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Small-business tech, compared and priced

The right tools for a small team, compared and priced

Plain-English guides to the software and gear a small team runs on - automation, payments, meetings, backups, Wi-Fi and hiring - sized to your headcount and priced to the month.

Your business
Backups Team apps Website Automation Time tracking Meetings Hiring & HR POS Payments AI at work
Head to head

The comparisons small teams ask for most

ZapierMake Which one is cheaper at your task count, and where each one breaks. Read the comparison SlackTeams Chat, calls and price per seat for a team of 5 to 50. Read the comparison WorkspaceMicrosoft 365 Email, storage and the plan each team size needs. Read the comparison SquareStripe In-person or online, and what the fees come to each month. Read the comparison TogglClockify Billable hours, timesheets and the free plan's limits. Read the comparison QuickBooksXero Invoicing, payroll add-ons and what your accountant expects. Read the comparison
Pick the job

Every guide, by the job in front of you

Backup & Security Backups, NAS boxes, encryption and recovery plans that a small office can actually keep running. 21 Team Apps Slack or Teams, Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, Notion, ClickUp and the plan each team size… 20 Website & Online Website cost, builders, domains, business email, security and email lists for a small business online. 20 Automation Zapier, Make, n8n and Power Automate compared and priced, and the jobs worth automating first. 19 Time Tracking Time trackers, time clocks and employee monitoring, compared for billing, payroll and fairness. 18 Meetings & Video Calls Cameras, speakerphones, headsets and transcription for meeting rooms and desks, sized to the room. 17 Hiring & HR Applicant tracking, onboarding checklists, payroll and HR software for teams that hire a few a month. 16 POS & Card Readers Point-of-sale systems and card readers for shops, cafes and pop-ups, with the fees that come with… 14 Payments & Invoicing Card fees, payment processors, invoicing and accounting software, worked out for small volumes. 10 AI at Work The AI tools that save a small team real hours - writing, meeting notes, video -… 9 Office Wi-Fi & Network Routers, mesh Wi-Fi, PoE switches and VPNs for a small office, sized to the floor and… 8
In our guides

Tools our guides recommend, when they fit

Each one is recommended only where it solves the problem in that guide. They take turns at the front of this list.

Website Builders & WordPressWP Login Lockdown

WP Login Lockdown is a security plugin designed to protect WordPress sites from brute-force attacks and unauthorized access.

  • Block unauthorized IPs and bots before they reach the site.
  • Utilize two-factor authentication for added security.
  • Access detailed analytics to monitor login attempts.
See how WP Login Lockdown works

One-time payment, lifetime access

Security & ComplianceInPrivy

InPrivy is a software tool that allows users to securely share sensitive information such as passwords and files.

  • Easily share sensitive information with co-workers or clients.
  • Generate secure links that can be voided after being opened.
  • Categorize secrets in folders for better organization.
See how InPrivy works

One-time payment, lifetime access

SEO & AnalyticsScrepy

Screpy is an AI-based SEO analysis tool that allows users to analyze their website and track keywords from a single dashboard.

  • Analyze website speed and SEO performance with AI-driven insights.
  • Monitor website uptime continuously and receive alerts for downtimes.
  • Generate professional white-label SEO reports for clients.
See how Screpy works

One-time payment, lifetime access

SEO & AnalyticsVisitor Tracking

Visitor Tracking is a tool that allows users to track unlimited websites, providing insights into visitor behavior, conversion rates, and customer journeys.

  • Gain full visibility into website traffic and conversions
  • Track customer journeys from initial interaction to conversion
  • Monitor visitor behavior in real-time
See how Visitor Tracking works

One-time payment, lifetime access

Customer SupportAnyChat

AnyChat is an AI-powered customer support tool that integrates multiple messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram into a single interface.

  • Manage customer support across various platforms from a single inbox
  • Create AI-driven chatbots tailored to specific business needs
  • Customize the support widget to align with brand identity
See how AnyChat works

One-time payment, lifetime access

VideoWideo

Wideo is a video creation tool that allows users to create, translate, and automate branded videos using AI-powered tools and a library of over 300 templates.

  • Produce branded videos in minutes using AI scripts and voiceovers.
  • Translate videos into over 40 languages to reach wider audiences.
  • Automate video production from blog posts, podcasts, or product pages.
See how Wideo works

One-time payment, lifetime access

Productivity & AutomationVocal

Vocal is a software tool that allows users to record and send voice notes via email, complete with AI transcription and customizable features.

  • Send voice messages directly from Gmail or Outlook.
  • Access AI transcription for all voice messages.
  • Customize voice message appearance and content.
See how Vocal works

One-time payment, lifetime access

Computer monitoring softwareSentryPC

SentryPC is a cloud-based software that provides computer monitoring, content filtering, and time management features for parents and employers.

  • Monitor user activities in real-time.
  • Filter content and applications based on user settings.
  • Schedule device usage to manage screen time.
See how SentryPC works

Some links on this site are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products where they genuinely fit the problem.

What it really costs

Prices worked out for a small team, not a sales page

Start here

The guides readers open first

Backup & Security

All 21

Team Apps

All 20

Website & Online

All 20
How we size a tool

Your team size first, the feature list last

  1. 1Start from the headcount

    Every guide is sized to a real team - 3 desks, 12 staff, 40 laptops - because that decides the plan you need.

  2. 2Price it to the month

    Seats, tasks, card fees and add-ons from the vendor's own pricing page, added up for that team.

  3. 3Say what breaks

    Limits, lock-in and the point where a cheaper tool stops being enough, said plainly.

  4. 4Date every check

    Prices and plans change. Each guide says when it was last checked, and is updated when they move.

Jordan Ellis edits CircleBytes. Every guide is sized to a real team, priced from the vendor's own pricing page and dated, so you can see when it was last checked. About CircleBytes