Ezgi Cullu
You did the hard thing and took the first step of bringing your brilliant idea and vision to the life: you’ve founded a startup. But what happens after you decide start to build a business from scratch? You choose the right software for startups to help you along the way, of course!
Building a startup is as hard as it sounds with all the budget constraints, lack of trustworthy employees, and trying to survive in a competitive market.
We want to take some weight off your shoulders since we’re a startup ourselves and know the challenges that comes with one. That’s why in this blog post, we’ve collected 18 different tools to help anything you’ll need in a startup!
We know you’re probably just excited about your big launch and don’t want to think about boring stuff like software. But without choosing the right tools for your startup, you can’t accelerate and thrive with your newly-established business.
If you’re interested mostly in OKRs and project management, we have a list of 6 best OKR software for startups alongside top 10 project management software for small teams!
Unlike the former two, this list will consist of 18 different categories of software to help you whether you’re just starting a business, or a senior startup owner who is looking for new solutions to implement.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What To Look For In Startup Software?
In order to talk about best startup tools, first we need to make something clear: what should you look for in a startup software? Every organization needs vary when it comes to detailed functionalities of software, but we can narrow the list down to four elements for every startup:
1. Pricing
Whether you got that investment from your business angel or not, startups need to be careful when it comes to budget planning. A startup has to be 10X more careful with their money and think long-term in order to succeed.
Last thing you’ll want is to choose an overpriced software that will make you spend over your budget. You need a software that won’t make you have trouble making ends meet: something with high performance and low cost.
2. Integration options
As you are new to the software world, you don’t need ten tools at once -this will just make things overcomplicated and hard. What you need is 2-3 reliable software that will integrate seamlessly with each other.
The most important aspect is your choice of collaboration tool. We recommend all your other software being integrated with your collaboration tool to make things easier. For example, if you’re using Microsoft Teams to communicate in your startup, you should choose a tool with seamless Microsoft Teams integration.
3. Ease of use
If you are just starting your business with few employees and no time to lose, using an overly complicated tool will do nothing more than harm. As you’re behind your competitors in the game, you need a tool that will feel like a breeze.
Your choice of software should be easy-to-use with an user-friendly interface. As you move forward, you might think implementing more complex software with thousands of tutorials to watch but for now we recommend sticking with the basic one.
4. Scalability
And last but not least, the perfect software for startups should be scalable and flexible. Your goal is to grow as an organization like every other startup. If you choose a software that is suitable just for startups, you’ll need a different one as your organization grows.
That’s unnecessary in two ways: it is too much labor to change, implement, and get used to a new software and it is much more pricey! You need a sturdy software that will grow with you and offer the flexibility your developing organization needs.
Also, if you’re looking for OKR examples for growth, you should definitely check out our blog.
18 Best Startup Tools
| Software name | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Teamflect | Performance management | $5 per user/month |
| Microsoft Teams | Video conference | $4 per user/month |
| Evernote | Taking notes | $14.99 per user/month |
| Hive | Task management | $12 per user/month |
| Miro | Creating whiteboards | $8 per user/month |
| Trello | Kanban boards | $5 per user/month |
| Asana | Project management | $10.99 per user/month |
| UXtweak | UX research | $80 per month |
| Canva | Visual design | $260 per year |
| Google Analytics | Analytics | Free |
| GoogleForms | Surveys | $5.75 per user/month |
| MailChimp | E-mail marketing | $13 per month |
| Ahrefs | SEO | $99 per month |
| Quickbooks | Finance | $8.50 per user/month |
| SendPulse | Chatbots | $6.40 per month |
| Fiverr | Freelance jobs | Free |
| Hootsuite | Social media management | $99 per month |
| Salesforce | CRM | $25 per user/month |
1. Best Performance Management Software for Startups: Teamflect
If you’re a small startup, you need an all-in-one solution for employee engagement, performance management and much more. Thankfully, Teamflect is the best performance management sofware for both startups with its affordable pricing and diverse list of functionalities.
As it is designed specifically for Microsoft Teams, Teamflect has a seamless integration, meaning you don’t even have to leave the chat to set goals, send recognitions, and assign tasks. You can conduct your first or 20th performance review right inside Microsoft Teams with pre-built performance review templates and
Teamflect not only hits all four buttons we mentioned above but also has anything you need from a startup tool. You can keep all of your feedback cycles, tasks, goals and OKRs, and performance reviews inside your favorite collaboration tool.
The best part of Teamflect that makes it the best tool for startups is -Teamflect is free for organizations that have up to 10 users! That means if you really are one of the smaller startups, you don’t need to worry about budgeting for ten different software, you just need to implement Teamflect!
Key Features:
- The best performance management tool for Microsoft Teams
- Keeps the performance review cycles within a single app
- Survey template gallery
- Highly efficient one-on-one software with built-in task assignments and note-taking tools
- User-friendly design
- Performance review template gallery with pre-built review cycles
- Extremely streamlined
- Templates can be customized to conduct exit interviews, stay interviews, 30-day reviews, etc.
- Feedback template gallery full of pre-built templates
Pricing: $5 per user/month
2. Best Video Conference Software for Startups: Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is an extremely streamlined video conference and collaboration tool for startups and businesses of all sizes. With its all-in-one platform, Microsoft Teams acts as a centralized hub for communication, file sharing, and project collaboration.
You can create dedicated channels for different projects, departments, or even casual discussions that will keep everyone connected and informed throughout your organization.
Microsoft Teams seamlessly connects with various tools and apps that startups commonly use, such as project management software, customer relationship management systems, and development platforms.
As we mentioned above, having this integration streamlines workflows, eliminates the need to switch between applications, and ultimately boosts productivity.
Pricing: Starting from $4 per user/month
3. Best Note-taking Software for Startups: Evernote
Startups are incubators of innovation, where ideas can strike at any moment. That’s why you need the best note-taking software to use in your startup. Evernote acts as a digital notepad, allowing entrepreneurs to capture ideas, snippets of inspiration, and even snapshots directly from their devices.
You can make sure that no idea gets lost in the shuffle by using Evernote, whether you’re on your laptop, smartphone, or tablet.
Also, Evernote’s notebook and tagging system helps you organize your notes, documents, and resources into structured categories. Collaborative notebooks are great for teamwork since it enables multiple members to access and contribute to shared information.
Pricing: Starting from $14.99 per user/month
4. Best Task Management Software for Startups: Hive
As a startup owner, we know you’re juggling numerous tasks, projects, and deadlines simultaneously and therefore, need efficient collaboration. Hive is a task management software where you can work together with your teams seamlessly, integrating messaging, file sharing, and project tracking all in one place.
Startups require a project management solution that is as dynamic as their evolving needs, and Hive provides customizable project views, from traditional task lists to more visual Kanban boards and Gantt charts.
In addition, most startups work remotely, or at least have some employees that are remote. Hive helps with remote work environment by providing a platform where teams can communicate, collaborate, and track progress regardless of their physical location.
Pricing: Starting from $12 per user/month
5. Best Whiteboard Software for Startups: Miro
Startups come with brainstorming. Lots of them. Miro is a whiteboard and visualization tool including a virtual canvas where creativity knows no bounds. You can brainstorm and ideate in real time, whether you are in the same room or scattered across the globe.
Miro has a diverse range of templates, from mind maps to flowcharts to help your startup in structuring your thoughts and turning concepts into actionable plans. Miro’s infinite canvas is an open space that ideas flow freely without the limitations of physical whiteboards.
Miro includes tools such as Kanban boards and scrum frameworks that you can use to manage tasks, track progress, and iterate quickly. These features promote transparency within teams and help you respond to changes swiftly, a critical aspect in the face of shifting priorities and evolving market landscapes.
Pricing: Starting from $8 per user/month
6. Best Kanban Board Software for Startups: Trello
Trello’s hallmark is its visual representation of tasks through boards, lists, and cards. You can create boards for projects, departments, or any customized categories, and organize tasks within lists. Each task is represented by a card that can include descriptions, due dates, attachments, and checklists.
Agile methodologies is often used by startups to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Trello’s flexibility makes it an ideal companion for agile project management. You can create boards that represent sprints or iterations, move cards across lists as tasks progress, and even implement automation for repetitive processes.
You can also use the tool for your goals since Trello’s visual nature aids in goal setting and tracking progress. The process of moving cards from “To-Do” to “Done” provides a sense of accomplishment and motivates teams to meet deadlines. You can create boards specifically for goal tracking, using cards to represent key milestones, objectives, and initiatives.
Pricing: Starting from $5 per user/month
7. Best Project Management Software for Startups: Asana
Asana is the best tool for startups when it comes to project management software. You can create projects and tasks, breaking down complex undertakings into manageable steps. Tasks can be assigned to team members, complete with due dates, priority levels, and descriptions. Asana comes with a clean interface to ensure that everyone has a clear view of their tasks, promoting accountability and efficient progress tracking.
In addition, Asana’s flexibility includes various methodologies, from Kanban-style boards to list-based task management. Customizable project views help tailoring Asana to your preferred workflow and ensures that tasks are managed in a way that aligns with their unique processes.
Pricing: Starting from $10.99 per user/month
8. Best UX Research Software for Startups: UXtweak
UXtweak is an UX research platform where you can conduct in-depth user behavior analysis through heatmaps, session recordings, and clickmaps. Using the tools provided by UXtweak, you can collect data into where users click, scroll, and navigate that will help identifying pain points and areas for enhancement.
UXtweak comes with tools to collect direct user feedback through on-site surveys and feedback widgets. You can ask users for opinions, suggestions, and pain points, gaining insights that drive iterative improvements.
For startups focused on conversions, UXtweak’s tools play a crucial role. A/B testing and split URL testing lets startups experiment with different design variations and collect data on which performs better.
Pricing: Starting from $80 per month
9. Best Visual Design Software for Startups: Canva
As a newly starting business, it is highly possible that you don’t have a whole team assigned to visual design. Canva bridges this gap by providing an accessible platform where founders, marketers, and team members with no formal design background can produce professional-quality visuals.
With a drag-and-drop interface and an extensive library of elements, images, fonts, and templates, Canva simplifies design and helps startups to craft visuals that resonate with their target audience. From social media graphics and presentations to flyers and business cards, Canva covers a wide spectrum of content needs.
Pricing: Starting from $260 per year
10. Best Analytics Software for Startups: Google Analytics
You can’t afford to make assumptions in a startup. Google Analytics has an in-depth analysis of website and app data, collecting crucial information about visitor demographics, traffic sources, user engagement, and conversion rates.
Google Analytics also includes insights into user journeys, bounce rates, and navigation patterns, helping you to pinpoint areas of improvement. Using a data-driven approach helps startups to optimize their websites and apps, creating seamless and engaging experiences that resonate with their audience.
Also, if you’re a startup in the e-commerce space, Google Analytics provides a wealth of insights into online transactions. From revenue analysis and product performance to shopping behavior and checkout processes, you can dive deep into their e-commerce metrics.
Pricing: Free
11. Best Survey Software for Startups: GoogleForms
While Google Forms is not the most feature-packed survey tool, it is probably the easiest to use and most affordable. And that’s what we are looking for in the best tools for startups! Google Forms simplifies customer preferences, event registrations, or employee feedback with customized forms including various question types, such as multiple-choice, open-ended, and rating scales.
Google Forms acknowledges the need for branding with its customization options. You can personalize forms you create with themes, images, logos, and colors that align with your brand identity. Customizing surveys and forms not only boosts user experience but also reinforces brand consistency.
One of the best features of Google Forms is that responses collected through forms are automatically compiled into Google Sheets, giving you structured data that can be easily analyzed and interpreted. This integration streamlines the process of extracting insights from the collected data, enabling startups to make data-driven decisions more efficiently.
Pricing: Starting from $5.75 per user/month
12. Best E-mail Marketing Software for Startups: MailChimp
As a startup, you need to deliver targeted messages to the right audience at the right time. Mailchimp is an e-mail marketing that helps startups create and manage email campaigns with ease. From customizable templates to drag-and-drop design tools, you can craft visually appealing emails that resonate with your brand.
Mailchimp allows customizing email content based on subscriber data and tailoring messages to individual preferences. With dynamic content blocks, you can create emails that adapt to each recipient. Additionally, Mailchimp’s deliverability features assures that emails land in the primary inbox which maximizes the chances of engagement.
Pricing: Starting from $13 per user/month
13. Best SEO Software for Startups: Ahrefs
Startups rely on effective SEO to increase visibility, drive traffic, and boost their online presence. Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO toolset that helps startups to dissect competitor strategies, analyze keywords, and optimize their content for search engines.
Your startup needs to stand out in competitive markets, and Ahrefs equips you with a powerful weapon: competitor analysis. The platform provides in-depth insights into competitors’ backlink profiles, top-performing pages, and organic search strategies.
Ahrefs also offers data to uncover the most relevant and high-performing keywords for startups. With its extensive keyword database, search volume insights, and keyword difficulty scores, you can choose the right keywords to target to make sure your content reaches your intended audience effectively.
Pricing: Starting from $99 per user/month
14. Best Finance Software for Startups: Quickbooks
The finance and bookkeeping might be easy to do manually at the start but sooner or later you’ll need a accounting software for startups in your organization. QuickBooks simplifies expense tracking with its features on categorizing transactions, recording receipts, and monitoring spending in real time.
QuickBooks has tools for creating professional invoices, sending them to clients, and tracking payment status. You can set up recurring invoices, manage billing cycles, and receive payments directly through the platform to minimize administrative tasks and ensure timely payments.
As your startup expands, managing payroll and employee information automatically becomes essential. QuickBooks provides payroll processes such as automating calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits.
Pricing: Starting from $8.50 per user/month
15. Best Chatbot Software for Startups: SendPulse
Engaging with website visitors in real time is crucial for businesses of all sizes. You can use SendPulse’s web push notification feature to deliver timely updates, offers, and announcements directly to users’ browsers.
SendPulse also offers features that you can send personalized SMS messages to subscribers, offer promotions, alerts, and time-sensitive information. Having this immediate engagement boosts user experience and customer satisfaction.
Last but not least, SendPulse has a chatbot feature that automates conversations and support. AI-powered chatbots can handle inquiries, provide assistance, and guide users through various processes, increasing customer service and saving time for startups.
Pricing: Starting from $6.40 per user/month
16. Best Freelance Services Software for Startups: Fiverr
You won’t always have the budget or resources to hire full-time workers in a startup for the wide range of skills from logo design and content creation to web development and digital marketing. Fiverr is an extensive marketplace where you can find freelancers specializing in various fields. You can find professionals and amateurs for anything from graphic design, writing, coding, or video production.
Fiverr’s transparent pricing structure is great to find services that align with startups’ financial resources. With various pricing tiers and options, you can choose the level of service that fits the budget while still accessing high-quality work.
Pricing: Free
17. Best Social Media Management Software for Startups: Hootsuite
You are probably using multiple social media platforms, each requiring attention and engagement. Hootsuite includes a centralized dashboard where you can monitor and manage your social media accounts in one place.
Consistency is key to social media success, and Hootsuite allows to schedule posts ahead of time. With the scheduling feature your startup can maintain a steady flow of content, even during busy periods. Additionally, Hootsuite’s automation capabilities allow you to queue up posts for optimal publishing times.
Pricing: Starting from $99 per month
18. Best CRM Software for Startups: Salesforce
Salesforce provides startups with a comprehensive view of customer interactions, preferences, and history. Using this 360-degree view is a great way to personalize your communication, address individual needs, and build lasting relationships that drive loyalty and repeat business.
Salesforce’s lead management tools can be used to capture, qualify, and prioritize leads effectively. With automation and workflows, you can ensure that leads are nurtured and guided through the sales funnel which optimizes conversion rates and revenue generation.
The platform also includes customizable pipelines, stages, and opportunities which allows you to tailor sales workflows to align with your startup’s unique strategies. Automation features simplifies and streamlines boring tasks such as follow-ups, reminders, and task assignments.
Pricing: Starting from $25 per user/month
Conclusion
As you journey through the exciting landscape of startup ventures, remember that the right software tools can truly be your best friend. Every startup is unique, so take the time to evaluate your needs and pick the tools that align with your goals.
It’s also important to remind you that the startup journey is a marathon, not a sprint. The startup tools you choose today can set the tone for your future success. That’s why you need to choose the best solution tailored for your startup.
Speaking of solutions, if you’re on the lookout for an all-in-one platform that’s tailor-made for Microsoft Teams, consider implementing Teamflect. This powerhouse of a tool combines seamless communication, efficient project management, and collaborative workspace features that can truly transform the way your startup operates.
You can easily schedule a demo with us and join the best performance management tool!
