28 Must-Have SaaS Products for Startups

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SaaS tools are great for startups because they're affordable and easy to set up and grow with your business. They help startups stay focused on what they do best by making tasks simpler, boosting teamwork, and giving access to valuable tech without a hassle.

With so many SaaS products available to businesses, however, it can be challenging to know which are the best for your business. These SaaS tools are built for startups and small businesses to make every aspect of launching, running, and scaling a business easier and more efficient. 

Top SaaS Tools for Entrepreneurs

From finance tools to customer experience solutions, SaaS products provide startups with valuable tech resources to run their business smoothly. If you’re looking to automate aspects of your business, look no further. These are the top SaaS tools for startups. 

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Project Management

1. Monday.com

Project management software is a valuable tool for any startup. Monday.com is a popular choice combining user-friendliness, customizability, and extensive features to optimize workflows across teams. On the platform, users are able to manage projects and track progress with a myriad of views, such as Kanban, Gantt, and more. 

One of the most notable features of the Monday.com platform, however, is the high level of customizability. With over 200 customizable templates, teams are able to build tailor-made workspaces to streamline processes and improve collaboration. 

Pricing: Free to $19/user/month 

2. Wrike

Another strong choice for project management software, Wrike is a robust platform built to streamline workflows and increase efficiency across any department. The platform boasts several pre-built templates for everything from marketing to engineering, taking users beyond traditional project management. 

With artificial intelligence features weaved through the platform, users are able to leverage the technology to generate content and protect themselves from risk. Wrike also includes over 400 integrations on their platform, more than many competitors, allowing the software to seamlessly integrate into any tech stack. 

Pricing: Free to $24.80/user/month 

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

3. Salesforce

The most widely used CRM on the market, Salesforce is a popular tool for customer relationship management. With built-in, robust tracking and reporting features as well as data integration from any source, Salesforce’s platform is a powerful tool for sales, marketing, service, and commerce. 

The Customer 360 platform also includes built-in AI features that assess data as well as Slack interactions to automate repeatable tasks and save teams time. This CRM empowers users to provide better service and increase conversions through the management of prospects and customer data, as well as ongoing marketing campaigns. 

Pricing: $25–$1,250+ 

4. Freshsales

Freshsales is an AI-powered CRM built for sales teams to grow their pipelines, increase conversions, and streamline productivity offered by Freshworks. The platform is easy to use with clever features included to reduce labor for your sales team, leaving them free to pursue leads and make sales. 

Freshsales combines features seen on many project management software, such as Kanban boards with 360° views for optimal organization and oversight of channels and customer relations. The platform offers a free version of the product; however, to get the most out of the platform, including AI features and full CRM functionality, the paid plans are going to be a better option. 

Pricing: Free to $69/user/month

Communications

5. Google Workspace

Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) incorporates several communication features such as email, video chat, calendar, and drive to make collaboration easier across teams, departments, and entire companies. 

With Google Workspace, businesses can create custom secure company emails, conduct video meetings with embedded recordings, and store important projects and documents – all while protecting their business’s security. Each plan includes access to Google Workspace’s suite of features, including Gmail, Meet, Forms, and Chat. 

Pricing: $6 to $18/user/month 

6. Slack

Slack is a feature-rich communication platform used to connect teams of all sizes and boost productivity through collaboration. The primary use case for Slack is messaging. However, the platform can be integrated into other apps and workflows to embed collaborative features into any workspace. 

With Slack, businesses can build workspaces with custom workflows to bring teams together and increase collaboration across departments. Plus, the platform offers a robust free version for small teams to utilize the platform at no cost. 

Pricing: Free to $15/user/month

Social Media

7. Arrow

It’s no secret that keeping up with social media as a business can be challenging. Arrow leverages AI to make creating and executing an effective social media marketing strategy easy and far less time-consuming. 

On Arrow, businesses and creators are able to rely on artificial intelligence to create, schedule, and publish social media posts that are relevant to their target audience to increase engagement and appeal to each algorithm. Whether it is promotional, educational, or news-related, Arrow can develop and publish content to keep your business’s social media active and engaged with customers. 

Pricing: $19 to $79/month

8. Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a social media management platform that helps users manage and schedule content, build calendars, and curate content to be more effective through discovery streams and hashtag suggestions. 

Whether your business has a social media team or you’re managing social media as an entrepreneur, Hootsuite is a powerful tool to more effectively manage content across several platforms. Additionally, users are able to create and manage social media ads through the platform, including reporting and analytics. 

Pricing: $99 to $249/month

SEO

9. Semrush

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a powerful asset for any business, but it requires skill to do it successfully. Semrush is a valuable tool for businesses both new and experienced in SEO to rank on search engines. 

The platform doesn’t stop at SEO, however. Semrush also has features for content marketing, pay-per-click (PPC), and social media marketing, providing use cases for businesses across a variety of marketing channels. 

Pricing: $129.95 to $249.95/month 

10. Serpstat

Serpstat is a ‘growth hacking tool’ built to help businesses rank well on search engines. Used by major companies such as Samsung, Uber, and Visa, Serpstat combines a variety of helpful features for competitor analysis, site audits, keyword research, and more. 

The platform also boasts AI content generation features that go beyond the simple use of prompts. With Serpstat, users can use AI to create content, check grammar and spelling, detect AI-generated content, and evaluate for plagiarism. Overall, the platform packs in a plethora of features built to make SEO efforts manageable and successful. 

Pricing: $50 to $479/month

Marketing Automation

11. GetResponse

Email marketing is an effective but laborious process for businesses and marketing teams. GetResponse is an email marketing platform that aims to make email marketing easier and more affordable without sacrificing the effectiveness of your campaigns. 

On the platform, users can automate engagement with website visitors and existing customers, driving leads to your business’s emails and providing targeted marketing support. Additionally, GetResponse can be easily used to collect more email subscribers through a variety of avenues, develop valuable content through AI, and track the effectiveness of campaigns using analytics to improve results. 

Pricing: $15.60 to $119/month 

12. Mailchimp

Mailchimp is a popular email marketing platform helping businesses increase revenue through targeted, automated, and effective email and SMS marketing. One of the key features of the platform are email and SMS nudges that lead to conversions easier and more effective using AI automation. 

However, Mailchimp’s impressive lineup of features doesn’t stop there. Users are able to target customers more effectively through data on buying behavior and engagement and create more effective and engaging content through generative AI tools, analytics, and targeting. 

Pricing: Free to $350/month

Ecommerce

13. GoDaddy

Building an online store doesn’t have to be difficult. With GoDaddy, ecommerce businesses can build the perfect website (with a domain) from templates and customize them to create the perfect site for their business and its customers using the platform’s integrated website builder. 

Plus, with GoDaddy, businesses benefit from one source dashboard to manage all orders and inventory, process payments, and connect with major marketplaces such as Etsy, eBay, and Amazon. 

Pricing: Free to $20.99/month

14. Shopify

Shopify is an ecommerce platform used by millions of merchants across the globe. The platform is robust, providing everything ecommerce businesses need to launch, sell, market, and manage their businesses both in person and online. 

Whether your business is primarily online, in person, or a combination of both, Shopify is a valuable tool to start and manage your business effectively. 

Pricing: $39 to $399/month 

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

15. Oracle NetSuite

Oracle NetSuite’s ERP solution is an all-in-one software for businesses looking to efficiently manage and automate processes. Built for domestic and global businesses alike, the software is a powerful tool for any business looking to take control of its operations. 

On the platform, users gain access to accounting, financial, enterprise performance, inventory, supply chain, and warehouse management software – all included in one platform. Businesses can use the platform to gain better insight into their operations to automate and optimize processes and increase efficiency. 

Pricing: Not disclosed on website

16. Sage

Sage is an AI-powered business management platform offering solutions for everything from finances to human resources. Their ERP software, Sage X3, helps businesses manage every aspect of their operations, from supply chain to sales. 

The platform incorporates three management solutions for finance, supply chain, and production – all on one platform. Plus, they offer customized use cases for a variety of industries such as food and beverage, chemical, and distribution — helping you make the most of the platform. 

Pricing: Not disclosed on website 

Customer Support

17. Zendesk

Zendesk doesn’t just provide software solutions for customer service; the platform helps businesses build relationships with their customers through top-tier customer experience (CX) capabilities. 

The CX solution leverages AI to offer personalized support and empower customer service teams to provide the best possible support. From help centers to routing and intelligence features, the Zendesk platform works hard to ensure customers are receiving the support they need. 

Pricing: $55 to $149/user/month 

18. HubSpot

HubSpot is home to several business software products from marketing to operations. Their customer service solution, Service Hub, is a widely used software built to provide 24/7 customer service through several channels while retaining customer data. 

Not only are customers receiving the support they need, but all customer data is added into the fully integrated CRM, making better, targeted service possible through valuable customer insights. Plus, with task automation, shared inboxes, and AI-powered calls and coaching identification, teams are able to improve and be more productive than ever before. 

Pricing: Free to $1,200/month

Human Resources (HR)

19. Gusto

Whether you’re running payroll or time tracking, HR software like Gusto makes managing employees easier. Gusto is a user-friendly, feature-heavy platform that allows businesses to quickly and easily run payroll for domestic and international employees while calculating and filing necessary taxes. 

Businesses can also complete benefits administration, navigate on and offboarding requirements, and even pay contractors – a feature not included in all HR or payroll software. Gusto’s packages are also highly customizable, allowing customers to tailor a package to their business’s unique needs. 

Pricing: $40 to $80/user/month 

20. OnPay

OnPay is a competitively priced employee management software that includes all the essentials for business owners to effectively manage all aspects of their staff and hiring processes such as payroll, HR, and benefits. 

With their flat rate pricing, customers are only paying for the essential features they need – no hidden fees or add-on requirements. The platform is built for small businesses, making it best suited to small teams. 

Pricing: $40/user/month

Accounting

21. QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a powerhouse in business software. Their small business accounting software is used by businesses in a variety of industries to manage their business’s financial wellness. Plus, users can easily integrate with QuickBooks’ other business products to gain time tracking and payroll features. 

The software helps businesses manage bills, track expenses, calculate tax deductions, cost out jobs and projects, manage inventory, and process inventory and payments. – everything a small business needs to effectively manage its finances. 

Pricing: $30 to $200/month 

22. Zoho Books

Zoho is another company known for making a suite of helpful business service products. Their accounting software, Zoho Books, is no exception. The online accounting software helps businesses manage their finances, automate workflows, and collaborate across departments. 

On the platform, users can conduct end-to-end accounting tasks, manage inventory, set up a business banking account, and track time spent on projects as well as create invoices. Zoho Books can also integrate easily with Zoho’s over 50 other business products to manage all aspects of their business from one platform. 

Pricing: Free to $275/month 

Finance

23. BILL

Formerly Divvy, BILL is an innovative financial operations platform for businesses. The company offers a few different products: accounts payable, accounts receivable, and spend and expense. While they are separate products, the accounts payable and accounts receivable can be bundled to create a seamless solution for businesses to pay and get paid. 

BILL’s spend and expense platform grants businesses access to business lines of credit between $500 and $5 million. Plus, a spend and budget tracking software is included with the flexible funding solution. 

Pricing: Free to $79/user/month 

24. Ramp

Ramp is a robust financial management solution for businesses of all sizes. With Ramp, businesses can obtain business credit cards, utilize expense management software, secure working capital, and much more. 

The platform is user-friendly, with excellent overviews of spending to help business owners track and manage their financial wellness. With well-crafted features such as AI-powered reconciliation, price comparison, and automation options, Ramp is a platform built with business owners in mind. 

Pricing: Free to $12/user/month billed annually 

Document Management

25. Box

Any business that deals heavily with content can benefit from a document management system. Box is a security-focused document management system built to help businesses locate, organize, refine, and classify content to streamline workflows and keep projects moving. 

The platform features collaboration tools to allow teams to create and adapt content in tandem and includes built-in security features to keep content and information safe. Notably, the platform boasts over 1,500 integrations with popular software such as Salesforce and Google Workspace. 

Pricing: $15 to $47/user/month 

26. Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud-based personal storage solution. Users are able to utilize 5 GB of document storage to start. However, with a Microsoft 365 subscription, storage capabilities increase, allowing users to store hundreds of thousands of multimedia files, from videos to documents. 

This platform is likely best suited for businesses or entrepreneurs already using Microsoft products. However, the platform can also be leveraged by other users to store important files at a competitive price. 

Pricing: Free to $99/year 

Time Tracking

27. Timely

Timely leverages the power of artificial intelligence for a comprehensive time-tracking solution. Used by major corporations such as Amazon and Kellogg, as well as esteemed educational institutions, Timely automates the time tracking process to allow employees and businesses to spend more time moving the business forward rather than tracking employees' time manually. 

Additionally, the platform can be used to track projects from budget to activities in real time, assess team performance, and track plans versus the results of projects. 

Pricing: $9 to $28/month 

28. Toggl Track 

A combination of time tracking and project management, Toggl Track is a powerful time tracking tool built to increase productivity, reduce labor used to track employee progress and save businesses money by billing accurately. 

The non-invasive tracking tool keeps employees accountable, increasing their output and measuring the success of projects versus initial projections and timelines. Notably, the company also offers solutions for team planning and skills-based hiring. 

Pricing: Free to $20/user/month

Pros & Cons of SaaS Products

Pros

  • Streamlines workflows and increases productivity
  • Automates tedious tasks, reducing administrative burden 
  • If used effectively, can help reduce costs 
  • Keeps important information organized and manageable 

Cons

  • They can be expensive – especially as you add more to your workflow 
  • You may need several to complete your tech stack 

What to Look For in a SaaS Tool

There are a myriad of helpful SaaS tools available for businesses to help streamline and optimize processes. Choosing the right products for your startup, however, requires considering the price, features, integration capabilities, and user-friendliness of the software. 

  • Price: Especially if your business plans to increase the amount of SaaS tools used, price is the most important factor in choosing a SaaS tool. 
  • Features Included: The features included with a SaaS product should cover what you need and, preferably, nothing you don’t. 
  • Integrations: A seamless tech stack is dependent on integrations. Look for SaaS products that integrate together with your current SaaS products. 
  • User-Friendliness: If you or your team will have difficulty adopting the technology, it can pose issues. For more challenging software, make sure the platform offers onboarding or training. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SaaS company?

A Software as a Service (SaaS) company provides applications over the internet as a service, eliminating the need to install and maintain software on individual computers. Customers access and use the software, typically through a web browser, on a subscription basis, which allows for scalability, accessibility, and regular updates.

What are the most popular SaaS products?

A few of the most popular SaaS products include Salesforce, Slack, Dropbox, and Zoom. 

What are SaaS tools?

SaaS tools are cloud-based applications accessed via the internet rather than installed on computers directly. These products help streamline one or more processes through tech-based features and automation options. 

How many SaaS tools do companies use?

The amount of SaaS products used by businesses varies from company to company. However, in a 2022 study, it was reported that companies used an average of 130 SaaS tools.