These business apps for Android make it easier to manage finances, employees, team collaboration, scheduling and travel for business owners on the go
- Small business owners can be productive and informed 24/7 if they use mobile business apps.
- Skype, Slack, Trello and other apps help coordinate among team members working on projects in the office or remotely.
- Having important business data at your fingertips allows you to make informed decisions and perform critical tasks on the go.
- This article is for small business owners, especially those who travel or visit multiple locations.
Apps aren’t just for social media and gaming anymore. Small business owners, freelancers and side-hustlers rely on business apps to help them stay organized, productive and connected. We checked out some of the hottest new ones on the market, as well as some of our old favorites, to bring you our top 14 Android apps for work.
These apps include powerful add-ons, existing SaaS (software as a service) products and one-off applications that are free and easy to use. No matter your business size or needs, these 14 apps are worth a look.
QuickBooks
If you don’t already use QuickBooks and you’re in the market for an affordable, user-friendly accounting solution, we recommend trying it out. You can use the app to access customer information, send invoices, save photos of receipts, manage late invoices, send email estimates, track expenses, and view reports.
The company offers a free 30-day trial, and even users with the entry-level Simple Start subscription ($12.50 per month) get full access to the mobile QuickBooks app.
Gusto
Another outstanding Intuit app for SMBs, Gusto offers an all-in-one place to manage payroll, benefits, time tracking and human resources. Unlike other payroll solutions, Gusto was built specifically for small businesses, and the bright visual interface is easy to use even if you have no experience with payroll software.
The Core (entry-level) Gusto plan starts at $39 a month (plus $6 for each additional user), and the mobile app is included in that price. See why our review of Gusto Payroll named it the best payroll service for sole proprietors.
QuickBooks Time
QuickBooks Time is, you guessed it, also an Intuit solution, but that’s not why we included it on this list. QuickBooks Time is hands-down one of the best time-tracking software solutions out there for SMBs, and the app makes mobile access a breeze. With this SaaS and app combo, you can officially get rid of paper timesheets and manual time entry. If your business has lots of remote or field workers, you’ll love the GPS location tracking, which allows you to view employee location data, and the timeclock function, which uses facial recognition to confirm identity.
QuickBooks Time also makes it easy to create and disseminate employee schedules and integrate with any other Intuit products you use.
QuickBooks Time has a free 30-day trial. After the trial ends, the entry-level subscription is $20 a month for the first three months and $40 a month (and $10 for each additional user) after that. The app is included in the price.
Square
Even the tiniest businesses can accept credit cards with Square. Once you download the free app, you can sign up to receive a credit card reader dongle in the mail. Once the dongle arrives, plug it directly into your Android device, and voila, you have a portable POS system at your disposal. While similar apps are out there, our
Square review
named it the best mobile credit card processor for small businesses because it’s easy to use and the flat-rate pricing (regardless of card type and whether you run a card as credit or debit) is ideal for small businesses
Texpand
If you find yourself typing the same phrases or information over and over, Texpand can cut down on your typing time and make you more efficient. Just create shortcuts for your commonly used phrases and type those instead. The app will complete the entire phrase, making your texts, emails and other business communications quicker and error-free.
The app is free for up to 10 phrases; if you need more, it costs $6.99.
TripIt
Business travel can be hectic, but TripIt makes it less stressful. Forward your trip confirmation emails to TripIt and the app puts together an integrated itinerary for you, alerting you when you need to leave, forwarding your itinerary to people who need to know it, giving you information about where to eat near your hotel, providing airport and terminal maps, and more.
TripIt is free, and TripIt Pro, which is $49 a year after the free trial, has extra features such as help finding alternate flights, real-time notices about delays and cancellations, and a rewards program tracker.
