
This means there are free platforms available to use for everything from office software (opens in new tab) to accounting (opens in new tab), communications to project management (opens in new tab), internet security to backup software (opens in new tab).Īlthough it's often the case that paid-for software promises to deliver more, that doesn't mean to say that free software for small businesses isn't useful or competent.

In short, there are free software services and business apps (opens in new tab) available for a number of different business needs. The open source (opens in new tab) ethos behind much of the internet has also translated into software development for business purposes. Some business owners will aim to limit the software they use precisely to avoid these costs, but doing so doesn't mean to say you have to miss out. This is important because setting up a small business is hard enough without the extra costs associated with modern software licenses.
