.
Salesforce “offers robust features like lead management, forecasting, reporting, and custom dashboards,” says Steve Pogson of First Pier.
“Though it may seem overwhelming initially, once fully harnessed, it can significantly streamline customer relations and boost sales.”
Salesforce unites marketing, sales, and service in a single platform. Whatever your industry, with this solution, you can optimize your startup while also saving time and lowering costs.
Best for: Startups in the Financial Services, Retail, and Healthcare industries.
Key features:
- Mobile app
- Automated business processes
- File sync and shares
Pricing: Salesforce offers a 30-day trial. If you’re pleased with it, you can opt for a paid subscription ($25/user/month).
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful reporting features Integrations with 1,000 platforms Plenty of customization options | No free plan Complicated to learn |
Zoho CRM
Another Zoho on this list. Must be worth its salt, huh?
Duh. But you can take a look at the following paragraphs and come to your own conclusion.
It’s a solution built for nurturing excellent customer relationships.
It’s the mother hen we mentioned earlier. Zoho CRM knows how to tickle someone’s fancy and build strong partnerships that stand the test of time.
Zoho does everything in its power to maximize productivity, giving you all the tools you need to do more with less. So, you can build lasting customer relationships by getting the right insights at the right time or by engaging them across every channel.
Best for: Enterprises and small businesses.
Key features:
- Omnichannel presence
- Predictive intelligence
- Sales forecasting
Pricing: As you know, Zoho CRM does not have a free plan. You’ll have to pay 20 euros per month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast implementation Easy to use Affordable pricing plan | Not so intuitive Limited custom fields |
Insightly
What’s modern and powerful and highly affordable? It starts with I and ends with nsightly.
Insightly is a modern CRM every startup can use to grow faster.
It’s a full-featured tool that scales with your business. If you grow, Insightly can keep up with the changes.
Why do people recommend Insightly? Because it’s easy to adopt, unlike a pet. You say you want it now, and you’ll get it today.
Plus, it might be cheaper than other options, but it still packs a punch. If you buy a subscription, you’ll get robust features in a single cloud platform.
Best for: Agencies, startups, small and midsize companies, and enterprises.
Key features:
- Reporting and analytics
- Workflow automation
- Mobile access
Pricing: You have the option to try Insightly for free. When you’re ready, you can opt for a $29/month subscription.
| Pros | Cons |
| Mass email capabilities Web and mobile access Leads and contacts management | No phone support Workflow automation only in high-paid plans |
***
Alright! You have a tool for building strong relationships with potential customers.
What about your finances? Haha, we didn’t forget about that, of course.
Financial management tools
Money makes the world go around. 💰
And while it’s nice to have it, doing taxes is a chore; a Dementor that sucks the motivation out of you. The amount might make you cry, “Why did I think a startup was a good idea?”
But don’t lose hope. A financial management tool can put you on the right track when all seems lost.
QuickBooks
QuickBooks is your own personal accountant.
But it’s more than an accounting tool. It’s a close friend. One that helps you in time of need by tracking your income and expenses, while keeping you on your toes and ready for taxes.
It’s also a leader in financial management alongside Xero (more of that later).
Kartik Ahuja, Marketing Manager at Thailand Nomads, has something to say about QuickBooks:
“QuickBooks brought order to my invoicing, expenses, and taxes. Its intuitive interface and powerful reporting were a game-changer, freeing me to focus on growing my business.”
Sounds like a good deal.
Best for: New businesses, but also companies of different sizes.
Key features:
- Calculate sales tax
- Manage bills
- Get tax deductions
Pricing: QuickBooks has a 30-day free trial. Then, you can opt for its Simple Start plan at $15/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cloud-based Affordable price Easy to access | Standalone application Has a learning curve |
Xero
What can we say about Xero…
You know what?
Let’s ask Ian Wright, Managing Director at Business Financing, about it.
So, first of all, “Xero is a great financial tool for startups and those that are self-employed.” Why is that? “It’s easy to use, available as an app for mobile, and extremely intuitive.”
Interesting. And does it make your life easier? “It makes inputting, tracking, and reviewing financial information simpler and is actually designed with small businesses in mind.”
Anything else? “It’s a great way of being able to glance at your financial position without having to use spreadsheets or more manual data input.”
Best for: Small businesses, startups, accountants, and bookkeepers.
Key features:
- Track projects
- Pay runs
- Bank reconciliations
Pricing: “Although you have to pay for Xero, it is considerably less than paying a bookkeeper or accountant.”
Xero’s paid plan starts at $29/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly interface Cost-effective solution Unlimited users | Performance issues Learning curve |
FreshBooks
Seems like when it comes to naming finance software, books is a common word you need to use.
One is quick. This one is fresh. But we’ve talked enough about QuickBooks. Now it’s FreshBooks’ turn to shine.
“FreshBooks is intuitive, easy to use, and affordable,” says James Cunningham, Complete Health Optimization Coach at Total Shape. So, you don’t have to worry about spending too much time learning the tool: it’s actually very intuitive.
That’s not all. “As a startup owner, I appreciate how it simplifies the process of tracking payments, expenses, and invoicing clients.” With automated payment reminders to nudge clients if they forget about it, it’s easier to ensure you get paid on time.
Best for: Small businesses, self-employed people, and freelancers.
Key features:
- Professional invoicing
- Automated online payments
- Time tracking
Pricing: You can try FreshBooks for free for 30 days. Then, you’ll have to pay $17/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Intuitive interface Double-entry accounting reports Has a mobile app | Not suited for large businesses Few customization options |
***
We’re almost done! Let’s talk about marketing tools now.
Marketing and social media management tools
You have all the administrative tasks down to a T.
But do people actually know what your product is?
You forgot to advertise it, didn’t you? No worries!
It’s not too late to buy a marketing and social media management tool that can create a buzz around your new product.
Hootsuite
This tool is quite a hoot!
It saves you lots of time AND helps you design, schedule, and publish your social media posts. From one dashboard!
“Sign me up!” you might say. That’s what Ardoz Digital’s Alan Muther said after working with Hootsuite.
According to Muther, “I highly value Hootsuite for its role in enhancing our marketing productivity.” He praised its effectiveness in managing multiple social media accounts, which, he says, “greatly aids our marketing campaigns by simplifying audience monitoring and interaction across diverse channels.”
Best for: Small and medium businesses in different industries.
Key features:
- Engagement tools
- AI content creation
- Social media analytics
Pricing: Want to try it for free? Hootsuite has a 30-day free trial. After that, you’ll have to pay $99/month for 10 social accounts.
| Pros | Cons |
| Unlimited posts Optimized scheduling and publishing Has stock photos | Expensive Free trial requires a credit card |
Buffer
“I’ve never found anything as user-friendly as Buffer,” says David Baum, CEO and co-founder at Relato.
This is how we’d like to start describing this social media management tool.
Buffer is a solution that helps you build your audience organically. Aside from making it very easy to craft the perfect content, Buffer also shares it on the right channels.
Plus, it suggests the best hashtags. 😉
Everything is also automated, meaning that Buffer takes care of everything. Publishing, scheduling — you don’t need to bother with that. So, Buffer saves you lots of time and headaches.
And there’s no micromanagement. You can give users permission levels to make it easier to manage everything.
Best for: Freelancers and small businesses.
Key features:
- Planning and publishing content
- Measuring social media performance
- See all comments in one place
Pricing: For those just starting, Buffer is free. For veterans, the Essentials plan costs $6/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Scheduling is extremely easy Multiple platform posting Has a photo editor | Lacks integrations Issues with failed posts |
Mailchimp
You’ll go bananas over this tool! 🐒
It’s every marketer’s favorite marketing tool. Take Matthew Montez of the MBC Group, for example. He highly recommends MailChimp because it’s very startup-friendly and has a free plan.
“It’s great for sending out newsletters and monitoring campaign performance,” he says.
Another satisfied user is Bernardo Castro, Developer and founder of Bybrand.
“They have various templates to get companies started with their marketing campaigns. Recently, they have added a generative AI tool that helps with crafting outreach emails.”
Best for: This solution is great for startups, agencies, and freelancers.
Key features:
- Customer journey builder
- Expertly-designed email templates
- Campaign manager for reviewing performance
Pricing: MailChimp has a free plan. If you’re ready for a long-term commitment, its paid plan starts at $13/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly interface Beginner-friendly A/B testing | Data analysis limitations in social media Limited free plan |
Canva
You want to create cute designs for your social media posts but Adobe is too expensive for your needs.
If that sounds like you, try Canva! It’s a startup-friendly design tool for crafting amazing promotional materials.
What people love about Canva is that it’s not just a tool. As Natalliya from NikoBeadsUA puts it, “it’s an indispensable creative partner that complements and enhances my workflow, helping me translate ideas into stunning visual representations.”
Which sounds very nice. Others, though, love Canva’s user-friendly interface. It eliminates confusion and helps maintain a business identity. Isaac Bullen, Director of Marketing at 3WH does appreciate Canva’s design, saying, “Often, people can navigate and use it without any tutorials.”
Conclusion? Canva is suuuper easy to use.
Best for: It’s a perfect fit for personal use, beginners, and smaller teams.
Key features:
- Social media tool
- Customizable templates
- Transparent images
Pricing: Luckily, Canva is free to use!
For more powerful design tools, subscriptions start at $14.99/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Beginner-friendly Budget-friendly Stock photography usage | Advanced designer features Requires Internet connection |
eClincher
When you’re in a pinch, use eClincher to save the day!
It’s a good social media management tool that startups use to promote their products.
eClincher offers a complete suite of tools, such as listing management and local SEO, to power your marketing efforts.
It has many cool integrations like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. So you can post your wonderful content anywhere you like!
Best for: Startups looking to improve their social media strategy.
Key features:
- Advanced publishing
- Content curation
- Free stock images
Pricing: eClincher has a 14-day free trial.
For the Basic plan, you need to pay $65/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Supports a wide range of platforms Efficient group posting Free stock photo integration | Not visually appealing Occasional bugs and glitches |
***
Last but not least, let’s talk about analytics tools.
Analytics and data visualization tools
Data is a startup’s best friend. Among other things.
But it’s crucial for you to gather all the data in a structured way.
Why? Because you’ll need to analyze it to find ways to improve your services.
Of course, you’ll need a tool to do that for you. 😄
Google Analytics
We return once more to Google. A trusty companion in any startup’s journey in the world of business.
This time, Google helps us with analyzing data. And it does a good job of it.
How can we describe Google Analytics? 🤔 Let’s ask someone.
For example, Maylí Acevedo, Digital Marketing Manager and SEO Specialist at Dharma Corp Store, says, “Google Analytics is a must-have tool for any startup to monitor their online presence and how users are interacting with their website.”
Another great thing about Google Analytics is how it defines and tracks customer data specific to your business. Maylí says, “Using this tool, you get real-time custom reports on your website’s performance.”
As a result, you’ll completely understand your clients across different devices and platforms.
Best for: Small businesses and enterprises.
Key features:
- Built-in automation
- Real-time reporting
- Advertising workspace
Pricing: Google gives you all the tools you need free of charge.
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s free Used universally Simple to set up | Steep learning curve Anonymous data |
Mixpanel
Mixpanel? Sounds like a tool a DJ uses to create music. But you’d be wrong.
Mixpanel is analytics software that’s ideal for startups looking to analyze their data successfully.
Campbell Tourgis, Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer at Wainbee, thinks “its event-tracking features gives us a detailed look at user interactions.”
However, it also empowers Wainbee to make more informed decisions for customer experience and product development.
“The real-time analytics dashboard offers a quick overview of user behavior, while the ability to segment and analyze user groups helps us personalize our strategies effectively,” Campbell adds.
All in all, Mixpanel is a great solution for those looking to dive into analytics and data visualization.
Best for: Product, marketing, and engineering teams.
Key features:
- Campaign segmentation
- Customizable dashboards
- Recurring messages
Pricing: Mixpanel is always free. For faster, deeper analysis, the paid plans start at $20/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great customer service Powerful and clear visuals Highly customizable | Steep learning curve Needs configuration and setup |
Tableau
Our last analytics tool is Tableau, a powerful visual analytics platform that transforms the way startups do data.
With this tool, startups can explore the insights they gather and accelerate decision-making. Plus, it eliminates repetitive tasks that take ages to finish.
Tableau helps your business become more data-driven. It’s easier for any professional to manage data.
And it paves a faster way to discover and share insights that can change the world.
Best for: Analysts and IT professionals.
Key features:
- Ready-to-use dashboards
- Automatically catalogs data
- Key insights summary
Pricing: Tableau has no free option. If you want to buy it, be ready to spend $75/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Beautiful visuals High performance Easy to upgrade | No version control Inflexible pricing |
***
We’ve covered every single important tool a startup needs to get going.
But you know how every live TV game show has a bonus round?
We thought that it’d be a nice idea to host our own. 😉
Bonus: best automation tools
Welcome to the bonus round! 🎉
Here, we’ll show you some automation tools you need to jump-start your business.
When we say ‘automation,’ we’re talking about ways to make your life easier. Like ordering food on an app. It definitely makes our lives easier and more comfortable.
Zapier
Ready to get zapping? It’s what Zapier calls automating tasks. So, if you use this tool, you’ll create a zap.
Funny, huh? But Zapier is more than just a cool tool.
According to Sam Tarantino, CEO of Harmonic Reach, it’s “an excellent automation tool that turns text-based inputs into data by automating tasks and processes.”
Magee Clegg, founder and CEO of Cleartail Marketing, loves the ease with which Zapier “allows integrations of different apps that save startups a significant amount of time and improve efficiency.”
With Zapier, both professionals cut down the manual work, boosted productivity, and improved efficiency.
Best for: Zapier is suitable for any startup.
Key features:
- Chatbot builder
- No-code databases
- Build forms, web pages, and basic apps
Pricing: Zapier is free forever.
The paid subscription starts at $29.99/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lots of integrations Easy to set up Automate repetitive tasks | Price can get steep as you add more features Complex automation requires technical knowledge |
IFTTT
If this, then that. That’s what IFTTT stands for if you’re wondering. But what is it?
Well, it’s a leading connectivity platform. Which means it helps you connect apps, services, and even smart home devices that don’t connect naturally in the first place.
This way, you create automations that simplify your life, such as organizing and tracking every lead. Or generating blogs and social media posts.
Startups can use it to be more productive, in less time. It’s even easier to automate your projects, tasks, alerts, and calendars in a single place.
Best for: Startups, students, and personal use.
Key features:
- QuickBooks integrations
- Pre-built connectors
- Cloud data integration
Pricing: IFTTT is free to use forever. Its Pro plan starts at $1.60/month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Reliable Easy to set up Very simple interface | Not fully customizable Generic email alerts |
Set your startup up for success
Phew. 🥱 That was a long list. But we truly hope you found your next partner in this wonderful journey.
In this case, we have to ask: are you ready?
But wait — before you begin, let’s chat a bit about MarkUp.io
It’s a very handy tool that enables better collaboration. And allows you to have a seamless feedback process.
It’s super easy to use. You sign up, upload any file (PDF, image, video, etc.) and invite users to join the Workspace where they can leave pixel-accurate comments.
It’s worth a shot! Sign up today for a free 30-day trial.
