1. Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory is an inventory system for e-commerce businesses. The free plan includes access for up to two users. This application integrates with G-Suite, your CRM software and Shopify stores. You can track customer orders, shipments and returns from a single warehouse. Businesses can invoice up to 50 orders per month, and with its mobile app, you can keep things running on the go. This is an inventory management system that businesses can grow with.

Pros & Cons

Users report that Zoho is easy to use, and if you’re using any of the other modules, integrating with them is no problem. If you’re a Shopify user, it incorporates well. The integrations help with consistency as you build your customer base. This particular free product is for businesses with fewer than 50 transactions per month, making it limited for those in the growth phase.

2. Tailwind

Tailwind is a social media scheduling tool that focuses on Pinterest, Facebook pages and Instagram. There used to be a free trial, but that has been converted into a free plan. Tailwind has created special communities where users can promote each other’s products or services, providing more exposure. Free plan users can access up to five communities and see basic analytics.

Pros & Cons

Tailwind recommends times for posting. This helps business owners cut down on the guesswork. The interface is easy to use, and there are Chrome and Safari extensions for convenience. The free plan only allows 20 pins across all three platforms, which may not be ideal for businesses that need a heavier rotation. Regarding the communities, it does take time to get enough traction to make a noticeable difference.

3. ERPNext

ERPNext is an all-in-one, free-forever open-source business software. It offers customer, campaign, subscription and project management. It takes care of taxes and discounts and provides users with customer acquisition options that can manage leads and track related tasks efficiently. For businesses that require service level and warranty agreement monitoring in addition to maintenance, ERPNext can handle those as well.

Pros & Cons

This software offers multicurrency and multi-language options so that customers can experience your site in their preferred language. It also integrates with popular apps, such as PayPal, Stripe and WooCommerce, just to name a few. Cloud hosting is a separate charge. Security updates and server monitoring are only available with a paid plan.

4. CUBRID

CUBRID database management system is open-source software for business that’s liked by many because of its high availability and scalability. Where other databases experience lag or failure, CUBRID has an architecture that works to maintain functionality through load balancing. It supports SQL functions and numerous data types, so the learning curve for those with SQL experience isn’t steep. If you’re looking for an employee database that’s within your budget, CUBRID is worth checking out.

Pros & Cons

It’s easy to download everything, and the manuals and guides are readily accessible. Users appreciate its power, but it’s not for those who have no experience using databases.

5. ZipBooks

When you need help with your accounting and bookkeeping, ZipBooks is a free accounting software application. With the Starter plan, businesses can manage their clients and send unlimited invoices for free. Users find that it’s easy to use and satisfies their basic accounting needs. With the help of Square or PayPal, you can send invoices and funds to one of your connected accounts with just a few clicks.

Pros & Cons

ZipBooks is great for small businesses that just need to handle the bookkeeping basics and their customer data in a professional way. However, the reporting is pretty limited, and if you work with recurring payments, you’ll need to move to a paid plan.

6. Miro

Miro is a visual collaboration platform. Its whiteboard format means that it’s great for brainstorming, planning workflows and conducting workshops. The free version accommodates unlimited users with three editable boards and access to premade templates.

Pros & Cons

Miro is intuitive enough that users can get started almost immediately. Collaboration is easy, and the templates are adaptable. Integration is possible, but, unfortunately, video chatting isn’t available with the free plan. If there’s something you’re having a problem with, the knowledge base is your only support.

7. Notion

If you have several projects going at once, it may be hard to get the lay of the land. With Notion, you can organize yourself and sync what you need across multiple devices. You can share project details with up to five guests, and the API makes integration possible.

Pros & Cons

Users can create as many pages and blocks as they need, and the syncing across devices makes it convenient. However, the five-guest limit can be a problem for some businesses. Also, there’s no ability to access a version history or control-sharing permissions with the free plan.

8. Dolibarr

Dolibarr uses a FOSS (free open-source software model) to create a competitive ERP/CRM solution for companies. You can use it for accounting, marketing, human resources and many more business activities. It relies on the user community to extend its functionality through add-ons without the need for a lot of coding knowledge. Clients can use the module builder to customize Dolibarr for whatever they need.

Pros & Cons

Dolibarr can be installed locally or on the cloud and works on all platforms. It’s ready to go the minute it’s downloaded, even without customization. Its range is extensive, making it a great all-in-one solution for small businesses. Some of the add-ons you may need for your business are paid, so you may have to purchase them if you don’t want to create your own solution.

Before saying yes to any free software for your small business

The beauty of using feature-rich free software for small businesses is that it’s not a burden on your bank account. Many of these freemium plans have more than enough to offer small businesses that you may not need to upgrade for a long time. With open-source software, you have the chance to tailor it to your specific needs without worrying about licensing.

Here’s what you need to consider when looking at one of these free business software options:

• Support: While most of these options claim to be intuitive, problems can arise. In this case, you may need more than a knowledge base to help you. Check out the support options for each software before committing.
• Backup. When you’re dealing with accounting or project management, you’re probably going to need some way to keep all of your data safe. Unfortunately, some freemium plans don’t offer backup or have limited backup options. In those cases, you may need to find an alternative way to manage your documents.
• Integration. Thankfully, more than a few free plans offer integration options. However, check which options you can work with. And if what you need isn’t listed, find out if you can create your own connector. This can be helpful, especially if you’re a business that’s working with a proprietary platform.