Larry Li – Page 2 – Management Library

July 11, 2022March 29, 2023

10 Best NFTs to Buy in 2023

There are thousands of different NFT projects listed on NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea, Rarible, and SuperRare. With more than $37 billion sent by cryptocurrency wallets to NFT marketplaces from January 2022 to May 2022, the NFT market continues to grow. This guide sums up the best NFTs to buy in 2023.

Best NFTs to Buy

Bored Ape Yacht Club – Overall Best NFT to Buy
CryptoPunks – Best NFT for Longevity
Azuki – Best Newly Released NFT
Moonbirds – Best Viral NFT Collection
VeeFriends – Best NFT for Notable Founder
World of Women – Best NFT for a Diverse Community
Fidenza Art Blocks – Best NFT for Generative Art
Cool Cats – Best NFT for Active Community
CyberKongz – Best NFT for Token Earnings
HAPE PRIME – Best NFT for 3D Art

Bored Ape Yacht Club

April 23, 2021

0.08 ETH

91 ETH

150 ETH

9,999

952,800

CryptoPunks

June 23, 2017

Free

47 ETH

124 ETH

9,999

226,500

Azuki

January 12, 2022

1 ETH

11.5 ETH

31 ETH

10,000

310,900

Moonbirds

April 16, 2022

2.5 ETH

24 ETH

38.65 ETH

10,000

201,000

VeeFriends

May 11, 2021

2.5 ETH

7.7 ETH

22.60 ETH

10,255

253,300

World of Women

July 27, 2021

0.07 ETH

4.14 ETH

13.23 ETH

10,000

201,500

Fidenza Art Blocks

November 1, 2020

0.17 ETH

293 ETH

999

149,000

Cool Cats

July 14, 2021

0.06 ETH

3.15

16.07 ETH

9,999

202,600

CyberKongz

March 3, 2021

0.07 ETH

24.99

144.38 ETH

1,000

317,700

HAPE PRIME

January 19, 2022

0.2 ETH

0.74 ETH

4.41 ETH

8,192

320,900

*floor price and Twitter followers as of 25 May, 2022

Bored Ape Yacht Club: Overall Best NFT to Buy

Pricing: Floor Price of 91 ETH as of May 25, 2022

4.99

★★★★★

Visit

Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) was created by Yuga Labs LLC. It’s a collection of 9,999 randomly generated art pieces created from 170 unique traits. Each Bored Ape Yacht Club receives access to members-only benefits such as merchandise, real-life meetups, and various rewards.

This NFT collection is the most influential NFT project of all time. It’s owned by notable celebs, including Jimmy Fallon, Justin Bieber, Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, Steph Curry, and Paris Hilton. BAYC released the collection of 9,999 NFTs for only 0.08 ETH. As one of the first mainstream projects in the NFT space, the floor price stands at 91 ETH.

People who owned a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT received early access to additional NFT drops such as the Mutant Ape Yacht Club and Bored Ape Kennel Club, two derivative projects. To date, the Bored Ape Yacht Club has generated over $1 billion in revenue.

Bored Ape Yacht Club Overview

Art

The Bored Ape Yacht Club artwork features randomly generated profile pictures of apes.

Community

The BAYC NFT collection has the strongest community in the NFT space because of its popularity and ownership by many A-list celebrities. Bored Ape Yacht Club has nearly one million followers on Twitter.

Utility

Owning a BAYC NFT grants you access to exclusive events, airdrops, and giveaways.

Team

BAYC was founded by four developer friends with an impressive background in marketing and branding.

Roadmap

BAYC continues to hold private events for their NFT holders that grant access to an exclusive network of high-net-worth individuals.

Why we chose it: Bored Ape Yacht Club is the overall best NFT to buy because it’s the number one blue-chip NFT. This means that even during volatile market conditions, you can expect BAYC to remain stable and return to previous highs.

Most popular NFT ever
Access to real-life meetups
Exclusive community with many notable celebrities

Extremely expensive
Price fluctuations
Overwhelming Discord server

Pricing: Over 2022, the floor price has ranged from 60 ETH to 150 ETH. It currently sits at 91 ETH as of May 25, 2022.

CryptoPunks: Best NFT for Longevity

Pricing: Floor Price of 47 ETH as of May 25, 2022

4.93

★★★★★

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CryptoPunks had the highest floor price in the NFT marketplace until Bored Ape Yacht Club passed it in December of 2021. This is because CryptoPunks launched in 2017, four years before the massive NFT boom in 2021. As one of the first NFT projects released, CryptoPunks were able to build a strong community.

Many CryptoPunk NFTs have sold for millions of dollars. In fact, CryptoPunk #5822 sold for around $23.7 million in Ethereum. The creator of the BAYC, Yuga Labs, purchased CryptoPunks from Larva Labs in March of 2022. As such, Yuga Labs now owns the two most popular NFT projects in the world.

Because of this, you can expect Yuga Labs to continue creating value for the NFT holders through clever marketing, real-life events, and various giveaways.

CryptoPunks Overview

Art

The CryptoPunks artwork features simple 8-bit pixelated art images which were generated algorithmically. Most of the artwork features punky-looking girls and guys. However, there are a few rarer art pieces mixed in, including apes, zombies, and aliens.

Community

CryptoPunks NFT is similar to Bored Ape Yacht Club because many high-level celebrities and entrepreneurs own one.

Utility

The core utility of a CryptoPunks NFT is owning a rare piece of the first popular NFT collection ever created.

Team

Cryptopunks is currently owned by Larva Labs.

Roadmap

CryptoPunks didn’t even have a roadmap when it launched. The project was an experiment that grew to a worldwide sensation.

Why we chose it: CryptoPunks is the best NFT for longevity because it still holds its spot as the number two most popular NFT, even after five years. Although the floor price has fallen from its all-time high, it’s one of the most notable NFT projects of all time.

First NFT project on Ethereum
Second most popular NFT project
Several CryptoPunks have sold for millions of dollars

Extremely high floor price
Can only be purchased with Ethereum
Simple art may not be attractive to everyone

Pricing: Over 2022, the floor price has ranged from 47 ETH to 84 ETH. It currently sits at 47 ETH as of May 25, 2022.

Azuki: Best Newly Released NFT Project

Pricing: Floor Price of 11.5 ETH as of May 25, 2022

4.89

★★★★★

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Azuki stormed the NFT marketplace in early 2022 because of a viral and successful pre-launch Twitter campaign. This NFT collection features 10,000 anime-style profile pictures that live on the Ethereum blockchain. Each Azuki NFT holder gains access to Azuki’s metaverse, The Garden. The Garden gives holders access to exclusive NFT drops, live events, and merch.

The Azuki collection stands out because it had an initial mint price of $3,400 with 8,700 art pieces. The 8,700 art pieces didn’t take long to sell out. In just four minutes, the entire collection sold out. This netted one of the quickest $29 million transactions in NFT launch sales history.

Azuki accumulated $300 million in trading volume after 30 days and is on its way to becoming the next Bored Ape Yacht Club. Even five months after its release, Azuki continues to rank high on OpenSea in terms of sales volume and floor price. The hype is still growing, and the Azuki NFT collection is prepped to soar to new all-time highs once the crypto market recovers.

This NFT collection showcased the power of outstanding artwork and a strong social media campaign. Before Azuki, the majority of popular NFT collections featured simple and uninspired artwork. Furthermore, one of the founding members was the Character Art Director at Overwatch, a popular first-person shooter game. His reputation skyrocketed the NFT’s success.

Azuki Overview

Art

Azuki NFTs feature beautifully designed anime style profile pictures.

Community

The Azuki community is extremely active with over 100,000 Discord members.

Utility

Owning an Azuki NFT grants you access to real-life meetups, physical merch, and Azuki’s metaverse creation.

Team

Azuki was founded by Zagabond. Although he failed three NFT projects in the past, Azuki proved he understands the cryptocurrency space.

Roadmap

Azuki is planning to create exclusive streetwear collabs, NFT drops, and live events, which is only rivaled by BAYC.

Why we chose it: The Azuki collection is the best newly released NFT project because it’s been able to keep up the initial hype through continuous marketing and community building. While most projects with strong initial hype simmer down, Azuki has remained vigorous.

Outstanding artwork
Relatively low floor price compared to BAYC and CryptoPunks
High potential to become blue-chip NFT collection

High floor price
The founder has abandoned three projects in the past
Unclear roadmap

Pricing: Over 2022, the floor price has ranged from 8 ETH to 31 ETH. It currently sits at 11.5 ETH as of May 25, 2022.

Moonbirds: Best Viral NFT Collection

Pricing: Floor Price of 24 ETH as of May 25, 2022

4.82

★★★★★

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Newly released in April 2022, Moonbirds have gone viral all over NFT Twitter. This NFT collection was created by Proof Collective, which includes Digg founder Kevin Rose.

Moonbirds is an excellent example of an NFT acting both as a community-driven movement and profile picture art. Similar to Azuki, Moonbirds has been able to surpass its initial hype by continuing to grow and expand.

Moonbirds Overview

Art

Moonbirds artwork features simple 2D images of birds.

Community

Moonbirds has a cult-like community of over 200,000 Twitter followers, and it’s fast approaching Azuki’s popularity.

Utility

If you own a Moonbirds NFT, you get access to the private PROOF Discord server. Here, you will receive access to private drops, real-life events, and the upcoming PROOF metaverse.

Team

Moonbirds was founded by prominent entrepreneur Kevin Rose. Kevin Rose was the founder of digg, a news aggregator website.

Roadmap

Moonbirds NFT holders get first-access to the metaverse world Moonbirds is building.

Why we chose it: The Moonbirds NFT collection is the best viral NFT collection because it aims to be the next blue-chip NFT while building one of the strongest communities in the space. This collection has a highly notable founding team, which offers excellent potential for the future.

Reputable founding team
Massive pre-launch social media campaign
Private Discord server

High floor price
Mediocre artwork
Unclear roadmap

Pricing: Over 2022, the floor price has ranged from 12.85 ETH to 38.65 ETH. It currently sits at 24 ETH as of May 25, 2022.

VeeFriends: Best NFT for Notable Founder

Pricing: Floor Price of 7.7 ETH as of May 25, 2022

4.79

★★★★★

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Gary Vaynerchuk is a highly influential entrepreneur that’s been invested in the NFT marketplace since the beginning. VeeFriends is Gary Vaynerchuk’s personal NFT collection and consists of 10,225 NFT art pieces. The artwork is all drawn by Gary Vee himself.

VeeFriends Overview

Art

The artwork featured in the VeeFriends NFT collection is hand drawn by Gary Vaynerchuk.

Community

VeeFriends has a dedicated community of Gary Vaynerchuk fans and cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

Utility

Each NFT holder receives three years’ access to VeeCon, Gary’s annual Web 3 conference in Minneapolis. Other benefits include exclusive networking opportunities and various giveaways, which could be seen as more valuable than even the top-ranked NFTs, BAYC and CryptoPunks.

Team

VeeFriends was founded and is still led by prominent entrepreneur, Gary Vaynerchuk.

Roadmap

VeeFriends recently dropped series 2 and will continue adding new art to the NFT collection.

Why we chose it: Many high-level influencers have tried creating their own NFT collections, but none of them have had as much success as Gary Vaynerchuk and VeeFriends. Therefore, VeeFriends is the best NFT collection with a notable founder.

Created by Gary Vaynerchuk
Strong floor price despite volatile market conditions
Constant innovation and utility rewards

Long-term utility is unclear
High floor price
Different series can be confusing to distinguish

Pricing: Over 2022, the floor price has ranged from 7.04 ETH to 18.21 ETH. It currently sits at 7.69 ETH as of May 25, 2022.

World of Women: Best NFT for a Diverse Community

Pricing: Floor Price of 4.14 ETH as of May 25, 2022

4.72

★★★★★

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While cryptocurrency communities are notably male-centric, World of Women is a project created by women to encourage a more diverse NFT community.

A notable feat of the World of Women is its partnership with the play-to-earn blockchain game, The Sandbox. The partnership’s primary focus will be a $25 million grant used to bring cryptocurrency education to women.

World of Women Overview

Art

The artwork features 10,000 unique images of randomly generated women

Community

Notable owners of World of Women NFTs include Eva Longoria, Reece Witherspoon, and Dez Bryant.

Utility

As a holder of World of Women NFT, you get direct access to involvement in several philanthropic movements.

Team

Designer, Yam Karkai, created the NFT artwork.

Roadmap

World of Women aims to provide free cryptocurrency education to women around the world, which offers a different sort of value compared to BAYC, for example.

Why we chose it: The World of Women collection is the best NFT for diversity and inclusion because it’s created by women

Most popular female-inclusion NFT collection
Supported by multiple female celebrities
Partnerships with other projects

Inherently excludes male investors
Highly fluctuating floor price
Decreasing sales volume

Pricing: Over 2022, the floor price has ranged from 2.04 ETH to 13.33 ETH. It currently sits at 4.14 ETH as of May 25, 2022.

Fidenza Art Blocks: Best NFT for Generative Art

Pricing: Floor Price of 72 ETH as of May 25, 2022

4.62

★★★★★

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Art Blocks was the first-ever NFT project dedicated to generative art. This means that these NFTs are created using a programmable algorithm to generate unique art pieces.

Fidenza Art Blocks Overview

Art

The Fidenza Art Blocks were created using a versatile generative algorithm. As such, this is the most famous NFT collection that was designed entirely by computer code and not by an artist.

Community

The Fidenza Art Blocks has a strong community of passionate art enthusiasts and programmers.

Utility

The core utility of a Fidenza Art Blocks NFT is that it’s a piece of art that will likely continue rising in price.

Team

The project was created by Tyler Hobbs, a prominent NFT artist.

Roadmap

Tyler Hobbs will continue creating innovative art in the NFT space, giving Fidenza holders first access.

Why we chose it: Fidenza Art Blocks is the best NFT for generative art because it uses computer algorithms instead of real-life artists.

Extremely unique artwork
Computer-generated
Massive total sales volume

Exceedingly high floor price
Limited collection
Hard to continue innovating

Pricing: Over 2022, the floor price has ranged from 39 ETH to 89.36 ETH. It currently sits at 72 ETH as of May 25, 2022.

Cool Cats: Best for Active Community

Pricing: Floor Price of 3.15 ETH as of May 25, 2022

4.54

★★★★★

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After its release in July of 2021, Cool Cats quickly gained the number three spot in relation to popularity and sales on OpenSea. If you want to learn how to buy NFTs, you can purchase them using Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies on OpenSea, Rarible, and SuperRare. Once you purchase an NFT, you can store it in the best NFT wallet, MetaMask.

Today, the Cool Cats community still has an active and vibrant community. Although the founders have a goal to innovate and push the NFT space forward, Cool Cat’s roadmap is a little unclear.

Nonetheless, the project founders are public and are known for being leaders in the cryptocurrency market. This project went viral a week after its release when Mike Tyson changed his Twitter profile picture to a Cool Cat NFT. Other owners include Steve Aoki, Reece Witherspoon, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

Cool Cats Overview

Art

The Cool Cats NFT collection features 2D cartoon cat drawings.

Community

Cool Cats has nearly 100,000 Discord members.

Utility

Cool Cats is working on brand collaborations and rewards its holders with exclusive NFT airdrops and giveaways.

Team

Cool Cats was founded by Clon, Xtremetom, Lynqoid, and Elu. These are all prominent developers in the blockchain space.

Roadmap

Cool Cats is building Cooltopia, a gamified ecosystem built on utility and interactivity. Holders can expect community rewards and continued growth in the metaverse.

Why we chose it: Cool Cats is the best NFT with an active community because every Cool Cats owner gets a warm welcome to the Cool Cats universe, Cooltopia. This is the Discord server, Cool Cats marketplace, and exclusive access to the founding team.

Low floor price
One of the first popular NFT collections
Massive total sales volume

Simple artwork
Lost its initial popularity
Outpaced by newer projects

Pricing: Over 2022, the floor price has ranged from 3.15 ETH to 16.07 ETH. It currently sits at 3.15 ETH as of May 25, 2022.

CyberKongz: Best NFT for Token Earning

Pricing: Floor Price of 24.99 ETH as of May 25, 2022

4.49

★★★★★

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Released two months before the Bored Ape Yacht Club, CyberKongz is a pixelated batch of NFT gorillas. CyberKongz is often referred to as the first NFT collection with utility. At the start, the collection included 1,000 genesis Kongz. These 1,000 Kongz generated 10 $BANANA, a cryptocurrency token, per day.

CyberKongz owners who owned two Kongz and 600 $BANANA could breed their NFTs to create a BabyKong. Although BabyKongz don’t generate tokens, owners could sell them for thousands of dollars.

As such, CyberKongz gained popularity because of its ability to generate passive income. At its all-time high, $BANANA tokens were selling for $20 each. Since Genesis Kongz produces 10 tokens per day, holders earned $200 per day just by holding the NFT.

CyberKongz Overview

Art

The CyberKongz NFT collection features randomly generated 2D and 3D gorillas.

Community

CyberKongz has a strong community of over 300,000 Twitter followers, and it’s often compared to the top NFT BAYC.

Utility

Holding a CyberKongz NFT allows you to earn $BANANA, CyberKongz’s cryptocurrency token.

Team

The artist, Myoo, created CyberKongz in early 2021.

Roadmap

CyberKongz continues to reward its holders through exclusive airdrops and token earning.

Why we chose it: CyberKongz is the best NFT for token earning because you can generate $BANANA to redeem exclusive rewards or sell for USD.

Utility
Passive Income
First-mover NFT project

$BANANA has decreased
High floor price
Limited collection

Pricing: Over 2022, the floor price has ranged from 21.26 ETH to 116.60 ETH. It currently sits at 91 ETH as of May 25, 2022.

HAPE PRIME: Best NFT for 3D Art

Pricing: Floor Price of 0.74 ETH as of May 25, 2022

4.26

★★★★★

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HAPE PRIME by HAPE BEAST generated tons of buzz on social media for its release in January of 2022. These NFTs feature 3D artwork and are targeted toward hypebeasts, which are streetwear fashion enthusiasts.

This NFT collection plays off of the success of the Bored Ape Yacht Club. Although there have been many ape-based projects, HAPE PRIME is one of the most successful derivative ape collections.

HAPE PRIME Overview

Art

HAPE PRIME features 3D apes wearing stylish and trendy clothing.

Community

This NFT collection has a community of over 300,000 Twitter followers.

Utility

Owning a HAPE PRIME NFT grants you access to exclusive off-chain gifts and wearable loyalty badges.

Team

Matt Sypien is the founder and creative designer of HAPE PRIME. He previously worked at Chelsea Football Club and Digimental Studio as a design director.

Roadmap

HAPE PRIME will be dropping its clothing line in late 2022.

Why we chose it: HAPE PRIME is the best NFT for 3D art because the artwork features ultra-stylish apes wearing various streetwear apparel.

Low floor price
Affordable
High-potential roadmap

Has lost its initial steam
Dramatically lower floor price than all-time-highs
Success based on community involvement

Pricing: Over 2022, the floor price has ranged from 0.66 ETH to 4.41 ETH. It currently sits at 0.74 ETH as of May 25, 2022.

Methodology for the Best NFTs to Buy

There’s an abundance of different NFT collections, and new collections releasing every day. Therefore, selecting the right NFT project to invest in is a difficult task. When searching for the Best NFTs to buy, here is the criteria we used to rank our list. This criterion explains what is an NFT and how to distinguish good NFT ideas from bad ones.

Art: Most NFTs are digital art pieces made by various artists. For this reason, it’s important to find NFTs you find attractive. Although art is subjective, you should like the art of the NFT you want to purchase. Read our article on how you can create your own NFTs.
Community: All successful NFT projects have strong communities and dedicated supporters. Without a loyal community, the NFT project will likely fail. An NFT’s community typically lives on the NFT’s Discord. In the Discord, they will talk about the project, cryptocurrency in general, and other non-related topics. You can gauge how strong the community is by seeing how active the chat is and how willing the members are to help each other.
Utility: Utility is the extra benefits you receive from an NFT for being the owner. A few examples of utility include real-life events, crypto tokens, additional NFT airdrops, and early access to collaboration projects. Strong utility usually indicates a high-potential NFT project.
Team: Since there are so many NFT projects, one way to differentiate them is by looking at the founding team. You should see if the founders are public or anonymous. Some founders are public and have previous work experience at big tech companies. If a team is fully anonymous, there’s always a risk that they rug pull the project. If the team members are public, you can look at their backgrounds to see if they have the skills to turn the project into a massive success.
Roadmap: An NFT project’s roadmap is a timeline of future events, releases, and updates. You can judge an NFT project based on how realistic the roadmap is and what type of unlocks it offers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Best NFTs to Buy

Below are a few common questions surrounding the best NFTs to buy in 2023.

Are NFTs a good investment?

NFTs can be a good investment if the NFT project you choose has a high potential to become a long-term success. However, most NFTs tend to lose value over time. Therefore, it’s important to invest only the money you are willing to use. Never throw your life savings into an NFT collection because NFTs are high-risk assets.

What are the most popular NFTs?

The most popular NFT projects are the Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks. These two collections are owned by many notable celebrities such as Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber, Neymar Jr, Eminem, and Mark Cuban. The NFTs with the highest floor prices are typically the most popular.

Will NFTs go up in value?

All NFTs have the potential to go up in value. You could have minted a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT for .08 ETH when it was released in April 2021. The same NFT would have been worth over 100 ETH in April of 2022, netting over a 1000x increase.

What is the most expensive NFT ever sold?

The most expensive NFT ever sold was called “The Merge,” created by artist PAK. This NFT sold for $91.8 million. However, this wasn’t purchased by a sole investor. Instead, 30,000 collectors contributed to the $91.8 million and now have shared ownership over the NFT.

Bottom Line on the Best NFTs to Buy

The long-term success of an NFT project depends on the NFT’s community, team, utility, and roadmap. Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks are the top two blue-chip NFT projects with the least built-in risk. However, all NFT projects have massive fluctuations in pricing because of the cryptocurrency market’s volatility.

July 10, 2022November 23, 2022

What is a Gantt Chart?

A Gantt chart is a project management tool used to visualize a project plan. It’s a useful way of showing scheduled tasks and task due dates. Gantt charts help team members and project managers view the start dates, end dates, and milestones of a project in one simple stacked bar chart.

What is a Gantt Chart?

When it comes to scheduling projects in a way that details all tasks and highlights the progression of events logically, Gantt charts are the answer. Gantt charts work for all types of projects, detailing a timeline of tasks horizontally with start and end dates.

It is a transparent method of viewing jobs in progress. Gantt charts give a helpful visual depiction of a project, including relationships, phases, and dependencies. You can easily see team workloads, availability, and scheduling through the chart.

Historical Overview of Gantt Charts

In 1910, American engineer Henry L. Gantt was looking for a way to improve production and resource planning for factories and workshops. Alongside a friend, he developed a graph that depicted ‘deliverables vs time’, simplifying many of the processes that were hard for him to track previously.

Gantt charts were originally made by hand, closely resembling bar-charts, with revisions made manually. Original Gantt charts critical paths were made to follow one another in logical drawn sequences.

As computers became more advanced, these charts were easily programmed and transferred onto modeling software. Nowadays, you can make Gantt charts quickly and easily, allowing for greater complexity in design. As a well-established tool in project management, Gantt charts are frequently cited in planning documents and contracts.

Why use a Gantt Chart?

Why would you want to use a Gantt chart? There are many benefits to this type of chart when compared with other project management graphs, all of which make it easier to analyze project development.

First of all, creating a Gantt chart starts with a project schedule. It details who is involved, task due dates, and what needs to be done. This means that everything you need is all in one place. It also allows for more definitive resource planning, so allocating people and tools is made far more manageable.

Furthermore, because a Gantt chart clearly displays the progress of a whole project, assessing progress becomes simple. This is especially helpful for project managers. Being able to view the chart in this way also makes identifying problems with ideas and plans much simpler and clearer to amend.

Because everyone can see the chart, collaboration becomes much easier, and understanding the different tasks within a team is a whole lot clearer.

What does a Gantt Chart Include?

Here are some key ideas that help better describe Gantt charts.

The Critical Path

This is the longest path on the schedule, often stretching the project’s duration. It highlights every task. Every task with an unmet due date puts the entire project at risk unless the task end date is removed or extended. In typical Gantt charts, due dates are red, so they stand out from other tasks.

Dependencies

In a nutshell, every task on the Gantt chart is related to a predecessor and a successor, so everything is arranged in a logical order that flows effectively over the process of a project. Sometimes arrows are used to depict the flow of tasks.

Milestones

Milestones are small points, typically marked without duration on the chart, representing task completion or significant developments in the production of a project.

How to Read a Gantt Chart

Learning to read a Gantt chart can seem difficult from a distance, much like with any other graphical representation. Luckily, it’s effortless to understand how to read a Gantt chart once you learn how the graph represents data.

Below are some of the most important features to identify on the chart.

Scale: The scale of the chart works against time. Spanning horizontally (along the X-axis), dates are placed to provide the timescale of a project. This makes it easier to represent the relationship between tasks over time in an orderly way. It also means milestones can easily be recognized over the span of the task. Scale can be counted in days, weeks, or periods.
Bars: Each bar on the chart represents a project task. Through the logical layout of tasks across the timescale, work can be assigned accordingly and given a clear duration that keeps the project as a whole on track. Sometimes, there is an overarching bar along the top of the chart representing the whole project duration.
Task Progress: Task progress is measured using percentages displayed on each task bar. Usually, this means a selection of each bar will be colored to depict how much of the project has been completed. Obviously, today’s technology has made processes like these far easier to do using programs like Excel, whereas data like this was hard to display in the past.

When reading the Gantt chart, there are several perspectives from which you can view the data. First, you can see the overview of the whole project in all its scope, starting with tasks, start dates, and due dates. Each task can include sub-tasks, with all sub-tasks needing to be complete.

This can be further broken down into team member workloads and resource allocation, meaning each individual aspect of the project can be found in one place, with as much or as little detail as needed. It is worth noting, however, that an overcomplicated chart will be harder to read.

Check out our guide on how to use a Gantt chart to learn more. We break down the process of using a Gantt chart into nine easy-to-understand steps. Furthermore, we discuss the top three Gantt chart software for project management.

How to Create a Gantt Chart: Key Steps

Now that you know how to view the Gantt chart, you may be wondering how you can create your own for project management within your company. Whether you’re a freelancer or a manager in a business like advertising, there is value to creating a Gantt chart.

While plenty of handy tools and project management software products on the market today often automate this process, you can also create Gantt charts using spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.

There are several steps to creating your own Gantt chart.

Step 1: To begin, list the project schedule in a table. Place each task in a separate row, with the main project as the title. On the X-axis, add titles ‘start date’ and ‘end date’, then fill in the dates and deadlines accordingly. You can add milestones in the task column and color code or include them as symbols on a completed graph.

Step 2: You need to produce a simple bar chart based on the dates you’ve inserted in the columns. Select your start dates with the header, and make sure not to highlight the whole column, then insert a ‘bar’. Selecting a ‘stacked bar’ is standard practice.

Step 3: Next, by clicking on your new bar chart, click ‘select data’, click ‘add’ and name your new series, then select your ‘end date’ data. The chart won’t look how you want it to yet.

Step 4: When you click on your graph and select ‘start date’ in the data source box, a box will open, allowing you to select data. Select your tasks. Now, your graph should list the tasks along the left.

Step 5: Remove your chart labels. Click on any of the primary bars in your graph, choose to format the data, and remove fill and lines. If your tasks appear in reverse order, you can change that by categorizing the axis in reverse.

Step 6: Ensure tasks are arranged in order, and data markers are at the top. There are other steps you can take to alter the layout and format of your Gantt chart which pertain to your specific requirements. Additionally, plenty of templates are available both online and in software like Excel, such as the Gantt Project Planner.

Of course, there are many ways of creating a Gantt chart, and some people prefer to format their chart using Excel or other software manually, while others choose to produce a physical copy of a graph with pen and paper.

Naturally, these two processes will take longer than automated computer features, but this is more a question of personal choice and how many complications you’ll cause yourself by producing a graph with these methods.

This is why we recommend using software that can automatically create Gantt charts.

Our top three Gantt chart software for project management include:

Each of these software is easy to use and can quickly create comprehensive Gantt charts for your projects. For example, monday.com offers Gantt chart views for each of its plans and customizable workflow templates for all types of projects.

Gantt Chart Pros

There are numerous advantages to using a Gantt chart for project management:

Gantt charts allow for a transparent and easy view of project progress. Not only does this aid managers in reviewing the work being done by a team, allowing them to allocate work and resources accordingly, but it also aids collaboration within a team because many people are contributing to the same project.
Everyone on a team benefits from viewing the Gantt chart and seeing what work is being done, the deadlines, expectations, and the progress.
Gantt charts are suitable for any sized business. Even if yours is a solo project, setting out your processes can be beneficial. As for big businesses or large projects, the data can be helpful as an overview of something very complicated, allowing you to pluck certain information from a much larger portrait of a job.
Seeing a clear progression of a project visually helps with understanding and digesting the project as a whole. As well as providing a clear overview of the direction the project is heading in, the visual aspect of the Gantt graph simply aids team members in seeing the aims and parts of the wider project.
Scheduling is a massive part of working in a team, ensuring everyone’s workload is fair and that people are playing to their true strengths. With Gantt charts, managers can assign particular jobs to particular skill sets and ensure that employees are best utilized.

Gantt charts aid in productivity and serve as motivation tools for a team. Everyone is aligned within a common goal as well as in their particular team role. Knowing that there is a specific timeline for the job ensures that everyone aims to complete their work punctually and keeps in mind the temporary nature of the project.

Gantt Chart Cons

However, there are also some disadvantages to using a Gantt chart:

The primary complaint facing the Gantt chart is that the process and the graph itself can easily become too complicated. Some argue that even set up time can be very consuming. Of course, with the advantage of modern technology, time is saved, but this doesn’t necessarily detract from the formatting and planning required for such a graph.
A project too big can easily become a hassle. The chart can become hard to read if you’re trying to insert numerous tasks with numerous team members, resource fields, and descriptions. If the chart’s job is to prepare plans for a project simplistically, it fails when it comes to overcomplicated or incredibly detailed data fields.
Due to the aforementioned complexity of many projects, data is often required to back up your chart. This could be resource management, team hours, or simply descriptions of each individual job on the graph. While this is inevitably a manageable issue, it can easily add up to a very complex job, detracting from the initial point of the Gantt chart.
As mentioned above, setup time can cause issues for a Gantt user. While this is made easier by programs like Microsoft Excel and project management software, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the data has to exist already to be inserted into the graph.

Although paradoxical, there is an issue that comes with simplifying your Gantt chart. If you make your chart a barebones demonstration of the grander structure of your project, you’re obviously going to miss the details.

Although, admittedly, there is still something to be said for giving a team access to the grand structure as a sort of grounding in the content. So, projecting your data in another way alongside the chart can be helpful, although time consuming. Alternatively, smaller projects will thrive when placed in the Gantt format.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for What Is a Gantt Chart

Below are a few common questions project managers have about Gantt charts.

What is a Gantt chart in simple words?

Simply put, a Gantt chart is a graphical tool that shows tasks or activities performed against time. Gantt charts help you visualize project progression because they show when tasks are due and which tasks are completed.

How can a Gantt chart make project management easier?

With a Gantt chart, you get a consolidated view of all your projects in one central location. Gantt charts make it easier for you to handle project planning and scheduling. This way, you can ensure your team is working on the correct tasks and completing them in time.

Is a Gantt chart a timeline?

A Gantt chart is more comprehensive than a timeline. Whereas a timeline contains events shown on a single line, Gantt charts are two-dimensional charts showing a sequence of tasks and their dependencies.

Bottom Line on Gantt Charts

Overall, using the Gantt chart correctly makes for an effective tool in project management, meaning you can control all your data and resources in one place. Of course, this is helped hugely by the development of modern automated technology, but regardless, Gantt charts simplify the otherwise hectic job of defining project parameters and plans.

There’s a reason why the Gantt chart has stood the test of time – it collates and simplifies otherwise complicated jobs and provides much needed clarity in many workplaces.

July 9, 2022February 15, 2023

Do I Need a Business Bank Account For a Sole Proprietorship?

Young man presenting about the need for business bank account for sole proprietorship

Although you are allowed to use a personal bank account for your business, creating a sole proprietorship account is highly recommended. A dedicated business bank account offers tax incentives, accurate recordkeeping, and improved business credibility. This guide covers why you should never mingle your personal and business funds together.

What is a Sole Proprietorship Bank Account?

If you’re a freelancer or a small business owner with a sole proprietorship, it’s not legally required for you to create a business bank account. Thus, you can legally use your personal bank account to run your business.

However, using your personal bank account is risky and inefficient. Even for sole proprietors, the IRS recommends creating separate personal and business bank accounts.

A sole proprietorship bank account is a separate bank account used to manage your business’s finances. It’s used to pay your suppliers and employees as well as receive payments from your customers. It also allows you to apply for small business loans.

Even if your business is completely new and doesn’t have any sales yet, it’s a good idea to create a dedicated business bank account immediately.

Unless you’re willing to keep meticulous records of your business transactions within your personal bank account, you need a sole proprietorship bank account. In fact, it’s suggested that you should open a business bank account even if your sole proprietorship is a side hustle or hobby.

Business Checking vs Personal Checking Account: What’s the Difference?

Personal and business bank accounts offer features such as debit cards and check writing. However, business checking accounts include an additional set of features to empower your business for future growth.

These tools help your business operate more efficiently. Let’s take a closer look at the key differences.

Check writing

Debit cards

Debit cards for employees

Payroll processing services

Bookkeeping integrations

Financial advisory services

Accurate expense and revenue tracking

Why is it Important to Create a Sole Proprietorship Bank Account?

After creating a sole proprietorship, your first task is to open a business checking account. If you combine your business and personal finances into one bank account, keeping accurate records would be challenging.

So let’s take a closer look into why you need a sole proprietorship bank account.

Tax Benefits

Separate personal and business bank accounts help with sorting out your expenses when tax season rolls around. It’s crucial to create a clear distinction between personal expenses and business-related ones to avoid tax penalties from the IRS.

A sole proprietorship bank account sets an unmistakable line between your business and personal finances. When it’s time to pay taxes, you’ll be able to see a comprehensive record of your business expenses. However, if your business expenses are mixed with your personal expenses, it will be a major inconvenience if you get audited by the IRS.

Tax penalties are a significant headache for anyone, and a dedicated sole proprietorship bank account ensures accurate tax keeping.

Accurate Bookkeeping & Analytics

Using a sole proprietorship bank account ensures accurate bookkeeping. By keeping your personal and business finances separate, you can easily identify your business’s performance. Therefore, a business bank account allows a better financial understanding of your sole proprietorship to empower future growth initiatives and optimizations.

Having a clear view of your business’s revenue and expenses is essential as you’re trying to expand your sole proprietorship. As your business continues to grow, the complexity and volume of your business dealings will also grow.

Keeping track of your books will become nearly impossible if you combine and use your personal bank account for your sole proprietorship.

Business Credibility

Creating a sole proprietorship bank account also boosts your business credibility. Rather than charging payments to a bank account labeled with your name, you can use your company’s name after opening a business bank account.

Image and branding are vital in the modern competitive digital age, and business bank accounts improve the legitimacy of your sole proprietorship. Additionally, a business bank account allows you to affordably accept credit card payments from your customers.

You can’t accept such payments through your personal bank account unless you use a payment service provider. This is suboptimal because payment service providers take a hefty pay cut as a transaction fee. On the other hand, being able to accept all forms of payment increases your chances of getting sales and appearing more professional.

Best Banks for Sole Proprietorship Bank Account

Most banks offer business checking accounts for sole proprietors. To find the best one for your business, you need to consider a few factors.

These factors include:

Cash deposit limits: Your bank might limit the amount of cash you are allowed to deposit into your business bank account for free each statement cycle. If your business primarily deals in cash, we recommend finding a bank account with a high cash deposit limit.
Transaction limits: Your bank may also limit the number of transactions you can process for free each billing cycle. These transactions include ATM deposits, teller deposits, checks, and electronic debits and credits. The standard limit for most sole proprietorship bank accounts is 200 transactions. However, it varies from bank to bank.
Fees: Business bank accounts typically have monthly maintenance fees. However, some banks waive the monthly fees if you meet certain requirements like a minimum account balance.
Interest: Some business checking accounts pay interest on your balance, allowing you to earn more money each month.

Here are the best bank accounts for small businesses and sole proprietorships:

BlueVine

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BlueVine Review

BlueVine is a digital banking solution that offers no monthly fees, no minimum balances, and unlimited transactions. In theory, this is the perfect sole proprietorship bank account. The main drawback is that there are no brick-and-mortar locations. However, you can still deposit cash and checks and Green Dot locations.

There are no minimum deposits with BlueVine, and you can earn up to 1.5% APY on balances up to $100,000.

Novo

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Novo Review

Novo is another simple but robust business checking account provider. Similar to BlueVine, Novo is a digital banking solution that offers a simple online application process, no hidden fees, and free ACH transfers, mailed checks, and incoming wires.

Furthermore, Novo offers FDIC insurance through Middlesex Federal Savings and refunds on all ATM fees. You also get a virtual card immediately, which you can use for secure spending. However, where Novo truly thrives is through its comprehensive mobile app. You can pay bills, transfer money, and request invoices within seconds in the mobile app.

Axos

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Axos Review

Axos is another virtual bank that offers business loans, checking accounts, and savings accounts. There are two small business checking accounts you can choose from, Basic Business Checking or Business Interest Checking. The Business Interest Checking account offers 1.01% APY on account balances up to $50,000.

The Basic Business Checking account does not have an initial deposit requirement, minimum balance requirement, or monthly maintenance fees. You also get your first set of 50 checks for free and unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements.

Getting a Loan as a Sole Proprietorship

If you’re interested in receiving a business loan or financing in the future, you’ll likely need a business bank account. Lenders require your sole proprietorship to have a business bank account to verify your business’s cash flow. If they can’t verify your business’s financials, you won’t be eligible to receive a loan.

The main goal of a lender is to ensure you have the needed cash flow or growth projections to pay back the loan.

The best small business loans are provided by:

These lenders offer high credit limits, low-interest rates, and variable repayment periods. Furthermore, these lenders have a fast and easy online application process in which you can get approved the same day.

However, small business loan lenders may require some qualities on your end. For example, to apply for a BlueVine small business loan, you need a FICO score of at least 600, be in business for at least six months, and have a minimum of $10,000 in monthly revenue.

How to Get a Sole Proprietorship Bank Account

It’s easy for sole proprietors to open a business bank account. Many banks allow you to apply online. All you need to provide is the proper documentation. However, requirements vary from bank to bank. So, we recommend contacting your bank to see what information you need to provide.

Generally, you’ll need to provide:

Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax ID Number
Driver’s license or passport
Business address
Type of business you own
When the business was established

Sole proprietorship bank accounts don’t always require formal documentation since your business isn’t incorporated. If you operate your business under your own name, an SSN or Tax ID may be sufficient. You may also need to provide your driver’s license or passport, depending on the bank.

Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your SSN as a sole proprietor. As such, you can Open a Business Bank Account With EIN Only for your sole proprietorship using your SSN.

Suppose your sole proprietorship is operating under a DBA. In that case, the bank will ask for additional documents containing your name in relation to the business name and your Trade Certificate Name or Assumed Name Certification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Sole Proprietorship Bank Account

If you want to learn more about sole proprietorship bank accounts, here are a few common questions and answers.

Can I use a personal bank account for a sole proprietorship?

Yes, you can use a personal bank account for a sole proprietorship. There is no legal requirement stating sole proprietors need a business bank account. However, we highly recommend creating a dedicated business account because of bookkeeping and tax benefits.

How do you pay yourself as a sole proprietor?

If you’re using a business bank account as a sole proprietor, you can take a draw on profits which means taking money from the business account and sending it to your personal account. If you use a personal bank account for your sole proprietorship, the money you receive qualifies as your pay.

Can I convert my personal bank account to a business account?

You can’t convert a personal bank account to a business account. These are two completely separate entities. Instead, you need to create a new business bank account at your bank.

Bottom Line on Sole Proprietorship Bank Account

While you aren’t legally required to create a business bank account for a sole proprietorship, we highly recommend it. Creating a sole proprietorship bank account lets you separate your business and personal finances. Therefore, it’s easier to keep your books clean and pay the correct amount of taxes.

Best Business Bank Accounts by State

Below you will find an interactive U.S map that can help you locate and compare different banks and financial institutions that offer business accounts in your area.

July 5, 2022November 23, 2022

Mullvad VPN Review: Best Flat-Rate VPN

Our Mullvad VPN review concludes that it offers excellent security and privacy features. As with any reputable VPN, Mullvad VPN establishes a secure connection between your devices and the internet. Mullvad VPN protects your data by masking your device’s IP address, which establishes a private tunnel for your data when using private networks.

Our Verdict

Mullvad VPN

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You can use Mullvad VPN to protect your identity when accessing the internet. When you connect to one of Mullvad VPN’s encrypted servers, your IP address is hidden from hackers, corporations, and government agencies. It adds an extra layer of security, especially for businesses that frequently utilize remote access.

Same price across all time periods
Multi-hop connections
Fast speeds

Fewer servers than competitors
Tricky desktop interface
Lack of customer service options

Mullvad VPN Review at a Glance

Screenshot of Mullvad VPN website home page — *Source: Mullvad VPN*

Mullvad VPN competes with industry favorites such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN. It’s also one of the best VPNs for PC. This is because it offers great VPN security features, such as a no-logs policy, open-source apps, and multi-hop connections. Furthermore, Mullvad VPN doesn’t ask for information when buying a subscription and offers anonymous payment options.

Based in Sweden, Mullvad VPN offers 846 servers across 39 countries. Although this is a lower number of servers than other VPNs, it’s more than enough for most individuals. Best of all, Mullvad VPN has affordable and flat-rate pricing. No matter how long you choose to subscribe, Mullvad VPN costs €5 per month, which is $5.23 at the time of writing.

It can be difficult to find an ideal VPN because the world of VPNs is so hectic and confusing. Luckily, Mullvad VPN offers a breath of fresh air. It’s a secure and affordable VPN service that offers excellent protection at a transparent price.

Although Mullvad VPN doesn’t offer a magnificent interface or a huge selection of servers, you won’t get upsells, and you will get better online privacy for a small price. Mullvad VPN is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Who Mullvad VPN is Best For

Mullvad VPN is best for individuals and businesses searching for a low-cost VPN focusing on privacy and security. This VPN provider offers a lot for a little, and you can have peace of mind knowing you can protect your data at an affordable flat rate.

Pricing

Mullvad VPN is unique because it costs €5 per month no matter how long you subscribe. Therefore, Mullvad VPN only offers one plan, and you can access all of its features for €5 per month.

Price

€5/month

Anonymous Account

No Logging

Integrated Kill Switch

Open Source Code

Split Tunneling

In-house Support Team

As you can see, each subscription length offers the same features. When you subscribe to Mullvad VPN, you get access to its integrated kill switch, no logging protocols, split tunneling, and in-house support team. You also get to use any of Mullvad VPN’s 846 VPN servers across the globe.

Mullvad VPN Features

Mullvad VPN offers a robust set of security, privacy, and ease-of-use features. Here’s an in-depth overview of what you can expect when subscribing to Mullvad VPN.

Security and Privacy

Mullvad VPN’s core service is filled with privacy-friendly technologies. For example, it only uses OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. Furthermore, Mullvad offers industrial-grade encryption, including AES-256 GCM (Galois/Counter Mode), 4096-bit RSA certifications with SHA512, and perfect forward secrecy.

This VPN service provider also features multiple layers of DNS and IPv6 leak protection. In addition, you receive port forwarding support and various stealth options to bypass VPN blocking.

Another key feature is Mullvad VPN’s kill switch, which blocks internet traffic if the VPN drops. Therefore, your data and privacy are protected if the VPN suddenly loses connection and you’re on a public network.

Mullvad VPN’s multi-hop feature called Bridge mode lets you route your connection through two VPN servers. This adds another layer of encryption and allows you to bypass restrictive firewalls.

Mullvad VPN has a direct focus on your privacy. During a 2020 infrastructure audit and a comprehensive Cure53 audit of its mobile and desktop apps, it was able to find and fix a few small problems. Cure53 audits are extremely thorough, and it bodes well for Mullvad’s privacy features that it passed the audit with flying colors.

This proves that Mullvad is more trustworthy than its competitors because it’s willing to open itself up to a high level of scrutiny.

Servers and Server Locations

Screenshot of Mullvad VPN server page — *Source: Mullvad VPN*

Mullvad carries a robust network of 846 servers in 39 countries. Although this is a high quantity of servers, ExpressVPN has even more, with over 5,000 servers. Nonetheless, 846 servers are plenty for the average VPN user.

A few server countries include Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States. Each server also displays a server speed, from 1 gigabyte per second (Gbps) to 20 Gbps.

Speed and Performance

In comparison to other noteworthy VPNs, Mullvad offers above-average download, upload, and latency speeds. Since a VPN causes your internet connection to jump through more hoops, you should always expect a decrease in performance when you don’t use a VPN.

However, you won’t take a massive performance blow when you connect to a Mullvad VPN server. The speeds are on par with far more expensive VPN providers and fast enough to torrent and game.

Nonetheless, the server distance affects how much your speed is reduced. Servers located across the globe offer lower speeds than servers in neighboring countries. Keep this in mind as you connect to a VPN server with Mullvad.

App Interface and Usability

Screenshot of Mullvad VPN app download page — *Source: Mullvad VPN*

Unlike other prominent VPNs, Mullvad’s interface isn’t as well-designed. However, having a beautiful interface isn’t an essential function of a VPN. Inside the desktop or mobile app, you’ll find a ‘Secure My Connection’ that you can click to view a list of countries or cities.

This is essentially all the app offers. There are no options to save favorites, no filters, no search option, and no fastest or closest server based on your location. Furthermore, our tests discovered that Mullvad VPN couldn’t access geo-blocked content, including BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, and Hulu.

One great feature about Mullvad VPN is you can use it on up to five devices. Whether you use the iOS, Windows, or macOS app, the apps look identical, so the learning curve when switching devices is nonexistent.

Customer Support

Mullvad VPN offers a comprehensive help center on its website. Inside the help center, you can find FAQs on a wide range of topics, including bridges, privacy, routers, connectivity, and the Mullvad apps.

If you need one-on-one support, you can email Mullvad’s customer support team. Unfortunately, Mullvad VPN doesn’t have live chat or phone support. Luckily, the customer support team is quick to respond to emails.

Alternatives to Mullvad VPN

It’s always a good idea to compare the product you want with other competitors in the market. Therefore, let’s discuss three alternatives to Mullvad VPN. This way, you can ensure you choose the best VPN for your unique needs and situation. If you’re new to VPNs and want to test one first, read our guide on the best free VPNs.

ExpressVPN

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ExpressVPN Review

As one of the most popular VPN service providers in the world, ExpressVPN offers a comprehensive set of security and privacy features. With over 3,000 servers to choose from across 94 countries, there’s no shortage of optionality.

ExpressVPN is suited for individuals and businesses seeking easy-to-use and well-made apps on any device–in fact, it tops our list of the best mobile VPNs. It offers support for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux, ExpressVPN. If you want a full suite of security features, ExpressVPN is a great choice.

Compared to Mullvad VPN, ExpressVPN offers more servers and lets you unlock geo-locked streaming services. However, Mullvad VPN has a more strategic focus on privacy.

Pricing

ExpressVPN offers three different payment periods. All three plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee:

1 Month – $12.95 per month
6 Months – $9.99 per month, $59.94 billed every 6 months
12 Months – $8.32 per month, $99.84 billed every 12 months

24/7 customer service
Excellent desktop apps
Outstanding speeds across all tasks

Expensive compared to other options
No multi-hop connections
Only connect five devices

NordVPN

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NordVPN Review

NordVPN is another popular VPN service provider with over 5,000 servers. However, NordVPN doesn’t cover as many countries as ExpressVPN. This VPN is unique because it offers Tor connections, something Mullvad VPN doesn’t provide.

Offering similar security features to Mullvad VPN, NordVPN upgraded its privacy protection after a data breach several years ago. Now, NordVPN offers impressive security protocols such as multi-hop, kill switches, and WireGuard.

NordVPN is the best VPN for Windows users because of the software’s well-designed interface and functionality. However, the NordVPN apps on macOS, Android, Android TV, iOS, and Chromebooks are just as good.

Pricing

NordVPN carries three different payment options:

1-Month Plan – $11.99 per month
1-Year Plan – $4.99 per month, billed $59.88 for the first year, then $99.48 per year
2-Year Plan – $3.29 per month, billed $78.96 for the first two years, then $99.48 per year

Easy to set up and use
Great server selection
Strong customer privacy stance

Cheaper rates only on long-term plans
Inadequate Linux client
No router app

Surfshark

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Surfshark Review

Surfshark is an affordable VPN service provider with over 3,000 servers across 110 locations. What sets Surfshark VPN apart from other providers is its 24/7 customer service and ability to host unlimited connections. You can use Surfshark on as many phones, computers, or tablets as you’d like.

This VPN solution is suited for individuals seeking an extremely affordable VPN on a long-term plan. If you choose to subscribe for two years, the price comes to $2.49 per month. This is half the price of Mullvad VPN.

Compared to Mullvad VPN, Surfshark is an excellent choice for beginners. It’s easy to use and offers ample tutorials on how to set up your VPN connection.

Pricing

Surfshark has three unique pricing plans, depending on how long you choose to subscribe:

1 month – $12.95 per month
12 months – $3.99 per month, billed $59.76 every 12 months
24 months – $2.49 per month, billed $59.76 every 24 months

Beginner-friendly
Well-designed user interface
Affordable long-term plans

Antivirus not included
Unreliable kill switch
High monthly price on one-month plan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Mullvad VPN

If you have further questions about our Mullvad VPN review, let’s go over a few common questions we receive about this VPN provider.

Is Mullvad a good VPN?

Mullvad is an excellent VPN for those needing an affordable one with heightened security and privacy features. This VPN provider doesn’t keep logs, doesn’t collect personal information, and uses the latest technology to ensure your internet traffic is private. It also comes at an affordable flat rate of €5 per month.

Does Netflix block Mullvad VPN?

Mullvad VPN isn’t the best choice for individuals that want to unblock Netflix and other streaming platforms. This is because Mullvad VPN is focused on providing an affordable and secure VPN service than one that lets you watch Netflix content from other regions. In our tests, Mullvad VPN failed to access geo-locked Netflix content.

Is Mullvad better than NordVPN?

It depends on what you want out of your VPN provider. On paper, NordVPN is better because it offers more servers, better customer support, and can unblock Netflix and other streaming services. Furthermore, it has multiple pricing packages to choose from. However, Mullvad VPN is better in the sense that it’s more affordable and has industry-standard VPN features.

Bottom Line on Mullvad VPN Review

Mullvad VPN reimagines what you receive from a low-cost VPN provider. It’s incredibly transparent and has an exceptional attitude toward consumer security and privacy. If you’re searching for industry-standard VPN features at an affordable price, you can’t go wrong with Mullvad VPN.

July 1, 2022February 15, 2023

Best Bank Account for Sole Proprietor in 2023

A smiling sole proprietor in his office - Best Bank Account for Sole Proprietor in 2022

Choosing the best bank account for sole proprietors empowers your small business for long-term growth and sustainability. However, each sole proprietorship has different banking needs depending on the type of business. The best business bank accounts for sole proprietors offer low or no fees, generous transaction limits, and mobile banking tools.

Best Bank Account for Sole Proprietors

Bluevine – Best Overall
Novo – Best for Small Businesses
Axos – Best for Free Basic Business Checking Account
Bank of America – Best for Traditional Banking
Capital One – Best for Customer Service
US Bank – Best for Business Loans

Bluevine

No monthly fees

No minimum opening deposit

Earn up to 1.5% APY

Unlimited transactions

Lines of credit

Deposit cash and checks at Green Dot partner locations

Novo

No monthly fees

$50

No APY

No transaction fees and minimum or maximum deposits

Charge or credit cards are available

Free ACH transfers and mobile check deposits

Axos

No monthly fees

No initial deposit requirement

Earn up to 1.25% APY

Unlimited item processing (debits, credits, and deposited items)

Lines of credit and loans

Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements

Bank of America

$16 or $29.95/month (waivable), depending on chosen plan

$100

No APY earnings on business checking account

200 or 500 free transactions per month

Loans, business credit cards and lines of credit

Waivable monthly fees with minimum monthly balance of $5,000 or $15,000

Capital One

$15 or $35/month (waivable), depending on chosen plan

$250

No APY

Unlimited transactions

Loans and lines of credit

Waivable monthly fees with minimum monthly balance of $2,000 or $25,000

US Bank

$0, $20, or $30/month, depending on chosen plan

$100

No APY

125-500 free transactions per statement cycle

Loans, credit cards, lines of credit

Send and request money features

Bluevine: Best Overall for Sole Proprietors

Pricing: No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

4.9

★★★★★

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Bluevine Review

Bluevine is a digital banking solution that offers a business checking account for sole proprietors. With Bluevine, there are no minimum opening deposit or balance requirements. Furthermore, there are no monthly maintenance fees. You can also earn up to 1.5% APY with a Bluevine business checking account.

Since digital banking users expect to exceed 65% of the US population, it’s crucial to have access to a full suite of mobile banking tools through Bluevine.

Why we chose it: Bluevine is the best overall bank account for sole proprietors because there are no monthly fees, and you can open your account within minutes. Furthermore, you receive unlimited fee-free transactions and can deposit cash at Green Dot locations.

Unlimited fee-free transactions
No maintenance fees or balance requirements
Earn up to 1.50% interest

No joint accounts
Can only deposit cash through Green Dot Services
No physical branches

Pricing: It’s free to create a Bluevine business bank account for sole proprietors. You can incur fees through outgoing wires, Bill Pay with credit card, cash deposits, and from using out-of-network ATMs.

Maintenance Fees

Bluevine business checking accounts do not have monthly fees or minimum balance and deposit requirements. There are also no in-network ATM fees, and you receive two free checkbooks per year.

Transaction Limits and Charges

Bluevine offers unlimited fee-free transactions. However, all accounts are subject to the aggregated monthly withdrawal and deposit account limits. With Bluevine, there are no overdraft fees, incoming and outgoing ACH fees, and incoming wire fees. However, it costs $15 per transaction for outgoing wire fees.

Cash Deposit Limit

Through Bluevine’s collaboration with Green Dot, you can use your Bluevine business debit card to deposit up to $7,500 in cash each month. Green Dot has over 90,000 locations throughout the US, making it easy to find an eligible cash deposit location.

Interest

Bluevine’s business bank accounts offer up to a 1.5% annual percentage yield on balances up to $100,000. Unlike most interest-bearing bank accounts, Bluevine doesn’t require you to maintain a daily or monthly minimum balance to earn interest.

Included Tools

Bluevine features excellent flexibility for sole proprietors running small businesses. It offers all the tools you need to manage your finances, including recurring and one-time payments as well as mobile check deposit. Bluevine also offers integrations with QuickBooks, Wave, and FreshBooks.

Novo: Best for Small Businesses

4.7

★★★★★

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Novo Review

Novo is a comprehensive digital banking solution for sole proprietors. It’s free to create an account as long as you deposit the $50 initial requirement. However, there are no hidden fees, and you can apply online in under 10 minutes. Novo makes transfers easy by offering free ACH transfers, mailed checks, and incoming wires.

Why we chose it: Novo is the best bank account for small businesses because of its no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. You also receive unlimited refunds for ATM charges and can access Novo’s comprehensive suite of third-party integrations.

No monthly fees or minimum balance requirement
Refunds on all ATM fees globally
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, and Shopify

$27 fees for insufficient funds and uncollected funds returned
No recurring payments available
Can’t deposit cash

Pricing: There are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements to create a Novo business bank account.

Maintenance Fees

Novo’s business checking account has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, similar to Bluevine. Therefore, you can create your business bank account for free.

Transaction Limits and Charges

There are no transaction fees and no incoming wire fees. Furthermore, there are no fees for outgoing or incoming ACH transfers, stop payments, debit card replacements, or paper statements. Novo business checking also provides free mobile check deposit, free bill pay with physical checks, and free bank checks.

Cash Deposit Limit

Novo business checking accounts cannot accommodate standard cash deposits. If you want to deposit cash, you must purchase a money order and use Novo’s mobile check deposit feature to deposit the check into your business bank account.

Interest

Novo does not offer APY earnings on account balances. As a sole proprietor looking to grow your business, it may be more optimal to put your cash to use instead of slowly earning interest. If you want to earn interest on your account balances, we recommend using a business savings account.

Included Tools

Novo offers an integrated invoicing feature that allows you to create, send, and manage an unlimited number of invoices. You can accept payments through AHC transfer or Stripe if you use the Novo Stripe integration. There is also a Novo Bank perks program granting discounts on certain business software like Stripe, QuickBooks, Gusto, and HubSpot.

Axos: Best for Free Basic Business Checking Account

Pricing: No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

4.5

★★★★★

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Axos made significant improvements to its business checking accounts in 2022 by adding cash deposit capabilities and removing transaction limits. With 24/7 customer support and free nationwide ATM access, Axos is one of the best bank accounts for sole proprietors. Axos also offers your first set of 50 checks for free.

If you‘re interested in incorporating your sole proprietorship into an LLC, Axos is also the best bank account for LLCs. This is because Axos offers a $200 bonus for newly incorporated business owners.

Why we chose it: Axos is the best free basic business checking account because there are no maintenance fees and unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements. You also receive a Visa debit card, and two reimbursed domestic wire fees per month.

No monthly maintenance fee and unlimited transactions
Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
24/7 customer support

Lack of third-party app integrations
Negligible checking account APY
Business Interest Checking requires a $100 deposit

Pricing:

Axos offers two business checking accounts for sole proprietors:

Basic Business Checking: No monthly fees, initial deposit requirements, or minimum balance requirements.
Business Interest Checking: $10 per month, waivable if you maintain an average daily balance of at least $5,000

Maintenance Fees

It’s free to apply and create an Axos business bank account for sole proprietors. There are no monthly maintenance fees or initial deposit requirements, like Novo. However, the Business Interest Checking account has a $10 monthly fee you can waive with an average daily balance of at least $5,000.

Transaction Limits and Charges

The Basic Business Checking offers 200 free transactions each month. Additional transactions are 30 cents each. You receive 50 free transactions each month with the Business Interest Checking account. Additional transactions cost 50 cents each.

Cash Deposit Limit

Axos business checking account members can deposit cash for free via compatible MoneyPass and AllPoint ATMs. Most digital banking solutions offer cash deposits through Green Dot, which costs $4.95 per deposit. Getting access to free cash deposits is key for cash-heavy sole proprietorships.

Interest

Although the Basic Business Checking doesn’t offer APY earnings, the Business Interest Checking account offers up to 1.01% APY. However, the APY ranges based on your balance. You can earn 1.01% if there is less than $50,000 in your account. The APY decreases significantly to 0.20% if you have $50,000 to $250,000 in your account.

Included Tools

Axos offers comprehensive iOS and Android mobile apps that can handle all of your banking needs with the highest convenience. You receive free Bill Pay and image statements with an Axos business bank account. The mobile app also allows you to manage your business funds, view account balances, deposit checks, and automate bills.

Bank of America: Best for Traditional Banking

Pricing: Starts at $16 per month, but the fees are waivable.

4.43

★★★★★

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Bank of America Review

Bank of America offers two comprehensive business checking accounts. Each bank account offers unlimited fee-free electronic transactions, high cash deposit limits, and waivable monthly maintenance fees.

Why we chose it: With 4,200 Bank of America branch locations across 37 states, Bank of America is the best business bank account for sole proprietors who prefer traditional banking. Nonetheless, Bank of America offers digital-friendly options in addition to brick-and-mortar accessibility.

Unlimited fee-free electronic transactions
High cash deposit limits
Business Advantage 360 online banking platform

No free business checking account option
High incidental fees
Fees to use non-Bank of America ATMs

Pricing:

Bank of America carries two separate business bank accounts for sole proprietors:

Business Advantage Fundamentals Banking: $16 per month, waivable if you maintain a $5,000 combined average monthly balance, spend at least $250 in new net qualified debit card purchases, or become a Preferred Rewards for Business member.
Business Advantage Relationship Banking: $29.95 per month, waivable if you maintain a $15,000 combined average monthly balance or become a Preferred Rewards for Business Member.

Maintenance Fees

Unlike Novo and Bluevine, both Bank of America business checking accounts come with monthly maintenance fees, but the fees can be waived. Furthermore, the initial opening deposit requirement is $100 for both accounts.

Transaction Limits and Charges

A Bank of America business bank account offers unlimited fee-free transactions, including ACH, debit card, electronic debits, deposits made with mobile check deposit, remote deposit online, or Bank of America ATM deposits. However, the Fundamentals account grants you 200 fee-free non-electronic transactions, and you receive 500 with a Relationship account.

Cash Deposit Limit

The Fundamentals checking account offers up to $7,500 in free cash deposits per month. Afterward, it costs 30 cents per $100 deposited. The Relationship checking account offers up to $20,000 in free cash deposits per statement cycle. Additional fees are the same as the Fundamentals account.

Interest

The Business Advantage Fundamentals Banking account doesn’t offer APY earnings on held account balances. The Business Advantage Relationship Banking offers various rates based on your location. However, you can apply for a Business Savings account to earn interest on your account balances.

Included Tools

Bank of America offers its Business Advantage 360 online banking platform. This platform includes mobile banking, bill pay, mobile check deposit, and integrated cash-flow monitoring tools. You also get access to 16,000 Bank of America ATMs across the US. Other tools include Zelle and third-party integrations with ADP, QuickBooks, Google, and TurboTax.

Capital One: Best for Customer Service

Pricing: Starts at $15 per month, but the fees are waivable.

4.32

★★★★★

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Capital One Review

Capital One’s banks accounts for sole proprietors offer fee-free ATM access, unlimited transactions, and an entourage of small business products. You have the option between the Basic Checking account or Unlimited Checking account. Both bank accounts have monthly maintenance fees that can be waived based on your average account balance.

Why we chose it: Capital One is a great fit for sole proprietors looking for comprehensive banking with the best customer support. In-person support at Capital One branch locations offers more effective customer service solutions.

Robust traditional banking tools
Waivable monthly service fee
High cash deposit limits

$250 minimum opening deposit
Only available in a handful of states
Can only apply at a physical branch

Pricing:

Capital one provides two business checking account options for sole proprietors:

Basic Checking: $15 per month, waivable if prior 30 or 90-day balance averages $2,000 or more.
Unlimited Checking: $35 per month, waivable if prior 30 or 90-day balance averages $25,000 or more.

Maintenance Fees

Both Capital One business checking accounts include monthly service fees. However, like Bank of America, you can waive these fees. Just meet the account balance thresholds. Furthermore, the initial deposit for both accounts is $250.

Transaction Limits and Charges

With either Capital One solo proprietor checking accounts, you get unlimited fee-free transactions. These include deposits, withdrawals, and transfers. However, there is a $15 fee for incoming international wire transfers and a $40 fee for outgoing international wire transfers. You also get charged for overdraft and nonsufficient funds at $35 for each.

Cash Deposit Limit

The Basic Checking account allows up to $5,000 in cash deposits each month. Afterward, it costs $1 for every $1,000 deposited. The Unlimited Checking Account offers up to $40,000 in cash deposits each month for free.

Interest

Capital One does not offer APY earnings on its business checking accounts for sole proprietors. However, you can earn 0.2% APY with a Capital One Business Savings account.

Included Tools

Capital One offers overdraft coverage, free debit cards, mobile banking, online bill pay, and fee-free digital transactions. You also get access to over 70,000 fee-free ATMs, including MoneyPass, Allpoint, and Capital One ATMs.

US Bank: Best for Business Loans

Pricing: Starts at $0 per month.

3.8

★★★★★

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US Bank offers three business bank accounts for sole proprietors, including a free plan with Silver Business Checking. With the Silver account, you receive 125 free transactions per statement cycle. It costs 50 cents for each additional transaction. Furthermore, US Bank has over 2,000 branches across 27 states, perfect for individuals who prefer to bank in person.

Why we chose it: US Bank offers several different business loans, including quick loans, business term loans, commercial real estate loans, and small business administration (SBA) loans.

Offers a basic plan with no monthly maintenance fees
Specialized merchant services
25 free cash deposits per month

Transaction fees on additional cash deposits
Terms and fees not easily accessible on website
No APY earnings potential

Pricing:

US Bank carries three different small business checking account options for sole proprietors:

Silver: $0 per month
Gold: $20 per month, waivable with US Bank Payment Solutions Merchant Banking, $10,000 average collected balance, or $20,000 combined average collected business deposit balances or $50,000 combined average collected business deposits and outstanding credit balances
Platinum: $30 per month, waivable with $25,000 average collected balance or $75,000 combined average collected business deposits and outstanding business credit balances

Maintenance Fees

US Bank offers three business bank accounts: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Silver has a $0 monthly fee, Gold has a $20 monthly fee, and Platinum has a $30 monthly fee. However, the fee is waivable if you meet the requirements listed above. Furthermore, the minimum opening deposit requirement on each plan is $100.

Transaction Limits and Charges

Silver offers 125 free transactions per statement cycle and 50 cents for each additional transaction. Gold offers 300 free transactions per statement cycle and 45 cents for additional ones. Platinum offers 500 free transactions per statement cycle and 40 cents for each additional transaction.

Cash Deposit Limit

Silver customers are allowed $2,500 in cash deposits per month. Gold members can deposit $10,000 in cash each month, and Platinum members can deposit $20,000 cash each month.

Interest

US Bank’s Gold and Platinum checking accounts earn interest at a negligible rate and only on balances of $20,000 or more. If you are looking for an interest-bearing account, we recommend another option like Bluevine.

Included Tools

US Bank offers a range of payment processing solutions, including point-of-sale options such as a mobile app and card reader to a portable touch-screen terminal.

Methodology for the Best Business Bank Account for Sole Proprietor

Opening a business bank account for your sole proprietorship legitimizes your business. It also allows you to separate your personal and business finances, offering clarity and accuracy when tax season arrives.

Consider the following features when choosing a business bank account:

Maintenance fees: Maintenance fees include monthly fees and minimum opening deposit requirements. As a sole proprietor, it’s beneficial to find a business bank account that offers low or $0 monthly fees and initial deposits. Most business checking accounts with a monthly fee can be waived if you meet certain requirements.
Transaction limits: Banks may place limits on the number of transactions your sole proprietorship can make, including electronic transactions and checks. If you exceed your monthly transaction limit, you’ll need to pay a small fee for each additional transaction. You should choose a business bank account that can accommodate your transaction volume.
Cash deposit limits: Cash deposit limits determine how much cash you can deposit into your account for free each statement period. If you exceed your allotted limit, you’ll need to pay a small fee for each additional cash deposit. Find a business bank account with an adequate cash deposit limit for your sole proprietorship.
Interest: Some business bank accounts offer interest earnings through standard APY rates. This is beneficial if you’re looking to save and earn interest on a longer-term basis and don’t need daily access to your funds.
Included tools: It’s important to consider what type of tools each business bank account offers. Many banks offer free online and mobile banking apps, including online bill pay and mobile check deposit. Some banks may also offer online payments, third-party integrations, and invoicing features.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Best Bank Account for Sole Proprietor

Below are a few common questions we receive about the best bank account for sole proprietors.

Do I Need a Business Bank Account for a Sole Proprietorship?

Legally speaking, you are not required to create a business bank account for a sole proprietorship. However, we highly recommend opening a business bank account for your sole proprietorship. This way, you can accurately keep track of your revenue and expenses. Then, you can pay your taxes accurately and monitor your business’s financial performance.

How Do I Open a Sole Proprietorship Bank Account?

You can open a sole proprietorship bank account by choosing a bank and finding out how to apply on its website. Most banks allow you to apply online, and you can get approved in as quick as 10 minutes. For example, Bluevine lets you apply online and open an account within minutes.

What Is the Best Bank for Self-Employed?

The best banks for self-employed sole proprietors are Bluevine, Novo, and Axos. These business checking accounts don’t have monthly maintenance fees. This means you can create a business bank account for free and receive immediate access to all the banking features they provide.

Bottom Line on Best Bank Account for Sole Proprietor

Opening a business bank account as a sole proprietor is crucial for future growth and accurate bookkeeping. Every business checking account on this list is better than using your personal checking account for your sole proprietorship. The best business bank account for sole proprietors is Bluevine. It carries no fees, no minimum balances, and you can open your account within a few minutes.

Best Business Bank Accounts by State

Below you will find an interactive U.S map that can help you locate and compare different banks and financial institutions that offer business accounts in your area.

June 27, 2022February 15, 2023

Bank of America Review 2023: Best Traditional Checking Account?

Your business bank account acts as a home base for your business’s financial database. Bank of America offers two types of business checking accounts for small to large business owners. In this Bank of America review, you’ll see why using the second-largest US bank (by assets) may be the best choice for you.

Screenshot of Bank of America website homepage — **Source**: Bank of America

Our Verdict

Bank of America

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Bank of America provides two appealing business checking accounts that offer the important banking features you would expect from a major banking institution. Whether you’re part of a small business or large enterprise, you can utilize Bank of America’s high cash deposit limits and Business Advantage 360 online banking platform.

The online banking platform offers bill pay, mobile check deposits, an excellent mobile app, and an integrated cash-flow monitoring tool. Bank of America’s business accounts also offer unlimited fee-free electronic transactions. These include ACH transactions, debit card transactions, remote deposits online, and electronic debits.

Screenshot of Bank of America mobile app dashboard — **Source:** Bank of America

All-in-one business banking services with a low monthly fee
Easily waivable monthly fee
Over 17,000 ATMs and 4,300 branches

Lacks 24/7 customer service
QuickBooks integration only featured on higher-tier plan
Transaction fees when using non-Bank of America ATMs

Bank of America at a Glance

Bank of America offers business bank accounts that allow you to pay invoices, receive payments from clients, deposit cash and checks, and manage your business transactions. As one of the best small business bank accounts, a Bank of America business account is ideal for cash-heavy businesses.

With the Fundamentals business account, you can deposit up to $7,500 in cash per statement cycle for free. Then, it costs $0.30 per $100. You’re also limited to 200 check deposits or other deposits per cycle. Afterward, it costs $0.45 per item.

With the Relationship business account, you can deposit up to $20,000 per statement cycle for free. You also receive a maximum of 500 check deposits or other debits per statement cycle. Nonetheless, both plans offer unlimited free ACH, debit card, check deposits, and electronic debits through Remote Deposit Online.

Bank of America sets itself apart from other banks because of the great user experience in its online website and mobile app. It’s also easy for business account holders to waive fees, add additional accounts, and receive perks from the Business Advanced Relationship Rewards Program.

Who Bank of America is Best For

Bank of America offers the best bank accounts for entrepreneurs and for businesses looking for a traditional banker with outstanding mobile app capabilities. This is also the best business bank for those who prefer going to brick-and-mortar locations to conduct their banking. Bank of America also has a significant global presence, adding value for small businesses that do business internationally.

Pricing

Bank of America offers two different business bank accounts called Business Advantage Fundamentals Banking and Business Advantage Relationship Banking. Each of these checking accounts comes with efficiency tools like Cash Flow Monitor, and Mobile Check Deposit. However, the Business Advantage Relationship Banking account includes additional features.

Monthly Fee

$16 to $0/month (see ways to waive fee below)

$29.95 to $0/month (see ways to waive fee below)

Minimum combined average monthly balance to waive monthly fee

$5,000

$15,000

Spend $250 in new net qualified purchases to waive monthly fee

Yes

Become a member of Preferred Rewards for Business to waive monthly fee

Yes

Minimum opening deposit

$100

Good for

Small to medium-sized businesses

Medium to large-size businesses

Account management services

Not included

Included

Additional perks

None

Free stop payments and wire transfers

Zelle for your business

Yes

Easy QuickBooks integration

Yes

As you can see, Bank of America offers several ways to waive your monthly fee. In addition to fee waiving, both plans offer access to Zelle. Bank of America offers two different checking accounts. Fundamentals is better suited for small businesses, while Relationship is better for large businesses that need integration tools and account management capabilities.

Bank of America Features

Here’s a closer look at all the key features in our Bank of America business account review. These features are what distinguish Bank of America from other financial institutions.

Business Advantage Fundamentals Banking Account

Business Advantage Fundamentals Banking is Bank of America’s basic business bank account. This plan has a monthly fee of $16. However, you can waive the monthly fee by keeping a minimum combined average balance of $5,000 or spending $250 in new net qualified purchases each statement cycle. You can also waive the fee as a member of the rewards program.

Furthermore, it costs an additional $16 per month to open a second Business Advantage Banking account and $10 a month to open a Business Advantage Savings account. These are both free on the Business Advantage Relationship Banking account. The Fundamentals plan offers $200 teller transactions and checks per month for free.

If you are interested in opening a fee-free business account, here is a detailed Chase Bank Review, NBKC Bank Account Review, and US Bank Review packed with information about the pros, cons, and alternatives to both fintech companies.

Bank of America charges fees for incoming wire transactions. It costs $15 for each domestic transfer and $16 for each international transfer.

Business Advantage Relationship Banking Account

If your business is more developed, you should choose the Business Advantage Relationship Banking account. This plan costs $29.50 per month but can be waived if you maintain a minimum combined average balance of $15,000 or more. The fee is also waived if you join the rewards program or become a Preferred Rewards for Business member.

The Relationship plan doesn’t have fees on incoming wires and stop payments. Furthermore, you get access to account management capabilities that would cost $15 per month on the Fundamentals plan. Account management services include managing access for multiple users and integration with QuickBooks.

With the Relationship plan, you get access to a Business Advantage Savings account for free. The Relationship plan also offers access to Cash Flow Monitor to easily track your business’s financial performance.

Electronic Transactions

Both Bank of America business accounts offer unlimited fee-free electronic transactions. This feature allows Bank of America to stand out among its competitors in the brick-and-mortar space. This is because most traditional banks have a set monthly limit that comprises both non-electronic and electronic transactions.

Bank of America Mobile App

Bank of America has one of the highest mobile app ratings with 4.8 stars out of 5 and over 3 million total reviews on the Apple App Store. This is because the app offers an extensive range of tools to manage your business checking account.

App store preview of Bank of America mobile banking app — **Source:** Bank of America

Inside the app, you can pay bills, manage your account, view balances, and make transactions. You can also use mobile check deposit or send and receive payments with Zelle. The app also features state-of-the-art security protocols with biometric access through Face ID and Touch ID.

Digital Tools

Bank of America business bank accounts offer several digital tools to make your life easier. These include Zelle, Cash Flow Monitor, Erica, profile linking, digital debit cards, and account management tools.

Zelle is a secure tool that you can use to receive payments from customers or send payments to vendors with no fees. You can use Zelle right from the Bank of America mobile app. Cash Flow Monitor helps you analyze your business financial data and identify key insights on your business’s performance. This way, you can find ways to improve efficiency and profitability.

Erica is Bank of America’s virtual financial assistant. This tool can help you search transactions, transfer or send money, and receive bill reminders. Bank of America’s profile linking tools help you view and manage personal and business accounts with a single login.

Preferred Rewards for Business Program

Bank of America offers a rewards program, Preferred Rewards for Business, that you can join for free. There are three levels to the program: Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Honors. Each level offers various incentives, including discounted interest rates on loans, refunds on payroll services, and increased interest on your savings account.

For example, the Gold plan offers a financing interest rate discount of 0.25%, and savings account interest boost of 5%. It also offers credit card bonus rewards of 25% and merchant services rewards of 0.05%

To join the program, you need to have a balance of $20,000, $50,000, or $100,000 in your Bank of America business checking account.

Alternatives to Bank of America

Selecting the right business bank account can significantly impact how you manage your business finances in the future. Here are a few key alternatives to consider.

Bluevine

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Bluevine Review

BlueVine is an excellent banking solution for small business owners looking to keep business and personal funds apart. With a BlueVine checking account, you can earn 1.5% interest on your balance up to $100,000. To earn the 1.5% interest, you’ll need to spend at least $500 per month with your BlueVine Business Debit Mastercard.

If you are a small business owner you can check out these other review and might be a great help for you to choose the right banking account; Axos Review, Lili Review, and Capital One Review.

However, you can also earn the 1.5% interest if you receive at least $2,500 per month in customer payments into your bank account via ACH, wire transfer, mobile check deposit, or directly from your merchant payment processing provider. However, this excludes cash deposits.

BlueVine offers unlimited fee-free transactions, no ACH transfer fees, and no incoming wire fees. You also receive refunds on your withdrawals to over 38,000 ATMs nationwide. It’s quick and easy to create your BlueVine business checking account. Anyone from sole proprietorships to corporations can have their bank account up and running in less than an hour. Interested in opening a sole proprietorship account? Then check out the best business bank accounts for sole proprietors.

Pricing:

It’s free to sign up for a business checking account with BlueVine. Furthermore, there are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements to keep your account open. The only fees with BlueVine are for cash deposits, outgoing wire transfers, and withdrawing cash from out-of-network ATMs.

Competitive interest rates
No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
Unlimited transactions

Only allow cash deposits through Green Dot Services
No savings account
No physical branches

Novo

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Novo Review

Novo is a digital banking solution that offers no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirement. It’s easy to make an account on Novo, and it typically takes 10 minutes for your account to be approved. Once your account is approved, you need to make your initial deposit of at least $50. Then, you can begin using your business checking account.

Novo is the best business bank account for small-business owners who are on the go. This banking provider offers unlimited refunds for ATM charges, a built-in invoicing tool, and direct integration with top business tools.

Since Novo focuses on its digital presence, it cannot accommodate cash deposits. Therefore, Novo is not the best solution for cash-heavy businesses. Bank of America is a better option for businesses that need to deposit cash.

Pricing

Novo doesn’t have any monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. It’s completely free to open a business checking account with Novo.

Zero monthly fees
No minimum balance required
Refunds on all ATM Fees

No savings accounts
Fees on overdrawn accounts
Cannot deposit cash

Kabbage

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Kabbage Review

Kabbage is a small-business lender who expanded its product suite in 2020 to offer business checking accounts. Kabbage Checking is an online-based free business checking account that includes a simple application process and limited fees.

A Kabbage business bank account is best for those looking for a free business checking account with no monthly fees or balance requirements. Furthermore, this is an excellent platform for businesses that manage most of their finances online

Kabbage offers 1.10% APY on balances up to $100,000. Therefore, Kabbage is a great option for businesses interested in earning interest on their checking account funds.

Pricing

There are no monthly fees or minimum opening deposit requirement to begin using your Kabbage business checking account.

No minimum balance requirements
Easy application process
Easy line of credit without prepayment charges

Digital bank only
Fees up to $4.95 per cash deposit
No integration with other tools

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Bank of America Review

Below are a few questions that you have thought of during our review of Bank of America. Continue reading to find answers to the most common ones.

Does Bank of America Offer Small Business Loans?

Yes, Bank of America provides a wide range of small business financing options. These include SBA loans, secured loans, equipment loans, business term loans, and unsecured business lines of credit.

Is Bank of America FDIC Insured?

Yes, Bank of America is FDIC insured. When you deposit money into your FDIC-insured Bank of America business checking account, your money is protected in the amount of up to $250,000 per depositor for each account ownership category.

Is Bank of America better than Chase for business?

Bank of America offers better banking options for businesses when compared to chase. Chase only offers 100 free monthly transactions on its base plan, while Bank of America offers 200. Furthermore, with Bank of America, you can deposit more cash each month without any additional charges.

Bottom Line on Bank of America Review

If you want to learn how to open a business bank account with Bank of America, there are three options. You can apply online, call Bank of America, or visit a Bank of America branch.

Bank of America’s checking accounts are excellent choices for businesses that are able to maintain the minimum balances to waive the monthly fee. With a Bank of America checking account, you can access a comprehensive set of banking tools, making your life that much easier.

Best Business Bank Accounts by State

Below you will find an interactive U.S map that can help you locate and compare different banks and financial institutions that offer business accounts in your area.

June 21, 2022March 17, 2023

Nextiva Review: The All-Inclusive VoIP Provider

From reliable in-house communications to conveniently reaching your customers, choosing the right VoIP provider is an important step to scale your business. In this Nextiva review, you’ll see that it offers crystal clear calling and a comprehensive set of messaging and meeting capabilities to take your business to the next level.

Screenshot of Nextiva website homepage — *Source: Nextiva*

Our Verdict

Nextiva

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Nextiva is one of the best VoIP providers due to its fully integrated voice, messaging, and video meeting capabilities. This VoIP software features everything you need in a business communications system. Even with the base plan, you get access to unlimited calling within the US and Canada. You also receive unlimited video calling and team messaging.

Unlimited voice calling and SMS across plans
Voicemail to email notifications
Outstanding collaboration tools on advanced plans

Call recording could be improved
Few software integrations with base plan
No SMS on desktop app

Nextiva at a Glance

Nextiva is a cloud-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system that provides a wide range of integrated voice, video, and team collaboration features. This VoIP provider stands out from its competitors by helping your business communicate on each channel your team or customers want to use.

From a mobile app and desktop app to unlimited voice and video calling, Nextiva is well-equipped to serve your business. As such, Nextiva is more than a stand-alone VoIP service. It’s an all-in-one business communications solution that includes faxing, video conferencing, and team chat and collaboration capabilities.

In terms of pricing, Nextiva’s packages are based on a sliding scale. The more users you have in your organization, the more affordable Nextiva is for your company. However, Nextiva has plans for businesses with one user to businesses with over 100 users. Therefore, Nextiva is adaptable to any sized business looking for a comprehensive business communications system.

Nextiva offers three plans to choose from, including Essential, Professional, and Enterprise. The base-level Essential plan includes unlimited calling in the US and Canada, unlimited video calling, and team collaboration tools. The Professional plan adds mobile SMS and MMS, unlimited conference calls, and voicemail to SMS notifications.

Who Nextiva is Best For

Nextiva is a VoIP provider suited for businesses looking for an all-in-one phone system solution. No matter how large or small your business is, Nextiva is adaptable to your needs. However, since Nextiva offers discounted pricing for larger teams, this VoIP provider is ideal for large organizations willing to spend more for a quality service.

Pricing

Nextiva’s pricing model is based on how many users you have on your team. For example, teams with 1 to 4 users need to pay $23.95/month per user for the base level Essential plan on an annual subscription. The price drops to $18.95/month per user if you have 20 to 99 users on your team. Furthermore, the price is higher if you choose to pay monthly and not annually.

Price

Starts at $17.95/user/month on an annual subscription

Starts at $21.95/user/month on an annual subscription

Starts at $31.95/user/month on an annual subscription

Unlimited Calling Within the US and Canada

Unlimited Video Calling

Team Messaging, Collaboration, and Video

Free Local and Toll-Free Number

Mobile SMS/MMS

Unlimited Conference Calls

Voicemail to SMS Notifications

Enterprise CRM Integrations

Call Recording

Although not a free VoIP phone service, Nextiva provides a 7-day free trial for its Essential plan and free demos for its Professional and Enterprise plans. The Essential plan includes unlimited calling within the United States and Canada. It also features unlimited calling and team collaboration tools. The Professional plan adds mobile SMS and MMS as well as unlimited conference calls.

Nextiva Features

In this Nextiva review, we focused on some key features. These include its calling capabilities, auto attendant, user interface, advanced features, integrations, and customer support.

Calling

Screenshot of Nextiva call features — *Source: Nextiva*

Nextiva offers one of the best VoIP apps on desktop and mobile, making calling exceedingly convenient for you and your team members. You can set up or attend conference calls from either app, send text messages, and take advantage of Nextiva’s unlimited calling within the United States or Canada. Additionally, with the Nextiva mobile app, you can also share screens with your team members when working on collaborative projects.

Best of all, Nextiva offers crystal clear call quality, so you never have to worry about poor call quality, which causes inconveniences and miscommunications. Rather than having multiple phone systems and a cluttered desk, all your communication tools live together on the same mobile or desktop app.

Nextiva also offers call routing, which automatically sends inbound calls to the correct person with an easily creatable custom call route. Furthermore, this VoIP provider offers advanced voicemail features. You can manage, view, and listen to business voicemail messages from the mobile app or even from your email inbox.

One of the best features we want to highlight in this Nextiva review is Call Pop. Call Pop instantly displays important caller information on your screen. This information includes the sentiment of the caller’s last interaction with your business, survey response, experience score, and customer’s account value. When you answer the call, your screen switches to the caller’s full profile.

This page shows all the caller’s information as well as a place to take notes for the current call. When the call concludes, the customer is sent an automatic email that includes a survey asking them how the call went. Therefore, their most recent response will be shown in Call Pop next time they call.

Auto Attendant

Nextiva includes the auto attendant feature in each of its pricing packages. The auto attendant is an automated answering service that directs inbound calls to the correct individual or department.

For example, when you call a company and are directed to use your keypad to reach the right department, you’ve essentially used an auto attendant. This way, your customers can easily find the right person to speak to without needing a live support agent directing them.

The auto attendant allows your business to scale because of the excellent customer experience it offers. It also improves trust because it makes your company appear more professional.

User Interface

Nextiva is a beginner-friendly VoIP provider because of its easy installation and setup process. Once you sign-up for Nextiva, you can access remote training webinars and one-on-one training opportunities.

The mobile and desktop apps are well-designed and easy to use. If you’re unsure of what is a VoIP caller, Nextiva provides all the resources you need to get your business communications system up and running.

Advanced Features

Screenshot of Nextiva conference calling features page — *Source: Nextiva*

When you upgrade to the Professional or Enterprise plan, you get access to the best conference call service and unlimited SMS and MMS messages. However, the Professional plan limits the number of participants per conference call to 40. On the other hand, you can have unlimited participants on a conference call on the Enterprise plan.

These two plans also include unlimited video conferencing for up to 250 participants. The Enterprise plan is the only package that offers call recording and video conference recording. If your small business requires call recording, read our list of the best VoIP providers. Some of Nextiva’s competitors offer call recording even at the base-level pricing plan.

Furthermore, the Professional and Enterprise plans offer team collaboration tools within the desktop and mobile app. If you opt for either of these two plans, you can access team messaging, private group messaging, and screen sharing.

Integrations

With Nextiva’s Essential plan, you can integrate the VoIP service with Microsoft Outlook and Google Contacts. However, the Professional Plan includes integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, Microsoft Dynamics, Sugar CRM, NetSuite, and Workbooks.

If you want the most integrations possible, you’ll need to opt for the top-tier Enterprise plan. Nextiva’s Enterprise plan includes integrations with Oracle Sales Cloud, Bullhorn, ServiceNow, Microsoft Teams, and Salesforce Lightning UI.

With an estimated growth rate of 3.8%, more and more businesses are opting for VoIP phone systems to replace their traditional landline systems. Therefore, it’s important to find a VoIP provider that seamlessly integrates with your existing software.

Customer Support

Nextiva is a cut above its competitors regarding customer support, reliability and helpfulness. Each Nextiva VoIP package includes 24/7 email, chat, and phone support. No matter when or what time you need help, Nextiva has an agent available and willing to troubleshoot your issues.

Reliability

Nextiva offers one of the most reliable and best call center software because of its 99.999% uptime rating. Therefore, you can expect Nextiva to be up and running 24/7 and 365 days a year.

Screenshot of Nextiva website — *Source: Nextiva*

Additionally, Nextiva promises a secure network. Nextiva’s scalable network was developed by over 1,500 engineers to provide top-notch reliability, quality, and security.

Alternatives to Nextiva

Picking the right VoIP provider with a strong support team can help your company cut costs, improve remote collaboration, and increase productivity due to the integration capabilities with other software. Hundreds of VoIP services exist, each with unique features and pricing. However, here are the top three alternatives to Nextiva you should consider before making your final decision.

Ooma Office

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Ooma Office is a cloud-based VoIP provider that offers comprehensive phone systems for small businesses and large enterprises. The Ooma Office base plan features a mobile app, call-forwarding, Ring Groups, and a virtual receptionist.

Ooma Office is suitable for small businesses or startups with many remote workers. Since there isn’t a long-term contract requirement, you can choose to cancel your subscription at any time without any questions asked.

Ooma Office is another great VoIP for small businesses because of its comprehensive set of features and affordable pricing. However, Ooma Office only provides two pricing options for small businesses, whereas Nextiva offers three.

Pricing

Ooma Office carries two plans for small businesses and two plans for larger enterprises:

Ooma Office: $19.95/month per user, no contract required
Ooma Office Pro: $24.95/month per user, no contract required
Ooma Enterprise: $27.99/month per user with contract
Ooma Enterprise Call Center: $49.99/month per user with contract

Affordable pricing for small businesses
No long-term contract requirements on base plans
Excellent user interface and usability

Toll-free service is not free
Desktop app requires Ooma Office Pro
Lacks productivity features

RingCentral

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RingCentral is a comprehensive VoIP service that features unlimited SMS messages, unlimited calling within the US and Canada, voicemail transcription, and team messaging. Furthermore, RingCentral’s Premium and Ultimate plans offer workflow integrations with Slack, CRM integrations with Salesforce, and international calling to over 100 countries.

RingCentral is suitable for larger enterprises that need a comprehensive set of features. Although you can’t go wrong with either VoIP provider, RingCentral offers more app integrations and messaging capabilities than Nextiva.

Pricing

RingCentral offers four different pricing options depending on what your business needs in a phone system:

Essentials: $19.99/month per user – Includes messaging and phone
Standard: $27.99/month per user – Includes messaging, video, and phone
Premium: $34.99/month per user – Includes messaging, video, phone, and open API
Ultimate: $49.99/month per user – Includes messaging, video, phone, open API, and unlimited storage

Offers mobile apps for iOS and Android
Unlimited calls to the United States and Canada
Built-in team messaging platform and document sharing

Takes time to learn and set up
Customer support could be improved
Only allows one user to monitor chat features for a phone line

Dialpad

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Dialpad is another business communications platform that offers calls, messages, and video meetings. What sets Dialpad apart from other VoIP providers is its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. With Dialpad AI, you receive built-in speech recognition and natural language processing.

Dialpad is best for businesses looking to scale their sales and revenue through automated messaging. Nextiva and Dialpad are both cloud-based VoIP providers. However, Dialpad offers real-time transcription, sentiment analysis, and speed coaching through its AI software.

Pricing

Dialpad has three different business communications pricing packages:

Standard: $15/month per user, billed annually
Pro: $25/month per user, billed annually
Enterprise: Inquire with Dialpad for pricing

Free 14-day free trial
Unlimited SMS, calls, and group messages
Call recording and voicemail transcription on base plan

Limited integrations and support on base plan
Desktop app could be improved
Needs better onboarding materials

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Nextiva Review

Below are a few common questions surrounding our Nextiva review:

How Good Is Nextiva?

Nextiva is a versatile VoIP phone service provider that offers all the phone system features your business needs to grow. It offers a full range of integrated voice, video, and messaging tools. With Nextiva’s 7-day free trial, you can easily determine if this phone system provider is the right choice for your company. We highly recommend Nextiva as a comprehensive VoIP service provider.

Is Nextiva a US Company?

Nextiva was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Therefore, Nextiva is a US company. Furthermore, Nextiva had revenue of $200 million in 2020 and is used by over 150,000 businesses around the world.

What Is the Use of Nextiva?

Nextiva is one of the highest-rated business phone software providers in the world. Businesses can use Nextiva to communicate with team members and clients easily. Nextiva provides a comprehensive phone system that separates business lines from personal lines.

Bottom Line on Nextiva Review

When it comes to call management tools, voice quality, and customer support, Nextiva stands above most of its competitors. This comprehensive business VoIP provider is perfect for any size business looking for a communication platform to unite their employees and clients.

June 17, 2022March 20, 2023

Ooma Office Review: The Best VoIP For Direct Dial Numbers

Ooma Office is a cloud-based VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) software platform that offers business phone service for small businesses to large enterprises. It offers better remote team communication since the software lets you make calls over the internet instead of a standard phone line. Learn if Ooma Office is right for your company.

Our Verdict

Ooma

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Ooma Office is a VoIP provider that offers convenient voice communications for your team members and clients. The main difference between Ooma Office and its competitors is that each user receives a unique direct-dial VoIP number instead of an extension. Therefore, your company appears more professional, and is easier to reach by your customers.

Ooma Office is an excellent choice for your team if you’re part of a small firm or business with a sizable number of remote workers. The affordable basic plan comes with a virtual receptionist, mobile app, call-forwarding, and a host of additional features.

Affordable plans for small businesses
No long-term contract required
Easy to set up and use

Toll-free service costs extra
Lacks integrated productivity capabilities
Desktop app requires upgraded plan

Ooma Office at a Glance

Ooma Office is a flexible VoIP service with reliable voice and video calling capabilities. Furthermore, Ooma Office combines the ability to easily set up your VoIP service while having unlimited lines for your business. Best of all, there are also no contracts or long-term commitments. You can even try Ooma Office for 30-days with a money-back guarantee.

There are two different pricing options for Ooma Office, both billed every month without needing a long-term contract. The base plan, Ooma Office, includes a user extension, a local phone number, and unlimited calling to the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The advanced plan, Ooma Office Pro, adds video conferencing, voice recordings, and more.

Since there are no long-term commitments with Ooma Office, customers can save up to 50% compared to other providers’ monthly plans. Therefore, Ooma Office is an excellent choice for small businesses and startups when committing to a long-term contract isn’t reasonable.

Ooma office devices - Ooma VoIP review — *Source: Ooma*

Who Ooma Office is Best For

Ooma Office is the best VoIP app for small and medium-sized businesses that need a comprehensive phone system to manage team and client communications. This software also provides robust enterprise solutions that can deeply support a growing business.

Pricing

Ooma Office provides two different pricing packages: Ooma Office and Ooma Office Pro. Ooma Office costs $19.95 each month per user. If you subscribed to Ooma Office and have a team of 25 employees, you would pay $498.75 per month. Furthermore, Ooma Office offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for both packages so that you can try the VoIP software risk-free.

Price

$19.95/month per user

$24.95/month per user

$27.99/month per user with contract

$49.99/month per user with contract

Mobile App

Extension Dialing

Call Forwarding

Video Conferencing

Desktop App

Call Recording

Advanced Custom Call Flows

Custom CRM and Productivity Tool Integrations

Dedicated Customer Success Managers

Custom file permissions

Ooma Office Pro costs $24.95 each month per user and includes everything in Ooma Office, but it also offers video conferencing, a desktop app, call recording, enhanced call blocking, and voicemail transcription. Ooma Enterprise and Ooma Enterprise Call Center software cost $27.99 per user each month and $49.99 per user each month, respectively.

Ooma Office Features

Ooma Office offers a robust set of VoIP features which include call management, calling capabilities, and an intuitive user interface. Here’s an in-depth overview of each of the core features Ooma Office provides.

Call Management

Ooma Office offers all the call management features needed in a VoIP service provider. In the base plan, you receive access to a mobile app, virtual receptionist, and ring groups. With the mobile app, your team can easily communicate from any location. Furthermore, the mobile app offers text messaging, picture messaging, and group messages.

Screenshot of Ooma Office app dashboard - ooma office review — *Source: Ooma*

When your phone rings, you’ll be informed that it’s an Ooma Office call. This makes it easy to differentiate between business and personal calls. With the mobile app, you can also transfer calls to any phone number, extension, or voicemail.

Ooma Office’s virtual receptionist allows small businesses to direct incoming calls and share essential information. The virtual receptionist guides the caller through a series of options, including selecting their preferred language or choosing a specific department. This way, the caller reaches the right person the first time they call.

Screenshot of Ooma Office edit virtual receptionist page — *Source: Ooma*

Another outstanding feature we found in our Ooma Office review is Ring Groups. Ring Groups ensure that no call goes unanswered. You can implement Ring Groups within specific departments like accounting or customer service teams. When Ring Groups is implemented, each member who is eligible to answer the call will receive the phone call.

Then, the phone call stops on everyone’s phone as soon as the first person answers. Furthermore, you can set up Ring Groups to ring each person’s phone sequentially, or user by user, until somebody picks up.

However, there are many more call management features Ooma Office offers. Each Ooma Office plan includes transfer music, music on hold, extension dialing, and call forwarding. You also get access to call logs, a company directory, call blocking, and 7-digit dialing.

Calling

Ooma Office provides an impressive set of calling features, even with the base plan. With each Ooma Office VoIP plan, you get access to unlimited calling in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Ooma Office’s unlimited calling ability is essential if your business or clients are located in these locations.

Additionally, Ooma Office has very low international call rates. For example, a call to China costs $0.025 per minute, and a call to Australia costs $0.038. Therefore, a 30-minute phone call to China or Australia would only cost $0.75 or $1.14. These are some of the lowest international calling rates found in VoIP providers.

Ooma Office also makes it easy to transfer your existing business phone number to Ooma through porting. Additional calling features include enhanced 911 services, toll-free numbers, new company numbers, direct dialing, and free number transfers.

Setup

Ooma Office understands that every business is unique with different needs. Because of this, Ooma Office gives you flexible options to set up your VoIP service depending on your business.

You can set up Ooma Office with your existing analog phones, the Ooma Office smartphone app, or Ooma Office’s IP phones. As such, your phones can be set up through the Ooma Office base station, wirelessly, or through an ethernet cable connection. Ooma Office’s setup is so easy that the DIY setup will have your office phone system up and working in just a few minutes.

Advanced Features

Ooma Office Pro costs $5 more per user each month than the base Ooma Office plan. This plan offers a few additional features, including video conferencing, access to the desktop app, and call recording capabilities.

Online video meetings are more prevalent than ever before. For this reason, Ooma Office Pro offers a comprehensive video conference platform to host instant online meetings from any location. You can easily set up video conferences through Ooma Office’s website or the desktop app.

Furthermore, the video conferencing feature offers simultaneous screen-sharing, which is not commonly found in other video conferencing platforms. Each meeting can host up to 25 people. The Ooma Office dashboard also shows an extensive calendar of future meetings and the ability to create, edit, view, and search for meetings.

You can also password protect video meetings, use a chat messenger, and mute individuals if you’re the host. The Ooma Office desktop app allows you to do everything you can from the mobile app except your laptop. This is easier for remote workers who aren’t typically on the go and need mobile calling capabilities.

The call recording feature allows you to playback phone calls, crucial for accurate note-taking and future references. You can automatically record each call or manually activate the call recording.

Interface and Usability

The best feature about Ooma Office is how easy it is to use because of its intuitive dashboard. You can easily configure your settings, add your business users and extensions, and set up other features through the online dashboard.

Screenshot of Ooma Office app directory - Ooma Office interface review — *Source: Ooma*

Furthermore, most settings within Ooma Office can be customized. For instance, when configuring Ring Groups, you can choose how long each phone rings before moving on to the next person.

Security and Encryption

All calls between two phones using Ooma Office are fully encrypted. Furthermore, video calls are fully encrypted as well.

However, Ooma Office could improve its account and communications security. This is because Ooma Office doesn’t offer two-factor authentication. As such, there’s not much you can do to protect your phone network if somebody steals your password.

Customer Support

Ooma Office provides 24/7 customer support through phone, email, and live chat. This way, there is always somebody available to answer your questions when you need help. You can also find an extensive support center with detailed tutorials about how to set up your phone network.

Alternatives to Ooma Office

Choosing the right VoIP provider for your business is crucial, so it’s important to learn about a few alternatives to Ooma Office before making your final decision. Similar to Ooma Office, each of these alternatives offers excellent VoIP services. Therefore, your business will be positively impacted regardless of which option you choose to implement.

Here are three of the best VoIP providers that provide an alternative solution to Ooma Office.

RingCentral

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RingCentral is a superb VoIP provider that offers unlimited business SMS, unlimited calls in the US and Canada, team messaging, and voicemail transcription. RingCentral’s higher-tier plans offer international calling in over 100 countries, workflow integrations with Slack, and a CRM integration with Salesforce.

RingCentral is an excellent VoIP provider for larger enterprises who need a phone system that integrates with their existing apps. RingCentral is unique compared to Ooma Office because it offers volume discounts for larger teams.

Pricing

RingCentral carries four different pricing packages:

Essentials: $19.99/month per user – Includes message and phone
Standard: $27.99/month per user – Includes message, video, and phone
Premium: $34.99/month per user – Includes message, video, phone, and open API
Ultimate: $49.99/month per user – Includes message, video, phone, open API, and unlimited storage

To learn more about RingCentral’s features and pricing plans, read our complete RingCentral review.

Mobile apps for Android and iOS
Unlimited calls within the United States and Canada
Built-in document sharing and team messaging

Steeper learning curve than other options
Only one user can monitor chat features for a specific phone line
Unreliable customer support

Nextiva

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Nextiva is a VoIP provider that offers a solution for internal and external calls in one single package. The base plan comes with the essential features like unlimited calls in the US and Canada, an auto-attendant, and unlimited video calling. However, the higher-tier plan offers more collaboration-based features.

Nextiva is a great VoIP solution for small businesses looking for a productivity-driven communication system with collaboration features. Nextiva is very similar to Ooma Office because both VoIP services are easy to use and set up. However, Nextiva provides more pricing plans, which may be more suitable for your business.

Pricing

Nextiva provides three different pricing options to choose from:

Essential: $18.95/month per user – Unlimited voice and video calling
Professional: $22.95/month per user – Unlimited conference calls
Enterprise: $32.95/month per user – Call recording

To learn more about Nextiva’s features and pricing plans, read our complete Nextiva review.

Mobile app access from any location
24/7 customer support team
Customizable auto-attendant

Call recording is exclusive to higher-tier plans
Lacks extensive integration capabilities
Confusing to add contacts

Mitel

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Mitel is a VoIP service with a full suite of collaborative tools. These tools include the ability to host video conferences with 100+ people and a platform for business and teamwork SMS messages. Mitel is a great option for small businesses interested in Outlook integration and Telephony for Microsoft support. This way, you can easily call through Teams.

Compared to our Ooma Office review, Mitel is the better choice for teams that need Outlook and Microsoft integration capabilities.

Pricing

Mitel offers three different cloud business phone systems. However, you need to contact Mitel’s sales team to receive a quote.

Unlimited minutes each month
PC, Android, and iOS app
100-user video conferences

Time-consuming initial setup
Lack of user customization
Mobile app UX could be improved

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Ooma Office Review

Below are a few popular questions surrounding the Ooma Office review.

Who is Ooma Office?

Ooma Office is an enterprise-level phone system suited for small businesses. A few key features include unlimited calling in the US and Canada, unlimited lines with private voicemail, and a virtual receptionist to automatically greet and direct callers.

Does Ooma Office Offer Great Customer Support?

Ooma Office provides 24/7 customer support agents through phone calls or online chat. Furthermore, you can find a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions about topics like initial setup, pricing, and advanced features.

Does Ooma Office Have Video Conferencing?

Ooma Office includes video conferencing in its higher-tier plan called Ooma Office Pro. With Ooma Office Pro, you get access to unlimited video conferencing as well as voice recording.

Bottom Line on Ooma Office Review

Ooma Office offers two different pricing packages depending on what VoIP services your business needs. It’s an easy-to-use VoIP option that offers impressive calling and video conferencing features. However, Ooma Office isn’t the best VoIP service if you’re interested in team collaboration features.

June 15, 2022November 23, 2022

7 Best VPNs for PC in 2023

Protecting your data with the best VPN for PC is a smart decision. However, selecting which VPN to use can be tricky because many choices exist. Since they all seemingly have the same features, it can be impossible to decide. Here are the seven best VPNs for PC users in 2023.

Best VPN for PC

ExpressVPN – Best Overall VPN for PC
NordVPN – Best VPN for Windows PC
Surfshark – Best Budget-Friendly VPN
Mullvad VPN – Best VPN for Flat-Rate Payment
Cyberghost – Best VPN for Simultaneous Devices
Windscribe – Best VPN for Custom Plans
ProtonVPN – Best VPN for Streaming

ExpressVPN

Starts at $8.32/month, billed annually

1 – 12

Chrome, Firefox, Edge

160

Unlimited

NordVPN

Starts at $3.29/month on a 2-year subscription

1 – 24

Chrome, Firefox, Edge

5,398 total servers

Unlimited

Surfshark

Starts at $2.49/month on a 2-year subscription

1 – 24

Chrome, Firefox, Edge

3,200+ total servers

Unlimited

Mullvad VPN

$5/month

1 – 120

Firefox

837 total servers

Unlimited

Cyberghost

Starts at $2.29/month on a 3-year subscription

1 – 39

Chrome, Firefox

7,900 total servers

Unlimited

Windscribe

Starts at $1/month on a custom plan

1 – 12

Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera

110

Unlimited

ProtonVPN

Starts at $4/month, billed annually

1 – 24

None

1,700+ total servers

Unlimited

ExpressVPN: Best Overall VPN for PC

$8.32 to $12.95/month

★★★★★

4.9

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ExpressVPN is the best overall VPN software in the world. This is because ExpressVPN works incredibly well across Macs, PCs, Androids, and iPhones. ExpressVPN offers outstanding privacy protocols because it does not track location, browsing history, or the content of downloads. This level of flexibility and security places ExpressVPN at the top of our list.

Why we chose it: ExpressVPN is the most powerful and user-friendly VPN for PCs. You can take full advantage of its advanced settings to customize your experience or use the recommended settings if you just want to set it and forget it. Read our in-depth ExpressVPN review to learn more about its features.

24/7 customer support
Easy-to-use desktop apps
Excellent speeds across all tasks

Not the cheapest VPN provider
Only connect five devices at once
No multi-hop connections

Pricing:

Express VPN carries three different payment periods. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can with cryptocurrency:

1 Month – $12.95 per month
6 Months – $9.99 per month, $59.94 billed every 6 months
12 Months – $8.32 per month, $99.84 billed every 12 months

ExpressVPN tops the list of the best VPN for PC because of its comprehensive set of impressive features. While ExpressVPN is also the best mobile VPN, the ExpressVPN desktop app is even better.

You’ll immediately notice an intuitive and easy-to-use interface from the moment you download and launch ExpressVPN on your PC. The interface includes massive on/off buttons and choose location buttons. You can simply choose a location and run the VPN right away.

The PC software is also packed with an extensive set of premium features. For example, ExpressVPN offers smart server recommendations, kill switch technology, and multiple VPN protocols. You can also control the VPN from a browser extension.

In terms of security protocols, ExpressVPN offers highly-encrypted security tools. The independently audited privacy policy states there is no logging or gathering of connection IPs, online activities, or traffic data.

ExpressVPN provides outstanding speed performances for local service and modest results for long-distance connections. The speed will only get faster as ExpressVPN now gives access to its proprietary Lightway protocol.

If you have any questions such as how to use a VPN, ExpressVPN offers professional 24/7 customer support via live chat or email. This way, you can get your questions answered whenever issues arise.

NordVPN: Best VPN for Windows PC

$3.29 to $11.99/month

★★★★★

4.8

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NordVPN is a household name in the VPN business because of its excellent performance on Windows PCs. This VPN provider offers outstanding privacy, a myriad of servers across the world, and innovative security protocols. It also recently underwent a second independent audit that proved its privacy policy claims of zero-logging data.

Why we chose it: NordVPN is the best VPN for Windows machines because of its included security and privacy benefits. Each NordVPN subscription comes with military-grade encryption, multi factor authentication, an ad blocker, malware protection, and a tracker blocker. Read our ultimate NordVPN review to learn more about its features.

Offers multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
Easy to set up and use
Ample server locations

Cheap plans only included in long-term subscriptions
Clunky interface at times
Renewal price is higher than introductory rates

Pricing:

NordVPN offers three unique payment options:

1-Month Plan – $11.99 per month
1-Year Plan – $4.99 per month, billed $59.88 for the first year, then $99.48 per year
2-Year Plan – $3.29 per month, billed $78.96 for the first two years, then $99.48 per year

NordVPN is one of the top-ranked VPNs on many ‘best of’ lists for several great reasons. To begin with, NordVPN carries an extensive server network of 5,398, allows for six simultaneously connected devices, and is trusted by 14 million users around the globe. It also has an excellent track record of unblocking most streaming services out there.

The Windows client is easy to set up, and NordVPN constantly updates the client to make it easier to use. The client itself features a compact interface with all the basic and advanced tools you need to browse the web freely.

NordVPN takes security very seriously. This provider offers a certain number of Double VPN servers. These servers pass your data through two separate VPN servers, making things even more secure. The Windows kill switch works brilliantly as well. A VPN kill switch prevents your device from making unprotected connections.

All of these features are enhanced by NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol. This is a new-generation VPN technology built around WireGuard. NordLynx improves connection speeds and NordVPN server connections without compromising security and privacy.

More people are coming around to the benefits of a VPN; in fact, 85% of adult internet users are aware of VPNs. NordVPN makes it easy to get started and protect your data.

Surfshark: Best Budget-Friendly VPN

$2.49 to $12.95/month

★★★★★

4.75

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Surfshark is an affordable VPN for PC that offers over 3,000 servers and over 110 server locations. This VPN provider comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live support. What’s unique about Surfshark is that it also offers unlimited connections. This means you can cover as many PCs, phones, or Macs as you’d like.

Why we chose it: Surfshark is the best VPN for PC users who want a lot of value at an affordable price. This is because Surfshark offers a low monthly price, high speeds, and unlimited devices. Read our complete Surfshark review to learn more about its features.

Unlimited simultaneous connections
Well-designed user interface
Most affordable long-term plans

Antivirus costs extra
No ability to receive a dedicated IP address
Kill switch issues

Pricing:

Surfshark provides three different pricing options:

1 month – $12.95 per month
12 months – $3.99 per month, billed $59.76 every 12 months
24 months – $2.49 per month, billed $59.76 every 24 months

Surfshark is an outstanding VPN service for beginners wondering, what is a VPN? This is because Surfshark’s program is extremely easy to use. Once you launch the app, you’ll be presented with a clean and simple interface. The software will let you know exactly what to press and how to get started.

As you continue using the program, you’ll realize how more and more features open up as you expand. Some of these features include OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard security protocols. Private DNS, AES-256 bit encryption, and a kill switch are also waiting in case your connection drops.

If you want to use your VPN to watch streaming platforms, Surfshark carries a long list of streaming services. Surfshark can get you access to Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, Netflix, and many more.

Although the OpenVPN speeds were lackluster, the WireGuard speeds had highs of 720-790 Mbps which is extremely quick. Surfshark is the best option if you want an affordable VPN and can commit to a long-term subscription.

Mullvad VPN: Best VPN for Flat-Rate Payment

$5/month flat-rate

★★★★★

4.7

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Although Mullvad VPN isn’t the most polished VPN we’ve seen, it provides a secure connection and protects your privacy for an unbeatable price. Mullvad VPN is unique because it hyper focuses on offering secure and affordable VPN protection. MullvadVPN is radically transparent as a company and provides an honest and genuine VPN product.

Why we chose it: Mullvad VPN is the best VPN for flat-rate payments because it costs $5 per month no matter how long you subscribe for. This is more affordable than any other VPN’s standard monthly rate. Read our ultimate Mullvad VPN review to learn more about its features.

Consistent pricing across any time period
Multi-hop connections
Extremely transparent

Awkward desktop interface
Servers in fewer countries compared to other VPNs
Account number system may be confusing

Pricing:

Mullvad VPN offers a single flat monthly rate at $5 per month.

Not bothered by the flashing lights and “innovative” features used in most VPNs, Mullvad VPN focuses on security and privacy. With your $5 subscription, you can connect five devices simultaneously, use a multi-hop connection by enabling bridge mode in the app, and access to the newer WireGuard protocol.

Mullvad VPN doesn’t offer additional tools of enhanced privacy protection such as Tor access, ad blockers, and malware protection. Still, Mullvad VPN has become a community favorite because it’s part of a minimal list of VPNs with port-forwarding and no logging evidence.

Furthermore, Mullvad VPN doesn’t use affiliates or paid reviews as you see with other major VPN providers. Lastly, Mullvad VPN has complete server transparency, is open-source, and hasn’t sold out to a major conglomerate.

CyberGhost: Best VPN for Server Selection

$2.29 to $12.99/month

★★★★★

4.68

Visit

Since CyberGhost is based in Romania, CyberGhost will never need to hand over customer data to the government, unlike many other VPNs. Furthermore, with thousands of servers around the world, you’re guaranteed to find one that gives you fast WiFi speeds.

Why we chose it: CyberGhost is the best VPN for server selection because it has over 7,700 available servers to choose from. To learn more, read our in-depth CyberGhost review.

Large and well-distributed server fleet
Allows up to seven simultaneous device connections
Excellent speed test ratings

Expensive compared to other VPNs
Lack of third-party audit
Confusing privacy policies

Pricing:

CyberGhost carries four pricing plans depending on your subscription length:

1 Month – $12.99 per month
1 Year – $4.29 per month, billed $51.48 every year
2 Years – $3.25 per month, billed $78 every two years
3 Years + 3 Months – $2.29 per month, billed $89.31 every three years

CyberGhost is an impressive VPN host because of its high-performance PC app. The best feature CyberGhost offers is its connection speeds when using WireGuard, topping out at around 850 Mbps.

This makes CyberGhost one of the fastest VPNs. This goes along perfectly with its streaming capabilities, unblocking every streaming service we tested. Overall, the Windows app is stable, and the only issue we’ve noticed is notifications not being shown.

CyberGhost continues to make a name for itself in the VPN sector and will soon challenge behemoths NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

Windscribe: Best VPN for Custom Plans

$1 to $9/month

★★★★★

4.61

Visit

Windscribe is a unique VPN because it offers multi-hop encryption. This means your web traffic will be encrypted twice as you’re browsing online. Windscribe performs well across Windows PCs, and there’s also a free option for users in the US, UK, Hong Kong, and other countries.

Why we chose it: Windscribe is the best VPN for custom plans because you can build your own plan based on your preferences. No other VPN provider on this list offers this option. Read our ultimate Windscribe review to learn more about its features.

Multi-hop subscription
Fast on Windows PCs
Free subscriptions in certain countries

Limited Netflix accessibility
Subpar speed on Mac computers
Looser than average logging policy

Pricing:

Windscribe offers two standard plans and one custom plan:

Monthly Plan – $9 per month
Yearly Plan – $4.08 per month, billed $49 every 12 months
Build A Plan – Inquire for pricing, starts at $1 per location, per month

Windscribe is an excellent VPN with many features and a user-friendly interface. However, you shouldn’t expect the best speeds or the fastest support with Windscribe like you’d find with ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Instead, Windscribe is a decent VPN that’s versatile and could suit most users. However, many people drift toward Windscribe because of its generous free plan. Windscribe’s free service offers 11 server locations and 2GB of data.

While the free version is outstanding for beginners, the paid version offers unlimited simultaneous connections, P2P and torrenting on most servers, and logging policies to safeguard your privacy.

ProtonVPN: Best VPN for Streaming

$0 to $24/month

★★★★★

4.59

Visit

ProtonVPN is unique because it offers a plan which is one of the best 100% free VPNs available. The free plan offers access to 147 servers in three countries, one VPN connection, medium speed, a strict no-log policy, and the ability to access blocked content. However, ProtonVPN also offers three paid plans with even more features and accessibility.

Why we chose it: ProtonVPN is an excellent VPN for streaming and speed because of its VPN Accelerator, Quick Connect, and Auto Reconnection features. It also unblocks any streaming you want to watch.

Easy to use on Windows PCs
Above average speeds
Unblocks Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video

No 24/7 customer support
Some features locked behind pricier Plus plan
Relatively small server network

Pricing:

ProtonVPN offers four price tiers:

Free – $0 per month
Basic – $4 per month, billed $48 annually
Plus – $8 per month, billed $96 annually
Visionary – $24 per month, billed $288 annually

ProtonVPN continues to make strides in the PC VPN software sector because of its great Windows 10 client. If you’re interested in a sleek and intuitive VPN that offers many features and settings to play with, ProtonVPN is a great option.

Once you open the client, you can navigate the app with its map interface or a collapsed list format. Either way, ProtonVPN highlights which servers support P2P or Tor with crystal clear icons.

ProtonVPN’s best credentials are as a truly private VPN. This is because ProtonVPN is fully audited with a zero-logging policy. Furthermore, ProtonVPN features open-source apps, powerful encryption, and additional features like Secure Core servers and Tor over VPN to provide a bulletproof privacy tool.

Methodology for the Best VPN for PC

Each VPN included in the list above meets the following criteria below. We used these metrics to rank the VPNs from strongest to weakest. Here’s the methodology we used for the best VPN for PCs.

Advanced security features: The VPN you select should have state-of-the-art security features such as an automatic kill switch, strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and DNS/IP leak protection. Security is the core feature of any VPN because a VPN is supposed to keep your data safe from third parties and cybercriminals.
PC compatibility: Since you’re looking for the best VPN for PC, it’s important to find a VPN that offers robust Mac and Windows software. The VPN provider should also regularly update the software with new features and enhancements.
Fast speeds: A high-speed VPN allows you to stream content and play video games without stuttering or lag. The VPNs included on this list all have above-average speeds compared to their competitors.
Server network size: A large server network allows you to change your IP address flexibly to many different locations. Furthermore, a larger number of servers can speed up your connection since it’s easy to find a nearby server, and other users are more spread out. Therefore, server congestion is reduced.
Streaming support: As the popularity of traditional TV dwindles, more and more people use streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu to watch their favorite TV shows. The best VPNs can unblock all streaming sites and allow users to switch their IP address to a new location to access different content.
Multiple device connections: We live in a technological time period where most individuals own more than one device. For this reason, your VPN needs to support multiple different simultaneous device connections. This way, you can secure all of your devices with a single subscription.
Money-back guarantee: Another crucial feature of the best VPN for PC is a money-back guarantee. With a trustworthy money-back guarantee policy, you can test out the VPN and decide if it’s right for you. If not, you can get a refund for your subscription and move to another VPN provider.
Reliable customer support: The best VPN software provider will offer 24/7 live customer support. Issues can strike at any time during the night, so you must have somebody to get help from if worst comes to worst.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Best VPNs for PC

Below are some of the most popular questions surrounding the best VPN for PCs.

Which free VPN is best for PC?

ExpressVPN offers a 30-day risk-free trial where you can access its entire set of features. If you’re looking for a completely free option, ProtonVPN and Winscribe offer free VPN plans. However, your connection won’t be extremely fast, and you won’t have as many server options on a free VPN plan.

Is ExpressVPN or NordVPN better?

The truth is that you can’t go wrong with either option. Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer lightning-fast speeds, a wide array of servers, and state-of-the-art security features. Both choices are great for streaming because of their strong unblocking abilities and dedicated IP address options.

What does a VPN do on my PC?

VPNs started as a way to share data and browse the web securely. However, they have become a lot broader in their use cases. For example, you can geo-spoof your PC’s IP address to other world regions to access different varieties of content. Furthermore, you can use a VPN to unblock restricted websites on PCs, which is why VPNs in China have become so popular.

Why do I need a VPN for my PC?

The main reason you must use a VPN is to protect your data from hackers when you’re on public Wi-Fi or casually browsing the internet. A VPN establishes an encrypted connection between your computer and the internet. This provides a private tunnel for your data and communications while using a public network.

Bottom Line on Best VPNs for PC

Using a VPN is a convenient way to protect your privacy online. You can also use a VPN to circumvent unwelcome internet restrictions as well. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the top two VPN software because of their speed, server locations, and security protocols. Surfshark is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable long-term VPN solution.

June 9, 2022November 23, 2022

7 Best Shared Web Hosting Services in 2023

Finding out how to choose the best shared web hosting service is a challenging and confusing process. There are so many web hosts to choose from, and they each offer a similar set of features. We rank the seven best shared web hosting service providers based on reliability, affordability, ease of use, and feature offerings.

Best Shared Web Hosting

HostGator – Best for Overall Shared Web Hosting Services
Bluehost – Best for Beginner-Friendly Shared Web Hosting Services
Namecheap – Best for Domain Name Registration
IONOS – Best for Affordable Shared Web Hosting
WP Engine – Best for Managed WordPress Shared Web Hosting
Weebly – Best for Ecommerce Businesses
Zyro – Best for Affordable Website Building

HostGator

Starts at $3.95/month on an annual subscription

Unlimited

Unmetered

Automated daily backups

99.9%

24/7/365 support

Bluehost

Starts at $2.95/month on an annual subscription

50 GB on the Basic plan, all other plans have unlimited

Unmetered

Automated backups are included on the Choice Plus and Pro plans

99.98%

24/7 hosting support

Namecheap

Starts at $1.88/month on an annual subscription

20 GB on Stellar plan, unlimited on Stellar Plus plan, and 50 GB on Stellar Business plan

Unmetered

Twice a week

100%

24/7 live support

IONOS

Starts at $0.50/month on an annual subscription

10 GB on Essential plan and unlimited on others

Unmetered

Automatic daily backups

99.9%

24/7 customer service

WP Engine

Starts at $25/month on an annual subscription

Starts at 10 GB storage on Startup plan

Starts at 50 GB/month on Startup plan

Automatic daily backups

99.95%

24/7 chat and phone support

Weebly

Starts at $12/month on an annual subscription

Unlimited

Unmetered

Manual backups

99.97%

Live support 9 AM – 9 PM EST

Zyro

Starts at $4.90/month on an annual subscription

Unlimited

Unmetered

Manual backups

99.99%

24/7 support team

HostGator: Best Overall Shared Web Hosting Services

Pricing: $3.95/month to $7.25/month on an annual subscription

4.85

★★★★★

Visit

HostGator is one of the largest web hosting service providers in the world and it specializes in shared web hosting services. Although HostGator has expanded to offer different types of hosting and even a drag and drop website builder, its shared web hosting is still effective for most businesses.

Why we chose it: HostGator is the best overall shared web hosting service provider because of its value pricing. This means that the features HostGator offers for its pricing packages surpasses all of its competitors. To learn more about its features and pricing, read our HostGator review.

Unlimited storage space across all plans
Unmetered bandwidth across all plans
Premium free email marketing tools

Dashboard can be confusing
More expensive than other shared web hosts
Slow customer support response times

Pricing:

HostGator carries three different shared web hosting plans:

Hatchling – $3.95 per month for the first 12 months, then $8.95 per month
Baby – $5 per month for the first 12 months, then $11.95 per month
Business – $7.25 per month for the first 12 months, then $16.95 per month

HostGator’s main differentiating factor is how many features you get access to for an extremely affordable price point. On each of HostGator’s shared hosting plans, you receive unlimited storage space and unmetered bandwidth. Furthermore, HostGator provides a free SSL certificate on all of its plans.

Although HostGator offers month-to-month shared web hosting plans, it’s more affordable to signup for a longer-term subscription. With the Hatchling plan, you can host a single website and use HostGator’s one-click WordPress installation tool. HostGator also provides a free WordPress and cPanel website transfer.

With the Baby and Business plans, you are allowed to host unlimited websites. The Business plan also offers Cloudflare CDN with up to 2.5x faster page load times. This premium plan also grants you access to free SEO tools and a free dedicated IP address. You also receive $150 in Google Ads spend match credit and $100 in Microsoft Advertising credit on each plan.

Overall, you can’t go wrong when you choose to host your business’s website with HostGator. The 45-day money-back guarantee gives you enough time to test out the platform before completely committing to it.

Bluehost: Best for Beginner Friendly Shared Web Hosting Services

Pricing: $2.95/month to $13.95/month on an annual plan

4.76

★★★★★

Visit

Bluehost is another shared web hosting provider used by millions of users around the world. However, Bluehost is the best small business web host because of how easy it is to use and set up. When you sign up for Bluehost, you’ll have access to all the tools you need to get your company’s website off the ground. Each plan includes a free domain and SSL certificate.

Why we chose it: Bluehost is one of the best beginner-friendly shared web hosting service provider because it provides extensive guidance and help tools to set up your website.

Heavily discounted first term
Ample storage space
Extensive onboarding features

Bothersome marketing upsells
Server speeds could use improvement
Basic plan has limitations

Pricing:

Bluehost provides four unique shared web hosting pricing packages:

Basic – $2.95 per month for the first 12 months, then $9.99 per month
Plus – $5.45 per month for the first 12 months, then $14.99 per month
Choice Plus – $5.45 per month for the first 12 months, then $18.99 per month
Pro – $13.95 per month for the first 12 months, then $28.99 per month

Bluehost is the best web hosting solution for beginners setting up a website for the first time. If you’re on a limited budget and new to web hosting, Bluehost should be your go-to shared web hosting service.

The core features Bluehost offers are an all-in-one dashboard, fast and reliable performance, and a wide selection of themes and plugins. Furthermore, Bluehost offers comprehensive ecommerce and WordPress integrations.

Bluehost’s award-winning 24/7 customer support is always ready and able to answer all of your pending questions. Right from the get-go, Bluehost will hold your hand through the entire website setup process. This means zero web design and web hosting knowledge is required to make the most out of Bluehost.

The Basic plan comes with 50 GB of SSD storage and one website, which is more than enough for most small businesses and startups. Furthermore, every other plan comes with unlimited websites and unlimited storage. As your company grows, or if you want to start a new website, you can easily upgrade your plan.

Namecheap: Best Shared Web Hosting Services for Domain Name Registration

Pricing: $1.88/month to $4.98/month on an annual plan

4.7

★★★★★

Visit

Since its founding date in 2000, Namecheap has been a dominant player in the domain name registrar field. However, Namecheap also offers reliable shared web hosting services with an uptime score of 100%. This means that your website will potentially never encounter unforeseen downtime. Each Namecheap plan offers unmetered bandwidth and a free CDN.

Why we chose it: Namecheap is the best shared web hosting provider for domain name registration because this platform specializes in domain name registrar. Each hosting plan comes with steep discounts on a new domain name. If you’re interested in their services, check out our in-depth Namecheap review to learn more.

100% uptime guarantee
Free 24-hour site migration services
Affordable shared web hosting with many features

Unpolished website builder
High traffic and lower site speeds
No phone support

Pricing:

Namecheap offers three shared hosting plans, depending on what your business needs:

Stellar – $1.88 per month for the first 12 months, then $3.88 per month
Stellar Plus – $2.98 per month for the first 12 months, then $5.88 per month
Stellar Business – $4.98 per month for the first 12 months, then $9.88 per month

Widely used by many businesses around the world, Namecheap hosts over 1.5 million different websites. Namecheap is such a popular hosting provider because it offers affordable packages that contain all the features businesses need to get their websites up and running.

All of Namecheap’s shared hosting plans include unlimited bandwidth, a free domain and SSL certificate, and free backups. This means that your website’s privacy is secured, and your files are safe when you choose Namecheap as your shared web hosting provider.

Similar to Bluehost, Namecheap is also easy to configure and set up. As soon as you subscribe to Namecheap, you’ll receive an initial welcome email that guides you through everything you might need to know about website hosting.

To round things off, Namecheap is proven to offer above-average speeds compared to its competitors, making it an incredibly robust web host for those who want a more affordable hosting solution.

IONOS: Best for Affordable Shared Web Hosting

Pricing: $0.50/month to $8/month for the first 12 months

4.63

★★★★★

Visit

IONOS is a web hosting solution built for businesses on a strict budget. Each of IONOS’s plans are discounted for the first 12 months before returning to the regular price. This gives your company time to grow before paying full price. What’s interesting about IONOS is that the middle-tier plan, Business, offers unlimited storage while the top-tier plan, Expert, doesn’t.

Why we chose it: IONOS offers the most affordable shared web hosting plan available, which starts at $0.50 per month for the first 12 months. Here’s a complete IONOS review to help you decide if it’s the right choice.

Access to a personal success consultant
Most affordable shared web hosting service
All-in-one website builder

No free trial to test website builder
Not the most beginner-friendly shared web host
Only the top plan offers the fastest server speeds

Pricing:

IONOS features three different affordable pricing packages:

Essential – $4 per month for the first 12 months, then $6 per month
Business – $0.50 per month for the first 12 months, then $10 per month
Expert – $8 per month for the first 12 months, then $16 per month

IONOS is the best web hosting service for those who need an affordable hosting solution right from the start. The Business plan is $0.50 per month for the first 12 months, giving your business ample time to grow and expand.

Each shared hosting plan from IONOS includes 99.9% uptime, SSL and DDoS protection, free backups, and PHP 8.1 with JIT compiler. You also get access to additional features such as a drag and drop website builder, online marketing tools, and WordPress hosting integration.

WP Engine: Best for Managed WordPress Shared Web Hosting

Pricing: $25/month to $241/month when paid annually

4.52

★★★★★

Visit

WP Engine is a powerful web hosting solution for businesses with WordPress websites. This web host features maximum reliability and robust security protocols among its extensive set of additional features. If you built your website on WordPress and want excellent performance for it, WP Engine is your best choice.

Why we chose it: WP Engine is the best shared web hosting service for WordPress websites because it offers development, staging, and production environments to optimize your website.

All-in-one shared web hosting solution for WordPress websites
Global server locations
Outstanding customer service

Only built for WordPress websites
Visitor limits on all plans
More expensive than other options

Pricing:

WP Engine carries five different pricing plan options:

Startup – $25 per month when paid annually
Professional – $49 per month when paid annually
Growth – $96 per month when paid annually
Scale – $241 per month when paid annually
Custom – Inquire for pricing

WP Engine features reliable customer support, excellent uptime, and dedicated WordPress hosting services for all WordPress websites. Many businesses create their initial websites with WordPress, and WP Engine makes it easy to bring your website to life.

Every shared hosting plan WP Engine offers includes a content delivery network (CDN) for faster page load times. Speed is an essential factor for any website and WP Engine provides the fastest speeds found on shared web hosting plans.

WP Engine is specifically made for WordPress installations, plug-ins, and themes. If your company’s website isn’t built on WordPress, WP Engine isn’t the right solution for you. Read our WP Engine review to learn more.

Weebly: Best Shared Web Hosting for Ecommerce Businesses

Pricing: $12/month to $38/month when paid annually

4.46

★★★★★

4.9

Visit

Weebly is a popular web hosting service provider for ecommerce businesses because of its browser-based, drag and drop website editor. You can use the website builder to customize your entire ecommerce website from top to bottom. Weebly also gives you access to customizable email templates and various SEO and website statistics to track performance.

Why we chose it: Weebly offers all the features necessary to maintain your online store from one comprehensive platform. This is why Weebly is the best shared web hosting provider for ecommerce businesses.

Impressive website speeds
Customizable and responsive themes
Affordable ecommerce shared web hosting solution

Unreliable customer service
Difficult to migrate to a new platform
Exclusively for ecommerce businesses

Pricing:

Weebly offers three different plans for online stores:

Pro – $12 per month when paid annually
Business – $25 per month when paid annually
Business Plus – $38 per month when paid annually

You can expect outstanding reliability and performance when you host your ecommerce website on Weebly. Weebly’s servers power millions of websites and pageviews per day and has a great track record as a shared web host.

All of Weebly’s hosting plans come with unlimited storage, a customizable shopping cart, and free SSL security. If you’re learning how to start an online store, you can use Weebly’s drag and drop website builder and its wide selection of store themes.

For even more convenience, you can use Weebly’s mobile app to build, manage, and edit your website through your mobile device. Additional ecommerce features include the ability to create a blog, make custom forms, and use SEO tools.

Zyro: Best Shared Web Hosting for Affordable Website Building

Pricing: $4.90/month to $18.90/month on a one-year plan

4.36

★★★★★

Visit

Zyro is a DIY website builder that offers an intuitive interface and robust tools that allow you to customize your website’s online presence. As such, Zyro’s main purpose is to be used as a website builder. A few of the tools it offers include an AI writer, AI background remover, AI slogan generator, and AI blog title generator.

Why we chose it: Zyro is the best shared web hosting provider for businesses that want to create a new website easily at an affordable price tag.

Easy-to-use, drag and drop website builder
Free SSL certificate
Logo maker and AI powered tools

No free tier
Limited customizability
Unreliable customer support

Pricing:

Zyro carries three different pricing packages:

Website – $2.90 per month on a two-year plan, $4.90 per month on a one-year plan, or $8.99 per month regularly
Business – $4.90 per month on a two-year plan, $6.90 per month on a one-year plan, or $11.49 per month regularly
Advanced Store – $15.90 per month on a two-year plan, $18.90 per month on a one-year plan, or $25.90 per month regularly

Zyro is a website builder that comes with free shared web hosting services on each of its pricing packages. You can create any type of website with Zyro, including ecommerce stores. Although Zyro offers an impressive set of tools at an affordable price, we don’t recommend it for larger ecommerce stores. Weebly is a better shared web hosting service for big ecommerce stores.

One of the main advantages of Zyro is its ease of use. When you customize your website in Zyro’s drag and drop builder, a grid will appear. This makes it easy to position different elements like text and images. Zyro also integrates with Unsplash, a stock image website with millions of photos that you can use for free.

Methodology for the Best Shared Web Hosting Services

Selecting your web host is the first step of building an effective website for your business. Most shared web hosting services provide a similar set of features, and differentiating them can be confusing and difficult. There are a few criteria to consider when choosing the best shared web hosting services for your business.

Budget

Since you’re looking for the best shared web hosting service provider, it’s fair to say that pricing is a key factor to consider. Luckily, shared web hosting is the most affordable type of hosting available, and each service provider offers inexpensive basic plans. However, there are some shared web hosts that are more affordable than others.

Speed

Speed is a critical factor to consider when selecting a web hosting provider. You don’t want to pick a shared web host that has a track record of slow servers and response times. Poor loading times ruin the user experience of your website and can heavily impact your company’s bottom line. In fact, load page speed directly contributes to bounce rate; the longer the load time, the higher the bounce rate.

Usability

Not many individuals have an extensive amount of experience and knowledge with web hosting. Therefore, it’s essential to find a web host that’s easy to use and has an intuitive dashboard. You also need a shared web host that provides reliable customer support when you need help. This way, you can immediately troubleshoot problems when they arise.

Backups and Storage Space

Backing up your website is a critical task to complete to prevent a significant loss of data if something were to happen to your website. This is why you need a web hosting solution that offers backups. Furthermore, it’s important to choose a web host that provides ample storage space to hold all your business’s data and assets.

Reliability

Reliability is a core component of the web hosting services. Web hosts with a history of downtime should be avoided at all costs. Website downtime causes your company to lose potential customers and revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Shared Web Hosting

Below are a few of the most common questions surrounding shared web hosting services.

What is the best shared web hosting company?

The best shared web hosting companies include HostGator, Bluehost, Namecheap, IONOS, WP Engine, Weebly, and Zyro. All of these shared web hosting companies offer a comprehensive set of features allowing you to run your business’s website efficiently and effectively. They are all reliable shared web hosts that prevent downtime on your website.

Is shared hosting any good?

Shared web hosting offers a great way for businesses to run their websites at an affordable rate. The reason why shared web hosting is so affordable is that you’re sharing a server with other websites. This means you are essentially splitting the cost of hosting with several other websites. The downside of shared web hosting is that you may notice slower server response times compared to other types of hosting.

Which is better VPS or shared hosting?

While shared web hosting is optimal for startups and small businesses, VPS hosting is the better option for midsize to large enterprises. This is because VPS hosting offers faster response times, better performance, and more security protocols. However, VPS hosting is more expensive than shared web hosting and requires basic technical knowledge.

Bottom Line on Shared Web Hosting

The best shared web hosting services offer a premium set of features at an affordable price. HostGator, Bluehost, and Namecheap are the best shared web hosting service providers because they make it easy to get your company’s website up and running.