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32 Best Free Apps for Small Business Owners

Are you looking for free apps for your small business? If yes, you have landed at the right place. Here, we list the best free apps for small businesses across various categories.

Apps play a vital role in small businesses as an owner needs a lot of work of his own in the present day. These will help you streamline operations, enhance productivity, and improve customer experiencesThere are hundreds of productivity apps out there that can help you in running a day to day business operations. From project management and accounting to communication and marketing, there are plenty of free apps available that can significantly benefit small businesses.

Here we list the most popular free apps most successful business owners use for conducting their daily operations at ease.

List of 32 Free Apps for Small Businesses

1. Microsoft 365

It is without saying, the Microsoft software app is the best office software available at present. It was earlier popularly known as Microsoft Office 365. This must-have office software includes popular apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Other popular apps you will find in this bundle are Microsoft Teams, One Drive, and Outlook. Furthermore, it provides highly secured cloud storage for users.

Though there are other office apps in the market, none can match the wide-ranging features and ease of use of this software. All pricing plans are subscription-based. You can pay either monthly or annually.

2. Google Drive

Google Drive is the most popular cloud storage and file-sharing free app. It enables you to store, access, and collaborate on files from any device, ensuring seamless data management.

3. Evernote

Evernote helps you in organizing and managing your daily business operations. You can create notes and to-do lists, save voice memos, save photos, and scan documents, and sketches. You can share it all with co-workers and friends.

Read: Best Money-Making Apps

4. Trello

Trello is a versatile project management app. It helps you organize and track tasks, collaborate with team members, and manage projects efficiently.

5. Google Analytics

Google Analytics is arguably the most popular web analytics app. This free app provides insights into website traffic, user behavior, and conversions, helping you optimize your online presence.

6. Shopify

Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform app. This free app allows you to create an online store, manage products, process payments, and track sales.

Read: Best Online Store Builders for Small Businesses

7. Slack

Slack is a communication platform. It allows teams to collaborate, share files, and communicate in real-time. These free app enhances productivity and streamlines internal communication.

8. Skype

Skype is still the king of video conferencing. Whether you’re speaking with telecommuting colleagues or overseas business partners, Skype is a great tool to help everyone feel attached to each other in the company.

Read: Best Free & Paid Webinar Software

9. Dropbox

Dropbox is very popular among mobile app consumers. It has also provided countless benefits to business owners through its file-sharing software.

10. Genius Scan

Genius Scan free app works as a scanner on your smartphone. It can scan receipts and documents on the go and export them to PDF files.

11. Square

The Square payment app uses a small, portable credit card and debit card reader. It helps in making transactions fast and easy. Square is great for mobile businesses.

12. PayPal

PayPal is a free online payment app. As a small business owner, you will be able to send and receive payments securely, manage invoices, and track transactions.

13. Wix

Wix is a free website builder app. It makes website creation easy with simple drag-and-drop tools. You can publish your new website quickly and easily, right from your tablet.

14. Makr

The Makr app makes designing and printing custom creations easy and simple. You can build your brand with Makr, customize your logo, then print paper goods for your business. You can create business cards, stickers, labels, postcards, stationery, etc.

15. Canva

Canva is an Australian graphic design and photo editing app. This free app allows anyone to create beautiful designs, choosing from more than a million layouts, stock photographs, and illustrations. You can do all these with simple drag-and-drop tools.

16. Insightly

Insightly is a relationship manager app. This app has a lot of project-management features. You can call it a one-stop shop for some small businesses.

17. Basecamp

Basecamp is the most well-known project-management app. The interface is streamlined and intuitive. It helps in inviting collaborators, chatting about projects, attaching files, creating checklists, and tracking progress is easy.

18. Invoice2Go

Invoice2Go makes it easy for small businesses to create professional invoices and quotes. It works with 3D Touch on iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus to allow you to create invoices faster. You can also send invoices straight from your Apple Watch after getting in and out of a job.

19. Asana

Asana is a powerful task management app. It helps you create and assign tasks, set deadlines, track progress, and collaborate with team members.

20. Mailchimp

Mailchimp is an email marketing app. It enables you to design and send professional newsletters, automate email campaigns, and track performance.

21. Wave Accounting App

Wave is a free accounting app. It simplifies bookkeeping, invoicing, and expense tracking, helping you manage your finances efficiently.

22. Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a social media management app. This free app lets you schedule and publish posts on multiple platforms, monitor social media mentions, and analyze performance.

23. WhatsApp Business

Whatsapp is a messaging app designed for small businesses. It helps you to connect with customers, send updates, and provide customer support through text, voice, and video messages.

24. Buffer

Buffer is a social media scheduling app that allows you to plan and publish content across multiple social media platforms. It will help you in saving time and maintaining consistency.

25. Zoom

Zoom is a video conferencing app. This free app enables virtual meetings, webinars, and screen sharing, facilitating remote collaboration and communication.

Read: Best Free & Paid Webinar Software

26. Toggl

Toggl is a free-time tracking app. It helps you monitor how you spend your time, track billable hours, and analyze productivity to optimize efficiency.

27. Deputy

The Deputy staff management app lets you communicate with your team. It swaps shifts with your colleagues and lets managers schedule staff, approve a timesheet, and find replacements, directly from your smartphone.

Read: Best Virtual Phone Systems

28. LinkedIn

Linkedin is a professional networking app. This free app helps business owners to connect with industry professionals, build business relationships, and expand their professional network.

29. WordPress

WordPress content management app is the most content management system presently. This free app lets you create and manage a website or blog, publish content, and customize the design with ease.

30. HubSpot CRM

Hubspot CRM is a customer relationship management app. This free app helps small business owners to track leads, manage customer interactions, and streamline their sales process.

31. Adobe Scan

Adobe San is a document-scanning app. It turns your smartphone into a portable scanner, allowing you to digitize and organize important documents.

32. Google Ads

Google Ads is an advertising app. This free app lets you increase and manage online advertising campaigns target specific audiences, and track campaign performance.

The suitability of these free apps will largely depend on the nature of your business and your own preferences. Meanwhile, download these free apps and choose your best ones. 

FAQs

Are these apps truly free?

Yes, all of the apps on the list have free versions with limited functionality. However, some may charge a fee for premium plans or additional features.

Can these apps be used on multiple devices?

The majority of these programs are designed to work on a variety of platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop PCs. You may use them on many platforms and sync your info.

How do I determine which apps are suitable for my business?

You are advised to consider your company’s specific needs and expectations. Examine the features and functionalities provided by each app and select those that correspond with your company’s goals and processes.

Can I upgrade to a paid version for more advanced features?

Yes, many of these apps offer premium plans or advanced features for a fee. If you require additional functionalities or enhanced support, you can explore their paid options.

Are these apps secure and reliable?

The apps on this list are well-known and extensively used, ensuring a certain level of security and dependability. However, fundamental cybersecurity practices and investigation into the app’s privacy rules are required.

Can I integrate these apps with other tools or platforms?

Some of these apps offer integrations with popular tools and platforms, allowing you to streamline your workflow and enhance productivity. It is important to check the app’s documentation or website for information on available integrations.

Are there any limitations to the free versions of these apps?

It is needless to say, free versions may have limitations on features, user accounts, storage, or usage. You need to evaluate your business needs and determine if the free version provides sufficient functionality or if you need to upgrade to a paid plan.

Can I access customer support or assistance for these apps?

Many apps offer customer support through various channels like email, chat, or knowledge bases. It is advised to check the app’s website or support documentation for information on available support options.

Are these apps suitable for all types of businesses?

The apps mentioned cater to a wide range of business needs and industries. However, it is advisable to assess your specific requirements and choose apps that align with your industry and business goals.

How often do these apps update their features?

App updates vary depending on the developers’ release cycles. However, most apps strive to regularly update their features and address user feedback to enhance the user experience and meet evolving business needs.