Everyday tools for running a small business: scheduling, customer management, automation and organising work.
Many global tools bill in US dollars or euros, so the rand cost moves with the exchange rate, and your bank may add foreign-transaction fees. Check the currency on the vendor’s pricing page before you commit.
If the tool stores personal information about your customers, the Protection of Personal Information Act applies to how you collect, use and protect it. Check where data is stored and how to export or delete it. Guidance is available from the Information Regulator.
If you and your team mostly work from phones, check that the tool has a usable mobile app, not just a website.
We don’t rank these or call any one of them the best. Each note explains which situations the tool may suit, based on its profile. The details are in each profile, where verified and unverified information is labelled.
May suit businesses whose customers already message them on WhatsApp: it adds a business profile, catalogue and quick replies to a channel customers know.
South Africa note: WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps in South Africa, which makes it a practical first sales and support channel.
Free plan: Not yet verified · Pricing: not yet verified · Not yet reviewed
May suit businesses that book appointments or calls. Its listed integrations include Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook and Zoom.
Free plan: Not yet verified · Pricing: not yet verified · Not yet reviewed
May suit growing teams that want to track leads and customers, and connect a CRM to email.
Free plan: Not yet verified · Pricing: not yet verified · Not yet reviewed
May suit small and mid-size teams that want a CRM with an app marketplace and Zapier connections.
Free plan: Not yet verified · Pricing: not yet verified · Not yet reviewed
May suit businesses that want to connect their apps and automate repetitive tasks without code.
Free plan: Not yet verified · Pricing: not yet verified · Not yet reviewed
May suit small teams that want simple visual boards to track tasks.
Free plan: Not yet verified · Pricing: not yet verified · Not yet reviewed
May suit teams that want notes, documents and simple databases in one place.
Free plan: Not yet verified · Pricing: not yet verified · Not yet reviewed
Add up start-up and running costs to see monthly spend, first-year cost and cash runway.
Calculate gross and net profit from price, unit cost, units sold and fixed costs.
Turn your income goal, costs, time off and billable hours into an hourly and day rate.
Let customers book online: what to look for in a booking tool, how WhatsApp fits in, public holidays, deposits and no-shows — for South African businesses.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Laws, tax rates and regulations change. Check official sources, such as SARS, the Information Regulator and the relevant Acts, or ask a qualified professional before you make decisions. Tool details come from each tool’s ToolTarvern profile and may have changed. Check the vendor’s own site.