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Unpack Money research desk

Software reviews

In-depth reviews of the tools small businesses actually buy — every price verified on the provider's official site, no invented testing, no placeholder links.

How we make money: Unpack Money may receive compensation when you click certain links or apply for products through our site. Compensation may affect where products appear, but it does not determine our editorial evaluations. Learn more

Compare all options

ProductStarting priceFree trial / planBest forOur score
FreshBooks
Verified Oct 23, 2026
From $23/mo30-day free trial + 30-day money-back guaranteeFreelancers and service businesses that invoice clients constantly88/100
HubSpot Sales Hub
Verified Oct 28, 2026
From $7/seat/mo (annual)Free-forever plan (up to 2 users) — no time limitSmall businesses that want to start free and grow on one platform90/100
Wix Website Builder
Verified Oct 23, 2026
From $17/mo (annual)Free plan (forever) + 14-day money-back guarantee on paid plansBeginners and small businesses that want a professional site with minimum fuss89/100
LegalZoom LLC Formation
Verified Oct 23, 2026
From $0 + state filing feesNo trial (one-time service)Founders who want attorney access bundled with formation and trust the biggest brand81/100
Gusto
Verified Oct 24, 2026
From $49/mo + $6/personFree until your first payroll runSmall businesses that want transparent payroll pricing with HR and benefits in one place89/100
QuickBooks Payroll
Verified Oct 24, 2026
From $50/mo + $7/employee50% off for 3 months (current promotion)Businesses already running QuickBooks Online that want payroll in the same system88/100
OnPay
Verified Oct 24, 2026
From $49/mo + $6/workerFirst month free, including onboarding and migrationSmall businesses that want one flat, transparent payroll price with no tier maze87/100
ADP RUN
Verified Oct 24, 2026
From Quote onlyNo free trial publishedGrowing small businesses that want an incumbent platform with 24/7 support and room to scale84/100
Paychex Flex
Verified Oct 28, 2026
From Custom quote requiredNo free trial publishedBusinesses that want a full-service HR and payroll platform with premium support on higher tiers82/100
Stripe
Verified Oct 28, 2026
From 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction—Businesses that sell online and want a custom checkout, subscriptions or an embedded payment flow86/100
Square
Verified Oct 29, 2026
From No monthly fee (Free plan); 2.6% + 15¢ in personFree 30-day trial on Plus and PremiumBusinesses that sell in person and want one system for the counter, inventory and a simple online store84/100
PayPal
Verified Oct 28, 2026
From No fee to open a business account; 3.49% + $0.49 via Checkout—Online sellers whose buyers already use PayPal, especially as a second checkout option alongside a card processor83/100

Prices verified from each provider's official site — oldest check 2026-10-23. Prices change — confirm before you buy.

Software review

FreshBooks

Invoicing-first accounting built for freelancers and service businesses

Unpack Money score: 88/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-23

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Software review

HubSpot Sales Hub

The best free CRM, with paid tiers that scale steeply

Unpack Money score: 90/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-28

Read review →

Software review

Wix Website Builder

The easiest way to get a real website online

Unpack Money score: 89/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-23

Read review →

Software review

LegalZoom LLC Formation

The biggest brand, with attorney access on higher tiers

Unpack Money score: 81/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-23

Read review →

Software review

Gusto

Transparent payroll and HR for small businesses, from $49/month

Unpack Money score: 89/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-24

Read review →

Software review

QuickBooks Payroll

Payroll inside the accounting software most small businesses already use

Unpack Money score: 88/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-24

Read review →

Software review

OnPay

One flat, transparent payroll price — $49/month plus $6 per worker

Unpack Money score: 87/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-24

Read review →

Software review

ADP RUN

The incumbent payroll platform — pricing by quote only

Unpack Money score: 84/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-24

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Software review

Paychex Flex

Full-service HR and payroll with premium customer support — pricing by quote only

Unpack Money score: 82/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-28

Read review →

Software review

Stripe

Online checkout, subscriptions and embedded payments — 2.9% + 30¢ online

Unpack Money score: 86/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-28

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Software review

Square

Counter-first point of sale — 2.6% + 15¢ in person, no monthly fee to start

Unpack Money score: 84/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-29

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Software review

PayPal

The familiar checkout button — 3.49% + $0.49 via Checkout

Unpack Money score: 83/100 · Pricing verified 2026-10-28

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FAQs

How does Unpack Money review software?
Every review starts from the provider's official pricing page: we record each plan, price, and cap, date-stamp the check, and score the product on what a small business actually gets for the money. We don't claim hands-on testing we haven't done, and compensation never changes a score.
How current is the pricing in these reviews?
Each review carries its own verification date — FreshBooks, Wix, LegalZoom — October 23, 2026; Gusto, QuickBooks, OnPay, ADP — October 24, 2026; HubSpot, Paychex, Stripe, PayPal — October 28, 2026; Square — October 29, 2026, each against its provider's official site. Prices change, so confirm the current price on the provider's site before you buy.
Which of these tools does a brand-new business need first?
It depends on the job: LegalZoom if you're forming the business, Wix if you need a website first, FreshBooks if you invoice clients, and HubSpot if you need a CRM that can start free. The comparison pages linked below put each pick next to its alternatives.
Does Unpack Money make money from these reviews?
We may earn compensation when you click certain links or sign up through our site — clearly disclosed wherever it appears. Compensation may affect where products appear, but it does not determine our editorial evaluations or scores. Learn more.

Sources

Every price on this page was verified against the provider's official website on the date shown. We never use aggregator sites as sources for pricing.