20 Best Business Management Software of 2024
10 Best Business Management Software Shortlist
Here’s my pick of the 10 best business-related software out of the 20 best business management tools I reviewed:
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Choosing the right business management software can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling inefficiencies, scattered processes, and competing priorities.
This guide will simplify your search by spotlighting the top tools to streamline everything from inventory and finances to HR and customer relationships. Let’s find the perfect solution to help your business run smoothly and efficiently.
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Best Business Management Software: Pricing Comparison Chart
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top business management software selections to help you find the best software for your budget and business needs.
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Deel | Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people | Website |
| Scoro | From $26/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Homebase | From $20/user/month | Website |
| Connecteam | From $29/month (for up to 30 users, billed annually) + $0.5/user/month for each additional user | Website |
| Acumatica | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Studio Creatio | From $25/user/month | Website |
| Kissflow Workflow | From $15/user/monthly | Website |
| ProofHub | From $45/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Zoho One | From $45/user/month | Website |
| NetSuite Global Business Management | Pricing upon request | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare Software-
Deel
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Rippling
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Willo
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8
Best Business Management Software Reviews
Below you’ll find detailed summaries of each system that made it into my best business management software list, including each system’s best use case, standout features, and pros & cons. I’ve also included screenshots to give you a snapshot of their user interface too.
Deel is a complete global workforce management software that enables hiring in over 150 countries. You can hire both full-time employees and contractors globally, and manage their payroll, compliance, and administration from a single platform.
Why I picked Deel: The software acts as an employer of record and handles pay and benefits administration. This makes it easy to hire international employees without opening a foreign entity. You can also manage contracts, expenses, time off requests, and other HR admin tasks through the system.
The Slack plugin helps facilitate core tasks all through Slack, to reduce app-switching and keep things centralized and simple. You can send out automated company announcements, and set up workflows for employee referrals, time off requests, onboarding, and more. Employees can also respond to pulse surveys and access your company org chart through Slack.
Deel Standout Features and Integrations
Features include global payroll, global mobility support, integrated Slack tools, advanced integrations, and free HR software for businesses. Their global mobility service helps companies with visa sponsorship, allowing them to bring in candidates from abroad.
Integrations include Ashby, BambooHR, Expensify, Greenhouse, Hibob, Netsuite, Okta, OneLogin, Quickbooks, SCIM, Xero, Workday, and Workable. An Open API is also available to build custom integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Simplifies payroll using multiple currencies
- Managed by 200+ local legal and tax compliance experts
- Tailored for international organizations
Cons:
- Overlapping plan features require custom pricing
- No free trial available
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.
Pros and cons
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
Homebase is a cloud-based business management software that helps team leaders manage employee schedules and time tracking. It's designed to make life easier for both managers and employees by streamlining the process of creating and managing schedules, tracking hours worked, and handling time-off requests. Homebase is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses, especially those in the retail, restaurant, and hospitality industries.
Why I picked Homebase: I chose Homebase because it offers a comprehensive set of tools that are easy to use and understand. The user interface is clean and intuitive, making it simple for both managers and employees to navigate. The software is also customizable, allowing businesses to tailor it to their specific needs.
Plus, Homebase offers a free plan with basic features and unlimited users, making it an affordable option for smaller businesses or startups.
Homebase Standout Features and Integrations
Features include overtime alerts, automated scheduling, shift trading and claiming, time-off management, labor cost tracking and optimization, timesheets, a built-in messaging system, and iOS and Android apps so your team can check communications, schedule changes, and company communications on the go.
Several features make Homebase stand out from other business management software in this list. The scheduling tool is incredibly user-friendly, allowing managers to create and edit schedules with just a few clicks. Employees can easily view their schedules, request time off, and swap shifts with coworkers.
The time tracking feature is also a game-changer, as it allows employees to clock in and out using their smartphones or a designated time clock. Managers can easily monitor hours worked, breaks, and overtime, ensuring that labor laws are followed and payroll is accurate.
Integrations include ADP, Clover, Google, Lightspeed, Payanywhere, Paychex, Quickbooks, Shopify, Square, Toast, Upserve, Vend, and Wells Fargo.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Can support both hourly and salaried employees
- All-in-one work management platform
- Mobile app is intuitive and easy-to-use
Cons:
- More software integrations would be welcomed
- Team communication not included in their free plan
Connecteam offers an all-in-one business management software that helps organizations oversee their non-desk workers.
Why I picked Connecteam: Connecteam helps you keep track of your team’s workload, assign tasks, recognize employees, schedule shifts, and plan events, all in a single platform. The software offers mobile apps for iOS and Android, so your team can clock in, track tasks, and punch out from anywhere.
Connecteam offers three distinct hubs — HR & Skills, Communications, and Operations — which work in tandem to help you simplify your day-to-day business operations.
The HR & Skills hub covers training and onboarding, document storage, recognition and rewards, and time off management. Within their Communications hub, you’ll find the self-service knowledge base, the social media-like company news feed with engagement tracking, survey tools, and a live chat function.
Lastly, the Operations hub covers employee scheduling and shift management, task management with oversight, real-time reporting with digital forms and checklists, and the built-in time clock with advanced GPS tracking capabilities.
Connecteam Standout Features and Integrations
Features include time tracking, employee scheduling, task management, forms and checklists, internal company updates, an in-app chat, a knowledge base, training management tools, onboarding workflows, and surveys. Other advanced features include premade recurring shift templates, advanced filtering and bulk actions, user permissions, dynamic employee smart grouping, clock in and out via GPS, and employee milestone tracking.
Integrations include Paychex, Xero, Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll (online + desktop), Google Calendar and others.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Location tracking
- Great chat feature
- Very simple to use, even for people who are not into tech
Cons:
- Mobile app may lag for a bit when users upload large image files
- Setting up all your schedules and processes can be time-consuming
Acumatica Cloud ERP offers a comprehensive business management system with a range of solutions for various industries and roles within a company. The software includes financial management, project accounting, inventory and warehouse management, order management, and more.
Why I picked Acumatica Cloud ERP: The software supports cross-module workflows to ensure all your business functions can be monitored and managed within one platform. As a cloud-based software, Acumatica also provides real-time access to financials, reporting, and CRM, allowing for increased collaboration, streamlined communication, and the ability for the whole team to log on anytime, from anywhere.
The software is particularly strong in the automation of repetitive tasks like order processing, invoicing, and payroll, which helps reduce human error and improve efficiency. Additionally, Acumatica's robust customization options enable businesses to tailor the system to their specific needs and workflows, adding unique fields, forms, and functionalities without requiring extensive coding.
Acumatica Cloud ERP Standout Features and Integrations
Features include real-time data access, accounts payable and receivable, comprehensive integrations, mobile functionality, advanced reporting, project accounting, multi-currency and multi-language support, and custom dashboards.
Integrations include Avalara, Power Bi, Adobe Sign, Smartsheet, Celigo, Shopify, Amazon, DataSelf Corp, 1Retail, BigCommerce, DocuSign, Velixo, Heuristyc, Transcard, ShipEngine, ADP, EazyStock, and more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive customization options
- Cloud-based
- Highly scalable
Cons:
- Customization capabilities may be complex
- Learning curve for new users
Studio Creatio is a no-code platform designed to automate workflows and build applications. It serves as the core of the Creatio product suite, enabling users to create business solutions using pre-built components through its composable architecture.
Why I picked Studio Creatio: I like its robust no-code platform that empowers users to automate workflows and build applications without requiring extensive coding knowledge. One of the most compelling features of Studio Creatio is its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, which allows both technical and non-technical users to design and customize business processes effortlessly.
The platform's business process management (BPM) engine further enhances its utility by enabling users to design, execute, and monitor complex workflows, ensuring that business processes are both efficient and effective. Additionally, Studio Creatio's marketplace offers a plethora of ready-to-use solutions and templates, allowing businesses to quickly deploy applications tailored to their specific needs.
Studio Creatio Standout Features & Integrations
Features include built-in validation tools for easier debugging, a marketplace for ready-to-use apps, multi-level architecture scalability, AI automation, an integrated development environment (IDE) for developers, and a mobile app.
Integrations include Microsoft Excel, Gmail, Mailchimp, Google Calendar, Microsoft Word, Tableau, Microsoft Outlook, Meta for Business, Twitter/X, Google Contacts, Brandwatch, and Asterisk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable to meet specific organizational needs
- No-code platform for non-technical users
- Versatile for a wide range of business functions
Cons:
- Time-consuming customization
- Initial learning curve for those unfamiliar with no-code platforms
Kissflow Workflow is a business process management (BPM) software that can help you automate and track your various internal business processes.
Why I picked Kissflow Workflow: Virtually any type of business workflow can be designed, managed, and automated through this software. You can also collect and store data in the system using its drag-and-drop form builder, and keep up with the progress of various workflows with its automated notifcations.
A large bank of workflow templates is available in the platform, helping you develop new processes or document your existing ones. These templates cover sales, HR, procurement, finance, and operations processes, and can be used as-is or updated to suit your needs.
Kissflow Workflow Standout Features & Integrations
Features include workflow templates, WYSIWYG form builder, predefined steps (linear and branched), stakeholders, conditions, pre-built reports, automatic task assignment, and a mobile app.
Integrations include the Google Workspace suite, and additional integrations can be configured using the software's API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Part of the larger Kissflow ecosystem (project management and app builder)
- No coding knowledge needed to build workflows
- Friendly and intuitive user interface
Cons:
- Migration from other tools can be cumbersome
- Limited reporting and analytics
ProofHub is an online 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.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Great interface
- Low-cost, flat monthly pricing
Cons:
- Limited personalization options
- Timesheets could be more detailed
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.
Pros and cons
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
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.
Pros and cons
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
Other Business Management Software
Here are a few more worthwhile options that didn’t make the best business management software list:
- Mindbody Business
For wellness companies
- CRM Creatio
For customer-related workflows
- monday.com
For custom business needs
- Smartsheet
For project schedule management
- Bonsai Agency Software
For agencies
- Productive
For predictive insights
- Wrike
For business processes visibility
- Topicflow
For performance-driven decisions
- Pneumatic Workflow
For building internal workflows
- HoneyBook
Business management software for service-based SMBs
Related HR Software Reviews
If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these other related tools that we've tested and evaluated:
- HR Software
- Payroll Software
- Recruiting Software
- Employer of Record Services
- Applicant Tracking Systems
- Workforce Management Software
Selection Criteria for Business Management Software
Selecting the best business management software for you hinges on pinpointing the individual functionalities that will solve your current challenges. I deliberately chose a wide set of business software systems for this article, to serve the diverse needs of administrators and task managers. I also drew on my years of HR and business administration experience to pinpoint key features that add a lot of value.
Here’s a summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best business management software for this article:
Core Business Management Software Functionalities (25% of total score): To be considered for inclusion in my list of the best management software for business, the solution had to fulfill common use cases, including:
- Tools to facilitate common HR tasks covering employee management
- Automation tools to optimize existing workflows and reduce manual admin and streamline repetitive tasks
- Tools to streamline internal project management workflows
- Tools to automate financial operations and reporting
- The ability to manage customer relationships and improve customer engagement
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score): To help me determine the best business software out of the numerous options available, I also took note of any unique features, including:
- AI-driven analytics and reporting tools that offer deeper insights into efficiency and productivity
- Customization options that allow businesses to tailor the platform to their specific needs, including both corporate branding and workflow customizations
- Mobile-friendly solutions or dedicated mobile apps for Android and iOS devices
- Robust security features to protect sensitive data
- Robust integration capabilities with third-party business management apps to maximize efficiency
Usability (10% of total score): To evaluate the usability of each online business management software, I considered the following:
- An intuitive design and user-friendly interface to speed up user adoption and minimize training time
- A balance between powerful features and ease of use
- Role-based access controls that are easy to configure for different user levels
- Specific interface elements like drag-and-drop scheduling tools for project management or easy filtering and tagging for asset management
Onboarding (10% of total score): To get a sense of each software provider's customer onboarding process, I considered the following factors:
- Quick setup processes and clear guidance for first-time users, including customizable templates
- The availability of training materials such as videos, webinars, or interactive product tours
- Support for migrating data from other systems into the new platform
Customer Support (10% of total score): To evaluate the level of customer support each vendor offered, I considered the following:
- The availability of multiple support channels, including email, phone, and chat
- The existence of a self-service knowledge base, FAQ repository, or other self-help resources to speed up troubleshooting
- The overall quality, responsiveness, and helpfulness of the support team during customer onboarding and post-purchase, as inferred from customer reviews
Value for Price (10% of total score): To gauge the value of each software, I considered the following factors:
- The availability of free trials or demos to test the software before purchasing
- Transparent pricing models that clearly explain which features are included at each level
- Comparable pricing to other similar business management system examples
- Tiered pricing plans that cater to different business sizes, from small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) up to enterprise-level organizations
- The option to scale the software and add additional modules, features, or services in the future, as needed
Customer Reviews (10% of total score): Evaluating customer reviews is the final element of my selection process, which helps me understand how well a product performs in the hands of real users. Here are the factors I considered:
- Whether a product has consistently high ratings across multiple review platforms, indicating a broad level of user satisfaction
- Specific praises, criticisms, or trends in customer feedback that indicate the software's strengths or areas for improvement
- Whether customer feedback specifically mentions issues with ease of use, customer support responsiveness, or lacking features
Using this assessment framework helped me identify the business management software solutions that go beyond basic requirements to offer additional value through unique features, intuitive usability, smooth onboarding, effective support, and overall value for price.
How to Choose Business Management Software
Business management software can help you streamline many different business processes, depending on your needs. To help you figure out which business management software solution best fits your needs, you need to pinpoint your key users and document their specific challenges first.
As you work through your own unique software selection process, keep the following points in mind:
- What problem are you trying to solve? Start by identifying the challenges you're trying to overcome. This will help you clarify the features and functionality the business management software needs to provide.
- Who will need to use it? To evaluate cost and requirements, consider who will use the software and how many licenses you'll need. For business management software, depending on your needs, you'll likely need access for your HR administrators, managers, and specific task-focused roles. Once that's clear, it's also useful to rank the needs of your different users to identify the key priorities for your power users, managers, and employees, to ensure they're all met.
- What other tools it needs to work with? Clarify what tools you're replacing, what tools are staying, and the tools you'll need to integrate with, such as accounting software, project management software, or other crucial tools. You'll need to decide if the tools will need to integrate together, or alternatively, if you can replace multiple tools with an all-in-one business management platform.
- What outcomes are important? Review the capabilities you want to gain or improve, and how you will measure success. For example, you may want to improve the productivity of your team by digitizing several paper or Excel-based tracking processes. You could compare software features until you’re blue in the face but if you aren’t thinking about the outcomes you want to achieve, you could waste a lot of valuable time.
- How it would work within your organization? Consider the software selection alongside your existing workflows and systems. Evaluate what's working well, and any problem areas that need to be addressed.
Remember every business is different — don’t assume that a business management system will work for your organization just because it's popular.
Trends in Business Management Software for 2024
When it comes to software, the best practices, priorities, and focal points are always evolving, and the features and functionalities offered by business management software companies are continuously changing to keep up with changing business needs. Here are the most recent trends that are impacting the evolution of management software for business, including several unique developments:
- AI and Machine Learning Enhancements: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) features are rapidly evolving, offering predictive analytics, automation of routine tasks, and more personalized experiences. The deployment of these technologies indicates a shift towards more intelligent and adaptive business management solutions.
- Real-Time Collaboration Tools: With remote work now well-established, real-time collaboration tools within online business management software have become crucial. Features supporting instant communication, document sharing, and collaborative editing are highly sought after, highlighting the importance of teamwork and connectivity.
Unique and Unusual Functionalities
- Voice-Activated Controls: Some of the most novel updates include the integration of voice-activated controls and virtual assistants into business management software, allowing users to manage tasks and access information hands-free, showcasing an innovative approach to user interaction.
- Blockchain for Security and Transparency: The adoption of blockchain technology for enhancing security and transparency in transactions and data management is another unusual yet significant trend, pointing towards an increased emphasis on data integrity and trust.
These trends reveal a clear shift toward more integrated, intelligent, and flexible solutions. The emphasis on AI and ML, collaboration tools, and novel functionalities like voice control and blockchain reflect a broader trend of leveraging technology to meet the evolving needs of businesses.
What is Business Management Software?
Business management software is a broad category of tools that help businesses organize, plan, track, and manage different business activities and needs. They can help you streamline a wide range of business operations, including project management, finance & accounting, customer experience, resource management, and more. They’re suitable for companies of all sizes, from early-age startups to large corporations.
Using business management software helps businesses become more competitive. They offer a birds-eye-view of your key processes, and they create a central repository for company data so decision-makers can build efficient roadmaps and work toward growing their business. Using business management software can help you make better data-driven decisions to support your short and long-term goals and plan the future of your organization.
Features of Business Management Software
Business management software casts a wide net. This term essentially covers a wide range of company software solutions that amalgamate different business operations into one system to streamline processes and create a more cohesive and productive work environment. Here are the most important features you should consider when shopping around for the best business management tools:
- Cloud-Based Technology: You'll want something cloud-based, as opposed to managed on-premise, to offer flexibility and accessibility for your users. This is vital for supporting remote work and ensuring that operations continue smoothly, regardless of location. It can also cut down on costs by allowing multiple users to share login credentials instead of needing to invest in separate licenses for each occasional user.
- Customization Options: The ability to tailor the software to fit specific business needs is key to ensuring that the software remains relevant and continues to provide value as your business evolves.
- User-Friendly Interface: A straightforward and intuitive design ensures that employees can navigate the software with ease with minimal training required. Having a user-friendly interface will also improve your user adoption rates, directly influencing productivity.
- Integration Capabilities: The ability to seamlessly integrate with your existing systems and software is another crucial feature to consider. minimizes disruptions. Integration capabilities minimize disruptions, maintain data consistency, and improve workflow efficiency.
- Collaboration Tools: Features that facilitate collaboration among team members enhance productivity and foster a more unified work environment. This is crucial for ensuring that projects move forward efficiently and effectively.
- Security Features: Robust security protocols protect sensitive information from unauthorized access and cyber threats. Security is fundamental to maintaining trust and safeguarding your business’s data integrity.
- Mobile Accessibility: Mobile-friendly software allows users to access the system from their smartphones or tablets. This feature is essential for modern businesses, promoting flexibility and allowing stakeholders to stay informed and make decisions from anywhere.
- Real-Time Analytics and Reporting: This feature is essential for making informed decisions quickly, enabling businesses to respond to market changes with agility.
Keep in mind that these features will vary depending on the specific type of business management software you're looking for. However, prioritizing a software system that offers these general characteristics will set your team up for greater success no matter which internal processes you're trying to improve.
Benefits of Business Management Software
Adopting a new business management tool can bring numerous benefits to your organization. Of course, the exact benefits you'll gain will depend on the specific challenges you're trying to solve. However, here are several general benefits you can expect to gain by optimizing your current business management processes:
- Increased Efficiency in HR Processes: Software that streamlines administrative duties such as payroll, attendance tracking, and employee data management, enables HR professionals to dedicate more time to strategic planning and other important tasks, like employee engagement efforts.
- Scalable HR Operations: Business management software is designed to scale with your organization, allowing your HR department to expertly manage increasing numbers of employees and evolving business requirements.
- Cost Reduction: By automating HR processes and reducing the need for manual intervention, organizations can achieve significant cost savings in terms of labor, paper, and compliance-related expenses.
- Enhanced Decision-Making with Data Analytics: Most business management tools offer some sort of analytics and reporting features, which can help organizations identify trends, forecast future needs, and make better data-driven decisions to improve workforce efficiency and effectiveness.
- Better Communication and Collaboration: Business management software with features like employee directories, social networking tools, and collaborative workspaces improve the flow of information and foster a deeper culture of teamwork across the organization.
Investing in business management software is a strategic move for any businesses seeking to modernize their operations. By choosing the right tool for your needs, you can reduce costs, make better data-driven decisions, and improve efficiency, communication, collaboration, and your organization's long-term scalability.
Costs & Pricing for Business Management Software
Business management solutions offer various plans and pricing options to serve different business sizes, needs, and budgets. Below, I've outlined the common plan options and pricing from a free tier for small businesses or those wanting to test the waters, to more comprehensive, feature-rich packages designed for larger enterprises.
Plan Comparison Table for Business Management Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic project management, limited users, essential reporting, and access to community support |
| Basic | $10 - $20 per user/month | Enhanced project management, more users, task automation, email support, and basic analytics |
| Professional | $20 - $50/ per user/month | Full project management suite, unlimited users, advanced reporting, priority email and chat support, and integration with other tools |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Customized solutions, advanced security features, dedicated account manager, on-site training, and 24/7 support |
When considering which plan to choose, you should weigh your specific needs against the features and limitations of each plan. Price sensitivity, the size of the team, and the complexity of the projects managed are key factors to consider. Remember, the right software can significantly impact your organization's productivity and operational efficiency, so choose a plan that best fits your current needs while also allowing for future growth.
If you have a small number of users and simple needs, you can likely get started with a free or basic small business management system initially. However, there are many reasons why you may want to opt for a more advanced plan, including:
- Project Management: Managing multiple projects simultaneously can be difficult with basic software. Advanced plans offer robust project management tools to help you track progress, allocate resources, and meet deadlines more efficiently.
- Increased Customer Base: As your business grows and you acquire more customers, the basic plan might not support the volume of transactions and customer data you need to manage efficiently. Upgrading can provide better CRM tools and higher data capacity.
- Advanced Reporting Needs: Basic plans often lack in-depth reporting and analytics capabilities. If you require detailed financial reports, sales analytics, or custom dashboards, an advanced plan will offer these features.
- Automation and Integration: When your business operations become more complex, integrating various tools and automating workflows becomes crucial. Integrations are usually excluded from basic plans, so you'll need to upgrade your software package to unlock this useful feature.
- Customizable Features: Basic plans often come with limited customization options. If your business requires specific features or tailored workflows, upgrading allows for greater customization to fit your unique needs.
- Priority Support: With more advanced plans, you get access to priority customer support, including dedicated account managers and faster response times. This ensures that any issues or questions are resolved promptly, minimizing downtime.
Ultimately, it's important to secure a plan that offers the features you require to satisfy your current needs and solve your challenges without exceeding your budget.
New & Noteworthy Product Updates
Below, I've summarized the most recent release notes and product updates for my top business management software recommendations. Discover what’s now possible through new feature releases, improvements, and updates for web, desktop, and mobile apps. Learn what’s new, if it’s hot—or not, and why it matters for core business operations.
2024 Q4: Business Software Updates
Wrike Update Notes
During Q4 of 2024, Wrike launched several updates to improve data integration, dashboards, and timesheet management. Key additions include a Datahub for Enterprise Pinnacle accounts, new dashboard tools, new mobile app features, and stricter timesheet controls.
Datahub connects external data sources to Wrike, removing silos and syncing with space-level permissions. Users can link databases to form questions and set conditional follow-ups. Dashboard updates add AI-powered widget creation, more filters, and PDF exports. Timesheet approvals now include daily and weekly hour limits. Other updates include smart folders, mobile app features, and new Team and Free plans.
These updates provide users with more efficient data management, enhanced reporting capabilities, and improved workflow controls. Datahub centralizes information, dashboards improve visualization, and timesheet rules enhance accuracy. Wrike users benefit from faster workflows and better organization.
Verdict: Hot! Collectively, these updates simplify data handling, boost reporting, and tighten time tracking.
Kissflow Update Notes
During Q4, Kissflow updated the navigation for accessing integrations to enhance user experience and streamline workflow management.
Previously, integrations were accessible via the user profile in the top-right corner. With the new update, integrations are now located within the Explorer section. Users can find integrations they are part of or have created under the "Managed by me" tab in the Explorer.
Verdict: Warm? This update centralizes integration management, making it more intuitive and efficient, but it's also not terribly groundbreaking either.
Scoro Update Notes
Scoro recently released several updates focused on enhancing productivity, user experience, and data management. These improvements include expanded reporting capabilities, calendar enhancements, and an AI-powered assistant, ELI, that can provide instant answers to user inquiries by leveraging the Help Center's resources.
Reporting updates now allow revenue data to be grouped by clients, offering greater flexibility in financial analysis. Additionally, users can export revenue reports for external analysis. Calendar improvements include clearer differentiation of personal events from shared ones and a simpler process for deleting events, reducing scheduling complexity.
These updates empower users by streamlining workflows and boosting productivity. ELI enhances support efficiency, enabling users to find answers faster. The improved reporting tools provide actionable insights, and calendar enhancements simplify scheduling, making Scoro a more intuitive and effective platform.
Verdict: Hot! Collectively, these updates make Scoro faster and simpler to use.
Studio Creatio Update Notes
Studio Creatio recently released version 8.2, which includes advanced AI capabilities to enhance workflow automation, no-code development, and CRM functionalities.
This update features Creatio AI, an AI-native architecture that integrates predictive, generative, and agentic AI functionalities into a unified platform. Users can leverage Large Language Models to perform tasks more efficiently and create custom AI Skills using natural language processing without coding. The AI Command Center allows for customization of AI tools, providing insights into usage and facilitating the configuration of machine learning models.
By embedding AI at its core, Creatio 8.2 empowers users to automate workflows and develop applications with greater ease and efficiency. The introduction of customizable AI Skills and a comprehensive AI Command Center enhances user productivity and offers tailored experiences, making the platform more adaptable to diverse business needs.
Verdict: Hot! This new release makes the Creatio platform more powerful and efficient for a variety of business needs.
Business Management Software: Frequently Asked Questions
Business management software often doubles as a type of resource management solution because employees are the most valuable resource for most companies. Here are some answers to popular questions you may have about business management software and how it can help you:
Are there different types of business management software?
Most of the business management software solutions currently available on the market are designed to help you handle different parts of your business. As a result, you could classify business management software solutions based on what they do best:
- Human resources management
- Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
- Customer relationship management
- Supply chain management
- Inventory management
- Accounting or financial management
- Project management
- Document management
For even more options, take a look at our list of the best office management software for other types of business software programs too.
How can I choose the best business management tools for my organization?
Start by taking a close look at your current business needs. If your organization struggles with delivering projects on time, you should go for business management software that specializes in project management. If, on the other hand, you struggle with winning returning customers, you would probably be better off choosing business management software solution that specializes in customer relationship management or customer experience, and so on.
Other aspects you should consider are whether the software for business management you’re considering offers quality customer support or scalable features to match your business needs as your company grows. There are also small business management software systems out there that are specifically geared for small businesses, or startups.
What does business management software cost?
Business management software solutions vary in price depending on the type of software and the extent of its features. For example, simple workspace management and team collaboration tools like Wrike, Trello, and monday.com offer a lower price point ranging between $6 to $10/user/month.
If you’re looking for a more sophisticated business management system that includes advanced project management tools, you can expect to pay a little bit more. Software vendors in that category — including ProofHub, Zoho One, Bitrix24 and others — will cost you between $45 to $65/user/month.
While you definitely need to consider your budget for whatever SaaS tool you invest in, I recommend giving each tool’s depth of features more weight in your final analysis. Cheaper isn’t always better and as you make the business case for software, connecting the dots between features and outcomes that impact the bottom line will help steer you in the right direction. It’s more important that your chosen business management application satisfies all your business needs.
How does business management software impact employee productivity?
Business management software significantly enhances employee productivity by streamlining processes, automating routine tasks, and facilitating easier communication and collaboration among teams. It reduces the time spent on manual data entry and helps in organizing tasks efficiently, allowing employees to focus more on strategic work that adds value to the business.
Furthermore, it provides insights into performance metrics and enables better resource management, leading to more informed decision-making and ultimately, higher productivity levels.
What role does AI play in business management practices?
AI increasingly plays a transformative role in business management practices by automating complex processes, providing predictive analytics for better decision-making, and personalizing customer experiences. It can analyze vast amounts of data to identify trends and patterns that humans might overlook, leading to more strategic insights and actions.
AI also enhances efficiency by automating routine tasks, such as customer service inquiries and HR processes, allowing staff to concentrate on more high-value activities. This integration of AI into business or company management software not only increases operational efficiency but also drives innovation and competitive advantage.
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.
What's Next?
Interested in leveraging more data into your decision-making? I recommend reading the following articles too:
- What is Business Intelligence Software and How Can it Benefit Your Business?
- Best Business Intelligence Software for Data Analytics
- Business Expenses: What Are They And How to Manage Them
- 7 Crucial Conversations for Effective Business Transformation (a podcast)
- What is an ERP System — How Do They Work & Why Use One?
- Enterprise Performance Management: Everything You Need to Know
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