Friday, March 29, 2024

Best Mobile Business Apps

Datamation content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For many Americans, business mobile apps make a big difference. Smartphones have become an essential tool for work. While consumer apps still generate more revenue than business applications, the market for mobile business apps is growing quickly.

According to Strategy Analytics, the market for mobile enterprise apps will likely increase from nearly $74 billion in 2016 to $128 billion by 2022. The same report also noted that collaboration, productivity and CRM apps have become particularly popular among the mobile workforce.

So which apps are mobile workers using? Here are 35 of the most popular and highest rated mobile business apps.

(Please note that this is not a ranking. Apps are arranged into categories and listed alphabetically within each category.)

Business Mobile Apps: Accounting/Finance

1. Expensify

With more than 4 million users, Expensify claims to be the “#1 tool for expense report management, receipt tracking, and business travel.” Simply take a picture of your business receipts and the app’s intelligent automation will generate a report. It gets 4 stars in both Google Play and the App Store.

Expensify for Android

Expensify for iOS

Expensify

2. FreshBooks

Recommended by 97 percent of its users, FreshBooks offers simple, inexpensive, cloud-based accounting for small businesses. It promises an intuitive interface, easy time-tracking, expense report creation and offline access that syncs when a connection becomes available. It gets 4.2 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store

FreshBooks Classic for Android

FreshBooks Classic for iOS

3. QuickBooks Online

Many small businesses rely on QuickBooks Online for their accounting, and this is the free mobile app that comes along with the service. It handles tasks like invoicing, uploading receipts, tracking profit and loss reports, reviewing bank transactions and much more. It gets 4.3 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

QuickBooks Accounting+Invoice for Android

QuickBooks Accounting for iOS

4. Wave

If you have a very small business and don’t want to pay anything for your accounting software, Wave gives you that option. The mobile apps only track receipts and expenses, but they integrate with the cloud-based service. More features are available for a fee. It gets 4.2 stars on Google Play, and all versions average 3.5 stars on the App Store, although the most recent iOS version has only 3 stars.

Receipts by Wave for Android

Receipts by Wave for iOS

Wave

5. Zoho Invoice

Part of Zoho’s complete suite of cloud-based business apps, the Invoice app offers integrated project management and billing that many small business owners say is better than other popular options. You will need an account to use the app. It gets 4.6 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

Zoho Invoice for Android

Zoho Invoice for iOS

Business Mobile Apps: Analytics

6. Google Analytics

Although you can never see as much information on a smartphone screen as you can on a desktop or laptop, Google does a good job of condensing key reports so they are visible on the small screen. The mobile apps allow you to check KPIs, monitor data in real time and build and save reports. You will need a Google account to log in. It gets 4.4 stars on Google Play and 5 stars on the App Store.

Google Analytics for Android

Google Analytics for iOS

Google Analytics align=

7. Microsoft Power BI

The mobile app for Microsoft’s business intelligence solution offers touch-enabled interactions, dashboards, charts, maps and graphs. It’s designed to be used by non-experts and makes collaboration easy. The app gets 4.4 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

Microsoft Power BI for Android

Microsoft Power BI for iOS

8. Roambi

Now owned by SAP, Roambi is a mobile data visualization tool for business intelligence. It accepts data from Excel, CSV and Box as well as from SAP applications. It gets 3.7 stars on Google Play and 3 stars on the App Store.

SAP Roambi Analytics for Android

SAP BusinessObjects Roambi Analytics for iOS

Business Mobile Apps: Collaboration

9. Asana

Designed for use with G Suite apps, Asana allows teams to track projects and communicate with each other. It’s free for teams of up to 15 people. It gets 4.1 stars on Google Play and 3.5 stars on the App Store.

Asana for Android

Asana for iOS

10. Basecamp

This popular Web-based collaboration and project management tool says it “solves the critical problems that every growing business deals with.” To use the mobile app, you’ll need a Basecamp account. It gets 4.4 stars on Google Play and a full 5 stars on the App Store.

Basecamp 3 for Android

Basecamp 3 for iOS

Basecamp

11. Citrix ShareFile

ShareFile is Citrix’s service for securely sharing and syncing files with colleagues. The mobile app is free, but you will need a ShareFile account, which is free for 30 days. It gets 4.2 stars on Google Play and 4 stars in the App Store.

Citrix ShareFile for iOS

12. DropBox

This popular file-sharing service has easy-to-use mobile apps, and both free and paid plans are available. It gets 4.4 stars on Android. All versions get an average of 3.5 stars on the App Store, but the latest version has just 3 stars.

DropBox for Android

DropBox for iOS

13. Skype for Business

In addition to video calls, Skype for Business enables messaging, meetings and screen sharing. It integrates with Office 365 and starts at just $5 per month. It gets 3.9 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

Skype for Business for Android

Skype for Business for iOS

14. Slack

Many work teams use Slack to stay in contact with each other and communicate about ongoing projects. You will need a Slack account in order to use the mobile app. It has 4.4 stars on Google Play, and 4 stars on the App Store.

Slack for Android

Slack for iOS

Slack

15. Trello

Similar to Basecamp, Trello makes it easy to collaborate and track projects with a group. It’s free, but paid business plans are available. It gets 4.5 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

Trello for Android

Trello for iOS

Trello

Business Mobile Apps: Customer Service

16. HappyFox

This cloud-based customer support and helpdesk app allows agents to view and complete tickets from mobile devices. Note that the apps are free but require a HappyFox account that comes with a free 30-day trial. It gets 3.9 stars on Google Play and 4 stars in the App Store.

HappyFox for Android

HappyFox for iOS

HappyFox

17. Insightly

Insightly claims to be the “#1 free CRM for small business.” Both free and paid plans are available, and the mobile apps have won a number of awards. It gets 3.8 stars on Google Play and 3 stars on the App Store.

Insightly for Android

Insightly for iOS

18. Salesforce1

Salesforce1 brings together all of your Salesforce apps, including Chatter, CRM and custom apps, in one convenient place. You will need a Salesforce account in order to access it. It gets 4 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

Salesforce1 for Android

Salesforce1 for iOS

Business Mobile Apps: Human Resources

19. Deputy

If you only need to put together a schedule and don’t need more advanced human resources functions, Deputy is the app for you. It’s the “#1 shift planning app” available. It gets 3.9 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store

Deputy for Android

Deputy for iOS

20. Fairsail

Fairsail is HRMS’s cloud-based HR solution designed for mid-size businesses. The mobile app provides access to most of the core functions, but you will need a Fairsail subscription to use it. It gets 4.3 stars on Google Play, but there aren’t enough reviews on the App Store for a rating.

Fairsail for Android

Fairsale for iOS

Fairsail

21. Proven

The Proven service makes it easy to post job openings on more than a hundred sites at once. It also enables applicant tracking. It requires an account, but there is a free trial period. It gets 4.5 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

Proven for iOS

Proven

22. Zenefits

The Zenefits app allows employees to track their vacation time, clock in and out, communicate with co-workers, view insurance details and more. In order to use it, you must have a Zenefits account. It gets 4 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

Zenefits for Android

Zenefits for iOS

Business Mobile Apps: Point of Sale

23. PayAnywhere

PayAnywhere is one of several services that makes it possible to accept credit cards with a device that attaches to a smartphone. It costs 2.69 percent per swipe or tap. It gets 3.8 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

PayAnywhere for Android

PayAnywhere for iOS

24. PayPal Here

Although it isn’t as well known as Square (see below), PayPal Here has a very similar solution that allows small business owners to accept payments from their smartphones. Fees run 2.7 percent if you swipe a card or 3.5 percent plus 15 cents if you key in the card number. The mobile app gets 4.3 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

PayPal Here for Android

PayPal Here for iOS

PayPal

25. Square Point of Sale

With this free app and a Square Reader, anyone can accept credit card payments. Within the U.S., fees are 2.75 percent per swipe, and money is deposited into your account by the next day. It gets 4.6 stars on Android and 3.5 stars on the App Store.

Square Point of Sale for Android

Square Point of Sale for iOS

Square

Business Mobile Apps: Productivity

26. Evernote

A perennial favorite on top app lists, Evernote promises to help you “remember everything.” It makes it easy to track notes, images, receipts, to-do lists, and much more. The app is free, but paid versions add storage and unlimited devices. It gets 4.6 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store, although the most recent iOS version has not been getting as good of reviews and ratings.

Evernote for Android

Evernote for iOS

Evernote

27. Google Docs

For office’s that uses Google’s productivity tools, this mobile version of Docs is a must. It integrates with Google Drive and allows multiple users to collaborate on the same document at the same time. It gets 4.3 stars on Google Play and 4.5 stars on the App Store.

Google Docs for Android

Google Docs for iOS

28. Pocket

An alternative to Evernote, Pocket makes it easy to save stuff you find online so that you can reference it later. It’s free, but you will need to set up an account. It gets 4.5 stars on Google Play. On the App Store, all versions average 4.5 stars, but the latest update gets only 3 stars..

Pocket for Android

Pocket for iOS

Pocket

29. Microsoft Word

Microsoft’s word processing software is ubiquitous in the office, and the mobile Office 365 apps get surprisingly good reviews. Note that Word requires an Office 365 subscription. It gets 4.5 stars on Google Play and 5 stars on the App Store.

Microsoft Word for Android

Microsoft Word for iOS

30. Wunderlist

Winner of multiple awards, Wunderlist makes it easy to set up and share to-do lists. The basic version is free, or you can upgrade to Pro if you need to add unlimited access to files, assigning and subtasks. It gets 4.5 stars on Google Play and 4.5 stars on the App Store.

Wunderlist for Android

Wunderlist for iOS

Business Mobile Apps: Remote Access

31. LogMeIn

For those times when you need to access your work computer but you only have a mobile device, LogMeIn is a lifesaver. It can also be useful in tech support situations. It gets 4.0 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

LogMeIn for Android

LogMeIn for iOS

LogMeIn

Business Mobile Apps: Social Media

32. Hootsuite

Named a leader by Forrester, Hootsuite is a very popular social media management tool for organizations. The mobile app is free for up to three social media accounts, and it allows you to schedule posts to some of the most popular platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. It gets 4.1 stars on Google Play and 4.5 stars on the App Store.

Hootsuite for Android

Hootsuite for iOS

33. LinkedIn

The social media platform for building your professional network has a highly rated mobile app. It gets 4.2 stars on Google Play and 4.5 stars on the App Store.

LinkedIn for Android

LinkedIn for iOS

LinkedIn

34. Sprout Social

Manage your social media accounts from anywhere with Sprout’s mobile app. Requires a Sprout account, which comes with a free trial. It gets 3.8 stars on Google Play and 4 stars on the App Store.

Sprout Social for Android

Sprout Social for iOS

Business Mobile Apps: Travel

35. TripIt

TripIt simplifies business travel by creating a master itinerary that consolidates all of your information in one place. It automatically checks flight information, and it allows you to view travel details even when your phone is in airplane mode. It gets 4.4 stars on Google Play and 4.5 stars on the App Store.

TripIt for Android

TripIt for iOS

TripIt

Subscribe to Data Insider

Learn the latest news and best practices about data science, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, data security, and more.

Similar articles

Get the Free Newsletter!

Subscribe to Data Insider for top news, trends & analysis

Latest Articles