Employee management software helps you streamline business operations and automate day-to-day tasks. Our guide covers the top business management software for 2023.
Running a business requires careful coordination between operations, communications, and human resources. Whether you’re part of a small team or a large company, using different software for each of these is expensive, inefficient, and increases the risk of human error—by as much as 65%!
The best business management software, on the other hand, ties everything together.
It enables you to communicate quickly and effectively with team members and workers in the field and streamline operations through time tracking, task management and effortless scheduling. Plus, it simplifies all your human resource processes, including onboarding, training, and employee recognition.
With everything working in harmony, you’ll save money, stay compliant, and have a full, 360-degree view of every aspect of your business. Below, we take a look at the 7 best business software solutions for 2023.
If you don’t have the time to read through our research, jump down to our quick comparison table.
Our Top Picks
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Best all-in-one business management system
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Good for customer services and relationship management
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Good for accounting
What to Look For in a Business Management Software
Make sure you can do all this with your software of choice:
- In-app chat. Quickly and easily notify your team of project updates, communicate shift changes to individual employees or entire teams, or create group chats for different projects. Most of all, the chat should be secure and simple to use.
- Project management tools. These help your team complete tasks on time and within budget. They allow you to break larger projects into smaller tasks, then assign tasks to individual employees or shifts. Features like digital checklists and forms help ensure that every aspect of a job is completed.
- Time tracking is an integral part of any business with shift workers. Look for simple, accurate, one-touch time tracking with GPS tracking and geofencing, like that offered by Connecteam.
- Human resources management tools to streamline your onboarding processes, keep employee training up-to-date, and manage all your employee documents from a single platform.
- Shift scheduling. Look for drag-and-drop shift scheduling software with automatic shift scheduling, templates and recurring schedules, and which highlights conflicts and other issues.
- Reporting and analytics. These allow you to view data and see detailed reports on overtime costs, employee productivity, total hours worked, and more. Reports should be customizable and filterable by employee, team, shift, job, and more.
- Break and time-off management. The best software will allow you to easily approve or deny your employees’ requests for paid time off (PTO) and other absences. You should be able to approve PTO requests, keep track of employee absence levels, and maintain proper staffing levels at the touch of a button.
- Advanced notifications. Good business managing software, like Connecteam, allows you to set custom alerts and notifications. For example, you may want to receive an alert when an employee clocks in, requests PTO, or approaches overtime.
- Payroll integrations. With a few clicks, you can effortlessly transfer your employees’ timesheets to your payroll provider. The best systems offer direct payroll integrations. For example, Connecteam integrates with Gusto and QuickBooks Online for seamless payroll processing.
The 7 Best Business Management Softwares of 2023
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Connecteam — Best all-in-one business management system
Connecteam is the best all-in-one solution for managing every aspect of your business.
You’ll find powerful features for operations, including task management, time tracking, and scheduling. Plus, you can unify all your communications with a secure in-app chat, company-wide updates, and more. Finally, Connecteam takes all the work out of HR: manage your documents, onboard and train employees, gather feedback, and recognize employees.
The best part about Connecteam is that all of these features work seamlessly together. Start a new chat for specific tasks or jobs and respond to time-off requests as you schedule. Add checklists and forms to recurring shifts and manage overtime and time tracking errors before sending timesheets off with seamless payroll integration.
Here’s a look at just some of Connecteam’s best business management features.
Project management tools
Connecteam’s all-in-one task management tools allow you to assign individual tasks to workers, teams, or whole shifts in just a few clicks or taps. This helps to distribute employee workload evenly, prevent burnout, and increases productivity. You can easily create recurring tasks and share checklists and forms or add them right to shifts. Managers can also see all their tasks in one place, including statuses, subtasks, assignees, and due times.
Employees can update their progress through the mobile app, and as tasks are completed, you’ll receive real-time updates—perfect for managers of multiple sites and field workers. Plus, task-specific chats make it easy to communicate effectively.
Read our in-depth review of the best task management tools
Drag-and-drop scheduling saves time and reduces errors
Connecteam’s drag-and-drop scheduling feature takes the complications out of shift planning. You can create recurring shifts and schedules or use a customizable template to schedule a whole week in minutes. Assign out shifts based on qualifications and employee preference, or leave shifts open to be claimed by relevant workers.
In addition, Connecteam will automatically detect conflicts and will alert you of any overlaps between an employees’ paid time off (PTO) and shifts, or when too many (or too few) workers have been scheduled. You’ll never find yourself short- or overstaffed again.
GPS-enabled time clock for accurate time tracking
Connecteam’s GPS-enabled time clock ability turns any mobile app into a time clock. You can verify where workers are clocking in and out from and ensure everybody’s in the right place as they work. When workers are clocked out, their location data stays completely hidden.
The time clock is accurate down to the second, helping to reduce costs and prevent time theft.
You can also turn any device into an on-site kiosk, ensuring employees are physically present. Plus, a quick selfie effectively eliminates buddy punching.
Full-featured mobile app
Both managers and workers can access all of Connecteam’s tools from anywhere with a full-featured mobile app.
Workers can check their schedules, ask for time off, clock in and out, see shift instructions, fill out checklists and complete tasks, request time off, and more.
Likewise, managers can create and deploy schedules, add and assign tasks, send updates and gather feedback, recognize employees, and even create entire training programs on the fly.
In-app chat and communication tools keep everybody aligned
Connecteam’s secure in-app chat allows you to easily create group chats for different teams, tasks, clients, and projects. Of course, you can also chat one-on-one with workers. It’s a great way to improve team collaboration and keep everybody aligned, free from distractions. Plus, you have full control over who can access which chats, and chats are never stored on workers’ personal devices.
Connecteam chat supports file sharing, including images and videos, and features push notifications so important messages never get missed.
In addition to chat, Connecteam also allows you to send company-wide updates, create and share rich knowledge base articles, gather feedback with quick and simple surveys, and more. All of these appear in workers’ newsfeeds and support comments and reactions to help build company culture, no matter where employees are working.
Hassle-free payroll with digital timesheets and simple integrations
Connecteam offers direct payroll integrations with QuickBooks Online and Gusto, with more on the way. You can export digital timesheets to the payroll solution of your choice with just a few clicks. This reduces payroll processing time and human error, giving you more time to focus on other essential tasks.
Plus, all your timesheets are automatically generated thanks to accurate time tracking. Visual cues highlight potential errors and discrepancies, so you can be sure everything is accurate before running payroll.
Custom reports for data-driven decisions
Connecteam offers powerful reporting tools for detailed insights into staff schedules, labor costs, time spent on tasks, and more.
A true all-in-one business management solution, you can analyze all aspects of your business operations from one dashboard.
Reports are fully customizable, so you can get the most relevant information for all the different parts of your business.
Stay compliant, manage documents, recognize employees and much more
Connecteam includes a full suite of HR and people management tools.
You can manage all your employees’ documents, including certifications and safety documents, from one place. Add expiration dates to documents to stay fully compliant and ensure employees are safe and up-to-date on their training.
Speaking of training, Connecteam makes it simple to create interactive training courses using existing resources, including PDF documents, videos and images, knowledge base articles, and more. Organize courses by client, rank, or anything else, and use quizzes to maximize retention.
Finally, you can help keep employees engaged with timely recognition and rewards in the form of gift cards. The employee timeline makes it simple to see all of your employees’ professional development and encourage and manage growth.
Key Features
Pros
All-in-one solution for operations, communications and HR
Free to use for teams of up to 10
Payroll integrations with Gusto and QuickBooks Online
Dedicated support
Cons
More integrations on the way
Pricing
Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users
14-day free trial, no credit card required
Start your free trial -
Hubspot — Good for customer services and relationship management
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
HubSpot is a business software with marketing automation tools and customer relationship management (CRM) features. It also includes a Sales Hub, focused on sales pipelines, sales management, and email marketing, and a Marketing Hub. Meanwhile, its Service Hub is focused on customer support and operations.
This makes HubSpot a good solution for CRM and sales, but there aren’t features for HR management, shift scheduling, employee training, task management, and other aspects of business management.
HubSpot doesn’t offer HR management, shift scheduling, or employee training tools—though it does offer over 1,000 integrations with other software.
Learn more about HubspotKey Features
- Comprehensive CRM dashboard
- Tools for sales and marketing
- Reporting and analytics tools
- Performance metrics
Pros
- Integrates with other business applications
- Simple user interface
Cons
- Free-to-use option has limited features
- Limited operations management tools
Pricing
Contact vendor for price Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes
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Freshbooks — Good for accounting
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Freshbooks offers invoicing capabilities and the ability to create and send invoices to clients. It also allows business owners to track finances and set up automatic reminders for overdue payments. There are tools for bookkeeping, estimates, expenses and receipts, payments, and payroll.
Freshbooks also includes time tracking and project management tools. Users can track time spent on specific tasks, assign tasks to team members, and set task and project deadlines.
However, Freshbooks’ management features stop there. There aren’t any comprehensive tools for internal communications, task management, or human resources.
Learn more about FreshbooksKey Features
- Invoicing tools
- Time clock
- Track project profitability
- Employee productivity tracker
Pros
- Integrated mileage tracker
- Mobile app
Cons
- No free plan available
- No built-in chat feature
Pricing
Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
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NetSuite — Good for customer support options
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
NetSuite is a cloud-based software suite that includes enterprise resource planning (ERP), accounting software, customer resource management (CRM), human capital management (HCM), commercial features, and analytics and reporting.
This makes NetSuite a comprehensive solution for many purposes, especially for desk-based teams. There are tools for marketing automation, salesforce, omnichannel commerce, partner relationships management, and more.
However, many of its features aren’t available on mobile apps, so it may not be well-suited to businesses with field workers. It’s also a relatively complex software suite, and takes time to set up fully and would likely require a full-time IT or operations manager.
Learn more about NetSuiteKey Features
- HR management tools
- Real-time overview of business data
- Cloud-based software
- Built-in invoicing tools
Pros
- Free product tour
- Customizable
Cons
- Expensive
- No mobile app
Pricing
Starts at $99/user/month Trial: No Free Plan: No
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Proofhub — Good for project management tools
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
ProofHub has features focused on project management. These include task lists, time-tracking capabilities, file-sharing tools, gantt charts, and a task history tracker. ProofHub also has a built-in chat feature.
Additionally, ProofHub integrates with other business management tools, including Slack, QuickBooks, and OneDrive.
Learn more about ProofhubKey Features
- Built-in chat features
- Time tracking capabilities
- Built-in task lists
- Task history tracker
Pros
- Cloud-based software
- Integrates with other business management tools
Cons
- No free plan
- No employee training tools
Pricing
Starts at $45/month, up to 40 projects Trial: Yes — 14-day Free Plan: No
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Odoo — Good for manufacturing and warehousing businesses
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Odoo provides project and task management tools, digital timesheets, employee scheduling tools, a built-in spreadsheet feature, and employee management tools. It also includes one-on-one chat features, group chats and channels, and a digital knowledge base.
Odoo also has tools for product lifecycle management, project management, resource management, and purchasing as well. Overall, its features mainly focus on warehouse management and maximizing logistics. Therefore, Odoo is most useful for managers of businesses in manufacturing or which make extensive use of warehouses.
Due to its cost and complexity, Odoo may not be suited for small business owners or those inexperienced with business managing software.
Learn more about OdooKey Features
- Inventory, warehouse, and manufacturing management
- Organize projects into tasks with due dates and assignments
- One-on-one and group chat
- Tools for accounting, invoicing, and expenses
Pros
- Built-in spreadsheet tools
- Free plan
Cons
- Complex software
- Expensive
Pricing
Starts at $24.90/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes
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Scoro — Good for simplifying workflows
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Scoro was designed to simplify business management workflows. It has task-scheduling tools, timesheet management, project management software, and time-tracking capabilities. Employees can track their time, although options for automated tracking or reminders to clock-in and out are limited. The digital timesheets are serviceable, but less feature-rich than some other business management tools.
Scoro also offers customer relationship management tools, invoicing, cost forecasting, and budgeting tools. However, it doesn’t offer any internal chat or communication features.
Scoro integrates with third-party software, including communications, shift scheduling, and employee training tools, but these come at an additional cost.
Learn more about ScoroKey Features
- Project management tools, including gantt charts
- CRM tools
- Sales forecasting tools
- Budgeting tools
Pros
- Supports 4-day workweek functionalities
- Integrates with external software
Cons
- No internal communications features
- Complex interface
Pricing
Starts at $37/user/month Trial: Yes — 14-day Free Plan: Yes
Compare the Best Business Management Softwares
| Topic |
Start for free
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reviews |
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| Pricing |
Starts at just $29/month for the first 30 users
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Contact vendor for price
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Contact vendor for price
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Starts at $99/user/month
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Starts at $45/month, up to 40 projects
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Starts at $24.90/user/month
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Starts at $37/user/month
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| Free Trial |
yes
14-day
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yes
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no
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no
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yes
14-day
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yes
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yes
14-day
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| Free Plan |
yes
Free Up to 10 users
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yes
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yes
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no
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no
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yes
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yes
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What Is Business Management Software?
Business management software is designed to simplify every aspect of running a business. It helps managers and business owners manage their workload, communicate with their employees, forecast spending, automate day-to-day operations, create employee schedules, and more.
Everyone from small business owners and to managers of multinational enterprises can use this software. Many systems are customizable, too, so managers can use the tools that best suit their business’s needs.
How Does Business Management Software Work?
We’ve answered “What is business management software?”—now let’s discuss how it works.
In the simplest terms, business management software works by combining tools for all of your day-to-day operations, communications and employee management into one solution.
This includes:
- Project management tools like digital forms, checklists, gantt charts, and task management tools. Forms and checklists help keep employees on track, while task management tools make it simple to create, assign, organize and track tasks.
- Time management tools for scheduling, time tracking, time-off requests, and breaks.
- Internal communication features, such as in-app chat, team updates, and file-sharing.
- Human resource management tools such as employee documents, recognition and rewards, and training and onboarding portals. These simplify your HR processes, keep employee documents up to date, and support in-house training to develop a skilled workforce from within.
Ideally, managers and workers should be able to access these tools from anywhere via a full-featured mobile app, with push notifications and robust security features.
The Benefits of Business Management Software
With this software, business owners and managers can:
- Save time and money. Business management tools help automate administrative processes, saving you and your employees time to spend on more important tasks. Accurate time tracking, streamlined scheduling, and notifications for overtime, PTO allowances and more help keep costs down.
- Boost worker productivity. Good task management is hugely beneficial for businesses with shift and field workers. Tools like task lists, checklists and forms help ensure employees always know what needs to be done, while access to training materials and an internal knowledge base reduce delays and repetitive discussions.
- Make data-driven, informed decisions. With operations, communications and HR rolled into one, you have access to tons of data to help you understand your business. The reporting capabilities of good management software help you leverage this to make informed decisions on everything from project management to scheduling and payroll.
- Communicate more effectively. Management systems often have in-app chat features and other communications tools such as social media-style newsfeeds. Employees can quickly and easily send messages, snap and share photos, upload files, and more in real time from anywhere. Your team will feel more connected, and you can ensure no one misses important updates or announcements.
- Stay fully compliant. Industry regulations and local and federal laws can be complex. The right software will help you tend to all of these with ease, from maintaining worker safety certifications to managing overtime and PTO, enforcing breaks, and providing regular training. This also helps keep workers safe and happy in the workplace.
How Much Does Business Management Software Cost?
Most business management systems are priced per employee per month, and costs range from $2 to $99 per user, per month. Some systems are free to use, and some also offer free trials.
Connecteam offers excellent value for money. Much more than just a business management tool, Connecteam is an all-in-one solution with a suite of powerful features to help you run your business stress-free.
Small business owners and those just starting out with business software can take advantage of Connecteam’s Small Business Plan. It’s free forever for teams of up to 10 people. Paid plans start at just $29 per month for up to 30 users.
FAQs
What is the most popular business management software?
Connecteam is one of the most popular business management solutions available today. It features tools for operations, communications, and all aspects of human resources, making it a full solution for teams of all sizes.
What is the best business management software for small businesses?
Connecteam offers the best business management tools for small businesses. It includes project management and task allocation tools to keep your team on track, human resource management (HRM) tools like shift scheduling software and payroll management, and all the internal communications tools you could ever need. Plus, it’s completely free for small businesses with 10 or fewer employees.
Is there free business management software?
Yes, there are free business management software solutions available, but most lack in features. Connecteam, on the other hand, includes a comprehensive suite of tools and is completely free for life for teams of up to 10 people. Connecteam also offers a free trial so you can test out all its features before committing to a plan.
The Bottom Line on Business Management Software
Managing the day-to-day operations of your business can be a headache. With so much to do, knowing what to focus on is hard. But the right management software can help by tying together your daily operations, all your communications and human resource processes, and more.
Connecteam is the best complete business management software, offering a range of features to streamline and simplify day-to-day operations. It has excellent task management features, a user-friendly GPS-enabled time clock, and drag-and-drop shift scheduling to help you stay organized.
Connecteam also offers one-click payroll, automatic reporting, a secure in-app chat, and much more.
Start your free 14-day trial now to see how Connecteam’s powerful features can help your business.
