Canny Picks
Ten jobs every small shop pays software to do. For each one: the tool we'd pay for, the runner-up, and the one to skip. Sized for one to ten people.
Prices checked October 5, 2026.
Some links on this page may earn us a commission at no cost to you. It does not decide the pick. How that works.
Best invoicing tool under $30 a month
WaveUnlimited invoices for $0, or $19 a month for the paid plan. Skip:
Read the pickFreshBooks.Bookkeeping software for a shop of five
Zoho BooksFive users for $50 a month, or $40 billed yearly. Skip:
Read the pickQuickBooks Online Plus.Cheapest business email that doesn't look cheap
Google Workspace StarterEmail on your own domain for $7 a person. Skip:
Read the pickFastmail Basic.The CRM a five-person shop should use
Less Annoying CRM$15 a user. One plan. No contract. Skip:
Read the pickPipedrive Lite.Password manager for a small office
1Password Teams Starter PackUp to ten people for one flat $299.40 a year. Skip:
Read the pickNordPass.Cloud backup for a small office
BackblazeUnlimited data for $99 a year per computer. Skip:
Read the pickCarbonite Professional Core.Online booking for a local service business
Square AppointmentsFree to start, then $49 a month per location. Skip:
Read the pickCalendly.Email marketing for a small list
MailerLiteFrom $12 a month with three seats. Skip:
Read the pickMailchimp.Payroll for a team of two to ten
OnPay$49 a month plus $6 a person, everything included. Skip:
Read the pickADP RUN.Business phone system for a small office
Quo (formerly OpenPhone)Unlimited calls and texts from $15 a user. Skip:
Read the pickRingCentral.
How picks are chosen
Price it for five people
The headline price is rarely what a real shop pays. We add up seats, add-ons and renewal prices.
Read the vendor's own page
Every number comes from the company's pricing page on the date shown, not from another review site.
Name one to skip
A guide that likes everything is an ad. Each one says which tool is the wrong buy at this size, and why.