Email marketing
HubSpot
Who it's for: Small and growing businesses that want email and customer tracking in one place.
Vendor describes it as a customer platform covering CRM, marketing, sales and customer service software.
Quick picks: one starting tool for each need
Short on time? Here is one place to start for each job. No long comparisons.
⏱ In about 2 minutes
Affiliate disclosure: links on this page may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
One suggested starting tool for each need. These are starting suggestions chosen by us, not rankings or test results, and they are not the only good options. Always confirm current pricing, features and setup time on the vendor's site.
Password manager
1Password
Who it's for: Individuals, families and businesses.
Vendor offers plans for each of these groups.
Security software
Bitdefender
Who it's for: Small businesses that want antivirus plus extra protection.
Vendor offers antivirus, VPN, identity protection and small-business solutions.
Accounting and invoicing
Xero
Who it's for: Small businesses and their accountants or bookkeepers.
Vendor describes it as accounting software for small businesses and their advisors.
Website hosting
Kinsta
Who it's for: Businesses with a WordPress website that want a provider to manage the hosting.
Vendor describes itself as a managed WordPress hosting provider.
Security first? Do the free steps on our Start here checklist before buying anything.
Frequently asked questions
Why only one tool per need?
You are short on time, so we give you one place to start. Our category guides list other options.
Are these the best tools?
We haven't ranked or rated them. They are suggestions for where to begin, based on what each vendor says it offers.
How long does setup take?
It varies by business. Check the vendor's own site and any free trial to judge this for yourself.
Do you earn money from these links?
We may earn a commission if you sign up through an approved affiliate link, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
Get one short tip a week
One quick, practical tip on saving time or staying safe with business software. Takes about two minutes to read. Unsubscribe any time.