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10 Best Business Management Software of 2023

Best Business Management Software Shortlist

Here’s the shortlist of the best business management software systems that I’ll cover in this article, with detailed summaries below:

  1. 1. Scoro — Best business management software for pipeline management
  2. 2. Trello — Best business management software for small businesses
  3. 3. ProofHub — Best business management software for project planning
  4. 4. Bitrix24 — Best business management software for workgroup management
  5. 5. Zoho One — Best business management software for simple automations
  6. 6. Mindbody Business — Best business management software for wellness companies
  7. 7. NetSuite Global Business Management — Best business management software for international ecommerce teams
  8. 8. monday.com — Best business management software for custom business needs
  9. 9. Smartsheet — Best business management software for project schedule management
  10. 10. HoneyBook — Best business management software for service-based SMBs

Business management software helps businesses become more competitive. They create a central repository for company data so decision-makers can build efficient roadmaps and work toward growing their business. They’re suitable for companies of all sizes, from early-age startups to large corporations, enabling them to automate, track, and optimize different aspects of their operations, such as inventory, finances, human resources, and customer relationships.

Read my review to discover the best business management software you can use today. My review includes screenshots and descriptions for each tool that made the list and a comparison chart so you can easily spot the right tool for your company.

If you have general questions about how cloud business management software works, or how to pick the best option for your organization, take a look at my Frequently Asked Questions section below. Or, if you’re curious how I developed this list, see How I Selected the Best Business Management Software below.

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Overviews of the 10 Best Business Management Software

Here’s a brief description of each business management software that showcases each system’s best use case, their noteworthy features, and some pros & cons. I’ve also included screenshots to give you a snapshot of their user interface too.

1

Scoro

Best business management software for pipeline management

Scoro is a business management solution that enables you to plan and manage your pipeline without difficulty. 

Why I picked Scoro: Scoro helps you track your projects from the quote phase to the billing stage. The software makes it easy to bill your clients, allowing you to add custom hourly or monthly rates for each project. 

Scoro also enables you to track your team’s workload and project. The tool enables you to break down large tasks so you can assign them to multiple people, and it consolidates your data into nice-looking reports.

Scoro Standout Features and Integrations

Features include time management, task management, contacts, CRM software, invoices and receipts, financial summaries, Gantt charts, and automation.  

Integrations include Asana, Basecamp, Calendly, Gmail, Harvest, QuickBooks, Jira, Slack, Trello, Zapier, and others.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.5 285

14-day free trial

From $28/user/month

Pros

  • Reports give valuable insights on how your team members are spending their time
  • Precise time-tracking tool
  • Great for agencies, consultants, and freelancers

Cons

  • Assisted onboarding can be expensive
  • The planner can look clunky if you manage more than 30 tasks at once
2

Trello

Best business management software for small businesses

Trello is a business management platform that helps small business owners keep track of their team’s work. 

Why I picked Trello: Trello enables you to plan your team’s workload and track each individual task to ensure its delivery. The software has a simple interface that enables you to manage projects with ease, allowing you to create task dependencies and assign work to each team member.  

Trello automatically highlights tasks that run behind schedule so you can spot roadblocks and collaborate with your teammates to overcome them. You can send projects to specific team members, invite coworkers to different boards, assign deadlines, and set up custom notifications so you’re always on top of what’s happening in your organization.

Trello Standout Features and Integrations

Features include task management, checklists, workflow automations, in-app messaging, OKR tracking, and ready-made templates. 

Integrations include Detectify, Firefox, Focus, Jira, Mailissa, OneLogin, Slack, Telegram, Timecamp, ZenDesk, and others.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.4 12683

Free trial + freemium plan available

From $6/user/month

Pros

  • Easy to create automations
  • Helpful project management templates
  • Comprehensive free plan

Cons

  • Can become a little overwhelming when managing a lot of tasks
  • No resource management features
3

ProofHub

Best business management software for project planning

ProofHub is a business management software that enables organization leaders to plan projects using real-time data. 

Why I picked ProofHub: ProofHub helps your team save time by using a single solution to track time, manage tasks and files, collaborate, and communicate with clients or external collaborators. The software allows you to plan projects from scratch or with ready-made templates. You can create task dependencies, assign deadlines, and track your team’s progress over time with milestones. 

ProofHub’s project visualization makes it easy for managers to spot potential roadblocks and identify workarounds. The solution’s project reports enable you to see the performance of individual collaborators, so you can reward outstanding employees. 

ProofHub Standout Features and Integrations

Features include Gantt charts, Kanban boards, task creation, time tracking, workflows, milestones, group chat, reports, and mobile apps. 

Integrations include Box, Dropbox, Freshbooks, Google Drive, OneDrive, QuickBooks, Slack, and others.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.3 71

14-day free trial

From $45/month

Pros

  • Good mobile apps for Android and iOS
  • Great interface
  • Low-cost, flat monthly pricing

Cons

  • Limited personalization options
  • Timesheets could be more detailed
4

Bitrix24

Best business management software for workgroup management

Bitrix24 is a business management software that enables managers to oversee their workgroups without difficulty. 

Why I picked Bitrix24: Their software makes it easy to create cross-department workgroups for each project. The solution creates a central location for all your data and allows your team members to communicate and collaborate in real-time, so they don’t need to send files back and forth for approval. 

Bitrix24 enables you to assign different roles to project participants. The software increases your visibility into your team’s workload and allows you to stay on top of recent updates with custom notifications. The tool’s analytics feature allows you to see the real-time performance of different projects, so you can easily identify the ones that run behind schedule. 

Bitrix24 Standout Features and Integrations

Features include an in-app chat, videocalls, a calendar, a shared workspace, task and project tracking, a contact center, and a website builder. 

Integrations include Google Drive, Mailchimp, Microsoft Office 365, Payze, QuickBooks, Skype, Slack, Telegram, TwiCall, Xero, and others.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.1 439

Freemium version available

From $61/5 users/month

Pros

  • Users can customize their feed to stay on top of their workload
  • Automations are easy to set up
  • Workgroup members can communicate via comments or video calls

Cons

  • Training documentation could be more detailed
  • Mobile app doesn’t offer all the features you can access on the desktop version
5

Zoho One

Best business management software for simple automations

Zoho One is a business management platform that enables you to automate part of your business processes with ease. 

Why I picked Zoho One: Zoho One offers a wide range of features, allowing you to manage everything from your financial records and operations to your social media presence. The software has a simple interface that’s easy to understand, so it’s easy to find the functionality you need for each task. 

Zoho One stands out thanks to its automation feature. The software allows you to save time by automating your business processes with custom rules and triggers. The automation rules can involve integrated third-party apps, so you can build complex workflows to make it easier for you to manage your workflow, team, and clients. 

Zoho One Standout Features and Integrations

Features include collaboration tools, customer relationship management, office management, asset management, productivity tools, and customizable reports. 

Integrations include all Zoho apps, Asana, Bonusly, Box, Jira, Marketo, RingCentral, Salesforce, SugarCRM, Tableau, ZenDesk Sell, and others.

30-day free trial

From $45/user/month

Pros

  • Comprehensive knowledge base
  • Wide diversity of helpful features
  • Drag-and-drop automation builder

Cons

  • Can overwhelm new users because it offers a wide range of features
  • Reports could be more specific
6

Mindbody Business

Best business management software for wellness companies

Mindbody Business is an all-in-one business management software for wellness companies. The software gives health & wellness professionals the tools they need to manage their business and their clients. 

Why I picked Mindbody Business: Mindbody Business has a clean interface that’s easy to use for anyone, even those who are not technology-savvy. The software enables you to keep track of your bookings, manage your team, and market your business.  

Mindbody Business helps you create customer profiles, manage your sales pipeline, and share financial reports with stakeholders. The software also enables you to keep track of your staff’s workload, allocate resources, and plan your budget. 

Mindbody Business Standout Features and Integrations

Features include class scheduling, appointment tracking, expense tracking, order management, self check-in, mobile-friendly booking, contact lists, email marketing automation, and branded mobile app creation. 

Integrations include AskNicely, BirdEye, FitGrd, LoopSpark, Referrizer, Peerfit, Perkville, Smartwaiver, Spafinder, Welld Health, and others.

Free demo available

Pricing upon request

Pros

  • Accurate time-tracking feature
  • Mobile app allows you to manage your business on the go
  • Helps you build detailed reports on clients, sales, and performance

Cons

  • Inventory management feature could be easier to use
  • Mobile app can lag for a bit when opening large reports
7

NetSuite Global Business Management

Best business management software for international ecommerce teams

NetSuite Global Business Management is a business management tool that helps international teams keep track of their work across multiple locations. 

Why I picked NetSuite Global Business Management: NetSuite Global Business Management is great for international ecommerce teams because it supports 27 languages and 190 currencies. The solution also helps ensure compliance by updating your records to country-specific tax and accounting requirements. 

NetSuite Global Business Management helps your organization gain visibility into its operational and financial performance. The tool enables you to manage multiple subsidiaries or business units from a central location and automatically converts different currencies to consolidate your data into reports. 

NetSuite Global Business Management Standout Features and Integrations

Features include scorecards, KPI tracking, financial reports, performance insights, multi-language support, and automation. 

Integrations include Amazon, BigCommerce, eBay, Google Suite, Salesforce, SAP, Shopify, Walmart, and others.

Free demo available

Pricing upon request

Pros

  • Tracks your customers’ purchasing cycles and links all the data to their accounts
  • One of the best ERP systems available today
  • Outstanding for financial management

Cons

  • Building reports could be easier
  • Software has a steep learning curve
8

monday.com

Best business management software for custom business needs

monday.com is a cloud-based open platform that offers dozens of templates you can adapt for your business management needs. 

Why I picked monday.com: monday.com has a flexible build that allows you to create your own business management software without coding. The software offers dozens of templates you can use, and you can drag and drop pre-made elements to create a custom solution. 

monday.com allows you to create dashboards for project management, task management, contact management, and workflow management. The software tracks your data in real-time, and you can create automations to save time on repetitive tasks.  

monday.com Standout Features and Integrations

Features include adaptable dashboards, automation, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, templates, timelines, a knowledge base, and iOS and Android mobile apps.  

Integrations include Adobe Creative Cloud, DocuSign, Dropbox, Google Suite, LinkedIn, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Slack, Zendesk, Zoom, and others.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.7 6745

14-day free trial + freemium plan available

From $8/user/month (billed annually, min 3 seats)

Pros

  • Enables you to create automations using custom triggers
  • Comprehensive knowledge base
  • Customizable dashboards

Cons

  • Exporting projects to other solutions can be difficult
  • Inexperienced users can find the platform overwhelming
9

Smartsheet

Best business management software for project schedule management

Smartsheet is a business management solution that helps companies of all sizes track their projects in real-time. 

Why I picked Smartsheet: Smartsheet helps you stay on top of tasks, milestones, and deadlines. The software allows business managers to plan an entire project from scratch, complete with timelines and dedicated resources. Managers can then track the project’s progress and see how it holds up compared to their predictions. 

Smartsheet helps you break down a project into multiple tasks and arrange them into a logical order with dependencies. You can assign each task to a team or individual, assign deadlines, and make adjustments to ensure that everything gets completed on schedule. 

Smartsheet Standout Features and Integrations

Features include complex spreadsheets, surveys, team collaboration, no-code personalizations, real-time data tracking, and automation. 

Integrations include Achievan, Adobe Creative Cloud, DocuSign, Gmail, Microsoft Teams, OneLogin, Qlink, Salesforce, Slack, Webex, and others.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.4 7399

Freemium version available

From $7/user/month

Pros

  • Very easy to use, especially if you’re familiar with spreadsheets
  • Workspace feature helps you build branded customer portals
  • Multiple data visualization options

Cons

  • No option to freeze a column, which can be frustrating in large spreadsheets
  • Limited font and style customization options
10

HoneyBook

Best business management software for service-based SMBs

HoneyBook is a business management tool that helps service-based small and medium-sized businesses and freelancers manage their contacts, draft business proposals, sign contracts, and send invoices. 

Why I picked HoneyBook: HoneyBook helps freelancers and SMBs look professional. The solution’s key features enable you to schedule meetings, create and send branded contracts and invoices, process payments, and automate repetitive tasks. 

HoneyBook creates a client portal for your customers so they can see all the documents you prepared for them in one place. The software enables you to send follow-up emails to prospects and clients, so it can help with your lead-generation process. In addition, the solution notifies you when a client receives and signs a contract, so you can stay on top of the tasks ahead. 

HoneyBook Standout Features and Integrations

Features include business proposals, invoices, contracts, scheduling, automation, a client portal, and reporting. 

Integrations include Calendly, Facebook, Gmail, QuickBooks, Zapier, and others.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.5 51

7-day free trial

From $39/month

Pros

  • Good variety of proposal and contract templates to choose from
  • Great at tracking client communication
  • Client portal helps your customers access their docs

Cons

  • Automated emails may land in the client’s SPAM folder
  • Search feature could be more specific

The 10 Best Business Management Software Comparison Chart

Here’s a comparison chart that summarizes basic details about each of my top business management software selections. You can view pricing details and the availability of free trials or demos side-by-side to help you find the best software that works for your business needs.

Tool Free Option Price
1
Scoro

Best business management software for pipeline management

14-day free trial

From $28/user/month Visit Website
2
Trello

Best business management software for small businesses

Free trial + freemium plan available

From $6/user/month Visit Website
3
ProofHub

Best business management software for project planning

14-day free trial

From $45/month Visit Website
4
Bitrix24

Best business management software for workgroup management

Freemium version available

From $61/5 users/month Visit Website
5
Zoho One

Best business management software for simple automations

30-day free trial

From $45/user/month Visit Website
6
Mindbody Business

Best business management software for wellness companies

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Visit Website
7
NetSuite Global Business Management

Best business management software for international ecommerce teams

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Visit Website
8
monday.com

Best business management software for custom business needs

14-day free trial + freemium plan available

From $8/user/month (billed annually, min 3 seats) Visit Website
9
Smartsheet

Best business management software for project schedule management

Freemium version available

From $7/user/month Visit Website
10
HoneyBook

Best business management software for service-based SMBs

7-day free trial

From $39/month Visit Website

Other Options

Here are a few more worthwhile options that didn’t make the best business management software list:

  1. Connecteam

    Best business management software for non-desk teams

  2. Wrike

    Best business management software for Agile teams proof

  3. Apptivo

    Best business management software for scaling companies

  4. HubSpot

    Best business management software for startups

  5. todo.vu

    Best business management software for freelancers

  6. Houzz Pro

    Best business management software for contractors

  7. Studio Cloud

    Best business management software for solopreneurs

  8. Jira Work Management

    Best business management software for product development

  9. Odoo

    Best business management software for open-source development

  10. Better Software

    Best business management software for franchises

How I Selected The Best Business Management Software

Perhaps you're wondering how I selected the best business management software for this list? To build this top 10 list, I evaluated and compared a wide range of business management software systems with positive user ratings.

After determining my long list of top choices, I further honed my selections by using the criteria below. This helped me determine how each software system compared to the rest. I also drew on my years of HR and business administration experience to pinpoint the features that add a lot of value.

Selection Criteria

Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best business management software for this article:

Project management 

Being able to plan a project and track it until completion is fundamental for business management. I looked for solutions that offer visibility into your organization’s projects. 

Automation

Small and insignificant tasks can consume a lot of your time, so I chose business management tools that enable you to automate such tasks. 

Workforce management 

You can’t build a successful business without good workflows. I selected solutions that enable you to manage your employees, so you can maintain a productive workforce. 

Software integrations 

Modern businesses rely on dozens of software solutions. I chose tools that integrate with most of the popular business platforms available today. 

Pricing

Even though the prices of business management tools varies greatly, I picked solutions that offer a nice variety of management features so you’ll be satisfied with your investment. 

Business Management Software: Frequently Asked Questions

Business management software often doubles as a sort of workforce management solution because employees are the most valuable resource for most companies. Here are some other answers to popular questions.

Achieve Your Goals With Business Management Software 

Business management software can help you build accurate roadmaps for your organization. As John Case, CEO of Acumatica, said:  

“[...] real-time visibility fosters cross-connected awareness in an organization. Everyone within an organization can gain access to up-to-date and accurate information to navigate whatever issue they are or might face. [...]. This access to real-time data is crucial, as it allows businesses to become more agile, resilient, and prepared for what may come.

Though real-time visibility is crucial to managing business risks efficiently and effectively, it’s difficult to realize overnight. A common barrier to achieving real-time visibility is data silos.”

Business management software enables you to break down data silos and create a central location for all your information. This helps you to understand your company’s real needs, so you can plan for a better future. 

Interested in leveraging more data into your decision-making? I recommend reading the following articles too:

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By Kim Behnke

Kim Behnke is an HR Tool Expert & Writer for People Managing People. She draws on her 9 years of human resources experience and her keen eye for systematic processes to support her analyses of the top HR tools on the market. She is passionate about maximizing efficiencies and streamlining workflows to ensure internal systems run smoothly. Kim's HR experience includes recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training and development, policy development and enforcement, and HR analytics. She also has degrees in psychology, writing, publishing, and technical communication. When away from her desk, she can usually be found outside tending to her ever-expanding garden.