Below, we break down every pick \u2014 what it does best, standout features, and available pricing details \u2014 from project management to social media marketing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s get started, shall we?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well-made business software can definitely enhance your work and automate certain tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But there’s no point in adopting new apps unless they solve an existing problem in your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, before you go shopping, take a moment to consider what your business truly needs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you’ve pinpointed the problems you’re trying to solve, you can start hunting down the perfect solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While every business has unique challenges, some problems are almost universal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ever had a headache from doing the accounting, or found yourself struggling to keep up with client communications? Yup, we thought so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To help you solve these thorny issues, we curated the list below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply scroll until you see a topic that resonates, and check out our recommended apps!<\/p>\n\n\n\n (In a rush? Skip straight to the end for our toolbox selector!)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Like most small business owners, you probably keep your own accounts. And you probably absolutely hate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following apps should make the process less painful, while also providing an overview of financial health:<\/p>\n\n\n\n QuickBooks is the veteran of this category \u2014 Intuit’s own pricing page touts 28 years of helping small businesses \u2014 but it’s not collecting dust. The cloud version, QuickBooks Online (QBO), runs in your browser and on mobile, so your books follow you everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With multiple plans and the option to add payroll, QBO can flex to fit just about any small business. The starter plan covers your invoices, expenses, and payments, while higher tiers add inventory tracking, deeper reporting, and automated workflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s versatile, reliable, and has everything you need to keep your business finances in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n QuickBooks Online starts at $38 per month for the Simple Start plan, with a 30-day free trial option (as of August 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n FreshBooks is aimed at freelancers<\/a>, consultants, solopreneurs, and small businesses in the early stages of growth. It’s designed with simplicity in mind, and it comes with additional features that are perfect for service-based businesses (like creatives, consultants, agencies, and coaches).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from basic accounting, FreshBooks can help you invoice faster, manage client projects, and stay on budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FreshBooks’ most popular plan, Plus, runs $43 per month (as of August 2026). There’s a 30-day free trial, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Project management \u2014 knowing what needs to get done, who’s responsible, and when it’s due \u2014 gets especially tricky when you have a handful of projects with looming deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping everything on course can feel like juggling 10 balls at once while you’re swinging on the high trapeze. Someone send in the clowns\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some affordable options to minimize the stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asana is a popular project management app designed to help you plan, track, and follow through on that big to-do list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s useful whether you’re managing a team, juggling multiple projects, or just trying to keep your own to-do list in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can break out projects into multiple tasks, assign them to others, and keep everyone on the same page with easy and open comms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Personal plan is free<\/a> for up to two users. The Starter plan is $10.99 per user per month billed annually, or $13.49 billed monthly (as of August 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re more of a visual thinker, Trello may be the way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This app uses a simple, card-based system organized with boards (incl. Kanban) to help you map out your work at a glance. It’s super intuitive; you can just drag, drop, and rearrange tasks as your priorities shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trello’s free plan covers up to 10 collaborators per workspace. The Standard plan is $5 per user per month billed annually, or $6 billed monthly (as of August 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to track the time your team is spending on various tasks? Toggl can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This dedicated time tracking app is really easy to use, and it integrates with 100+ other tools via its browser extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s ideal for freelancers and small consultancies who need to track their billable time and invoice clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toggl Track’s free plan is free forever for a limited number of users. Paid plans start at $9 per license per month for Starter, and the Premium plan comes with a 30-day free trial (as of August 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you’re selling services or products, accepting payments<\/a> shouldn’t feel like solving the mysteries of the universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good payment processing app can make things smooth sailing for both you and your customers. Here are our favorites:<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhich Apps Are Right for Your Small Business?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Apps That Solve Common Small Business Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Best Apps for Reducing Accounting Headaches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. QuickBooks<\/a>: Best Overall Accounting App for Small Businesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Features:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/01_quickbooks_expense_tracking.webp\"){kind=tracking}
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nQuickBooks pricing:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. FreshBooks<\/a>: Lightweight Alternative With Time-Tracking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Features:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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![\"FreshBooks](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/02_freshbooks_time_tracking.webp\"){kind=tracking}
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFreshBooks pricing:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Best Apps for Managing Multiple Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Asana<\/a>: Best Multi-Purpose Project Manager<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Features:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Asana\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/03_asana_list_view.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAsana pricing:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Trello<\/a>: Flexible, Visual Project Management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Features:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Trello](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/04_trello_kanban_board.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTrello pricing:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Toggl<\/a>: Time Tracking for Small Teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Features:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Toggl](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/05_toggl_reports_summary.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nToggl pricing:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Best Apps for Managing Customer Payments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n