10 Recommended Business Apps to Help You Work Smarter, Not Harder
Running a business is no small feat—especially for small business owners and freelancers juggling multiple roles. Luckily, there’s a growing ecosystem of business apps designed to make your workday more productive, more organised, and less stressful. Whether you're managing your books, communicating with clients, or creating a social media post on the fly, the right tools can make all the difference.
Here are 10 highly recommended business apps that cover a range of business functions, helping you simplify your processes and stay focused on growth.
1. Sage Accounting (Finance & Admin)
Sage Accounting is a powerful tool for managing day-to-day business finances. It allows users to create and send invoices, record expenses, track payments, and even manage stock levels—all in one place.
Why it's great:
User-friendly interface
Ideal for freelancers, sole traders, and small businesses
Customisable reporting and cash flow tracking
Seamlessly integrates with bank accounts and HMRC
2. Xero (Finance & VAT)
Xero is another excellent cloud-based accounting solution known for its simplicity and strong integration options.
Why it's great:
Real-time bank feeds and reconciliation
Invoicing, payroll, and VAT submissions in one app
Excellent support and integration with hundreds of third-party apps
Ideal for businesses looking to scale
3. Monday.com (Project & Team Management)
Monday.com is a flexible project management tool with drag-and-drop boards and customisable workflows. It’s perfect for keeping on top of tasks, teams, and timelines.
Why it's great:
Intuitive interface—no training required
Built-in automation to save time
Colour-coded visuals for better organisation
Free version available for individuals or duos
4. Square Appointments / POS (Scheduling & Sales)
For businesses that book clients—like consultants, salons, or fitness professionals—Square Appointments offers a seamless way to manage your diary and take payments.
Why it's great:
Online booking, reminders, and payment in one place
Free version for individuals
Affordable upgrade options for growing businesses
Integrates with Square’s powerful POS tools
5. Clockify (Time Tracking & Productivity)
Keeping track of how you spend your time can unlock serious productivity gains. Clockify offers a simple way to log hours across different projects, clients, and teams.
Why it's great:
Free tier with plenty of functionality
Useful reports for billing and productivity analysis
Great for freelancers, agencies, and remote teams
Supports multiple users and integrations
6. Canva (Marketing & Design)
Need to create a professional-looking social media post or flyer in minutes? Canva is your go-to for drag-and-drop design, perfect for people without a design background.
Why it's great:
Huge library of templates
Easy-to-use editor
Brand kits and collaboration features
Excellent for quick and beautiful marketing assets
7. QuickBooks (Bookkeeping & Tax Management)
QuickBooks is a comprehensive bookkeeping app, ideal for growing businesses that need robust features like inventory tracking, payroll, and tax submissions.
Why it's great:
Custom invoicing and payment tracking
Real-time reporting and cash flow insights
Scalable as your business grows
Easy to use with strong customer support
8. HubSpot CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
Managing leads and customer communications can be overwhelming—HubSpot CRM makes it easier by centralising everything in one clean dashboard.
Why it's great:
Free to start, forever
Includes marketing tools like email automation
Sales pipeline tracking and analytics
Especially useful for service-based businesses
9. Tide (Business Banking)
Tide offers business bank accounts designed for UK SMEs, with simple tools to manage money, send invoices, and stay organised.
Why it's great:
Easy setup in minutes
Expense tracking and receipt uploads
Low fees and multi-user access
Integrates with Sage, Xero, and QuickBooks
10. Dext (Receipt & Expense Management)
Formerly known as Receipt Bank, Dext is a handy tool for snapping receipts and pushing them straight to your accounting software.
Why it's great:
Reduces manual data entry
Works seamlessly with Sage, Xero, and QuickBooks
Great for busy business owners and their accountants
Secure, cloud-based storage of financial documents
Final Thoughts
In a world where time, accuracy, and flexibility matter more than ever, the right apps can act as a trusted digital assistant—saving you time, reducing admin headaches, and helping you grow with confidence. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to streamline how you work, these ten apps offer powerful support across the most important areas of your business.
Want help choosing or setting up the right tools for your business? At The Accountancy Workshop, I’m happy to guide you toward smarter systems that support your goals—just get in touch.
