The Ultimate List: 30 Best Tools for Startup Success

Startups and entrepreneurs must stay lean and efficient… and that means adopting the right tools.
What constitutes the “right” tools will vary by organization, but any startup will always need a collection of solutions regardless of its actual business. Sales enablement, collaboration, finance, HR… and SaaS software in these categories are always necessary.
Here, we’re listing the top 30 software tools for startups. We’ll cover a variety of providers and their unique offers so that you can make the best decision for your business.
Best Sales & Lead Generation Tools for Startups
1. Artisan

With Artisan, you get an all-in-one solution that combines data mining, contact enrichment, and automated outreach into a single platform. Our AI SDR, Ava, offers intelligent, personalized messaging, handles lead research, and even manages your outbound sales efforts so your sales team can focus on what’s really important.
Why is it good for startups? Artisan’s automation and end-to-end pipeline management is a powerful tool for companies that need support for an upcoming sales department. Our AI SDR streamlines over three-quarters of sales tasks and comes complete with a robust B2B database.
Key Features
A massive B2B contact database with 350M+ contacts, giving startups ample leads to work with and comprehensive targeting options.
Ava, the AI SDR, handles everything from initial prospect research to personalized outreach and follow-up sequences, automating up to 80% of routine sales tasks.
Data Miner enriches existing contact data with real-time demographic, firmographic, and technographic data to support targeted and efficient outreach strategies.
Personalization Waterfall lets Ava tailor each email with real-time engagement data, which boosts open rates and lead engagement.
Pricing: Artisan offers customized pricing based on your needs and scale. Contact our team for a tailored quote.
It’s time to make AI work for your sales team. See how it’s done. Hire Ava today.
2. Apollo.io

Apollo.io is a powerful sales intelligence and engagement platform designed for startups looking to maximize prospecting and automate outreach across email, phone, and LinkedIn. With its vast B2B contact database and AI-driven features, Apollo.io enables users to create highly targeted lists, automate personalized email sequences, and gain actionable insights through robust analytics.
Why is it good for startups? Apollo.io empowers startups to automate outreach across multiple channels. It boasts seamless integration and excellent support service for startups using several different tools.
Key Features
An AI-powered outreach sequence builder that supports emails, phone calls, and LinkedIn messaging to expand your reach across channels.
Scores and Signals, an intelligent feature that identifies warm leads by tracking prospect behavior on your site and other engagement channels.
CRM integrations for a seamless data flow, making it easy to sync Apollo with major CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot.
Pricing: Plans start at $20/user/month at the Digital Tier, $30 for the Core Tier, $40 for the Engage Tier, and $60 for the Power Suite.
3. LinkedIn Sales Navigator

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is an essential tool for startups focusing on B2B sales. Leveraging LinkedIn’s extensive professional network, Sales Navigator helps startups find, connect with, and build relationships with targeted leads. It offers advanced search options, insights on leads, and integrations with CRM platforms, making it a valuable tool for account-based marketing and lead generation.
Why is it good for startups? For startups that operate on LinkedIn, Sales Navigator seems like an ideal tool for paid and organic advertising using first-party data access.
Key Features
InMail messaging lets you directly contact leads on LinkedIn, which can increase response rates since it bypasses email inboxes.
Account IQ to provide insights into the prospects’ company, industry changes, and other factors that can help personalize your pitch.
Seamless CRM syncing with Salesforce and other CRM platforms making it easy to maintain data consistency and access LinkedIn insights directly in your CRM.
Pricing: Sales Navigator pricing is customized based on the number of users and features. Contact LinkedIn’s sales team for a quote.
Your business needs a comprehensive sales pipeline. Your sales pipeline needs a comprehensive AI assistant. Hire Ava today.
Best Project Management Tools for Startups
1. Asana

Asana is a project management tool designed to help teams stay organized and on track. Built with a clean, user-friendly interface, Asana enables startups to manage tasks, projects, and workflows visually, making collaboration more accessible. With task dependencies, project timelines, and goal tracking, Asana is perfect for startups that must align team objectives with actionable tasks.
Why is it good for startups? Asana is a well-known productivity tool and as such can serve as the heart of a startup’s complex operations.
Key Features
A timeline view that lets you map out projects visually and manage dependencies, ensuring teams can identify bottlenecks and adjust plans accordingly.
Customizable workflows and project templates help teams standardize processes, reducing time spent on setup for repetitive projects.
Integrations with popular tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Zoom ensure that teams can seamlessly communicate and manage projects without switching platforms.
Built-in reporting features provide visual insights into task completion, workload balance, and project progress, making it easy for managers to assess team performance.
Pricing: Asana offers a free plan with essential features, while premium plans, which add advanced capabilities, start at $10.99 per user/month.
2. ClickUp

ClickUp is a versatile project management tool known for its highly customizable workflows and adaptable interface. It offers everything from task and time management to document collaboration and reporting, making it suitable for startups that need a powerful tool to support rapid growth.
Why is it good for startups? Startups will benefit from Click-Up’s customizable workflows and real-time reporting, and it has affordable pricing tiers that don’t sacrifice on functionality.
Key Features
Customized dashboards enable teams to view projects in formats tailored to their workflow, such as Gantt charts, Kanban boards, or calendar views.
Real-time reporting offers insights into team productivity and project timelines, which are critical for adjusting strategies and improving efficiency.
Workflow automation streamlines repetitive tasks and allows teams to focus on high-impact work, improving productivity.
Pricing: ClickUp offers free and paid plans starting at $7 and $12 per user/month. The paid plans offer additional customization and advanced features.
3. Trello

Trello is a popular tool with an intuitive Kanban board interface. Ideal for startups that need a simple yet effective way to track tasks, Trello’s boards, lists, and card structure enable teams to organize projects visually and manage task assignments collaboratively.
Why is it good for startups? Trello is one of the original Kanban platforms, and it offers plenty of visual options to help those who rely on the visual organization of tasks and workflows.
Key Features
A drag-and-drop interface makes task management straightforward. Users can move tasks between columns to changes in status or priority.
Power-Ups (add-ons) allow integration with tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Jira, extending its functionality to provide a complete workflow solution.
Labels, due dates, and checklists within each card ensure that each task has a clear description and tracking method.
Collaborative features include assigning tasks, leaving comments, and sharing files, making coordinating with remote team members easy.
Pricing: Trello offers a free version with basic features; paid plans include tiers at $5, $10, and $17.50 per user/month.
4. Monday.com

Monday.com is a project management platform with a highly customizable interface. It enables startups to visualize projects in various formats, such as timelines, charts, and Kanban boards. Its flexibility and robust integration options make it an excellent tool for managing complex projects across departments.
Why is it good for startups? Monday.com is a versatile project management tool that hosts an entire marketplace of apps to help startups navigate complex and cross-organization boards and workflows. It also boasts affordable pricing tiers that grow as a company does.
Key Features
Multiple project views, including Gantt, calendar, and workload views, allow teams to manage complex projects from different perspectives and adapt to the needs of specific departments.
Customizable dashboards and automation options reduce time spent on repetitive tasks and ensure that teams can focus on strategic initiatives.
Integration with over 40 apps, such as Zoom, Slack, and Google Workspace, enables teams to work within a single platform.
Pricing: Monday.com's plans start at $9/user/month and expand to $12 and $19 per user/month.
Best Communication Tools for Startups
1. Slack

Slack is a team communication platform that has transformed how businesses communicate internally. Known for its channel-based messaging, Slack offers an organized structure for managing conversations by team, project, or topic, which helps to minimize email use and streamline communication.
Why is it good for startups? Slack is a foundational communication tool for any company, and its channel-based messaging helps your team remain focused without a lot of costly overhead. Its deep integration with most enterprise platforms also makes it easy to implement in any software stack.
Key Features
Channel-based messaging allows teams to create dedicated spaces for projects, departments, or topics, keeping conversations organized and reducing message overload.
Direct messaging and video call capabilities facilitate one-on-one conversations and quick check-ins without the need for external tools.
Integrations with popular tools like Zoom, Google Drive, and Trello, consolidating work-related notifications in one place.
Pricing: Slack’s Pro plan starts at $17.50 per user/month, the Business+ plan starts at $22.50 per user/month, and Enterprise is a quote-only pricing tier.
2. Zoom

Zoom is a top-tier video conferencing solution that offers high-definition video, audio, and screen-sharing features. For startups, Zoom provides the flexibility to host everything from small team meetings to large webinars, making remote collaboration and client calls essential. With its intuitive interface and stability, Zoom helps teams stay connected regardless of location.
Why is it good for startups? Zoom is one of the most well-known video conferencing tools, and their high-def video, screen sharing capabilities, and breakout group features make it perfect for meetings large and small.
Key Features
High-definition video and audio capabilities, making communication clearer and more engaging for all participants.
Screen sharing and annotation features allow users to collaborate in real-time, adding interactive elements to presentations ideal for training sessions and team collaboration.
The breakout room feature allows hosts to divide meetings into smaller sessions, which works well for workshops, focused discussions, and collaborative group activities within a larger event.
Built-in recording and transcription allow users to capture meetings to save and revisit later.
Pricing: One-on-one meetings and limited group calls are free; paid plans start at $13.32/user/month for the Pro tier with unlimited group meetings, and the Business tier starting at $18.32 for large group meetings.
3. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is an all-encompassing communication and collaboration platform that integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft 365 suite. Designed to support remote and hybrid work environments, Teams combines chat, video calls, file sharing, and collaborative tools, making it ideal for startups using Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Why is it good for startups? Microsoft Teams’ seamless integration with the Office 365 suite makes it a top choice for startups already using Microsoft tools. Its video conferencing and document collaboration features support efficient remote work.
Key Features
User-created channels based on specific projects or teams, keeping conversations organized and minimizing the reliance on emails for communication.
Integration with OneDrive and SharePoint, making it easy to share, edit, and collaborate on real-time documents within the platform, enhancing teamwork and streamlining file management.
With built-in video and audio calling features, Teams supports everything from quick check-ins to formal meetings. Meetings can be easily scheduled directly from the Teams calendar.
Pricing: Free version is available with limited features; paid plans are included with Microsoft Office 365 subscriptions.
4. Nextiva

Nextiva is a business communication platform that unifies voice, video, and messaging in a single solution. Focusing on VoIP services, advanced call analytics, and customer engagement, Nextiva is especially valuable for startups with customer-facing teams or call centers. Its tools help streamline customer support and optimize team communication.
Why is it good for startups? While video conferencing and email are solid sales and customer service channels, phones are still relevant. Nextiva makes it that much easier for startups to integrate calls with video, email, and transcription services.
Key Features
Combines voice, video, messaging, and fax services into a unified interface, helping teams connect seamlessly across multiple communication channels.
The virtual assistant feature and AI-driven call routing ensure calls are directed efficiently and connect customers with the right team members based on pre-set criteria.
Pricing: Plans start at $20/user/month at the Digital Tier, $30 for the Core Tier, $40 for the Engage Tier, and $60 for the Power Suite.
Best Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools
1. HubSpot

HubSpot CRM is a robust, free-to-start CRM platform that provides all the core features startups need to manage customer relationships, track leads, and automate marketing and sales tasks. Known for its intuitive interface and scalability, HubSpot offers advanced sales and marketing automation tools as startups grow, making it one of the best choices for small teams aiming for long-term growth.
Why is it good for startups? HubSpot’s free CRM is perfect for startups looking to manage customer relationships without breaking the bank. Its scalability ensures that startups can unlock advanced features as they grow.
Key Features
Contact and lead tracking tools make managing and monitoring all interactions with contacts easy.
Robust sales and marketing automation enables users to streamline email marketing, lead nurturing, and sales workflows.
Detailed reporting and analytics cover everything from sales activity to website engagement, empowering teams to make informed, data-driven decisions to improve performance.
Pricing: Free CRM with core features; paid plans start at $50/month, but the marketing hub plans jump up to $800/month for three users.
2. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is a highly customizable customer relationship management tool that supports a range of business sizes. Known for its user-friendly interface, it provides startups with startup tools to manage leads, automate workflows, and close deals faster. With built-in AI and customizable dashboards, it’s an ideal option for startups seeking a flexible, scalable CRM solution.
Why is it good for startups? Zoho is an affordable platform for startups looking to centralize insights, email, and CRM into a single sales solution.
Key Features
Zia, Zoho’s AI-powered sales assistant, supports teams by providing lead scoring, sales predictions, and automated workflows. It gives startups insights into valuable sales opportunities.
Integration with social media, email, and phone, ensuring a seamless flow of customer information and consistent interactions across channels.
A visual sales pipeline makes tracking leads from prospecting to closing easy. It provides clear indicators of each stage to help teams prioritize and manage the sales process.
Pricing: Starts at $14/user/month and then incrementally upgrades to $23 (Professional Tier), $40 (Enterprise Tier), and $52 (Ultimate Tier) with an expanding list of included features.
3. Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM emphasizing simplicity and efficiency, making it a favorite among startups with a strong sales orientation. With its intuitive visual pipeline, Pipedrive enables sales teams to organize leads, track progress, and automate follow-up activities effectively. Its focus on actionable insights and automation helps startups accelerate their sales process without overloading on complex features.
Why is it good for startups? Pipedrive’s visual sales pipeline makes it easy for startups to track leads and prioritize follow-ups. Its focus on actionable insights helps startups improve their sales.
Key Features
A visual sales pipeline offers an intuitive view of each lead's position in the sales process.
Built-in email tracking and automation allow users to monitor email opens, clicks, and replies and set up automated follow-ups to improve engagement and streamline outreach efforts.
Customizable pipeline stages and fields allow startups to adapt Pipedrive to fit their specific sales processes, ensuring the CRM aligns with their unique workflows.
Pricing: Pipedrive plans start at Pricing: Pipedrive plans start at $14/user/month, with more advanced options available for larger teams at the Advanced Tier ($34), Professional Tier ($49), and Power Tier ($64)., with more advanced options available for larger teams at the Advanced Tier ($34), Professional Tier ($49), and Power Tier ($64).
Best Marketing Tools for Startups
1. Mailchimp

Mailchimp is a powerful email marketing platform that enables startups to easily create, manage, and optimize email marketing campaigns. It has grown beyond just email and expanded into a full-fledged marketing suite, offering tools for automation, audience segmentation, and even website creation. Its intuitive interface and scalable pricing make it an excellent choice for startups that want to build their audience and engage customers through email.
Why is it good for startups? Mailchimp’s easy-to-use interface and scalable pricing make it a go-to email marketing tool. It also contains basically anything that an email campaign would need, including ready-made templates, analytics, and simple ways to embed subscription CTAs in webpages and forms.
Key Features
Customizable email templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop editor facilitates the creation of visually appealing emails, with no coding required.
Automated workflows let startups set up triggered emails based on user actions, like sign-ups or purchases, nurturing customer relationships and boosting engagement.
Audience segmentation allows targeting based on location, behavior, or engagement, enabling more personalized and effective email campaigns.
Detailed analytics offer insights into campaign performance, tracking open rates, clicks, and conversions to help optimize email marketing strategies.
Integrations with popular platforms like Shopify, WordPress, and Salesforce connect Mailchimp to broader marketing and sales efforts seamlessly.
Pricing: Mailchimp offers a free plan with limited features; paid plans are metered based on contact volume.
2. Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a social media management platform that allows startups to schedule, monitor, and analyze their social media posts across multiple platforms. Known for its comprehensive dashboard and powerful analytics, Hootsuite enables startups to engage with their audience effectively while tracking the performance of their social media strategy. This makes it ideal for startups seeking to establish a strong online presence without needing multiple tools.
Why is it good for startups? Startups looking to build a strong online presence will benefit from Hootsuite’s social media scheduling and real-time engagement monitoring. Its analytics tools help refine strategies based on performance data.
Key Features
Social media scheduling allows you to plan posts across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, keeping your content calendar consistent.
Real-time engagement monitoring on a centralized dashboard helps users track customer interactions, respond to comments, and manage customer messages, ensuring prompt responses across channels.
Content discovery tools make finding trending topics and relevant articles easy, boosting audience engagement and keeping your brand aligned with current interests.
Team collaboration features enable multiple users to work on social campaigns together, which is ideal for startups with several team members managing social media efforts.
Pricing: Hootsuite offers a limited free plan; paid plans start at $99/user/month and jump to $249 for a team plan.
3. Google Analytics

Google Analytics is essential for startups looking to understand their website traffic and user behavior. By tracking metrics such as page views, bounce rates, and user demographics, Google Analytics provides insights to help startups optimize their websites and marketing efforts. It’s a powerful, free tool that allows startups to make informed decisions and improve their customer experience.
Why is it good for startups? Analytics provides startups with crucial insights from Google first-party data–a critical tool for startups invested in website performance, traffic, and optimization.
Key Features
Live visitor tracking shows who’s on your site in real-time, where they came from, and their on-page behavior, helping you identify popular content and improve user flow.
Audience segmentation based on location, device type, and user behavior enables a more personalized website experience and targeted marketing.
Traffic source analysis provides insights into how users find your website—through search, social media, or direct visits—helping refine your marketing strategy with data-backed insights.
Integration with Google Ads allows startups running paid campaigns to track performance and ROI, linking ad data seamlessly with website analytics.
Pricing: The standard version is free, but Google Analytics 360 offers premium features for enterprise users with custom pricing.
4. Ahrefs

Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO tool designed to help startups improve their website’s search engine ranking and increase organic traffic. From keyword research to backlink analysis, Ahrefs provides actionable insights into a site’s SEO health, making it an invaluable tool for startups that rely on online visibility to attract customers. Ahrefs’ in-depth tools allow startups to refine their content strategies and compete in search.
Why is it good for startups? Ahrefs is an important, if not a necessary, tool for effective SEO research… one that startups invested in organic traffic should not pass up.
Key Features
Extensive keyword research tools help users discover industry-relevant keywords, check search volume, and analyze competition, making choosing the best terms for content creation easier.
The site audit tool pinpoints technical SEO issues like broken links, missing meta tags, and slow load times, providing actionable recommendations for website improvements.
Backlink analysis allows users to monitor their backlink profile, identify high-quality links, and evaluate competitor backlinks, revealing new link-building opportunities.
Content Explorer finds high-performing articles and topics across niches, helping startups create content that resonates with their audience and attracts valuable backlinks.
Rank tracking with alerts keeps startups updated on keyword ranking changes, supporting ongoing SEO adjustments for better performance.
Pricing: Plans start at $129/month, with higher tiers offering additional features for advanced SEO needs and larger teams.
Best Design Tools for Startups
1. Canva

Canva is a user-friendly graphic design platform that enables startups to create professional-looking graphics for social media, presentations, marketing materials, and more. Known for its drag-and-drop interface and vast library of templates, Canva is ideal for startups that need high-quality designs quickly without hiring a professional designer. With options to collaborate and share designs, Canva is versatile and accessible for teams of any size.
Why is it good for startups? Startups who need affordable graphic design, powered by AI and focused on quick-release assets, will probably not need to look further than Canva.
Key Features
An intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes creating visually appealing graphics easy for users without design experience.
A vast template library provides thousands of ready-made options for social media posts, flyers, presentations, and more, saving time and sparking design inspiration.
Real-time collaboration tools let team members leave comments and suggestions on designs, perfect for remote teams or collaborative projects.
Brand kit customization allows users to upload brand colors, fonts, and logos, ensuring a consistent look across all designs, which is ideal for building a cohesive brand identity.
Pricing: Canva offers a free version with basic features; the Pro plan starts at $15/month and offers more templates, storage, and advanced tools. There’s also a cost-effective Team plan that starts at $10 per user/month with a minimum of three seats.
2. Figma

Figma is a design and prototyping tool widely used for product and UX/UI design. It’s known for its real-time collaboration features, which allow teams to work on designs simultaneously, making it an ideal choice for startups in the digital product space. Figma’s web-based platform simplifies the design process, providing teams with tools to create, test, and refine interfaces quickly and collaboratively.
Why is it good for startups? Figma’s real-time collaboration and prototyping features make it ideal for startups working on digital product designs. Its web-based platform ensures accessibility and efficiency.
Key Features
Prototyping tools allow designers to create interactive prototypes that mimic real app or website experiences, making it easier to visualize and test user journeys.
A component library and design systems features let users create reusable elements, ensuring project consistency and reducing time spent on repetitive design work.
Developer handoff tools give developers direct access to CSS code, design specs, and assets, streamlining the transition from design to development.
Various plugins and integrations, such as image importers, color pickers, and animation tools, allow teams to customize Figma to meet their specific design needs.
Pricing: Figma offers a free plan with essential features; the Professional plan starts at $15/user/month and adds collaboration tools and storage.
3. Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud is a comprehensive suite of industry-leading design software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. While it requires a steeper learning curve than platforms like Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud is ideal for startups that need advanced design capabilities and tools for various creative tasks. Adobe's tools enable high-quality, professional-grade work, from photo editing to vector graphics and page layouts.
Why is it good for startups? Adobe is great for startups that need more advanced graphical tools, especially those that can integrate into a larger art and design stack.
Key Features
Access to over 20 industry-leading creative apps, including Photoshop for image editing, Illustrator for vector graphics, and InDesign for layout design, covering nearly every design need.
Cloud storage and file sharing enable teams to save, access, and collaborate on files from any location, supporting seamless remote work on large projects.
Access to Adobe Fonts and stock assets offers a vast library of fonts and creative resources, giving designers plenty of inspiration and content management options.
Mobile and desktop app synchronization lets users switch between devices on certain apps, like Photoshop and Lightroom, for flexible, on-the-go editing and creativity.
Pricing: Plans for individual apps start at $20.99/month, with several app bundles offered depending on their use.
Best HR Tools for Startups
1. BambooHR

BambooHR is a human resources software solution designed to help startups manage employee data, streamline onboarding, and improve HR efficiency. Known for its user-friendly interface and customizable workflows, BambooHR centralizes essential HR functions, making it easier for startups to stay organized and ensure compliance with HR requirements. With BambooHR, startups can handle everything from time tracking to performance management in a single platform, making it particularly valuable as teams grow.
Why is it good for startups? Bamboo is, above all, user-friendly and easy to pick up. Startups that need a solid solution that they can customize will want to look at BambooHR.
Key Features
The employee self-service portal allows employees to access and update personal information, request time off, and view benefits, reducing HR’s administrative load and enhancing transparency.
Standardized onboarding and offboarding workflows support seamless new hire integration, covering document signing, orientation schedules, and task assignments.
Built-in time-off management and tracking let employees request leave, monitor PTO balances, and view holiday schedules, streamlining HR’s handling of leave requests.
Performance management tools facilitate goal setting, performance reviews, and feedback, helping startups support employee development and align individual goals with company objectives.
Customizable reporting and analytics deliver insights into employee metrics, such as turnover, headcount, and time-off usage, providing HR with valuable data to inform decisions.
Pricing: BambooHR offers a quote-based pricing model tailored to company size and needs. Contact their sales team for more details.
2. Gusto

Gusto is an HR and payroll platform simplifying startup payroll, benefits, and compliance. It’s known for its intuitive, all-in-one solution that automates payroll and tax filings, helping startups manage employee compensation accurately and efficiently. With Gusto, startups can offer benefits packages, track time, and even provide financial wellness resources to employees, making it an ideal choice for growing teams.
Why is it good for startups? Gusto is great for startups that want to take full advantage of advanced automation around HR tasks in payroll, training, onboarding, and more.
Key Features:
Automated payroll processing handles calculations, tax deductions, direct deposits, and tax filings, reducing errors and saving HR valuable time.
Built-in time tracking and PTO management allow employees to clock in/out, request time off, and organize schedules, ensuring compliance and streamlined operations.
Hiring and onboarding tools, including offer letter templates, digital document signing, and new hire checklists, make onboarding new employees easy and consistent.
Financial wellness tools provide resources like cash-out options, savings accounts, and budgeting guidance, supporting employees in managing their finances effectively.
Pricing: Gusto offers a Simple plan at $40/month plus $6 per additional employee, with higher-tier plans providing advanced benefits management and compliance support.
3. Zoho People

Zoho People is a flexible HR management system that supports startups with employee onboarding, attendance tracking, and performance appraisals. Part of the Zoho suite, Zoho People integrates seamlessly with other Zoho products, making it especially beneficial for startups already using Zoho tools for CRM, finance, or project management. Zoho People is designed to simplify HR operations and maintain compliance while fostering employee engagement.
Why is it good for startups? Startups already using the Zoho suite will likely get quite a bit out of the features of Zoho People and the Zoho platform at large.
Key Features
An employee database and self-service portal allow employees to access and update information, view policies, and manage documents in one place, reducing HR’s workload.
Attendance and time tracking features support remote and on-site clock-ins, timesheets, and automatic leave calculations, ensuring accurate payroll management.
Performance review modules include 360-degree feedback, goal setting, and periodic reviews, which foster continuous development and boost employee engagement.
Workflow automation handles repetitive HR tasks like leave approvals, document requests, and task assignments, improving efficiency and consistency.
Pricing: Zoho People plans to start at $1.25/user/month, with minimal incremental upgrades of $2, $3, $4.50, and $9 per user.
Best Finance and Accounting Tools for Startups
1. QuickBooks

QuickBooks by Intuit is a leading accounting software solutions for small businesses and startups. With its comprehensive financial management tools, QuickBooks allows startups to handle everything from invoicing to expense tracking and tax preparation. Known for its ease of use, QuickBooks is an excellent choice for startups needing reliable accounting tools that can scale as the business grows.
Why is it good for startups? Quickbooks is a mainstay in managing payroll, and its easy web interface allows startups to run lean payroll operations that don’t take resources from the company, but don’t sacrifice quality HR service either.
Key Features
Invoicing and payment processing allow startups to create and send custom invoices, accept online payments, and track unpaid invoices, improving cash flow and streamlining billing.
Expense tracking and receipt management features connect bank accounts, categorize transactions, and upload receipts, making monitoring and controlling spending easy.
Tax preparation tools help track tax-deductible expenses, generate tax reports, and prepare for tax season, ensuring startups stay organized and compliant.
Financial reporting and cash flow analysis provide various reports, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, to support informed decision-making.
Payroll integration within QuickBooks manages wages, tracks hours, and automatically deducts taxes, offering a complete solution for financial and payroll needs.
Pricing: QuickBooks plans start at $35/month, with options for added features like inventory management and project tracking in higher-tier plans.
2. FreshBooks

FreshBooks is cloud-based accounting software that simplifies billing and invoicing for startups and freelancers. Known for its user-friendly interface, it offers a range of features, including time tracking, expense management, and financial reporting, making it optimal for service-based startups. With robust mobile functionality, FreshBooks is convenient for startups that require on-the-go accounting.
Why is it good for startups? FreshBooks’ user-friendly interface and robust invoicing features are ideal for service-based startups that need simple, cloud-based accounting solutions.
Key Features
Invoicing with automatic reminders lets users create professional invoices and set up payment reminders, reducing late payments and improving cash flow.
Expense tracking with receipt upload allows users to categorize expenses, upload receipts, and connect bank accounts, making expense reporting simple and organized.
Time-tracking tools support billing by allowing users to track billable hours and add them directly to invoices, which is ideal for service-based startups.
Financial reporting provides accessible insights, such as profit and loss reports, tax summaries, and expense reports, giving startups a clear view of their financial health.
Pricing: FreshBooks plans start at $9.50/month for the Lite plan, with higher plans offering unlimited invoices, time tracking, and client collaboration.
3. Xero

Xero is a cloud-based accounting tool that helps startups manage their finances with features like invoicing, bank reconciliation, and payroll integration. Known for its straightforward interface and strong mobile app, Xero is ideal for startups that need flexible accounting tools with extensive integration options. Xero’s dashboard provides a real-time view of financial performance, making it easier to manage cash flow and monitor business health.
Why is it good for startups? Xero’s automated bank reconciliation and extensive app integrations make it a great choice for startups managing complex financial workflows.
Key Features
Automated bank reconciliation connects directly with bank accounts to categorize and reconcile transactions automatically, saving time on manual data entry.
Invoicing and payment solutions enable users to create custom invoices, track outstanding payments, and accept online payments, helping manage accounts receivable efficiently.
Expense claims and management features allow startups to track expense claims and process reimbursements, ensuring accurate spending records and categorization.
Integration with over 800 third-party apps, including CRM, e-commerce, and payroll software, allows startups to build a tailored financial ecosystem that suits their unique needs.
Pricing: Xero plans for basic features start at $13/month, with additional tiers offering advanced reporting and payroll integration.
Best Collaboration and Productivity Tools for Startups
1. Notion

Notion is a versatile productivity and collaboration tool enabling startups to create wikis, manage projects, and track tasks in one platform. Known for its customizable and modular interface, Notion combines note-taking, database management, and project tracking into one cohesive experience, making it an ideal choice for startups looking for an adaptable tool that grows with their needs.
Why is it good for startups? Notion combines notetaking, wiki, database, and other tools in one location that’s easy to share and collaborate on. While their interface is simple, the depth of features makes this the ultimate planning, communicating, and collaboration tool.
Key Features
An all-in-one workspace provides a single platform for creating documents, tracking tasks, organizing notes, and managing databases, offering a versatile solution.
Customizable templates and databases allow users to set up tailored templates for tasks, projects, and employee information, adapting Notion to fit their specific workflows.
Collaboration tools, including real-time editing, comments, and sharing options, support team collaboration and keep everyone aligned on projects.
Task and project management features let teams assign tasks, set due dates, and track progress in multiple views, such as Kanban boards, calendars, and timelines.
Integration capabilities allow Notion to embed content from other tools like Google Drive, Slack, and GitHub, providing easy access to all essential resources in one place.
Pricing: Notion offers a free plan with a ton of features; paid plans start at $10/user/month, add more customization and storage, and include a business plan at $15 per user/month.
2. Google Workspace

Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is a productivity suite that includes Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, and more. It is an essential tool for startups needing a centralized, cloud-based workspace. Google Workspace enables collaboration through real-time editing, document sharing, and video conferencing, making it easy for teams to stay connected and productive from anywhere.
Why is it good for startups? Google Workspace integrates productivity and collaboration tools like Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, and Meet into one cohesive platform. Its ease of use and integration with Google apps make it a great selection for organizations already invested in the Workspace service.
Key Features
Professional email and calendar features provide a branded Gmail account and integrated calendar, facilitating professional communication and organized scheduling within a single interface.
Real-time collaboration in Docs, Sheets, and Slides allows multiple users to work simultaneously on documents, spreadsheets, or presentations, enhancing teamwork and productivity.
Google Drive’s cloud storage offers easy sharing options and access controls, helping startups manage documents and media efficiently.
Video conferencing with Google Meet integrates seamlessly with the calendar, making virtual meetings and collaboration smooth and accessible.
Pricing: Google Workspace plans start at $6/user/month, with higher tiers offering increased storage and advanced admin controls.
3. Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud storage and file-sharing tool that simplifies startup document management and collaboration. With its secure, easy-to-use interface, Dropbox allows teams to store, organize, and share files from any device, making it ideal for startups that rely on remote or hybrid work. Dropbox’s features make it easy to access files from anywhere and collaborate in real-time, keeping teams productive and organized.
Why is it good for startups? Dropbox simplifies document sharing and file management with its secure cloud storage and collaboration features. Its flexibility is perfect for startups managing distributed teams or hybrid work environments.
Key Features
Secure file storage and sharing provide a centralized, protected space for all file types, with flexible sharing options and access permissions that make team collaboration easy and secure.
Smart Sync and offline access let users view files without using hard drive space and access files without the internet, adapting to various work environments.
Version history and file recovery automatically save file versions, allowing users to restore previous versions and safeguard against accidental edits or deletions.
Dropbox Paper enables teams to brainstorm, create, and edit documents in real time, enhancing group projects and meetings.
Third-party integrations connect Dropbox with popular tools like Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Office, creating a seamless digital workspace for startups.
Pricing: Dropbox offers a Basic free plan with limited storage; paid plans, which provide additional storage and collaboration features, start at $11.99/month.
Must-Have Tools for Startup Success
We’ve discussed numerous tools here, and for a good reason: startups always need comprehensive tools to cover every aspect of their operation. And while there are several options for each category we’ve listed here, it’s up to you to understand your needs and find the solution that will give you real value.
However, regarding sales, we have to mention Artisan as a key tool for your success. Our AI BDR, Ava, can take control of your sales pipeline, handling crucial tasks like research, outreach, personalization, and data management.
Are you a startup looking for the best end-to-end sales pipeline platform on the market? Discover how our AI SDR will take sales to the next level. Hire Ava today.
Author:

Tina Sang
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