As the globe returns to normalcy, now is the moment for small enterprises to capitalize on the situation and make up for losses incurred in the previous year. Small business owners, without a doubt, already have a lot on their plates. However, with the help of mobile apps, part of the labour can be reduced and completed more effectively. App developers have been hard at work creating a plethora of apps and tools to meet the needs of businesses. However, small businesses typically prefer free or low-cost versions of apps, primarily because they cannot afford the paid version and their demands are met in the free version.

In 2022, there will be 10 free apps for small businesses.

In today's extremely competitive industry, it's already difficult for small firms to stay afloat. If you're a small business owner seeking mobile apps to help you manage your operations, here are the finest free apps to consider in 2022.

Apps for communication

1. Slackness

Organizations that plan to continue with remote and hybrid working methods will require more than simply communication; they will need seamless communication. Furthermore, real-time collaboration software is said to boost productivity by 30%. Slack is an example of a work-friendly instant chat app. It's a well-liked collaboration tool among entrepreneurs. Employees can use dedicated channels to communicate with their coworkers, share papers, and set up automatic systems to make their jobs easier.

Features that are beneficial:

·        Message pinning and reference links to channels

·        Document management and tracking

·        Shared channels can be used across many workspaces.

·        Navigation is simple.

·        Make the sidebar more streamlined.

2. Microsoft Skype for Business

Skype has become one of the most popular business communication apps due to its global popularity and user-friendliness. Up to 2017, Skype for Business was used by 55 percent of businesses. Despite its various competitors, this data clearly shows that Skype continues to dominate the industry. If your small business hasn't looked into the app yet, now is the time to see what it has to offer in terms of functionality and management.

Features that are beneficial:

·        Accessibility improvements

·        App integration with office software

·        Meetings should be recorded.

·        For meeting attendees, there is a control dashboard.

·        Tools for using a whiteboard

Apps for Accounting and Bookkeeping

3. Using QuickBooks

This cloud-based accounting software is both simple and effective. From profit analysis and tax accounting to payroll and inventory management, QuickBooks can assist you with a variety of tasks. It all depends on whatever app version a company chooses to use. Softieons has something for everyone, whether you're a one-person operation or a growing organization. Not to mention, Softieons access can be shared with accountants to help with tax payments and other accounting-related activities.

Features that are beneficial:

·        Accounting in the cloud

·        Invoicing

·        Management of cash flow

·        Keeping track of time

·        Several users

4. Wave 

Wave is the best option for service-based small enterprises that don't need to maintain inventory or payroll but need to send out modest bills. It's also ideal for freelancers, as it covers all of their accounting requirements. Invoices, taxes, payments, payroll, and other basic accounting tasks will all be handled easily by the app. Wave's intelligent management of receipts and expenses is one of its most appealing features. Both can be scanned in the app, uploaded to the account via the web, or emailed to the account, and the app will handle the rest.

Features that are beneficial:

·        Invoices that can be customized

·        Scheduling invoices

·        Billing on a regular basis

·        Reminders to pay invoices

·        Invoices are sent to clients via an online portal.

5. ZipBooks

ZipBooks is a web-based financial software with a robust set of accounting capabilities. It's one of the best free programs for small businesses that wish to move away from spreadsheet accounting. ZipBooks Starter is a free package that covers basic bookkeeping features. It is easy to outgrow, despite the fact that it is free. As your company's needs grow, you may need to upgrade to the premium version.

Features that are beneficial:

·        Invoices with no limit

·        Manage an unlimited number of customers and vendors.

·        PayPal and Square are two options for accepting digital payments.

·        Support for several currencies

·        Management of expenditures

·        Apps for Inventory and Shipping

6. Inventory in the store

Because it is user-friendly and has an advanced inventory management system, Shopventory is an excellent solution for small and medium-sized enterprises. You can spot sales trends, calculate profit margins, and compare different locations. Businesses must be aware of their inventories and exercise caution. As part of maintaining a healthy supply chain, excessive restocking must be avoided, and investments must be directed toward popular products that are in high demand. For small businesses, having this data on hand is even more important, and Shopventory provides it.

Features that are beneficial:

·        Sales forecasting and analysis

·        Inventory management

·        Multi-user, multi-channel, and multi-location

·        Real-time auto-sync of sales channels

·        Creation and management of product packages

·        Odoo is number seven.

The Odoo inventory application can seamlessly integrate all of a company's basic warehouse activities. The program has the most efficient stocking mechanism and can improve an organization's internal operations at the same time. Furthermore, Odoo's clever double-entry inventory system makes inventory managers' jobs easier. How? There are no stock inputs, outputs, or transformations in this system. Instead, all of the procedures are simply stock transfers from one site to another.

Features that are beneficial:

·        Adjustments to the inventory

·        Cross-docking

·        Scanners for barcodes

·        Scheduler with intelligence

·        a record of your activities

9. Rectangle

Square is well-known as the point-of-sale (POS) company that changed the field of free small-business software. It has aided the processing of credit card transactions by small enterprises. A free reader to swipe credit cards is also included in the app. The best aspect is that this scanner can be connected to a phone or other device to swiftly process payments.

Features that are beneficial:

·        Scannable barcodes

·        Dashboard

·        Management in the retail industry

·        Inventory control

·        Tax administration

10. PayPal

PayPal advertises that there are no sign-up fees or direct costs charged to users. It can also handle checks, credit cards, and invoices over the phone. Unlike the Square app, which has more capabilities like inventory and order management, PayPal Here is a simple and straightforward way to accept payments on the go. It's worth noting that PayPal Here can only be used with a PayPal account, not a bank account. As a result, a small business owner must ensure that everything is in order.

Features that are beneficial:

·        Checkout in a hurry

·        Scannable barcodes

·        Inventory management

·        Reader for mobile cards

·        Invoicing over the internet