Productivity Consultant & Writer
1
The Best Tools and Software for Small Teams in 2024
6 min read
Published: Jan 12, 2023
Revised on: Mar 1, 2024
Here’s our curated shortlist and our reasons for liking each company; please click into each company to get more details:
- Calendly
- Saves time by eliminating back-and-forth emails/calls for scheduling meetings. Allows people to easily book appointments by choosing from available time slots.
- Integrates smoothly with popular calendar platforms like Google Calendar and Outlook to sync schedules. Avoids double-booking issues.
- Customizable availability settings allow users to configure different time slots, durations, and parameters for each event type. Provides flexibility.
- Automated notifications and reminders reduce no-shows and keep everyone organized. Helpful feature.
- User-friendly interface makes the platform easy to use for both hosts and invitees. Very intuitive.
- Assembly
- Easy to use and intuitive interface. Many reviews mentioned Assembly is simple, easy to navigate, and user-friendly.
- Good customer support. Reviews mentioned Assembly's support team is responsive in resolving issues.
- Rewards redemption process is smooth. Users liked the gift card and other reward options that can be redeemed with points.
- Integrates well with Slack and Microsoft Teams. The integration makes giving recognition quick and seamless.
- Good for employee recognition and engagement. Reviews highlighted Assembly's peer-to-peer recognition features that help boost employee morale.
- Engross
- Fast delivery times
- Helpful customer service
- Users are happy with the prices/value
- Smooth online ordering online
- Products work well or as expected
- Slack
- Easy to use interface and intuitive navigation. Many reviews mentioned Slack is simple to get started with and user-friendly.
- Facilitates team communication and collaboration. Slack provides channels, threads, and direct messaging for organizing conversations and working together.
- Integration capabilities. Slack seamlessly integrates with many apps like Google Drive, Trello, Zoom etc.
- Customizable notification settings. Users can customize notifications to control interruptions.
- Powerful search function. Slack's search allows quickly finding messages, files, and conversations.
- Google Meet
- Easy to use and intuitive interface
- Reliable video and audio quality
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace
- Features like screen sharing and live captions
- Security measures like encryption
Running a small business can be a rollercoaster experience. Trust me, we know.
On the one hand, it’s a lot of long nights, things constantly breaking, multiple balls in the air, and the ever-present knot of anxiety in your stomach.
On the other hand, it’s the once-in-a-while priceless moments of perfection, those periods where everything works, and you’re satisfied by the impact of your small business.
A perfect summary of the typical small business life cycle would be “a few good days punctuated by a lot of tough days.”
But difficult days shouldn’t be the predominant theme of entrepreneurship. Is there a way to make the work less stressful? A magic wand that washes away the many pains of running a small business?
To answer these and many other questions, let’s turn to technology. Specifically, work apps that make the lives of small businesses better.
These tools are indispensable because they free you to focus on parts of the business you enjoy, which often keeps your business running. In addition, small business software also helps with maintaining control over your business. For example, internal communication tools allow you to stay up to date with everything happening in your team. Additional benefits of these tools include:Increased efficiency: Software can help with task automation and streamlining processes which can free up more time for other important work.Greater flexibility: These tools are accessible across numerous devices and geographic locations. As such, team members can work from their most productive and preferred places.Better communication and collaboration: Various tools, like task management and communication tools, can help teams stay organized regardless of whether the work is done in person or remotely.Enhanced productivity: Adopting business tools designed specifically for small businesses can help get more done quickly.Improved decision-making: Many small business tools come equipped with data, analytical insights, and reports, which can help teams make more grounded and informed decisions. Overall, small business tools and software can empower small businesses with the competitive advantage[s] required to thrive in a fast-paced world. Things to consider before picking a tool for your business:Ease of use, including how easy it is to set up and how intuitive the user experience isThe initial cost and the payment options for the toolFlexibility and how customizable it is to the needs of your businessThe reputation and reliability of the toolAny additional resource or support that comes with the purchase, such as user manuals, and dedicated customer support service The best software tool for running a small business can vary depending on the specific needs and nature of the business. However, there are several popular and widely regarded software tools that are commonly used by small businesses across various industries. Below you will find some of the top software tools for different aspects of managing a small business.Why Are Small Business Tools and Software Necessary?
Are There Other Benefits of Small Business Tools and Software?
What Are Things to Look for in a Small Business Tool?
What Is the Best Software Tool for Running a Small Business?
Employee Productivity Tools for Small Businesses
Productivity tools and software can help teams work smarter instead of harder. These tools assist with reducing procrastination and laziness, which have a significant impact on general team performance. Adopting these tools helps teams gain momentum and improve their productivity levels.
Pricing
$20.00 per user/month
- Free version
- Free trial available
- No Seat Minimum
Calendly helps small businesses schedule meetings without the friction of emails. Calendly users can also create and share calendars with team members and invite them to recurring meetings. With the aid of this software, businesses can provide timely and convenient services to their customers.
Why Small Businesses Should Use Calendly:
- Great flexibility with other work tools
- Unlimited meetings on the free plan
- Centralized meeting and schedule view
Pros
- Saves time by eliminating back-and-forth emails/calls for scheduling meetings. Allows people to easily book appointments by choosing from available time slots.
- Integrates smoothly with popular calendar platforms like Google Calendar and Outlook to sync schedules. Avoids double-booking issues.
- Customizable availability settings allow users to configure different time slots, durations, and parameters for each event type. Provides flexibility.
- Automated notifications and reminders reduce no-shows and keep everyone organized. Helpful feature.
- User-friendly interface makes the platform easy to use for both hosts and invitees. Very intuitive.
Cons
- Limitations in free version like only 1 event type, lack of advanced customizations. May need paid plans.
- Occasional syncing errors between Calendly and calendars can lead to scheduling conflicts. Reliability issues.
- Steep pricing of paid plans for premium features like team scheduling and advanced integrations. Costly for some users.
- Lack of round-the-clock customer support. Inconvenient for users needing immediate assistance.
- Perception that sending Calendly link is impersonal for some prospects. Can be off-putting.
2
Assembly
Pricing
$2.80 per user/month
- Free version
- Free trial available
- Seat Minimum: 1 User
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Assembly’s top priority is making work fun and meaningful while saving you time along the way. They do this by reducing workplace inefficiencies through the aid of automation. For example, Assembly’s employee productivity tools help with task management by breaking it into workflows. A typical productivity workflow looks like this:
Why Small Businesses Should Use Assembly:
Pros
- Easy to use and intuitive interface. Many reviews mentioned Assembly is simple, easy to navigate, and user-friendly.
- Good customer support. Reviews mentioned Assembly's support team is responsive in resolving issues.
- Rewards redemption process is smooth. Users liked the gift card and other reward options that can be redeemed with points.
- Integrates well with Slack and Microsoft Teams. The integration makes giving recognition quick and seamless.
- Good for employee recognition and engagement. Reviews highlighted Assembly's peer-to-peer recognition features that help boost employee morale.
Cons
- Limitations in analytics and reporting features. Some reviews wanted more detailed analytics and user statistics.
- Creating flows and automations can be tricky. Reviews noted workflows and automations are sometimes hard to setup.
- Limited customization options for recognitions. Users wanted more ways to customize recognitions with images/GIFs.
- Lack of mobile apps earlier on. Reviews mentioned lack of mobile apps made it hard to use when not by a computer.
- Confusion due to branding changes. Reviews noted frequent name changes of the reward units was confusing initially.
3
Engross
Pricing
Free- Free version
- No Seat Minimum
The Engross app combines many features and techniques to ensure that users have improved focus and time management. Put together, this help to improve efficiency and task management.
Why Small Businesses Should Use Engross:
B) HR and Recruiting Software for Small Businesses
HR tools can assist small businesses in finding the best fit for their organization by optimizing the talent pool and providing a positive experience for prospective employees. These tools can improve various HR processes, such as recruitment, onboarding, offboarding, and compensation. As a result, small businesses can better manage and develop their workforce effectively.
Pros
- Fast delivery times
- Helpful customer service
- Users are happy with the prices/value
- Smooth online ordering online
- Products work well or as expected
Cons
- Users complained about poor customer service and lack of communication
- Some products arrive damaged, defective, or not as described
- Users had issues getting refunds for returned/canceled orders
- Several users said it was difficult to get through on the phone
- A number of reviews mentioned long delivery times or delays
4
Slack
Pricing
$7.25 per user/month
- Free version
- No Seat Minimum
Slack is one of the most successful products of the last decade. Its users can communicate via text messages, audio and video calls, and share files in private or public chat rooms. In addition, Slack also has excellent task management, surveys, and notification tools.
Why Small Businesses Should Use Slack:
Pros
- Easy to use interface and intuitive navigation. Many reviews mentioned Slack is simple to get started with and user-friendly.
- Facilitates team communication and collaboration. Slack provides channels, threads, and direct messaging for organizing conversations and working together.
- Integration capabilities. Slack seamlessly integrates with many apps like Google Drive, Trello, Zoom etc.
- Customizable notification settings. Users can customize notifications to control interruptions.
- Powerful search function. Slack's search allows quickly finding messages, files, and conversations.
Cons
- Can be distracting with too many notifications and channels. This was a common downside mentioned in reviews.
- Expensive compared to competitors, especially for larger teams. Pricing was seen as a drawback.
- Message history limitations in free version. The free plan only stores 10,000 messages.
- Learning curve. Slack has many features so completely mastering it takes time.
- Privacy concerns and data security risks were also cited as potential issues.
Pricing
$5.40 per user/month
- Free trial available
- No Seat Minimum
Google Meet is a video conferencing tool developed by the technology giant Google. It allows users to schedule and enjoy secure video meetings with added features like video conferencing, screen recording, background filters, etc. One of its selling points is how easy it is to integrate with other meeting solutions and the Google ecosystem.
Why Small Businesses Should Use Google Meet:
Performance Management Apps for Small Businesses
Many businesses rely on employees to complete projects, provide services or products to customers, and achieve organizational goals. As an employer, tracking the performance of employees can help you offer support and guidance to unblock them where necessary. In addition, it can also help you identify areas of learning and improvement for team members.
Pros
- Easy to use and intuitive interface
- Reliable video and audio quality
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace
- Features like screen sharing and live captions
- Security measures like encryption
Cons
- Limitations of free version like recording meetings
- Dependence on stable internet connection
- Occasional glitches and technical difficulties
- Lack of customization options
- Compatibility issues on some devices/browsers
6
15Five
Pricing
$4.00 per user/month
- Free version
- Free trial available
- Seat Minimum: 1 User
15five is a software for creating highly engaged employees, super managers, and effective and efficient organizations.
Why Small Businesses Should Use 15five:
Pros
- Improves communication between employees and managers through weekly check-ins. Allows for timely feedback and discussions.
- Easy to use interface and setup. Intuitive for both employees and managers.
- Provides visibility into team and individual goals and objectives. Allows tracking progress over time.
- Facilitates employee recognition through features like High Fives. Boosts morale.
- Centralizes performance management and reviews. Provides useful records and insights.
Cons
- Can feel repetitive answering the same questions every week. Questions get stale over time.
- Not all employees like documenting work and giving constant feedback. Can feel like micromanaging.
- Pricing can be high for large teams. Expensive for big organizations.
- Lack of advanced custom reporting and analytics features. More metrics would be useful.
- Mobile app capabilities are limited compared to desktop. Missing some features.
Pricing
Contact sales for pricing
Reflektive is an all-encompassing performance management platform with sophisticated analytics and engagement tools. Its features include performance reviews, goal setting, and continuous feedback. Reflektive also has additional tools like the recognition system, surveys, and resources for career development. Reflektive’s mission is to help companies “scale constructive, ongoing conversations that increase employee engagement, productivity, and retention.”
Why Small Businesses Should Use Reflektive:
Small Business Employee Engagement Software
Employee engagement software is any tool that enhances employee satisfaction and engagement within the workplace. These tools gather feedback, track achievements, and record specific employee activities, and this data can help make informed decisions that benefit the organization.
Through employee engagement software, businesses can gain insight into the experiences and needs of their workforce, leading to a more productive work environment.
Pros
- Easy to use and intuitive interface. Many reviews mention how simple and easy Reflektive is to navigate.
- Recognition and feedback features. Reflektive makes it easy to give public, company-wide recognition and feedback to colleagues.
- Performance management functionality. Reflektive provides features to help with goals, check-ins, reviews, and more for streamlined performance management.
- Integrations with tools like Slack, Google, Outlook. Reflektive integrates with commonly used work applications for convenience.
- Reporting and analytics. Reviewers mention useful analytics and reporting capabilities in Reflektive.
Cons
- Can feel like an extra system/process. Some found Reflektive was an extra tool they had to go into vs using their normal workflows.
- Steep learning curve. The administrative side and setting up processes in Reflektive had a difficult learning curve per some reviews.
- Lack of customization in some areas. Reviewers pointed out lack of customization in goal setting and other areas of the platform.
- Occasional bugs. Some mentioned bugs with Outlook integration and slow performance at times.
- User engagement/adoption challenges. Getting consistent employee engagement and adoption of Reflektive was called out as an issue.
8
Leapsome
Pricing
Contact sales for pricing
- Free trial available
- Seat Minimum: 10 Users
Leapsome is an employee engagement tool that allows you to manage business goals, OKRs, employee engagement surveys, 1:1 meetings, and feedback from coworkers all in one place. With Leapsome, businesses can easily track and evaluate the progress and satisfaction of their team, ensuring that everyone is aligned and working towards common goals.
Why Small Businesses Should Use Leapsome:
Pros
- Easy to use interface and intuitive design. Many reviews highlighted the user-friendly nature of Leapsome.
- Useful performance management features like goal setting, feedback, reviews. Reviews mentioned Leapsome helps track goals and get feedback.
- Improved transparency and alignment through OKRs and feedback. Reviews noted increased transparency across teams.
- Time savings compared to manual processes. Some reviews said it reduced time spent on administrative HR tasks.
- Engagement surveys and feedback help improve company culture. Reviews mentioned it helps reinforce company values.
Cons
- Steep learning curve initially. Some reviews said it took time to learn how to use all the features.
- Confusing navigation/UI. A few reviews pointed out it can be hard to find certain features or navigate menus.
- Limited customization options. Some reviews wanted more ability to customize certain features.
- Integration limitations. A couple reviews mentioned limitations integrating with other tools.
- Features not utilized fully. A few reviews noted teams don't use all available features.
Pricing
$2.00 per user/month
- Seat Minimum: 10 Users
Motivistiy’s suite of interconnected software allows businesses to address every aspect of job satisfaction in one comprehensive solution. With this unique tool, managers can simplify work processes, and improve efficiency and productivity, while enhancing employee satisfaction.
Why Small Businesses Should Use Motivosity:
Pros
- Makes it easy and fun to recognize and reward peers and employees. Many reviews mentioned how Motivosity makes it simple to give thanks and praise to coworkers.
- Improves employee morale, culture, and engagement. Multiple reviews highlighted how Motivosity has enhanced company culture, boosted team morale, and improved employee engagement.
- Fosters connections between remote/hybrid teams. Reviews noted how Motivosity helps remote and dispersed teams stay connected.
- Provides visibility into what's happening across the company. Reviews liked being able to see praise and recognition across the organization.
- User-friendly interface. Many reviews complimented Motivosity's clean and easy-to-use interface.
Cons
- Leaderboards can cause unwanted competition. Some reviews felt the leaderboards promoted competition instead of true recognition.
- Money rewards aren't always motivating. A few reviewers felt the money wasn't the real motivator - the recognition was more meaningful.
- Reporting and analytics could be better. Some reviews wanted more robust reporting capabilities.
- Mobile app lacks functionality. The mobile app was called out for missing key desktop features.
- Technical glitches. A couple reviews cited occasional technical issues with the software.
Conclusion
Deciding on the best tool for your business is a highly personal decision. However, a helpful rule of thumb when evaluating options is that more features often equals greater productivity over time. By choosing the right set of tools, you can streamline repetitive tasks and delegate tedious administrative work, freeing more time to focus on growing your business. Keep this in mind as you weigh various features and capabilities of different software options.
