Running a small business is incredibly rewarding – but it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to managing people and day-to-day operations.
Luckily, there are loads of affordable software tools out there that can help you get stuff done faster, stay organised, and make running your business a whole lot less stressful!
The right software can make a big difference in helping you grow and scale your business without breaking the bank.
We’ve pulled together the best affordable tools and systems for small businesses – tried and tested by the team at Stribe – with a focus on cost-effective solutions that will help you stay on top of things while keeping your budget in check.
Before we dive into specific recommendations, it’s essential to understand what makes software ideal for small businesses.
When selecting tools, consider the following factors:
The software should be intuitive and easy to set up. Small businesses typically don’t have the time or resources to spend weeks training staff or dealing with complicated set-up.
You’re likely working with a tight budget, so affordable pricing is key. Look for software with flexible pricing tiers that suit your business needs and budget.
Your business will evolve, and so should your software. Choose systems that can grow with your business, offering additional features and flexibility as needed.
The software should seamlessly integrate with other tools you’re already using. This ensures smooth workflows and prevents the need to juggle multiple platforms.
With these priorities in mind, let’s explore some of the best software for small businesses.
Of course we’re a little bias.
But there’s a reason some of Britain’s best organisations – including the NHS and UK Space Agency – have trusted Stribe.
If you’re looking to improve your team’s engagement and wellbeing, Stribe’s anonymous employee survey platform is one of the best software platforms for small businesses.
By giving employees an easy, anonymous way to share their thoughts, Stribe helps business owners gather feedback quickly, spot issues early and ultimately create happier, healthier workplaces.
Stribe’s pricing depends on the size of your organisation – visit our pricing page.
Charities and not-for-profit organisations receive discounted pricing.
“People are more invested, more engaged, and more proactive in shaping the direction of the business” – David Potter, Ladderstore.
Monday.com is easily one of the most popular software choices for small business project management.
It offers a visual and easy-to-use interface, perfect for businesses that want to streamline tasks, track progress, and collaborate more effectively.
Its drag-and-drop functionality means you don’t need to be tech-savvy at all to get started.
Free plan available. Paid plans start from £80 per month.
“Using monday.com has really helped our execution strategy. It’s enabled us to workflow our projects, identify where we may need additional resources, where there’s an overlap of projects, and it means we don’t have to use spreadsheets anymore, which is fabulous!” – Melanie Green, Country Road Group.
Capsule CRM is an intuitive customer relationship management tool that helps small businesses track interactions, sales, and leads.
It’s simple to use and designed for businesses that want to grow their customer base without complicated systems.
With Capsule, you can keep your customer data organised and accessible – without the high costs of larger CRM systems – making it one of the best software for SME businesses.
Plans start from £14 per user per month.
“Easy to use and navigate; enough information but not overloaded with more than I need. I love the tasks feature and being able to generate lists from the tags associated with our clients.” – Shelly Turner, The Crop Shop LLC.
Slack is one of the best small business software for communication.
It’s ideal for remote teams, or those that need a centralised place to discuss projects and ideas. Slack makes it easy to communicate in real-time, share files, and integrates with other tools you use.
The platform makes it super easy to stay connected and organised without the need for complex communication systems.
Free plan available. Paid plans start from £7 per user per month.
“Collaboration is in our DNA. Whether it’s tackling innovation challenges, implementing new customer facilities or supporting production platforms, Slack helps our teams work together to deliver.” – Steve Bottomley, Ocado Group.
Having the right software tools can make all the difference.
Whether you’re managing projects, keeping employees engaged, or tracking customer relationships, there are plenty of affordable tools for small businesses in the UK to help streamline operations.
From employee engagement tools like Stribe to project management software like Monday.com, there’s something for every small business.
When choosing the best software for small business needs, consider ease of use, affordability, scalability, and integration with other systems.
By investing in the right software, you will save time, reduce costs, and focus on what really matters – growing your business!
About the author
Starting out her early career as a journalist, Jade Madeley is an accomplished content writer with 8+ years’ experience across business, personal finance, SaaS, human resources and employee engagement. Working with Stribe, she crafts insightful content that brings complex HR topics to life and drives meaningful action.
