The Best Tools to Streamline and Grow Your Small Business

The Best Tools to Streamline and Grow Your Small Business

Running a small business means juggling a lot; clients, finances, team communication, marketing, and more. The right tools can make a massive difference in how efficiently you operate day-to-day and how well you're positioned for growth.

Here are some of the best small business tools we recommend in 2025 based on what’s actually working for growing teams.

A. QuickBooks Online – For Accounting & Bookkeeping

Still the go-to for many small businesses, QuickBooks Online makes it easy to track income and expenses, send invoices, and generate reports. It also integrates with dozens of other tools, making it a strong hub for financial operations.

B. Gusto – For Payroll & HR

Gusto simplifies payroll, tax filings, benefits administration, and employee onboarding—all in one place. It’s user-friendly and perfect for businesses with just a few employees or contractors.

C. Slack – For Team Communication

Forget endless email threads. Slack lets your team communicate in real-time, organize conversations by topic, and stay aligned whether you're in the office or remote.

D. Dext – For Receipt & Expense Management

Dext (formerly Receipt Bank) helps automate expense tracking by extracting data from receipts and syncing with your accounting software. It’s a must-have if you want to keep your books clean without data entry headaches.

E. Calendly – For Scheduling

If you're still going back and forth to book meetings, Calendly will save you hours. Sync it with your calendar and let clients or partners book directly during your available times.

Final Thought: Simplicity Wins

The best tools don’t just have features they make your life easier. Start with the tools that solve today’s problems and grow into the rest as you scale.

Want help streamlining your back office?
Book a free strategy call with Exact Bookkeepers today.