Namecheap Review: The Complete Domain & Hosting Provider

Namecheap logo

As the name says, Namecheap offers cheap domain names, but you’ll learn in this Namecheap review that it offers much more. This web host also provides affordable shared hosting, managed WordPress, reseller, VPS, and dedicated server hosting solutions. Namecheap is the perfect inclusive website solution for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups.

Our Verdict 

Namecheap is known as a domain name registrar, but it also offers affordable web hosting plans. Namecheap also offers a stack of additional features that allow you to create a new company website from start to finish. This means that Namecheap is the perfect all-in-one website creator and hosting provider for small businesses and startups.

  • Affordable domain names and hosting
  • Website migration and transfer services 
  • Easy to use cPanel interface
  • No telephone customer support
  • Price increase upon renewal
  • Low storage for basic plans

Namecheap at a Glance 

Namecheap is an excellent hosting provider because it provides precisely what the name suggests. Affordable domain and hosting plans are what Namecheap is known for. However, it doesn’t end there. Most inexpensive hosting providers offer the bare minimum. This is how Namecheap differentiates itself.

Even with the most basic plans, Namecheap offers a few features you’d need to pay extra for with other hosting providers. From unmetered bandwidth and a free SSL certificate to free backups and ample storage space, Namecheap ensures a healthy and optimized website. 

Namecheap’s .com domain registrar service starts at $0.98 for the first year and then $13.98 per year thereafter. This means that your website domain costs less than $1 per month for the first year. Furthermore, Namecheap’s cheapest shared hosting plan starts at $1.88 per month for the first year and then increases to $3.98 per month thereafter. 

The cheapest shared hosting plan, called Stellar, offers 20GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth, and allows you to host three different websites. For just under $2 a month, this amount of value for the price is unbeatable. 

Who Namecheap is Best For 

Companies of all types of sizes and industries use Namecheap to host their domains. This is because Namecheap offers plans for every type of business. However, Namecheap is exceedingly popular among small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups. Namecheap makes it easy to get your website up and running without needing any previous website experience.

Pricing 

Namecheap’s domain pricing varies based on what type of domain (.com, .net, etc.) you purchase and the length of your subscription. However, .com domains start at $0.98 for the first year if you subscribe for one year and .net domains start at $9.98 for the first year. Namecheap’s shared hosting plans range from $1.88 to $4.98 for the first year and $3.88 to $9.88 thereafter if you choose an annual subscription.

Here’s the pricing chart for Namecheap’s shared hosting plans.

Namecheap logo

Plan

Stellar

Stellar Plus

Stellar Business

Price

$1.88 per month for the first year, then $3.88 per month

$2.98 per month for the first year, then $5.88 per month

$4.98 per month for the first year, then $5.88 per month

Disk Space

20 GB SSD

Unmetered SSD

Unmetered SSD

Bandwidth

Unmetered

Unmetered

Unmetered

Hosted Domains

3

Unlimited

Unlimited

Backups

Twice a week

Twice a week & Autobackup

Twice a week, Autobackup, and Cloud Storage

Email Accounts

30

Unlimited

Unlimited

Personal Nameservers

No

No

Yes

Namecheap Review: Features

NameCheap offers all the standard features you want in a comprehensive web hosting provider. From ample storage space and unmetered bandwidth to free backups and inexpensive pricing, NameCheap will satisfy your business’s needs. Let’s take a closer look at what separates NameCheap from its competitors.

Feature-Rich Basic Plan

For $1.88 per month on the Stellar plan, you get access to 20GB storage space, unmetered bandwidth, and free backups twice a week. These are more than enough features to get your small business’s website active and fully functional. 

Furthermore, Stellar Plus and Stellar Business are only slightly more expensive than Stellar. As your business grows, you can easily and affordably upgrade your plan if needed. Having the option to upgrade your plan to access more sophisticated features is a necessity in a web hosting provider.

Ease of Use

As far as ease of use is concerned, Namecheap is straightforward and simple to use. In our Namecheap review, we found it uses a combination of its native management panel and cPanel. Both dashboards are uncluttered and easy to understand. For this reason, Namecheap is an excellent domain name registrar and web hosting provider for beginners.

Namecheap also offers access to a website builder on all of its hosting packages. This website builder features over 200 templates to help you find the perfect setup for your new website. Although the templates are not as modern as professionally designed contemporary websites, they give you a good starting point to get your website running.

In essence, Namecheap is easy to use for both beginners and veterans. Its clean dashboard and cPanel access remove all the challenges of learning how to use a website hosting provider.

Free Domain and Migration

If your website is currently hosted on another domain, Namecheap offers free migration from your current host to Namecheap. Namecheap guarantees a complete cPanel migration in less than 24 hours and only up to 15 minutes of downtime on your website. This ensures your customers still have access to your website as you migrate hosts.

Namecheap also offers a 61% discount on .com domains if you purchase a Stellar Plus or Stellar Business shared hosting plan. These discounts also apply to .co, .live, and .shop domains.

Website Speed and Reliability

Your website’s load time heavily impacts the user experience for your site visitors. Namecheap guarantees a 100% uptime with its shared and dedicated server plans and 99.99% uptime on its reseller and VPS hosting plans. This means you never have to worry about your website going down when you sign up for Namecheap hosting.

Furthermore, Namecheap offers excellent website loading speeds comparable with similar plans from other hosting providers. Since Namecheap is affordable and offers fast load speeds, it’s one of the best web hosts for small businesses. 

Customer Support

Namecheap offers 24/7 customer support to help you out whenever you need. Although Namecheap doesn’t offer a live call center, it does offer a live chat system with real customer service representatives. 

You can submit a support ticket at any time, and Namecheap will connect you with a live customer support agent via live chat. Then, the agent will thoroughly answer your questions and offer as much guidance as possible.

If the agent cannot solve your issue, they will forward the problem to somebody else who can provide a solution. You will then receive an email from the representative with the answer to your question.

Alternatives to Namecheap

If you’ve read through this Namecheap review and you’re still not sure about using Namecheap, let’s compare it to a few alternatives.

Bluehost is another popular domain name registrar and hosting provider. Similar to Namecheap, this web host offers affordable packages and a complete website creation process from start to finish.

Who Should Use Bluehost

Bluehost is the best web hosting provider for complete beginners. This company offers an easy setup process, excellent performance, and great pricing plans for every type of business. Read our Bluehost review to learn more about its features and pricing.

How Does Bluehost Compare to Namecheap?

Bluehost stands out because it offers specialized ecommerce hosting solutions as well as website hosting and domain name registration. 

Pricing

Bluehost has four different shared hosting pricing packages:

  • Basic: $2.95/month for the first year, then $9.99/month 
  • Plus: $5.45/month for the first year, then $13.99/month
  • Choice Plus: $5.45/month for the first year, then $19.99/month
  • Pro: $13.95/month for the first year, then $28.99/month
  • Affordable domain names and shared hosting packages
  • Lots of storage space
  • Ecommerce integration
  • Obnoxious marketing upsells
  • Speed needs improvement at times
  • Limited features on entry-level plans

HostGator is a beginner-friendly web hosting provider that offers a free domain for one year when you register. Even though HostGator provides domain registration services, this platform focuses on web hosting

Who Should Use HostGator

Although HostGator offers shared hosting plans, this platform is best suited for midsize to larger companies that want the best hosting services possible. With HostGator’s VPS or dedicated server hosting, you’ll get access to the fastest website speeds available.

How Does HostGator Compare to Namecheap?

HostGator is unique because it focuses on web hosting first and domain registration second. This company offers an incredible customer support team that helps you succeed when you’re stuck. If you’re interested in their services, check out our in-depth HostGator review to learn more.

Pricing

HostGator offers a variety of pricing packages depending on what type of hosting you want:

  • Shared Web Hosting: $6.95/month to $16.95/month
  • WordPress Hosting: $9.95/month to $91.95/month
  • VPS Hosting: $19.95/month to $149.95/month
  • Dedicated Server Hosting: $189/month to $289/month
  • Unmetered storage space on all plans
  • Unmetered bandwidth on all plans
  • Free email marketing features
  • Bulky dashboard
  • Less affordable than other web hosts
  • Unreliable customer support

Similar to all the other products mentioned above, Ionos also offers domain registration and web hosting services.

Who Should Use Ionos

Ionos is the best web hosting provider if you want the most affordable pricing plan available. Small businesses can use Ionos at a price of $0.50 for the first 12 months and the $10 per month afterward. Read our complete Ionos review to learn more about this service.

How Does Ionos Compare to Namecheap?

What separates Ionos from the pack is its affordability. Along with its low price tag, Ionos provides various hosting options, SSL security, and WordPress and ecommerce integrations.

Pricing

Ionos offers one of the most affordable hosting packages available:

  • Essential: $4/month for 12 months then $6/month
  • Business: $0.50/month for 12 months then $10/month
  • Expert: $8/month for 12 months then $16/month
  • Provides a personal success consultant
  • 30-day money-back policy
  • Extremely affordable
  • Not beginner-friendly
  • No free trial
  • Only the expensive plans offer the quickest load times

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Namecheap Review

Here are a few more questions and answers you may have about the Namecheap review. 

Bottom Line on Namecheap Review

Although the lower price may cause people to be suspicious, Namecheap is one of the best domain name registrars and hosting providers out there. If you’re building a new website for your small business, Namecheap is an excellent solution to get you up and running.

The Best 7 Project Management Software With Time Tracking

Project management software with time tracking illustration

In businesses large or small, it can be difficult to stay on top of everything that’s going on. Having a firm understanding of productivity and budgeting can spell the difference between success and failure. The best project management software with time tracking offers more than just time tracking in real time.

Automating time tracking can help reduce lost productivity and save a company more than $600,000 per year, according to a recent Journeyx study. It also helps speed up time card calculations (and reduce errors, compared to a paper-and-pen method).

Best Project Management Software With Time Tracking

Software

Price

Time reporting

Tracking in real-time

Enables manual to automatic tracking

Integration with other systems

Free to $22.50 per user per month with custom options

Reports on billable hours, overall time

Built-in online time tracking tool

Team members can log hours manually or use an automated timer

Simple, with a long list of apps to integrate with

Free to $24.80 per user per month, custom plans available

Timelog reports by user, date, task, and more

Task timers keep tabs on hours logged while working

Can modify time in a task’s description field

Compatible with most apps, including Github for bug tracking

$22.50 per user monthly for the cloud or a one-time fee of $450 for on-premise setup

Several dashboards for time reporting

Every task has a built-in timer

Timesheets available for entering time manually

Integrates well with popular apps like Google Calendar and features a powerful API

Free to $10 per user per month

Timesheet reports and Gantt charts

Enables manual and automatic tracking

Any time not automatically captured can be recorded later

An abundance of proprietary apps and third-party integrations

Free to $35 with options for high-volume pricing

Timesheets with cost codes for billable work can be exported

Built-in module for tracking time on different projects

Time not tracked in the module can be entered manually

Can use third-party app Zapier for integrations

Flat rate of $50 or $99 per month

Custom time reports of people and projects

Multiple timers available within Timesheets

Track time manually or using timers

Limited integration with Google, Microsoft, and other tools

$8.90 to $15 per user per month, custom options available

Time log reports with several variables

Real-time timers for keeping tabs on hours

Automatically track with timers or enter data later

Limited to Slack, API, Google Drive, and Jira Cloud

Teamwork logo

Teamwork: Best Overall Project Management Software With Time Tracking

Pricing: Free to $22.50 per user per month with custom options

4.8

Teamwork’s time tracking software makes it easy to decipher where project hours are being spent through a plethora of reporting tools. This software is uncomplicated and features an extensive range of project management and human resources tools. Teamwork is ideal for teams that handle billable client work because of its billing and invoicing capabilities.

Why we chose it: Teamwork is the best overall PM software with time tracking because it’s easy to use, has a beautiful design interface, and offers a comprehensive set of features. You can effortlessly track all time spent on a project across multiple tasks and members with Teamwork’s built-in online time tracker.

  • Allows for time tracking in real-time
  • Can set up multiple timers
  • Integrates with many apps
  • Several reporting capabilities
  • No time tracking software available with the free plan
  • Can’t make changes in offline mode
  • Higher learning curve because of all the options available

Pricing: 

Teamwork offers four pricing plans and a 30-day free trial for each plan:

  • Free Forever: $0
  • Deliver: $10/user per month (billed annually) or $12.50/user per month (billed monthly) 
  • Grow: $18/user per month (billed annually) or $22.50/user per month (billed monthly)
  • Scale: Inquire for pricing

Teamwork’s time tracking software is second to none, allowing team members to track hours right within the tasks they are working on. Each user can have multiple active timers open for keeping tabs on hour tracking on several projects simultaneously. Several reporting tools quickly reveal hours spent on individual tasks to help with resource management.

Time management is not available with the free version, requiring you, as a project manager, to spend at least $10 per user per month to access these features. The entire gamut of project management tools only becomes available by paying $22.50 per user, or $18 when billed annually.

With a minimum requirement of three users to use paid versions of the project management software, it may not be cost-effective for startups to use Teamwork. That being said, Teamwork offers a lot of features for small businesses and scales well into medium-sized enterprises and beyond.

Teamwork allows you to create a more transparent process for your clients. Since Teamwork offers you a clear breakdown of how time is spent across client projects, you can provide your clients with better estimates, more accurate billing, and detailed task records. 

You’ll also be able to optimize your time management with Teamwork’s insights and reporting. This gives you a better understanding of how long work really takes so you can better manage your organization’s resources.

In addition to Teamwork’s comprehensive time tracking software, it also offers Gantt charts, resource management, automations, and invoicing for client work. Teamwork is the best project management software with time tracking to use as a collaboration tool for your team. If you want to team up productively and optimize your projects, this software is an excellent solution.

Wrike logo

Wrike: Best Time-Tracking PM Software for Consultants

Pricing: Free to $24.80 per user per month, custom plans available

4.4

Wrike is an industry-leading enterprise-level project management software that helps businesses accomplish their goals. Doubling as a collaboration platform, Wrike is a flexible hub that allows your team to work together seamlessly. This software offers many advanced features such as Project Risk Prediction, Document Processing, and Smart Replies. 

Why we chose it: Wrike’s user roles allow you to limit what outside parties can see, making it a potent tool for consultants. Your agency teams will still benefit from time features if you can shell out for the Business Plan. Read the ultimate Wrike review here.

  • Great for consulting
  • Timers built into tasks
  • Detailed time reporting
  • Multiple integration options
  • Steeper learning curve
  • Options for time tracking are only available at the top tier
  • Automation features difficult to implement

Pricing:

Wrike offers one free plan and three paid plans:

  • Free: $0/user per month
  • Professional: $9.80/user per month
  • Business: $24.80/user per month
  • Enterprise: Inquire for pricing

Wrike’s plans are well designed to scale with your business from the ground level with a free version for unlimited users. Unfortunately, Wrike doesn’t offer any free time tracking software and requires its Business Plan at $24.80 per user per month to obtain these features. With a minimum requirement of five users, Write isn’t friendly to startups.

At the Business level, Wrike offers a timer for all users except collaborators. Keeping outsiders away from your time management tools makes the platform a candidate for the best PM software for consultants

Options for keeping track of time are located right within each task. Wrike’s iOS and Android apps share this functionality, making it stand out among in-house and remote teams alike. The Timelog section is set up for running reports based on the criteria you need.

Wrike allows you to showcase your team’s true value with its online employee time tracking software. With the software, your team can automatically log worked hours, create and lock timesheets, and focus on billable hours. This advanced software improves your task visibility and project processes to avoid delays and maximize productivity.

Celoxis logo

Celoxis: Best Project Management Software With Time Tracking for Customization

Pricing: $22.50 per user monthly for the cloud or a one-time fee of $450 for on-premise setup

4.35

Celoxis is a strong contender for the best project management software with time tracking because of the value it provides. This software is ideal for medium and large businesses that benefit from customizing their project management tools for optimal team collaboration and productivity. 

Why we chose it: Celoxis features nearly unlimited customization opportunities for project managers to track time across ongoing work.

  • A majority of the site can be customized
  • Features a powerful API tool for custom apps
  • Can invoice based on user or time code
  • Robust resource management
  • No free version
  • Task analysis is limited to Gantt charts
  • Interface can be heavy for smaller teams

Pricing: 

Celoxis offers a cloud plan and an on premise plan that includes a physical server:

  • Cloud: $25/user per month (billed monthly) or $22.50/user per month (billed annually)
  • On Premise: $450/user billed once

Celoxis is somewhat unique in that it does not have a free plan. Instead, the project management software offers a $22.50 per user per month plan if you want to work off the cloud or a one-time $450 fee for setting up a physical server. Neither option speaks well to startups or some smaller businesses.

Looking beyond pricing, Celoxis has reliable time tracking software that gives others a run for their money. With a few clicks, you can add project budgets right alongside time tracking features for easy expense tracking.

Celoxis allows you to easily track time, costs, and billing with its integrated timesheets and expense module. The software features built-in timers, automatic reminders, multi-level approvals, and customizable policies.

Almost every facet of Celoxis is customizable, allowing you the opportunity to construct time management tools as you see fit. If you’re knowledgeable enough, you can build custom apps with the included API to get the most out of your project planning.

Zoho Projects logo

Zoho Projects: Best Time-Tracking PM Software for Small Budgets

Pricing: Free to $10 per user per month

4.25

Zoho Projects is balanced PM management software with time tracking that’s exceedingly useful for small and growing businesses that don’t have massive budgets. This software features all the crucial tools needed to effectively manage projects. These include timesheets, Gantt charts, and basic resource management tools.

Why we chose it: Zoho Project’s budget price point makes it easy to hit the ground running. Its clean user interface provides the means to manage projects and other tasks from one convenient location.

  • Budget-friendly price points
  • Clean and intuitive user interface
  • Timesheets for locating bottlenecks
  • Lacks depth of features
  • Weak free plan
  • Unreliable search function

Pricing: 

Zoho Project offers one free plan two paid plans that come with a 10-day free trial:

  • Free: $0 (up to three users)
  • Premium: $5/user per month (up to 50 users)
  • Enterprise: $10/user per month (no user limit)

While Zoho Projects doesn’t have free time tracking software, it offers the next best thing. Its large number of time management tools become available for just $5 per user per month. With all features unlocked at the $10 per user price point, Zoho Projects is one of the best cheap project management software options out there.

Zoho Projects lays project time tracking out in an intuitive interface that helps project managers see what they need at a glance. This timesheet is perfect for keeping track of potential bottlenecks that may slow things down in the future.

The employee time tracking software allows you to record every minute spent working on a task. This hassle-free time tracking is accomplished with timesheets and task timers. Each project is equipped with a timesheet where team members can log their task hours. 

Employees can start task timers to log automatically, pause timers when they take breaks, and end the timer to create a new timesheet entry. Afterward, managers can review each timesheet entry and decide to approve or reject them. 

Furthermore, you can integrate Zoho Books or Zoho Invoice to record your expenses, create a budget for your project, or turn your timesheets into invoices for payroll purposes and client billing.

Zoho Projects also offers comprehensive timesheet reports that display the exact time spent on each project and the time spent by each team member. Then, you can optimize your resources and improve productivity by comparing planned task hours with actual task hours. Overall, Zoho Projects provides transparency for you and your clients.

Although the free version is lackluster, it’s a great PM software for startups at its low price point. Larger companies may require additional features that other project management solutions have.

LiquidPlanner logo

LiquidPlanner: Best PM Software With Time Tracking for Plan Options

Pricing: Free to $35 with options for high-volume pricing

4.0

LiquidPlanner is a powerful PM management software with time tracking that offers advanced and innovative features. Its predictive scheduling allows a project manager to save time on task management while providing options for task and employee time tracking.

Why we chose it: LiquidPlanner is the best project management software for plan options because it offers three distinct pricing plans for every type of enterprise. 

  • Predictive scheduling
  • Timesheets with budget tools
  • Wide range of plans available
  • Automated module to track time
  • Not a lot of integration tools
  • Challenging to learn how to use
  • The “search” function needs improvement

Pricing: 

LiquidPlanner offers three pricing plans with a 14-day free trial:

  • Essentials: $15/user per month (billed annually) 
  • Professional: $25/user per month (billed annually)
  • Ultimate: $35/user per month (billed annually)

LiquidPlanner has several plans available, and even the free plan contains integrated time tracking capability. Project management features only grow as your company moves to the $15, $25, or $35 per user per month plans.

Predictive scheduling estimates when project work will finish based on a number of factors. Dates update automatically as those factors change, taking a lot of guesswork out of managing projects. The rest of LiquidPlanner is not simple PM software and can take a considerable amount of time to learn.

The free project management software version is nothing to scoff at, allowing for only three users, but perhaps a great entry point for startups. Each other plan allows for unlimited users, and LiquidPlanner even offers volume pricing for larger firms.

With a built-in project time tracker, project managers and users can see how long tasks are taking and adjust team members accordingly. Timesheet reports are available with included budget tracking software, but only at the higher-tier plans.

The time tracking tool is useful to figure out how long each task takes to complete and how much to bill your clients. Your clients and employees can turn on a time-tracking module and run it in their browser as they work. The recorded time is then attached to the task in the project and on a timesheet. 

However, you will have to export the timesheet to a separate billing or invoice system since LiquidPlanner doesn’t include them. 

Proofhub logo

ProofHub: Best PM Software with Time Tracking for Flat Rates

Pricing: Flat rate of $45 or $99 per month

4.0

ProofHub is a straightforward and reliable PM solution that charges a fixed price depending on how many members you have in your organization. This software enables enhanced team collaboration, organization, and project delivery. Along with its time tracking tools, it also offers discussion boards to bring all team and client communication to one central location.

Why we chose it: ProofHub’s monthly flat rate can put time tracking software into the hands of any size enterprise. The project management tools within allow for fast analysis across many projects.

  • Unlimited projects and users for one flat rate
  • Timesheets can be made private
  • Custom time reporting
  • Time estimates for project work
  • Notifications can be overwhelming
  • Limited customization options
  • Calendar feature needs improvement

Pricing: 

ProofHub offers flat-rate pricing depending on how many users you have:

  • 1-5 users: $50/month (billed monthly) or $45/month (billed annually)
  • 6-10 users: $100/month (billed monthly) or $90/month (billed annually)
  • 11-50 users: $150/month (billed monthly) or $135/month (billed annually)
  • 51+ users: Inquire for pricing

ProofHub brings time tracking software to businesses with one flat monthly rate. Limited features with employee time tracking are included in the base package of $50 per month. Upgrading to the Ultimate Plan at $99 per month includes several other tools such as advanced reporting and further customization.

This project management software allows you to build reports on billable and non-billable time by team members. Your team can develop their own timesheets each week or switch between automated timers to track hours spent across different tasks.

There’s also a bird’s eye view for time data that allows for quick employee time tracking on one screen. Time estimates for projects help staff have a better understanding of how long projects should take to help deliver work in a timely fashion.

With ProofHub, you can bring all your time tracking data to one central location using its time management software. You can also export your timesheets and use them for payroll, estimation, time optimization, and client invoicing. 

Like all PM software, ProofHub helps you organize your team and track the status of projects. It enables team collaboration and excels at optimizing projects that include visual materials. However, it doesn’t offer invoicing, budgeting, or resource management tools.

GanttPRO logo

GanttPro: Best Time Tracking PM Software for Gantt Charts

Pricing: $8.90 to $15 per user per month, custom options available

3.9

If your organization utilizes Gantt charts and needs time tracking, GanttPro offers the perfect solution. GanttPro continues to add features and has been gradually improving since its release in 2015. This software offers seamless communication between your team members and is suited for organizations working on complex projects.

Why we chose it: GanttPro may be named for its Gantt charting capabilities but includes the ability for users to track time with a click.

  • Timers are located within each task
  • Excellent Gantt charts
  • Priced well for companies of any size
  • Can customize and export time reports
  • Must buy licenses in increments of five
  • Limited integrations
  • Need to manually change task end dates

Pricing: 

GanttPro offers three paid plans and no free plans:

  • Individual: $15/user per month (billed annually)
  • Team: $8.90/user per month (billed annually)
  • Enterprise: Inquire for pricing

Gantt charting is GanttPro’s star player and incorporates the tools you’ll need to succeed. The project management software does not limit itself, providing other views for project managers who don’t want to see boxes all day.

In GanttPro, each task has a time tracking tool contained within. Multiple users can record hours logged, and a time log report allows you to gather this information together. You can further add dates and comments and export the data to your hard drive.

GanttPro’s time log report allows you to view all of your time tracking information from one convenient location. You can then customize the data with help of intuitive filters and grouping options. 

The time tracking app offers a solo plan for $15 monthly if you’re a lone wolf. Otherwise, you’ll want to grab the team plan at $8.90 per person monthly. It’s worth noting that GanttPro requires you to buy licenses in multiples of five. There are no free versions available. This should scale well with most businesses, but you’ll be paying more than necessary unless your team size is a factor of five.

GanttPro is ideal for smaller teams looking for low-cost project management software with time tracking and comprehensive Gantt charts.

Methodology for the Best Project Management Software With Time Tracking

We considered a variety of factors to choose the best PM software with time tracking. Obviously, we focused on time tracking features, but there’s more to project management software than time tracking capability.

Time tracking software brings a lot to the table, so consider the features most valuable to your team. Look into a time tracking device, timesheets, integrations, reports, and billing. You should also consider how easy the software is to use and how much it costs, either monthly or annually.

User-Friendliness

Your users won’t be inclined to use clunky software that’s too much of a challenge to figure out. No one wants to spend non-billable time trying to turn on a timer or pull up a report. Easy-to-use software allows your team to continue being efficient and get back to the task at hand.

Costs and Fees

We’d be lying if we said costs and fees aren’t important when picking out project management software. Most software platforms charge per user, so prices can escalate quickly. They also tend to have different tiers that increase in features as your business grows. Ensure the plan you’re looking at meets your budget needs and has the time tracking software you’re looking for.

Will It Suit Your Team Size?

Some project management software requires a minimum amount of users and may not jive with startups. On the flip side, certain plans have a user cap, so plan accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Project Management Software With Time Tracking

Below are some of the most popular questions surrounding time management software.

Bottom Line on Project Management Software With Time Tracking

Time tracking software is an essential piece of project management if you’re looking to maximize your efficiency and your team’s. You’ll be able to monitor which projects your users are working on and see which areas are falling behind. 

Microsoft Project vs Wrike: Who Wins?

Microsoft has been supplying business software for decades, and its weight of experience is hard to overcome. Wrike is one of the best of the new approaches: project management as work management. Microsoft Project offers a robust toolset, but in a battle between Microsoft vs Wrike, it’s Wrike that could be a better choice for small businesses that need flexibility and customization.

Microsoft Project logo

Microsoft Project: Best for Larger Enterprises

Microsoft Project is a dynamic project management software solution that has all the tools you’d expect as well as a few advanced features that are suited towards larger companies. This software is geared toward users who are experts in project management and work for a big enterprise. 

Since it’s made by Microsoft, you’ll probably want to be a user of the Microsoft family. Products like Word, Excel, Dynamics, and Teams integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Project. Microsoft Project offers tools for project planning and scheduling. It also offers views for Gantt charts, grids, and boards as well as task, time, and team management tools.

  • Robust tools suited for larger enterprises
  • Smooth integration with other Microsoft products
  • Easy time and task progress tracking
  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited integrations with third-party apps
  • Unreliable customer support at times

Pricing

  • Project Plan 1: $10/user per month
  • Project Plan 3: $30/user per month
  • Project Plan 5: $55/user per month
Wrike logo

Wrike: Best for Flexibility and Customization

Although there are many project management solutions available, Wrike stands out for its easy to navigate UI, accurate time tracking, and specialized feature sets catered towards your specific business. Wrike can fit into any type of business because of its customizability. 

From startups and entrepreneurs to remote teams and established enterprises, Wrike is used as one of the most versatile project management software. However, we recommend chatting with a sales rep from Wrike before purchasing. Wrike offers a lot of different features with sliding scale pricing and additional add-ons, so speaking with a rep ensures you get the best plan. Read the complete Wrike review to learn more about it.

  • Specialized packages for services, marketing, and creative teams
  • Extensive time tracking features that allow time tracking within tasks
  • Offers an analytical tool which automatically generates charts
  • More expensive than other PM software options
  • Difficult to choose the correct plan without assistance from Wrike’s team
  • Cannot add a priority to tasks

Pricing

  • Professional plan: $9.80/user per month
  • Business plan: $24.50/user per month
  • Enterprise plan: Inquire for price
  • Enterprise Pinnacle plan: Inquire for price

Microsft Project vs Wrike: Pricing & Features Comparison

The first thing you’ll notice when comparing the price of Wrike vs Microsoft Project is that one has a free plan. Wrike’s free account comes with many nice features, which include unlimited users, task management, and a couple of helpful views. However, most of the sophisticated project management features users are looking for require a paid subscription.

In those terms, the costs are actually comparable, though Microsoft Project is slightly more expensive. 

Key Features

Pricing

Paid plans start at $10 per member / month

Free Plan + Paid Plans start at $9.80 per member / month

Team Management

Multiple views to track team status and collaboration

View project organization with Gantt charts and task assignments

Project Delivery Management

Tools for estimating and managing workload across multiple projects

Hit every goal with Kanban board software

Risk Management

Offers issue tracking and risk management tools

Offers AI-driven assessment of project health

Reporting

Integrates reporting with other Microsoft Suite tools like Excel

Analytics tool for real-time updates and reports on projects

Finance Management

Timesheet submission features

Offers easy-to-use billing software

Collaboration and Communication

Work together on projects with Microsoft Teams

Can easily send messages across entire teams or to individual colleagues

Integration With Other Apps

Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Suite products

400+ app integrations with leading software providers

Usability

Can access on any device

Powerful customization but has a learning curve

Support

Multiple support options and Q&A section

Multiple support options and many resources

Privacy

Uses highly encrypted cloud-service technology

Offers enterprise-grade security

Winner: Tie. The prices are actually fairly close and Wrike’s pricing structure has a number of potential add-ons, making things complicated.

Team Management Breakdown

Team management is an area where both of these options shine, though in ways that highlight their different approaches. Both offer a number of familiar project scheduling tools, including Gantt charts and the option to set up a Workload view. As a result, both enable sophisticated resource management, allowing the optimal allocation of team members’ time and resources. The two options also include time tracking.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project offers a project management tool for HR managers at a brick-and-mortar company, as well as others like automatic resource leveling. You can also add notes to tasks or projects.

Wrike

Wrike puts a bigger emphasis on the team collaboration aspect, with free messaging and file sharing. Wrike also has the Stream widget, which provides an update on everything that is going on.

Winner: Wrike. Your mileage may vary, depending on your needs. While Microsoft Project is great for the admin side of things, Wrike offers more tools for herding cats or your project team. 

Project Delivery Management Breakdown – Microsoft Project vs Wrike

We’ve mentioned that both Wrike and Microsoft Project are PM software with time and task tracking, enabling efficient project delivery. Both platforms are candidates for the best project management software with project tracking. 

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project has tools for estimating workload, along with tools for weighing multiple projects. Additionally, there are several different versions of Microsoft Project with different options. Project Online includes a project board option for Kanban-style management of project tasks. Other versions have other tools.

Wrike

With Wrike, you can create tasks and turn them into milestones, which can be translated into attractive reports with the Analytics tool. You can also set up custom workflows without needing other software.

Winner: Wrike. While Microsoft Project has some portfolio management options, Wrike offers more native tools for shepherding projects to completion. 

Methodology Suitability Breakdown

Every project manager knows the project management phases to follow, regardless of which methodology they follow. Microsoft is credited with an influence on early Agile project management. However, when it comes to Wrike vs Microsoft Project, there’s no question which is friendlier to Agile methods. Let’s discuss how Microsoft Project vs Wrike differ in terms of methodology suitability. 

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project does offer some tools for Agile methods, like the Board tool we’ve already mentioned. Additionally, you can create burndown charts fairly easily. However, Microsoft Project again leaves much of Agile to other MS software, like Teams

Wrike

Wrike’s work OS approach to project management, on the other hand, is a bit kinder to an Agile philosophy. One of the basic views available in even the free tier is the Board, which is basically a Kanban board with tasks sorted by status. 

Winner: Wrike. Microsoft Project suffers from spreading features out among several apps. There are some advantages to that, but in terms of a single piece of software, Wrike offers more. 

Risk Management Breakdown – Microsoft Project vs Wrike

Risk management is the act of identifying and managing threats that can threaten your organization. Project management software can prevent errors by ensuring every aspect of the project is running according to plan.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project has a tailored project management tool for both issue tracking and risk management. It allows you to add issues to projects or tasks, along with notes. Additionally, with portfolio management you can compare different scenarios to identify less risky options.

Wrike

Wrike, on the other hand, doesn’t have any specific issue tracking tools. It is possible to use other tools, like Request Forms, to create an issue tracker, however. Additionally, Wrike offers an AI-driven assessment of project health.

Winner: Microsoft Project. Risk management is precisely the sort of administrative task that Microsoft Project does really well.

Reporting Breakdown

While meetings have become a byword for wasted time in many teams, effective presentations are one of the most important tools in a project manager’s toolbox. It keeps team members informed and stakeholders up-to-date. As a result, easy-to-read reports are an important aspect of project management software.

Microsoft Project

There is a range of reporting options with Microsoft Project, particularly some that we’ve already mentioned in regards to resource management like workload. Microsoft wants you to use the Office 365 package, however, which means many options are reserved for Excel, Power BI, and other software.

Wrike

For Wrike, you’ll want to head to the Analytics tool for real-time reports. It will take data from projects like the progress of tasks and workload, then turn it into charts that can be easily read. It becomes easy-to-process information and makes decisions regarding resources. Note that Analytics isn’t free, unfortunately, and is only available for Business and above plans.

Winner: Tie. Microsoft Project leaves many reporting tools for other apps, but they’re also unavailable for all but the most expensive tiers of Wrike. It ends up being a wash.

Finance Management Breakdown – Wrike vs MS Project

Money matters are a central concern to any company, of course, and project management requires close monitoring of the bottom line.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project enables project managers to manage costs in a number of ways, including billing and invoicing. It’s also possible to use other advanced features to predict expenses in the future, and reports will detail workload and other various aspects. 

Wrike

Wrike users will find fewer tools. Many businesses have separate financial software, so it’s not unusual for the work OS style of project management software to leave those functions out. Instead, Wrike integrates with a lot of common financial software.

Winner: Microsoft Project. Microsoft simply offers more tools, though Wrike’s setup might be more convenient for some folks. 

Collaboration and Communication Breakdown

Collaboration tools have become a focus of some project management software, particularly the work OS style.

Microsoft Project

As we’ve said, Microsoft users will find that most of those options may be found in other MS products, leaving them out of that trend to some extent.

Wrike

Wrike, on the other hand, is packed with tools for staying in touch with your team. You can send messages to teams, projects, or whole companies. You can also get notifications sent to your business email, or, if you use the mobile app, get notifications in real-time.

Winner: Wrike. There’s no question that Wrike has more built-in tools for collaboration.

Integration With Other Apps Breakdown

Sometimes you need more project management tools that aren’t included in base packages. Seamless access to information in other software is an important consideration, as it can really make life easier and save a lot of money. Both systems have a lot of free integrations, as well as some additional options users can add at an additional cost.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project is, of course, part of Microsoft Office 365. It integrates with those tools so that you can send updates of tasks to your team using Outlook, for example. The process for that is supposed to be seamless and easy to set up, particularly as most people are somewhat familiar with Microsoft products.

Wrike

Wrike also has a long list of integrations, including many Microsoft products. Integrations are limited at the Free and Professional tiers. There are also some options that require an additional cost.

Winner: Tie. Comparing Wrike vs Microsoft Project, they may be most similar in the integration options. There are a range of possibilities, but the most useful ones cost more.

Usability Breakdown

Each new user will have a different experience. Additionally, Microsoft Project has both an online version and a desktop client, with a different set of options for each. It can be tough to compare usability, as a result.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project tends to put focus on Gantt charts as the main tool for tracking task organization and progress. On every platform, including iPhone, Android, and desktop, notes can be added to tasks. There are also specific tools to help HR, resource management, and other departments.

Wrike

A new user on Wrike might have an easier time, with tutorials and more. It’s easy to create your first project and get to work, whether you’re working with a team or keeping track of a couple of side businesses for yourself. If you do have team members, it will be easy to stay in touch. 

Winner: Tie. User reviews for Microsoft software are often uncomplimentary, but realistically, most people are familiar with the approach. On the other hand, while no one would call Wrike simple project management software, it is fairly intuitive. In either case, it might be possible to just sit down and start working.

Support Breakdown

Depending on which industry you operate in, you may need specialized support to make the most of the PM software. Without proper support, it will be difficult to optimize your usage of the project management tools.

Microsoft Project

Support options for Microsoft Project are quite varied. Microsoft offers a certain amount of free support, though a business will probably want to pay for a support plan for their software. Beyond Microsoft’s offerings, there are contractors who specialize in those products, as well as a range of other sources.

Wrike

Wrike offers access to a range of support options that have become standard for online project management platforms. In addition to tutorials, there are lots of help documents, walkthroughs, a help request form for Wrike’s team, and more. Priority support is an add-on to a more expensive account. 

Winner: Tie. Whether Wrike, Microsoft Project, or another platform, adequate support is always difficult to find. Neither has quite got it right, but there are options to guide you in the right direction.

Privacy Breakdown

You can find a commitment to privacy on the website of either company. Both companies also meet requirements for data security and privacy. In essence, your important project data is safe with Wrike and Microsoft Project. Both also offer some additional security options, including things like two-factor authentication, and encryption keys. 

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project ensures your data and information is safe with its highly secure and encrypted cloud-service technology.

Wrike

Since its inception, Wrike has made privacy a top priority. Wrike offers enterprise-grade security with a strategy that focuses on five categories: physical, network, system, application, and people. 

Winner: Tie. Your data should be safe with either option. Additional security costs more for either option.

Customer Service

It’s important that your project management software offers consistently reliable customer support. When emergency situations present themselves, you’ll want to be able to reach a representative through chat, email, or phone communication.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project offers a comprehensive set of resources through its Project Support section. You can find answers to commonly asked questions about each of the Project plans. There’s also a blog where community members can ask each other questions. Microsoft’s customer service team is also available for a live chat or phone call Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM central time.

Wrike

Wrike offers a help center that provides interactive training videos and a community forum. It also has a knowledge base that walks you through common problems users have using the software. You can also submit a ticket with your questions and wait for a response from a customer service agent.

Winner: Tie. Both options offer standard customer service options without one rising above the other. 

Customer Reviews

Microsoft Project and Wrike have mostly positive customer reviews. However, this doesn’t mean that users face challenges when using both project management solutions. Both MS Project and Wrike have steeper learning curves than other solutions and a lack of 24/7 customer support.

Microsoft Project Customer Reviews

Most users report an outstanding experience using Microsoft Project. They enjoy MS Project’s integration feature and ability to manage multiple projects for a large enterprise. However, they say that Microsoft Project is optimal for advanced users with complicated projects or large organizations. Microsoft Project has received a G2 rating of 4.0 out of 5.

Wrike Customer Reviews

Wrike users enjoy the platform’s scheduling management and tracking capabilities. The main issues users have is the software’s inability to manage project-related communication. However, customers state that Wrike is user-friendly and offers robust reporting features. Wrike has a 4.2 out of 5 rating on G2.

Winner: Tie. With only 0.2 points separating their ratings on G2, the reviews for both options are similar. Both PM solutions have mostly positive reviews along with slight criticisms.

Alternatives to MS Project vs Wrike

Since there are so many project management software available, it’s important you understand all of your options. If you’re on a budget, you may want to try free project management software first. The three alternatives we cover below may be a better fit for you than MS Project or Wrike.

When to use it

GanttPro is a project management solution that offers an intuitive web-based interface that’s ideal for small and midsize businesses. You can plan your project timelines, enable employees to collaborate, and oversee tasks, resources and team members with GanttPRO.

  • Easy to use interface
  • Simple and affordable pricing structure
  • Ability to save and return to previous project versions
  • Limited reporting options
  • Only integrates with Google, Jira, Slack, and an API
  • No free tier

Pricing

  • Individual: $15.00/user per month
  • Team: $8.90/user per month
  • Enterprise: Inquire for price

When to use it

Zoho Projects is an efficient project management solution for small businesses. It offers robust project scheduling and budgeting features that keep your business running smoothly. This project management software also lets you automate revision tracking and resolve errors in project tasks with its issue management capabilities.

  • Affordable packages
  • Mobile app included
  • Third-party integrations
  • Lacks a few enterprise-level features
  • You must custom build project templates
  • Abnormal resource management view

Pricing

  • Free: $0 
  • Premium: $5.00/user per month
  • Enterprise: $10.00/user per month

When to use it

ClickUp is a comprehensive project management suite that manages every aspect of your business. Used by enterprises of any size, ClickUp enables efficiency and automation within your organization. This project management software offers visual widgets which include tasks, statuses, time tracking, and documents.  Read our ultimate ClickUp review to know more.

  • Rich and intuitive functionality
  • Easy to use user interface
  • Cost-effective pricing
  • Steep learning curve for its advanced features
  • Pay per workspace or project
  • Limited features on free tier

Pricing

  • Free Forever: $0
  • Unlimited: $5/user per month
  • Business: $12/user per month
  • Business Plus: $19/user per month
  • Enterprise: Inquire for price

Bottom Line on Microsoft Project vs Wrike

Despite their different approaches, comparing Wrike vs Microsoft Project ends up coming down to a photo finish. However, Wrike pulls ahead in a couple of areas. It provides many of the basic tools MS Project does, like Gantt charts and Workload management. It also helps you keep in contact with your team, collaborate, and track progress, all in one app. The fact that there is a decent free version doesn’t hurt either.

Confluence Review: Pros, Cons, and Ratings

Confluence logo

Project managers often struggle to find the one software that will fill their needs. It’s not uncommon for team leaders to try out one software, only to migrate to another one. In this Confluence review, we analyze the project management software so you can find out if it’s the right fit for your team. 

Screenshot of Confluence homepage
Source: Confluence

Our Verdict

Confluence is a remote-friendly workplace collaboration software that enables teamwork, participation, and knowledge sharing. It keeps track of a team’s discussions, decisions, and information. Confluence serves as a company’s primary knowledge management software tool to organize, capture, and preserve your most important assets.

  • Integrates with major software (Google Docs, Jira, Microsoft Teams)
  • Intuitive user interface
  • Supports simultaneous edits of documents
  • Free version allows the creation of unlimited spaces and pages
  • 75+ page templates all organized according to team roles
  • Supports data encryption both in transit and at rest
  • No updates in real-time when documents are being edited
  • One standard view of projects
  • Users cannot chat in real-time unless they integrate an app like Slack

Confluence at a Glance 

The primary feature Confluence offers is its collaborative editor. This tool gives you the power to create project plans, meetings notes, and product requirements. Other users can edit the file simultaneously and view all of your changes. 

Other notable features include Confluence’s accelerated feedback loop, collaboration tools, best-practice templates, and organized workspaces. In terms of pricing, Confluence offers four different plans depending on your team’s size and which features you want. 

Confluence is used by all types of functional departments of any team size. From project management groups and marketing teams to HR, legal, and finance, all teams can use Confluence to collaborate and succeed.

Who Confluence is Best For 

Confluence is for teams of any type and size. The software is dynamic and adaptable to optimize the workflow of all teams. From those with critical, high-stakes projects to those that want to build a strong team culture, Confluence is perfect for both teams. Confluence helps your team make quick decisions, engage openly with one another, and align on the same page and direction.

Screenshot of Confluence website homepage- why confluence
Source: Confluence

Pricing 

Confluence is completely free for individuals and teams with under 10 users. Free users have access to many features, including unlimited spaces and pages, page trees, version control, and unlimited files. However, they cannot access page permissions, page archiving for future reference, and insights.

Confluence logo

Plan

Free (up to 10 users)

Standard

Premium

Enterprise

Price

$0

$55/month and $5/user per month

$105/month and $10.50/user per month

Starts at $97,500/year at 801 users

Unlimited spaces and pages

Apps and integrations

Page insights

Analytics

Team Calendars

Atlassian Data Lake

Alongside the free version, Confluence offers the Standard, Premium, and Enterprise plans. The Standard plan costs $5.50 per user monthly, while the Premium plan costs $10.50 per user monthly. They cost $4.58 and $8.75, respectively, when billed annually. The Enterprise plan is customized, billed annually, and begins when you add more than 801 users. You’ll have to contact sales to get an Enterprise pricing plan.

These paid versions of Confluence have access to almost all of the features, but only the Enterprise has the Single Sign-On feature included by default. The Standard plan does not have access to bulk page archiving, page insights, admin insights, testing strategies, and automation.

Confluence offers a seven-day free trial during which you enjoy all the features that come with the plan you chose. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Confluence Features

Team Management

Confluence provides a way for teams to keep track of what everyone is doing. The basic model in Confluence is Spaces and Pages, which create hierarchy lists in terms of priority.

A space is created for a team or a project. In that space, a page is created to describe tasks. Creating a task is simple, almost like writing a post-it note and sticking it up on a board. It involves mentioning a team member, writing their task, and adding the due date. A team member can find their tasks by visiting team pages, their profile, or full task reports.

Confluence has resource filters that help team managers decide who to assign and how much work to assign to them. The filters are teams, users, and roles.

Confluence pages can be personal or public. Team members on a page can see when tasks are assigned to everyone, comment on current projects, and share the company’s documents. Users with the proper permissions can easily update internal documentation. Also, team managers can publish blog posts and create a notification system.

Lightweight Project Management

Confluence is one of many project management tools that does not track time by default, unlike Jira. Instead, the team manager has to install any of the apps in the Confluence marketplace for successful tracking.

The main way to manage projects is to create pages and assign these as tasks to team members with due dates. To map workflows or dependencies, you’ll need to install third-party apps from the Confluence marketplace.

There is only one standard view of pages, but installing macros can present them from slightly different perspectives. To view projects as mind maps, tables, or Gantt charts, install macro functionality from the Confluence marketplace.

Risk & Issue Management

Risk and issue management in Confluence are done by using the Page Properties macro and labels. When you are creating or editing a page, you can use the Page Properties macro to decide if issues are high, medium, or low impact. The macro doesn’t have any custom fields except the Page Properties ID field so that you can label a page to detail potential risks or issues.

Reporting

There is one default Confluence project view—the page view. To be able to view projects in different ways, you have two options. Either build a View page using page properties macros or install a macro from Confluence marketplace. For this reason, Confluence is not the most visual project management software option out there.

Building a view page involves labeling all the pages in your Confluence space and then creating another page that organizes pages using the table functionality according to their labels and page properties. 

Confluence offers users a global dashboard that all team members can see. Team managers can customize the dashboard to show the latest announcements, graphics, Gantt charts (if they have an installed macro), blog posts, and so on. A team admin can even modify the layout of their dashboard, although they lose those modifications and have to reapply them if they upgrade their Confluence plan.

The Confluence dashboard is user-friendly. On the left-hand side is the navigation menu where you move to new updates or assigned work, and on the right is all your project information. It’s not possible to have multiple dashboards, but a team member can select a particular page as their dashboard when they first open the app.

Confluence has a project status report template, but it works in conjunction with Jira. To create a project status report, you must create a new page and select the Status Report template. Embed your Jira Report to fill in the details automatically. If your team doesn’t use Jira, you’ll have to build a new page using the Page Properties macro.

Finance Management

Finances are a critical part of project management. Confluence does not create and send invoices by default, but it does integrate with Jira Core to cover the financial management of a company.

With Jira Core, the financial team manager creates invoices and assigns tasks to those invoices. You can then set the due date and track their progress. 

Jira Core creates financial project reports in tabular forms. There are also budgeting apps available in the Confluence app store.

Communication and Collaboration Platform

Screenshot of Confluence communication and collaboration feature
Source: Confluence

It’s easy to drag and drop files on the same page in Confluence. While adding a file to a Confluence page, you decide who to share the file with. All team members who have access can view and download them. 

In Confluence, files are versioned so that you can see all the steps taken in each file. The default file size limit is 100MB, but the limit can be modified.

For all the Docs articles and Word files used, team members can view, edit, or comment directly in those files. For image files and PDF file types, users must comment on the Confluence page they’re attached to. A good benefit of the software is that multiple users can work simultaneously on the same files.

The only default chat feature is the comment option on pages. For real-time communication, Confluence integrates with apps like Slack and Google Hangouts.

Confluence also integrates with Zoom for video conferencing. You can embed Zoom links in Confluence pages so that team members can join meetings or watch recordings.

Team managers control permissions to decide who gets added to a page, who is assigned a particular task, and who can edit a file. You can invite guests or clients to take a look at certain projects in your Confluence space, and they will have limited access to information. For instance, they can’t search for users or mention someone in the comments on the same page.

Confluence is web-based, but there are free mobile apps for Android and iOS. There is no native PC application, but you can use Confluence FX to install a desktop app.

Integration With Other Apps

Screenshot of Confluence integration options
Source: Confluence

One of the reasons Confluence stands out from other collaboration tools is the deep integration opportunities. Integrating with many apps is important because it increases customization abilities, making the software the only app a team needs to run a project from start to finish.

The first option is Jira—Confluence was originally built for Jira teams. Confluence also features integration with Google apps and multiple MS software like Office 365, and Scroll Word Exporter. It works with Gliffy and Draw.io for charts and diagrams, and other apps that Confluence integrates with include Google Analytics, Command Line Interface, Advanced Tables, Presenter, Trello, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Polls, and Asana.

Artificial Intelligence

Confluence has several AI-powered tools that automate the ordinary tasks of users. One example is the smart search functionality, a search engine AI that improves searching algorithms within Confluence to achieve accurate search results. 

Another is the intelligent filter feature. It decides, based on past activity, which filters a user is more likely to select. According to Atlassian, users choose to use these filters 89% of the time.

Usability

Confluence is intuitive, and the web interface is easy to navigate. A user can see what tasks are assigned to them, and the availability of so many documentation templates allows a user to create a page tailored to their role.

Templates available on Confluence
Source: Confluence

However, new users have a steep learning curve to fully understand creating pages, installing macros, and assigning tasks. For users who have no coding experience, some training and box solutions may be required.

Luckily, Confluence has an in-depth guide and solution documentation. There are hundreds of help articles that detail everything you need to know about managing teams on the software. There’s also a forum where people ask questions, and approved Confluence moderators or fellow users answer them, and a YouTube channel with tutorials.

Support 

Confluence offers a variety of customer support options—a huge library of knowledge base, email support, community support, 24/7 phone, and live chat services. 

Free users have access to just the community, and Standard plan users can only reach customer support during business hours. Premium and Enterprise users have 24/7 access to more complex support.

Privacy

Confluence is GDPR compliant and respects your data and privacy. Your data is secure with data encryption and password policies for all users of the platform, free ones included. The SSO and SCIM policies make the platform extra-secure, but only Enterprise users have included access to these policies; other plans have to pay to subscribe.

Methodology Suitability

Confluence is a fairly cheap project management software that uses the Agile methodology. In particular, it operates the Scrum framework. This is because Jira operates using Scrum, and Confluence was initially built for software development teams.

The most basic features on offer, such as project plans, meeting notes, knowledge bases, and endless templates, make Confluence an ideal workspace for an agile team.

Alternatives to Confluence

Other tools and web-based project management apps similar to Confluence include:

What the product is

ClickUp is a comprehensive project management suite. It allows you to track project progress at a glance, create custom workflows, and view a visual representation of workloads.

Who the product is best for

Teams of all sizes use ClickUp, from startups and small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. It helps to organize your team’s tasks and optimizes project management.

How it compares to the product being featured here

ClickUp is a multi-functional platform that has project management and team collaboration capabilities. ClickUp’s free version is more comprehensive than Confluence’s.

Pricing

  • Free Forever: Free
  • Unlimited: $9 per user/month ($5 if billed annually)
  • Business: $19 per user/month ($12 if billed annually)
  • Business Plus: $29 per user/month ($19 if billed annually)
  • Enterprise: Contact sales department of ClickUp
  • Unlimited tasks and members even on the free tier
  • 30-day satisfaction guarantee
  • Two-factor security on all tiers
  • API for wide customization
  • Some useful integrations not available on the free tier
  • Pay per workspace or project

What the product is

Asana is a web and mobile application that helps teams track, organize, and manage their work. It used a Kanban-style list-making 

Who the product is best for

Asana has a broad feature set and is ideal for small teams following agile project management. It offers several management styles such as task lists, Gantt charts, and Kanban boards.

How it compares to the product being featured here

Asana shouldn’t be confused with a full-scale project management platform like Confluence. This is because Asana doesn’t offer resource management tools.

Pricing

  • Basic: Free
  • Premium: $10.00 per user/month
  • Business: $24.99 per user/month
  • Enterprise: You need to contact Asana
  • Offers workload management
  • Smart project-focused interface
  • Various management features
  • No financial management tools
  • Assigns tasks to one user only
  • Steeper learning curve

What the product is

Trello specializes in organizing tasks into forums. Trello offers an extensive view of who’s working on what, which responsibilities are ongoing, and which tasks are complete. 

Who the product is best for

Smaller teams that are looking for Kanban-style project management. 

How it compares to the product being featured here

Trello is more task-oriented than Confluence. Confluence offers more collaboration and engagement among team members. 

Pricing

  • Free: $0
  • Standard: $5 per user/month
  • Premium: $10 per user/month
  • Enterprise: $17.50 per user/month
  • Very simple to use
  • Visual project progression
  • Easy to onboard new members
  • Offers basic management features
  • No financial management tools
  • Not viable for large projects

What the product is

monday.com is a cloud-based platform that allows companies to create their own applications and work management software.

Who the product is best for

monday.com is ideal for teams who want an evolved version of collaborative spreadsheets. You can imagine monday.com as Google Sheets in the hands of a genius designer. 

How it compares to the product being featured here

monday.com is more similar to Asana and Trello than Confluence in terms of project management capabilities.

Pricing

  • Individual: Free (2 seats maximum)
  • Basic: $6 per seat/month
  • Standard: $10 per seat/month
  • Pro: $22 per seat/month
  • Enterprise: Contact monday.com for pricing
  • Unlimited boards and docs on the free tier
  • Wide range of common integrations
  • Customizable automations
  • Several ways to view info
  • Free tier limited to two users

What the product is

Basecamp is an online collaboration app that allows users to manage their work together and communicate with one another.

Who the product is best for

Basecamp is ideal for teams that need a tool to collaborate and engage with each other.

How it compares to the product being featured here

Basecamp is extremely similar to Confluence because of its focus on communication. However, Confluence also offers more project management tools.

Pricing

  • Personal: Free
  • Business: $99/month
  • Extremely easy to set up 
  • Flat monthly price for unlimited users
  • Supports integration with many apps and services
  • Communications feel slightly siloed
  • Limited reporting functionality
  • No proofing tools

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Confluence Review

Below we answer commonly asked questions about Confluence.

Bottom Line on Confluence Review

Confluence is a solid tool that teams of all sizes can use to work together on projects and internal processes. The number of apps that Confluence integrates with makes it possible to customize forms, dashboards, meeting notes, and pages at great lengths. To get the most out of it, Agile teams may want to use Jira alongside it.

How to Start a Nonprofit Organization in 7 Steps

Office of a nonprofit organization

Once you learn how to start a nonprofit organization, you’ll realize it’s similar to starting any type of business. It takes dedication, patience, and a trustworthy team. Our systematic approach to starting a nonprofit will maximize your chance of success. We understand that starting a nonprofit is a philanthropic act, and we applaud your initiative.

How to Start a Nonprofit in 7 Steps 

A nonprofit organization is a type of business that operates without the intention of making profits for its owners or investors. Instead, nonprofit organizations focus on advancing a social cause or serving the community. 

Due to their virtuous missions, most nonprofit organizations are exempt from federal income taxes and some state taxes. 501c3 nonprofits are the most common type of nonprofits and there are 1.4 million active 501c3 charities in the United States. Furthermore, donors can claim tax deductions for donations to 501c3 organizations.

Step 1: Define the Purpose of Your Nonprofit Organization

As we just mentioned, there are over one million active nonprofit organizations in the United States alone. This means there are likely other nonprofit organizations doing similar work to what you plan on doing with your nonprofit. You can use the National Council of Nonprofits locator tool to find similar organizations.

If your nonprofit organization can’t differentiate itself, it may be hard to secure funding and donations. The first step in starting a nonprofit is to define the purpose of your nonprofit organization and choose the cause you want to support. Then, find proof that your nonprofit fills an unmet need within your community.

Attracting financial support is much easier when you have strong numbers to back up your purpose and idea. To help define the purpose of your nonprofit, follow these steps:

  1. Think about the intended audience you want to serve
  2. Brainstorm your intended solution and the potential value you’ll provide
  3. Research nonprofit organizations that already serve the same demographic and need
  4. Consider alternative solutions such as joining an existing nonprofit, donating to an established nonprofit, or becoming a consultant
  5. Make sure that starting a registered nonprofit is the best way to serve your mission
  6. Double-check that you will be adding value and creating a unique solution to a specific problem

Once you define your nonprofit’s purpose and are completely sure you want to proceed, you can move on to step two.

Step 2: Build Your Nonprofit’s Foundational Values

The next step is to build a sturdy foundation for your nonprofit with defined values and guidelines. A clear mission statement and plan will ensure your organization is well-run and cohesive.

These steps involve:

  • Choosing a name for your nonprofit organization
  • Identify and state the need or problem
  • Formulate and state a solution to that need or problem
  • Define a target audience and population
  • Determine your nonprofit’s vision, mission, and values

Naming Your Nonprofit Organization

At the start, you’ll need to choose a name for your nonprofit. This name should relate to your nonprofit’s main activities and goals. Your nonprofit’s name will act as its primary form of branding and will influence the tone of your organization for many years to come. 

We recommend brainstorming a list of names with your team, friends, or acquaintances. Then, narrow down your list to those that inspire you or are memorable. As you’re thinking of names, remember what your nonprofit stands for and the problem you’re trying to solve. Furthermore, ensure that your nonprofit’s name is easy to remember and say. 

It’s also a good idea to check that the name isn’t already taken and to see if the web domain is available for domain name registration. Your state may require that your nonprofit has a corporate designator, such as Corporation, Incorporated, or Company (Corp., Inc., and Co., respectively). Check with your state’s incorporation page to see the requirements.

Create a Defining Mission Statement

After finalizing your nonprofit’s name, you’ll need to create an everlasting mission statement. Your mission statement will clarify your nonprofit’s purpose and is used to motivate your staff and volunteers.

A well-written and clear mission statement sends a powerful message about what your organization stands for and what you aim to achieve. Make sure it’s unambiguous, concise, and easy to understand. You should also gather feedback on your initial mission statement and continue modifying it based on everyone’s input. 

Avoid using buzzwords, use simple language, and don’t write it as a marketing tagline. Instead, a defining mission statement should help your nonprofit organization attract the right donors and staff. 

Step 3: Create a Comprehensive Business Plan

Creating a comprehensive business plan is essential to ensure your nonprofit organization is prepared and well-equipped to operate for the years to come.

This business plan acts as a blueprint for how your nonprofit will operate, what staff responsibilities will be, and how your nonprofit will achieve its mission. First, let’s discuss the main pieces of a well-defined business plan.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary describes your nonprofit organization’s purpose and mission. It also summarizes your market analysis and proves an identifiable need within your community. Then, you will explain how your nonprofit will meet that need and provide a solution.

2. Programs, Products, and Services

This section provides an in-depth description of the products, programs, and/or services your nonprofit will provide. Describe who the beneficiaries are, what your goals are, and how you plan on achieving them.

3. Marketing Plan

Explain the current trends in your nonprofit’s niche and how you will advertise your nonprofit’s services. Describe the plan on getting your message out while being specific and explaining the exact marketing channels you plan to use.

4. Operating Plan

Define your nonprofit’s organizational structure and what happens in the day-to-day operations. Describe the different roles throughout the organization and what each role aims to achieve. 

5. Impact Plan

Explain the exact change you wish to create in the world. What are the specific objectives you aim to accomplish, and how will you measure your progress?

6. Financial Plan

Your nonprofit organization will succeed or fail based on your financial planning and framework. So, define your financial status and write up a budget. Furthermore, discuss the confirmed income you will receive, potential revenue streams, how much money you need to start, and how much money you need to operate. 

7. Bylaws

Your organization’s bylaws describe the operating rules and provide a framework for management procedures. These are your tools of internal accountability and outline the inner workings of your organization. Bylaws are also required in order to obtain tax-exempt status from the IRS.

The bylaws contain the procedures and rules for activities such as electing directors, holding meetings, appointing officers, and other formalities.

Step 4: Choose Your Board of Directors

Responsible and genuine people are essential to running a successful nonprofit. It would be best to find partners who share the same passion for your mission. Building a robust leadership team in your board of directors is the best way to ensure the longevity of your nonprofit organization.

Your board of directors is responsible for strategic decision making, regulatory compliance, making hires, and supporting day-to-day operations. A well-equipped board of directors will consist of individuals with expertise and resources in different areas.

The board of directors should be evenly split between:

  • Individuals who have expertise in marketing, finances, and legal matters
  • Individuals who are connected to your target demographic and have expertise in your service field
  • Individuals who are comfortable asking their networks for donations

In addition to your nonprofit’s directors, you’ll also need staff and potential volunteers.

Staff Members

You also need to decide if you want to hire staff yourself or leave it to your board of directors. Either way, some essential staff roles include the Communications Manager, Fundraising Manager, Membership Manager, and Events Manager.

Unlike directors, staff members are typically salaried, so it’s important to create a defined job description and requirements list for each role. The exact roles you choose to hire also depend on your nonprofit’s organizational plan and structure. 

Volunteers

Most nonprofits rely on volunteers to run their operations. So it’s important to create volunteer guidelines that determine:

  • How many volunteers your nonprofit will need
  • How much time do you expect volunteers to help on a weekly basis
  • If your volunteers need specific skill sets 
  • If you’re going to train volunteers

Step 5: Incorporate Your Nonprofit Organization

Since you’ve already chosen your nonprofit’s name and board of directors members, completing the incorporation paperwork is straightforward. In your incorporation paperwork, you will declare your organization’s name, purpose, location, and initial board of directors.

Furthermore, you must file your Articles of Incorporation with your state’s corporate filing office. We recommend incorporating your nonprofit in the state where your organization will operate. 

The exact filing and fees differ from state to state, and incorporating a nonprofit doesn’t automatically make it 501c3 tax-exempt. You’ll need to include specific language in your Articles of Incorporation that state your intentions of applying for federal tax-exempt status.

Once you finish the paperwork, you can send it to your state filing office. Some states require electronic filing, while others ask for copies sent via mail. 

While you’re waiting for the state to approve your Articles of Incorporation, you should obtain a federal employer identification number (EIN). An EIN is used to track your organization’s financial activity and allows you to open a business bank account and hire paid staff. Furthermore, every major transaction your nonprofit makes requires an EIN. 

Use a Business Registration Service

Starting a nonprofit organization can be tricky and confusing if you haven’t had any experience before. This is why we recommend using legal help services that can help you incorporate your nonprofit organization and file for federal tax-exempt status. 

Our favorite legal services are Incfile, Legalzoom, and Rocket Lawyer because they have dedicated packages for starting nonprofit organizations. These business registration services will ensure your Articles of Incorporation are filed properly and that you have everything needed to file your tax-exempt request forms. 

Step 6: File for Federal Tax-Exempt Status

After your Articles of Incorporation are approved, the next step is to file for 501c3 tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This involves filing IRS Form 1023.

We recommend filing your Form 1023 within 27 months of the date you file your nonprofit Articles of Incorporation. Form 1023 is up to 28 pages long and can take 3 to 12 months for the IRS to return its decision. 

The form is essentially an audit of your proposed activity and a comprehensive examination of your nonprofit organization’s purpose, planned programs, and governing structure. The IRS will check if your organization is being formed for 501c3 purposes. It’s also looking for potential conflicts of interest.

But before you file your Form 1023, you must have:

  • Filed your Articles of Incorporation
  • Prepared your bylaws
  • Held your first nonprofit organization meeting

The IRS will ask for a thorough description of your nonprofit, most of which you already covered in your business plan. As such, it may be relatively easy to fill out Form 1023.

However, there is also a Form 1023-EZ that is the condensed version of Form 1023. The Form 1023-EZ can be used by organizations with gross receipts of less than $50,000 and less than $250,000 in assets. Check the IRS website to see if you’re eligible. 

Once you receive 501c3 status from the IRS, there is no expiration date. This means your nonprofit will hold its 501c3 status as long as it exists. However, the IRS can revoke the status if it finds you don’t legally comply with its requirements.

Step 7: Secure Startup Funding

Once your organization is officially incorporated, and the IRS approves your 501c3 status, you can start securing funding for your nonprofit organization. Securing funding is the most challenging part of learning how to start a nonprofit but also the most important.

A nonprofit organization with weak funding is unlikely to sustain itself long enough to further its social cause.

Grants

The best way to secure early funding for your nonprofit is by applying for grants. Grants are usually given to nonprofit organizations with a distinct purpose or program. 

It’s essential to find grant programs that align with your mission statement. Furthermore, we recommend researching a variety of different grants and applying to only the ones you meet the requirements.

Writing a grant proposal is time-consuming, so you must choose the grant programs which you can see your nonprofit organization building a relationship with.

Fundraising

Nonprofit organization fundraising consists of soliciting donations from corporate sponsors, and individual donors, and organizing fundraising events. In terms of receiving donations, online giving is growing in popularity because of how convenient it is. 

Donors to your 501c3 nonprofit organization can receive tax deductions on their donations, so it’s important to let them know this detail.

Best Nonprofit Formation Services

Starting a nonprofit organization on your own is time-consuming and complex. We recommend using a nonprofit formation service to ensure the entire process is smooth and error-free. 

Here are our three favorite nonprofit formation service providers.

IncFile is a company formation service that has a wealth of experience forming nonprofit organizations. Apart from being one of the best LLC services, IncFile offers three different nonprofit creation packages depending on how much help you want. Its services are affordable and effective, and we highly recommend creating your nonprofit with IncFile.

  • Affordable packages
  • EIN tax number and IRS Form 2553 assistance
  • Unlimited phone and email support
  • Expedited filing on top package only
  • Business banking account on top package only

LegalZoom is a widely used online business formation and legal help services company. Similar to IncFile, LegalZoom has three different pricing packages and offers complete assistance in creating a nonprofit organization. LegalZoom has helped create over 100,000 nonprofits. Read the complete LegalZoom review to find more about it.

  • Reputable nonprofit organization packages
  • 60-day refund policy
  • Ensures your nonprofit application is complete
  • More expensive than other options
  • Longer filing times

Rocket Lawyer is another legal services provider that can help you create a nonprofit organization with ease. Its team will help you create your bylaws, file for 501c3 status, and help you get in contact with a nonprofit attorney.

  • Direct contact with lawyers
  • Full refund if not satisfied with services
  • Amazing customer service
  • Addons for non-members can get expensive

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for How to Start a Nonprofit

Let’s go over a few common questions individuals ask about how to start a nonprofit organization.

Bottom Line on How to Start a Nonprofit

The secret to how to start a nonprofit organization is to support a cause you’re truly passionate about. Your passion will lead to innovative solutions and a mission statement that many individuals can relate to.

It’s also essential to treat your nonprofit as a real business and to constantly review your business plan and financial statements. To help start your nonprofit, we recommend using a legal service such as IncFile. These services make it easy to file for 501c3 nonprofit status.  

15 Best States For Real Estate (and 5 Worst States)

US map

Whether you want to purchase a home for your family or invest in a commercial or residential property that will appreciate, you must know the best states for real estate. Each state has different growth rates, property prices, and property taxes. Here is a comprehensive list of the best states for real estate in 2023.

1. Idaho

Best states for real estate: Idaho

Idaho is nestled into the northwestern part of the United States and is known for its immaculate natural landscapes and protected wilderness. The total real estate appreciation rate for the last two years is 47.64%. Over the past decade, Idaho has seen a real estate appreciation rate of 162.85%. 

This wildly high appreciation rate is driven by increased demand for real estate in Idaho. With the cost of living 2% lower than the national average and a low mortgage rate of 2.9%, more people are looking at Idaho as a place to move their family or invest in real estate.

Growth has been incredibly phenomenal in these states:

  • Harrison
  • Cataldo
  • Marsing
  • Athol
  • Island Park

Here is a comprehensive list of Idaho real estate statistics:

  • Median home value: $408,004
  • Average market rent: $1,447 per month
  • Occupied housing: 88.1%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 649,299
  • Job growth: 3.25%
  • Population growth: 2.9%

2. Arizona

Arizona

Arizona sits in the southwestern region of the United States and borders California on its west. Arizona’s total real estate appreciation has been 40.29% over the past two years and 27.99% over the past 12 months. As such, Arizona has realized some of the highest real estate appreciation rates in the United States.

Although the cost of living in Arizona is similar to the national average, Arizona features a low mortgage rate. This is why Arizona is one of the most lucrative markets for real estate investors. Furthermore, Arizona experienced the third-fastest recovery in the nation of jobs lost from the pandemic. Forecasters expect over 700,000 new jobs to be added before 2030.

The job growth is an excellent indicator of a growing real estate market because the new workers will need a place to live. The state of Arizona also has exceedingly landlord-friendly jobs. A few cities in Arizona doing better than the state’s average include Chandler, Oro Valley, Gilbert, Tucson, and Flagstaff.

Here is a list of relevant Arizona real estate statistics:

  • Median home value: $365,573
  • Average market rent: $1,919 per month
  • Occupied housing: 86.9%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 2,643,430
  • Job growth: 3.1%
  • Population growth: 1.5%

3. Maine

Maine

Maine, which sits on the northeastern corner of the United States, has also seen high real estate growth rates. Over the past two years, Maine’s real estate appreciation rate was 30.98%, and 20.59% over the past 12 months. Although Maine has a lower median income level than the national average, it has a lower cost of living and a low mortgage rate of 2.9%.

Many people from New England and elsewhere around the country choose to retire in Maine. Furthermore, real estate investors see Maine as a great opportunity to buy lower-priced property in a great market with the ability to charge above-average rent rates. As a result, Aroostook and Washington counties have seen the highest growth recently. 

Let’s look at Maine’s real estate statistics:

  • Median home value: $279,001
  • Average market rent: $1,393 per month
  • Occupied housing: 76.3%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 569,551
  • Job growth: 2.0%
  • Population growth: 1.1%

4. Utah

Utah

Similar to Idaho, Utah is a state known for its wildlife and natural parks. The total real estate appreciation rate over the last two years in Utah was 39.25%. Over the past decade, real estate has appreciated 134.63%. 

Utah’s above-average median income leads this high growth. As an above-average earning income state with low mortgage rates, Utah is bound to be an attractive destination for real estate investors and new homeowners. The highest growth Utah cities include Park City, Vineyard, Montezuma Creek, Salt Lake City, and South Salt Lake.

Relevant Utah real estate statistics include:

  • Median home value: $479,111
  • Average market rent: $1,838 per month
  • Occupied housing: 90.4%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 1,003,345
  • Job growth: 3.6%
  • Population growth: 1.3%

5. Montana

Skyline of Montana

Montana is a landlocked state in the Northern part of the United States that shares 14 border crossings with Canada. Montana’s real estate appreciation rate has risen 34.68% over the past two years and 89.63% over the past decade.

This state features a low cost of living and low mortgage rates compared to the national average. Although the median household income of $72,100 is lower than the national average, Montana is exceptionally affordable to live in, which makes it attractive for new homeowners and real estate investors. 

Many people are leaving California and moving North to Montana because of the booming real estate market, affordable housing prices, and lower tax rates. There are also few regulations on landlords in Montana and no statewide rent control. The top highest appreciating Montana cities since 2000 are Jordan, Sidney, Fairview, and Scobey.

A few key Montana real estate statistics include

  • Median home value: $372,863
  • Average market rent: $1,268 per month
  • Occupied housing: 84.7%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 436,048
  • Job growth: 3.4%
  • Population growth: 1.7%

6. Washington 

Skyline of Washington

Washington is located in the northwestern corner of the United States and has seen a massive real estate boom over the past two decades. The real estate appreciation rate over the last two years is 21.03%. Additionally, the real estate appreciation rate has been 223.40% over the past two decades.

Washington residents have access to more affordable healthcare and utility rates. However, the overall cost of living in Washington is higher than the national average. Nevertheless, the cost of living is mitigated by a higher median income of $91,600. Along with low mortgage rates, Washington is one of the best states for real estate. 

Furthermore, Washington is one of the eight states with no state income tax. Although the pandemic heavily impacted Washington, the employment outlook is looking much better.

  • Median home value: $524,077
  • Average market rent: $2,009 per month
  • Occupied housing: 92.2%
  • Number of homes and apartments:2,905,822
  • Job growth: 3.5%
  • Population growth: 1.27%

7. New Hampshire 

Skyline of New Hampshire

Located in the New England region of the United States, New Hampshire is one of the best states for real estate. New Hampshire has seen a 28.82% real estate appreciation rate in the past two years and 51.59% real estate growth in the past five years. 

The cost of living in New Hampshire is slightly higher than the national average, but so is the median household income at $98,000 compared to the national average of $79,000. In addition, new Hampshire residents enjoy no state sales, income, or capital gains tax. These features have led to record-high prices for single-family homes as more people work from home.

  • Median home value: $382,761
  • Average market rent: $1,862 per month
  • Occupied housing: 84.4%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 539,116
  • Job growth: 2.6%
  • Population growth: 0.1%

8. Tennessee

Tennessee

Tennessee is another great state for real estate as people are migrating to its best cities. Nashville and the four surrounding cities expect to see a 50% increase in population before 2024. Over the long-term, 500,00 people are expected to move to the region by 2040. 

This inbound migration causes a spike in Tenneessee’s housing market. As a result, the real estate appreciation rate over the past two years was 31.38%, and 22.47% over the past 12 months.

Although the median income of Tennessee is lower than the national average, an average house in Tennessee costs about $162,500 less than the national average.

With low mortgage rates as well, Tennessee is one of the best states for real estate.

  • Median home value: $245,290
  • Average market rent: $1,393 per month
  • Occupied housing: 88.1%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 2,639,455
  • Job growth: 1.8%
  • Population growth: 1.21%

9. Rhode Island

Best states for real estate: Rhode Island

Rhode Island sits in the southeastern region of the United States and faces a booming real estate market from out-of-state investors and people looking to buy multi-family dwellings.

The real estate appreciation rate over the past two years was 27.82% in Rhode Island. Furthermore, the real estate market has grown 49.40% over the past five years. Rhode Island has a higher than average median income rate of $88,000 to account for the higher cost of living in the State. Rhode Island’s mortgage rate also sits low at 2.9%

  • Median home value: $279,001
  • Average market rent: $1,393 per month
  • Occupied housing: 76.3%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 569,551
  • Job growth: 2.0%
  • Population growth: 1.1%

10. Oregon

Waterfall in Oregon

Known for its natural beauty and attractions, Oregon is situated under Washington in the northwestern corner of the United States. The real estate appreciation rate over the past two years was 28.26%, and 116.57% over the past ten years. 

Oregon’s evolving tech industry, nicknamed the Silicon Forest, has brought numerous growth benefits to the state. As such, higher-income individuals are migrating to Oregon and purchasing above-average priced homes. As a result, Oregon’s median income is slightly higher than the national average at $81,200.

  • Median home value: $473,064
  • Average market rent: $1,763 per month
  • Occupied housing: 91.8%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 569,551
  • Job growth: 1.6%
  • Population growth: 0.89%

11. Ohio

Ohio

Ohio is one of the best states for real estate because its median home value is significantly lower than the national average. Although the median income value is also lower, Ohio residents get access to a low cost of living and low mortgage rates.

The real estate appreciation rate in Ohio was 23.57% over the past two years and 44.66% over the past five years. These conditions create an ideal environment for those looking to purchase residential or commercial properties in the United States.

  • Median home value: $199,717
  • Average market rent: $1,132 per month
  • Occupied housing: 90.4%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 4,717,226
  • Job growth: 0.6%
  • Population growth: 1.5%

12. Indiana

Indiana

Located in the heart of the United States, Indiana is another beautiful state for real estate. Over the past two years, Indiana’s real estate appreciation rate was 25.14%, and 47.28% over the last five years.

Furthermore, Indiana’s median home value is lower than the national average. For this reason, you can find an affordable property and see impressive gains as Indiana’s real estate market continues to grow. The best Indiana cities for real estate include Indianapolis, Topeka, Shoals, and Montgomery.

  • Median home value: $198,288
  • Average market rent: $1,144 per month
  • Occupied housing: 80.6%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 2,602,770
  • Job growth: 2.9%
  • Population growth: 0.61%

13. Connecticut

Skyline at Connecticut

For more wealthier individuals, Connecticut is one of the best states for real estate. The median income in Connecticut is above $100,000, which is much higher than the national average. Since the cost of living in Connecticut is only slightly higher than the United States average, Connecticut is an excellent place to look for real estate.

Connecticut’s real estate appreciation rate was 23.68% over the past two years and 16.10% over the past 12 months. 

  • Median home value: $349,539
  • Average market rent: $1,815 per month
  • Occupied housing: 90.1%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 1,385,437
  • Job growth: 3.3%
  • Population growth: 0.5%

14. South Dakota

South Dakota

Located in the northern region of the United States, South Dakota is a landlocked state with plenty of real estate opportunities. South Dakota’s real estate appreciation rate was 25.34% over the past two years and 18.55% over the last 12 months.

With a low cost of living, median home value, and mortgage rates, South Dakota’s real estate market is a hidden gem in the United States.

  • Median home value: $236,975
  • Average market rent: $1,079 per month
  • Occupied housing: 87.7%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 347,878
  • Job growth: 1.02%
  • Population growth: 1.17%

15. Florida

Florida

Florida has a population of 22 million and is the eighth most densely populated state in the country. It is also one of the United States’ most popular retirement and vacation destinations. However, buying a property in Florida is still affordable.

The cost of living in Florida is 2% cheaper than the national average but the typical home price is $6,000 more expensive than the national average. Florida has seen sky-high real estate appreciation rates with 33.64% growth in the last two years and 24.47% growth in the past 12 months.

Florida’s relaxed pandemic restrictions caused an influx of new homeowners and real estate investors as the rest of the country was locked down.

  • Median home value: $331,461
  • Average market rent: $1,972 per month
  • Occupied housing: 82.9%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 7,931,313
  • Job growth: 5.6%
  • Population growth: 1.0%

Worst 5 States for Real Estate

As a real estate investor, it’s also essential to understand which states are the worst for real estate. Although the overall housing market in the United States is doing well, and we’re optimistic for the future, there are a few states to avoid. The worst states have high taxes, low employment growth, and low population growth.

1. New York

New York has strict rent-control policies for investors in certain cities and doesn’t have investor-friendly laws. Furthermore, the median home value in New York is $1,276,314. This is exponentially higher than the average median home value in the United States.

The sales tax rate for New York is 8.9% which is higher than the national average of 7.3%. As such, New York residents deal with a higher cost of living than other parts of the country. 

  • Median home value: $557,428
  • Average market rent: $2,255 per month
  • Occupied housing: 88.7%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 7,417,224
  • Job growth: 1.01%
  • Population growth: 0.43%

2. New Jersey

New Jersey is also a suboptimal state to purchase real estate in. The most significant factor hurting the New Jersey real estate market is the state’s property taxes of 2.38%. New Jersey also has an above-average median home value and a lower-than-average real estate appreciation rate.

The real estate appreciation rate was 22.80% over the past two years and only 43.73% over the past five years. 

  • Median home value: $435,725
  • Average market rent: $2,289 per month
  • Occupied housing: 90.2%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 3,272,054
  • Job growth: 1.01%
  • Population growth: 0.52%

3. California

Although California boasts the largest population in the United States, it’s also one of the worst states for real estate. This is because of California’s high property prices and mortgage rates. With such high home prices in California, renting is often cheaper than outright buying a home.

California also isn’t seeing an increase in new jobs. Unfortunately, this lack of economic growth, paired with outrageously high tax rates and strict landlord regulations, means California isn’t the best state for real estate. 

  • Median home value: $699,876
  • Average market rent: $2,651 per month
  • Occupied housing: 92.2%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 13,103,114
  • Job growth: 1.2%
  • Population growth: 0.31%

4. Illinois

Illinois was hit hardest by the 2018 market crash and was one of the states that took the longest to recover. Chicago is the biggest city in Chicago and has one of the highest homicide rates in the entire country. This high level of crime brings risk to investors and ultimately lowers property value. 

The real estate appreciation rate over the past two years was only 15.67%, and 11.29% over the last 12 months.

  • Median home value: $279,001
  • Average market rent: $1,517 per month
  • Occupied housing: 90.9%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 4,884,061
  • Job growth: 4.66%
  • Population growth: -0.17%

5. Michigan

Michigan is another one of the worst states for real estate. This state was heavily impacted when motor companies moved out of Detroit. As a result, the entire Michigan economy felt the effects of the move. Michigan doesn’t have the brightest outlook for a diversity of jobs.

  • Median home value: $217,059
  • Average market rent: $1,262 per month
  • Occupied housing: 86.3%
  • Number of homes and apartments: 3,980,408
  • Job growth: 1.0%
  • Population growth: 1.31%

How We Ranked the Best & Worst States for Real Estate

For this list of the best 15 states for real estate, we used real estate appreciation rates as our key metric. We sourced the data about real estate appreciation rates, median home value, occupied housing, and the number of homes and apartments from NeighborhoodScout.

Furthermore, we found the cost of living data from BestPlaces and mortgage rates from USBank. We used real estate appreciation rates as our primary metric because historical appreciation in market values is a good indicator of what’s to come in the future. Furthermore, growth in property prices signals employment gains and population growth. 

High population growth and employment gains indicate a healthy economy and a high influx of migrators starting new jobs. As a result, markets that have seen growth in the past are likely to trend higher. 

Bottom Line on the Best States for Real Estate

The best states for real estate offer a great quality of life for residential homeowners and an excellent return on investment if you choose to sell in the future. There are many booming real estate markets across the United States, so you should be able to find one that fits your exact needs.

What is a 501c3 Nonprofit?

Organizations that qualify as a 501c3 nonprofit can enjoy various tax-related benefits. Although there are different types of 501c organizations, ranging from 501c1 to 501c29, 501c3 nonprofits are unique because their donations are tax deductible. Since they are also exempt from federal income tax, 501c3 organizations are the most sought after nonprofit status. 

What is a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization?

A 501c3 nonprofit is an organization that is exempt from federal income tax. More specifically, section 501c3 is a part of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and a distinct tax category for nonprofit organizations. This means that 501c3s don’t need to pay any taxes on the money they make.

Although the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) acknowledges over 30 types of nonprofit organizations, only 501c3 qualified organizations can claim tax deductibles on donations. Most organizations that qualify for 501c3 nonprofit status are charitable organizations, private foundations, and churches and religious organizations. 

Unlike corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs), nonprofit organizations don’t seek to make a profit. Typically, 501c3s want to make money in order to further a social cause or provide a public benefit. After a nonprofit organization pays off its office expenses, salaries, and so forth, it uses the excess money for the specific cause it supports. 

Since 501c3 nonprofits don’t pay taxes, the nonprofit maximizes the amount of money it uses towards its specific social cause. There are 1,919,926 nonprofit organizations in the United States with churches and religious organizations as well as schools and educational institutions leading the pack.

How Does a 501c3 Nonprofit Work?

To qualify as a 501c3 nonprofit by the IRS, an organization must exist exclusively for one or more of the following purposes:

  • Charitable
  • Religious
  • Educational
  • Scientific
  • Literary
  • Testing for public safety
  • Fostering national or international amateur sports competition
  • Preventing cruelty to children or animals

If the nonprofit doesn’t exist for one of the purposes above, it will not qualify for 501c3 status.

The IRS also describes what “charitable” activities include:

  • Providing relief for the poor, distressed, and underprivileged
  • Advancing religion
  • Advancing science or education
  • Erecting or maintaining public buildings, monuments, or works
  • Lessening the burden of governments
  • Lessening neighborhood tensions
  • Eliminating prejudice and discrimination
  • Defending human and civil rights secured by law
  • Combatting community deterioration
  • Addressing juvenile delinquency

A common misconception about nonprofits is that they are only run by volunteers. However, most 501c3s have salaried staff that work for the organization. But nonprofits may use volunteers to perform some of the nonprofit services under the direction of paid staff.

Types of Different 501c3 Nonprofit Organizations

The organizations that qualify under section 501c3 are classified into two categories: public charities and private foundations. The difference between them is how they receive financial assistance.

Public Charity

Public charities receive most of their revenue or income from the government or the general public. To qualify as a public charity, the nonprofit must receive at least one-third of its income from public donations. These include donations from corporations, individuals, and other nonprofit organizations. 

Individuals who donate to a public charity qualify for certain tax deductions that will lower their taxable income. Usually, individuals can claim a deduction of up to 60% of their adjusted gross income (AGI). Corporations can claim up to 10% when filing taxes. 

Private Foundation

Individuals, families, or corporations are usually the ones who hold private foundations. This type of 501c3 nonprofit receives most of its income from a small number of donors. Furthermore, private foundations adhere to stricter rules and obligations than public charities. All 501c3 nonprofits are automatically considered a private foundation unless they can prove to the IRS that they meet the guidelines of a public charity. 

What are the 501c3 Nonprofit Requirements?

If you’re considering starting a 501c3 nonprofit organization, it’s important to understand the requirements.There are specific rules and regulations a nonprofit must follow to maintain its status. 

The 501c3 nonprofit requirements include:

  • It can only be organized and operated for exempt purposes
  • It’s forbidden from using its activities to influence legislation in a substantial way
  • It cannot be organized and operated for any personal or private interests
  • It can make profits, but all profits must go towards charitable purposes
  • Staff employed by the nonprofit must be paid “reasonable compensation” based on the fair market value that the job function requires
  • It’s required to remain true to its founding purpose
  • It must withhold federal income tax from its employee’s paychecks and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes

After an organization is considered a 501c3, the designation remains for as long as the organization exists unless the IRS revokes it. The IRS can revoke the 501c3 designation if the organization fails to follow the nonprofit requirements listed above.

Bylaws of a 501c3 Nonprofit

Similar to regular corporations, 501c3 nonprofit organizations have a set of bylaws and a number of directors and officers. Nonprofit bylaws are the rules that determine how a 501c3 nonprofit will be governed and run. You can view it as a constitution for the nonprofit organization. 

It helps clarify the rules and priorities of everyone involved in the nonprofit. The directors of a 501c3 are responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations. The nonprofit’s board of directors is responsible for management level hirings, such as officers and managers. 

The officers of a nonprofit, such as the president or secretary, are individuals with responsibilities and the authority to execute based on their job description.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a 501c3 Nonprofit

The primary advantage of a 501c3 nonprofit is that it’s exempt from paying federal income and unemployment taxes. Furthermore, patrons who donate to a 501c3 can claim a tax deduction for their contributions. 

501c3 organizations are also eligible to receive government and private grants. However, the organization needs to have a mission that aligns with the purpose of the grant and a need for the funds. Another advantage of 501c3s is that they frequently receive discounts from retailers, food and supplies from other nonprofit organizations when needed, and free press from public service announcements. 

On the other hand, once an organization is officially a 501c3 nonprofit, it no longer belongs to the founder. Instead, it becomes a mission-oriented organization that belongs to the public. Since the organization serves the public, it must operate with complete transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for 501c3 Nonprofit

We understand that you may have additional questions about 501c3 nonprofits. So here is a list of common questions about nonprofit organizations and our answers.

Bottom Line on 501c3 Nonprofit Organizations

501c3 nonprofits are organizations with a distinct mission and cause. The majority of people know them as charities and churches, but private foundations can also be 501c3 nonprofits. As long as they qualify under section 501c3 by the IRS, the organization receives favorable tax treatment and is exempt from federal income and unemployment taxes.

Best 6 Web Hosting Companies for Small Business in 2023

Businessman checking out web hosting process

Your small business needs a website, but finding the best web hosting for a small business isn’t a simple task. Every hosting provider offers multiple plans and features, which can get confusing for beginners who don’t understand what they need. We rank the six best small business web hosts.

Best Web Hosting for Small Business

Software

Pricing

Storage

Bandwidth

Backups

Hosting Solutions

Customer Support

Starts at $4.98 per month for 1st year, then $9.88 per month

20 GB

Unmetered

Automated backups and cloud storage

Shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, Reseller hosting

24/7 live support

Starts at $2.95 per month on an annual plan

50 GB

Unmetered

No automated backups

Shared hosting, VPS hosting, Dedicated server hosting

24/7 hosting support

Starts at $10.95 per month

Unmetered

Unmetered

Automated backups

Shared, WordPress, VPS, dedicated server, Windows shared, reseller, cloud web hosting

24/7/365 support

Starts at $25.00 per month

10 GB

50 GB

Daily automatic backups

WordPress hosting

24/7 chat support

Starts at $12 per month, billed annually

Unlimited

Unmetered

Manual backups

Weebly free website hosting service

Live support 9 AM – 9 PM EST

Starts at $0.50 per month on an annual plan, then $10 per month

Unlimited

Unmetered

Daily automatic backups

Shared, WordPress hosting, Linux hosting, Windows hosting

24/7 customer service

Namecheap logo

Namecheap: Best Overall Web Hosting for Small Business

Pricing: $1.88 per month to $4.98 per month

4.8

Although Namecheap is known for its domain name registrar services, it also offers inexpensive web hosting for small businesses. All of Namecheap’s plans offer unmetered bandwidth, access to a free website builder, and domain name and privacy protection. Namecheap also provides entirely free website migrations that are completed in under 24 hours and only cause up to 15 minutes of downtime. 

Why we chose it: Namecheap offers everything a small business needs in regards to hosting. The comprehensive set of features, along with its competitive pricing, means that Namecheap is the best overall web hosting for small business. Read our full Namecheap review for an in-depth look.

  • 100% uptime score
  • Free 24-hour site migration
  • Affordable and comprehensive web hosting platform
  • Unsophisticated website builder
  • High site traffic can impact load speeds
  • Unreliable customer support

Pricing: 

Namecheap offers three shared hosting plans for small business:

  • Stellar ($1.88/month for the first year, then $3.88/month) – 20 GB storage and unmetered bandwidth
  • Stellar Plus ($2.98/month for the first year, then $5.88/month) – Unlimited storage and auto backups
  • Stellar Business ($4.98/month for the first year, then $9.88/month) – 50 GB storage and cloud storage

Namecheap powers over 1.5 million websites of every budget and size. However, small business web hosting is one of its top priorities. Namecheap offers wallet-friendly shared hosting plans and reseller hosting plans for small businesses that want more premium features.

With 24/7 round-the-clock support, Namecheap is willing to go the extra mile to ensure your small business website is fully optimized. All plans include unlimited bandwidth, a free domain and SSL certificate, and free backups. 

Furthermore, Namecheap’s data servers are located in the US, United Kingdom, and across Europe. Namecheap’s shared, business, and dedicated server accounts are backed up with a 100% uptime guarantee. If its servers go down at any time, you’re automatically eligible for an extended plan duration.

In terms of features, value, and pricing, Namecheap is the ultimate winner of today’s list of best web hosting for small business. 

Bluehost logo

Bluehost: Best Small Business Web Host for Beginners

Pricing: $2.95 per month to $79.99 per month

4.8

As one of the biggest names in the web hosting industry, Bluehost is highly popular among small businesses. The best feature of this small business web host is that it comes with everything you need to get your website up and running. With a free domain and SSL certificate, Bluehost makes it easy to launch your small business website.

Why we chose it: Bluehost is the most beginner-friendly web hosting for small business because everything from the setup process to its intuitive dashboard is simple, even for complete beginners. Read the Bluehost review to learn more about its features and pricing.

  • First-term is inexpensive
  • Generous storage
  • Excellent WordPress Integration
  • Constant marketing upsells
  • Speed could be improved
  • Entry-level plan limitations

Pricing: 

BlueHost features four shared hosting plans for small businesses:

  • Basic ($2.95/month for the first year, then $9.99/month) – 1 website and 50 GB storage 
  • Plus ($5.45/month for the first year, then $13.99/month) – Unlimited websites and unlimited storage
  • Choice Plus ($5.45/month for the first year, then $19.99/month) – Domain privacy and free automated backups for one year
  • Pro ($13.95/month for the first year, then $28.99/month) – Free automated backups in perpetuity and free dedicated IP

Bluehost is a small business favorite for web hosting because of how easy it is to configure and use. It’s the perfect web hosting for small business if you’re on a limited budget and are new to web hosting.

This small business web host is perfect for both small businesses that need simple websites and others that need complex ecommerce integrations. Bluehost also features robust WordPress integrations and excellent customer support services. One-click WordPress installation allows you to launch your small business WordPress website easily.

Each plan also offers unmetered bandwidth and a free SSL certificate. Bluehost uses cPanel for its site management system. cPanel is a powerful website control panel that’s extremely simple to use with clearly laid out sections for beginners.

With the Basic plan, 50GB of storage is usually more than enough for most small businesses. If you exceed your storage capacity, upgrading to the next plan is inexpensive. You can also upgrade to a VPS or dedicated plan once your business begins to expand rapidly.

HostGator logo

HostGator: Best for Dedicated Server Hosting 

Pricing: $10.95 per month to $279 per month

4.75

If your small business is growing rapidly, you may be looking for other hosting solutions than shared hosting. Although HostGator offers affordable shared hosting plans, it also offers robust VPS and dedicated web hosting. With shared hosting, you share hosting with multiple sites on a single server. This is why shared hosting plans are so inexpensive. Dedicated hosting allows your website to exist on a server alone. 

Why we chose it: HostGator provides dedicated servers for both Windows and Linux. If your website experiences a lot of traffic, HostGator provides powerful dedicated server hosting to avoid slow page speeds and latency across your site. Read our full HostGator review for an in-depth look.

  • Unlimited storage across all plans
  • Unmetered bandwidth across all plans
  • Free email marketing tools
  • Clunky dashboard
  • More expensive than other options
  • Disappointing customer support

Pricing: 

HostGator offers multiple different pricing plans for each of its hosting options. The longer you subscribe to HostGator, the cheaper the subscription cost. 

  • Shared Web Hosting ($6.95/month to $16.95/month)
  • WordPress Hosting ($9.95/month to $91.95/month)
  • VPS Hosting ($19.95/month to $149.95/month)
  • Dedicated Server Hosting ($189/month to $289/month)

HostGator is another beginner-friendly, feature-rich web host with an outstanding uptime of 99.99%. Similar to Namecheap, HostGator is another popular domain registrar that also features hosting services.

However, HostGator really shines in its dedicated server hosting services. Although most small businesses won’t need a dedicated web host, the option to upgrade is always available.

HostGator’s standout feature for small businesses is its integration with Constant Contact. Constant Contact is an email marketing software. You will receive three months of access to Constant Contact’s resources for free on any shared hosting plan.

It’s important to note that HostGator is not the best web hosting for small business if most of your customers are outside of the US. HostGator only has servers in the US, which can cause latency issues for international audiences.

For its affordable pricing, HostGator delivers surprisingly good performance. It’s an excellent web host for small businesses that want a valuable compromise between performance and price. 

WP Engine logo

WP Engine: Best WordPress Web Hosting for Small Business

Pricing: $25 per month to $63 per month, with custom options

4.5

WP Engine is a robust small business web host that’s dedicated to WordPress websites. This web hosting provider features strong security and maximum reliability among its comprehensive set of tools. WP Engine offers development, staging, and production environments to optimize your website and streamline your workflow for more advanced users.

Why we chose it: If you built your website on WordPress and you’re interested in maximum performance, WP Engine is the best web hosting for your small business. It offers a premium interface and features that set it apart from other WordPress hosts. Want to know more about this hosting company? Read the complete WP Engine review.

  • Comprehensive WordPress hosting for small business
  • Multiple server locations
  • Excellent customer service
  • Only hosts on WordPress
  • Visitor limits
  • Not budget-friendly

Pricing: 

WP Engine offers five different pricing plans:

  • Startup ($25/month) – 25,000 visits per month, 10 GB storage, and 50 GB bandwidth per month
  • Professional ($49/month) – 75,000 visits per month, 15 GB storage, and 125 GB bandwidth per month
  • Growth ($96/month) – 100,000 visits per month, 20 GB storage, and 200 GB bandwidth per month
  • Scale ($242/month) – 400,000 visits per month, 50 GB storage, and 500 GB bandwidth per month 
  • Custom (Inquire for pricing) – Custom built package for all your small business hosting needs

WP Engine offers outstanding uptime, reliable customer service support, and dedicated WordPress hosting services for all of your WordPress needs. Since many small businesses create their websites with WordPress, WP Engine makes it easy to start your hosting services.

Each WP Engine plan comes with a content delivery network (CDN) for faster page load times. Furthermore, you get access to staging environments so you can test site changes before you publish them.

You can also select Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud Platform as your website’s backbone. This ensures no downtime scalability and tight security. WP Engine is designed explicitly for WordPress installations, themes, and plug-ins. If you don’t use WordPress, we recommend checking out the other five best web hosting for small business in this guide.

Weebly logo

Weebly: Best Web Hosting for Ecommerce Small Businesses

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

4.3

Weebly is best known for its browser-based, drag-and-drop website editor for ecommerce businesses. Weebly offers hundreds of responsive website themes that can be customized to your preferences. In essence, Weebly takes a new ecommerce website from start to finish quickly. You’ll receive all the guidance and tools you need to get your small business up.

Why we chose it: What sets Weebly apart from other ecommerce web hosting providers is its direct focus on ecommerce websites. Weebly is an all-inclusive small business web host for online sellers interested in optimizing their stores. 

  • Great site speeds
  • Responsive and customizable themes 
  • Affordable ecommerce hosting
  • Slow-responding customer support
  • Moving to a new platform is difficult
  • Only suitable for ecommerce businesses

Pricing: 

Weebly offers three pricing packages for ecommerce websites:

  • Pro ($12/month when paid annually) – Unlimited storage and free SSL security
  • Business ($25/month when paid annually) – Advanced ecommerce statistics and item badges
  • Business Plus ($38/month when paid annually) – Abandoned cart emails and real-time shipping updates


Weebly’s server infrastructure powers millions of websites and pageviews per day. As such, you expect comprehensive reliability and performance once you host your ecommerce website with Weebly. 

Each of Weebly’s ecommerce hosting plans offers free SSL security, unlimited storage, and a customizable shopping cart. It’s important to note that Weebly wants to be your comprehensive ecommerce provider. 

If you want to learn how to start an online store, Weebly offers a drag-and-drop website builder as well as an integrated ecommerce platform with responsive themes.

Weebly also offers a mobile app that allows you to build, edit, and manage your website all through your mobile device. In addition, Weebly makes it easy to create a blog, custom forms, and uses powerful SEO tools to bring in traffic from search engines.

Ionos logo

Ionos: Best Small Business Web Host for Affordability 

Pricing: $0.50 per month to $16 per month

4.0

Ionos offers shared hosting at an astounding price of $0.50 per month for the first 12 months if you subscribe to an annual plan. Although the price increases to $10 per month after your first year, it’s still extremely inexpensive. This plan also offers unlimited storage, so you don’t have to worry about upgrading your storage capacity later on.

Why we chose it: Ionos is the best affordable web hosting for small business with a total price of $6 for your first year’s subscription. With a price this low, it’s basically negligible and allows you to focus on growing your small business. Read the Ionos review to learn more.

  • Personal success consultant 
  • 30-day money-back guarantee 
  • Affordable, all-in-one website builder and hosting plans
  • No free trial to test the site builders
  • Most expensive plan offers fastest load times
  • Not very beginner-friendly

Pricing: 

Ionos carries three different packages for small business:

  • Essential ($4/month for 12 months then $6/month) – 1 website and 10 GB storage
  • Business ($0.50/month for 12 months then $10/month) – Unlimited websites and unlimited storage
  • Expert ($8/month for 12 months then $16/month) – Maximum CPU and MEM resources and SiteAnalytics Plus

Ionos is the best web host for small businesses needing low-cost hosting right from the beginning. Each small business plan features 99.9% uptime, PHP 8.1 with JIT compiler, SSL and DDoS protection as well as backups.

Speed is also a priority with Ionos. Claiming itself as one of the fastest web hosting providers in the US, Ionos ensures your visitors have the best user experience possible. Additional features include a drag and drop website builder, WordPress hosting integration, and online marketing add-ons.

If your small business is looking for a simple and affordable web hosting provider that’s easy to use and provides hands-on technical support, Ionos is right for you.

Methodology for the Best Web Hosting for Small Business

Choosing ideal web hosting is a core component of building your small business website. The best web hosting for small businesses offer similar features, so we understand how it can be difficult to differentiate them. There are a few key factors to consider before picking your small business web host.

Speed

A small business web host determines how fast your website loads. Page load times are essential because they affect user experience and SEO rankings. Fast loading websites are critical because slow websites cause users to leave very quickly. You need a web hosting plan that can handle the amount of traffic your website receives.  

Budget

As a small business owner, you constantly face budget restrictions and cost-cutting measures to optimize your dollars. Fortunately, each small business web host offers shared hosting, which dramatically reduces your hosting cost. You won’t receive advanced features and the fastest speeds, but shared hosting is good enough to sustain your business as it continues to grow.

Ease of Use

Depending on your experience with web hosting, you may need a service provider that’s beginner-friendly. Furthermore, you may want a web host that offers guidance and 24/7 support. If your website doesn’t work properly or is down, you won’t be able to take care of your customers and acquire new ones. 

Storage and Backups

Some small businesses need to store a lot of data and assets on their website. For this reason, you need to use a small business web host that offers enough storage for your company. Backups are also crucial to keep your website safe in times of emergency or disaster. A simple backup can save you from a world of pain if something goes wrong on your website.

Reliability

It’s important to find a small business web host with a good track record of staying online. Web hosts with unreliable uptimes should be avoided at all costs. If your web host ever goes down, your website will go down too. This means you’ll be losing business, revenue, and customer satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Best Web Hosting Companies for Small Business

Below are some of the most popular questions surrounding small business web hosting.

Conclusion: Best Web Hosting Companies for Small Business

The best web hosting for small businesses offers quick load times, is easy to use, and is within your budget. You can’t go wrong choosing any of the six options in this list, but some web hosts are more suited for certain small businesses, depending on your needs.

Paycor Payroll Review: Human Capital Management & Payroll Software

Paycor logo

Paycor is a human resources (HR) software that features comprehensive human resource management and payroll tools. This software handles the bulk of employee recruiting, onboarding, management, benefits administration, and payroll.

Labeled as a human capital management (HCM) software, Paycor is ideal for companies that want a solution that offers more than what free payroll software does. It’s for companies who seek efficiency and optimization. In this Paycor payroll review, we’ll discuss its key features, who it’s best suited for, and close competitors.

Our Verdict

Our Paycor payroll review concludes that this software offers a wide range of HR and payroll tools, along with additional add-ons like recruiting tools, time and scheduling, and benefits administration. If your company needs an extra hand to manage employees, Paycor is an excellent option.

The IRS levies billions of dollars per year from businesses due to payroll errors and violations. Automation through payroll software reduces the risk of errors and is critically important to set-up.

  • User-friendly interface with effortless onboarding 
  • Easy to track time and vacation requests
  • Businesses can choose between several plans
  • Slow customer support responses
  • Somewhat limited integrations
  • Potentially too expensive for small businesses

Paycor Payroll at a Glance 

Paycor starts at $99 per month, plus $5 per employee, per month, which is higher than most competitors. However, this higher price is warranted because its software offerings are a cut above other players in the space. Paycor is feature-rich, with dozens of ways to improve and optimize your business. 

Who Paycor Payroll is Best For 

Paycor is best suited for small to mid-sized companies that can’t afford to hire a full-time HR team. These are businesses where HR and payroll tasks fall upon other employees as secondary responsibilities. Instead of employing an entire HR team, Paycor offers a set of tools that help companies manage all aspects of their payroll and HR administration. Here’s an in-depth analysis on how to do payroll for small businesses.

Larger-sized businesses also benefit from Paycor’s complete human capital management toolkit. However, you’ll need to inquire with Paycor to get a quote on the cost for your specific company.

Pricing 

If your company has fewer than 50 employees, Paycor payroll has four defined price tiers shown in the table below. 

Companies with over 50 employees will need to discuss pricing plans with a Paycor solutions specialist. Furthermore, companies with over 50 employees will receive a three-month free trial, while companies under 50 employees will receive a one-month free trial.

Paycor logo

Basic

Paycor logo

Essential

Paycor logo

Complete

Paycor logo

HCM

Price

$99/monthly plus $5 per employee/month

$149/monthly plus $6 per employee/month

$199/monthly plus $7 per employee/month

$99/monthly plus $12 per employee/month

Payroll & Tax Service

Online Reporting

Onboarding & E-Verify

Workers’ Comp

360° 401(k) Integrations

Automated Workflows

The Basic plan is suited for businesses who want to pay employees accurately and quickly. In contrast, the Essential plan simplifies payroll processing on a scalable level. Additionally, the Complete plan offers more insights compared to the previous two tiers to enhance your business, and the HCM features everything you need in human capital management software.

Paycor Payroll Features

Paycor is a major player in the HR and payroll software space because of its robust offerings and features. Here’s a breakdown of each of Paycor’s key software offerings.

Screenshot of Paycor Payroll Features
(Source: Paycor)

Payroll Software 

Paycor’s payroll software ensures your employees are paid accurately and on time. Best of all, you don’t need to be a payroll expert or keep up with tax compliances. The software handles everything for you, including your payroll audits.

Screenshot of Paycor’s payroll software page
(Source: Paycor)

Paycor Payroll will calculate payroll taxes based on each employee’s Form W-4. All you need to do is enter the employee’s salary and choose the pay interval.

Features include:

  • Precise recordkeeping
  • Tax processing
  • Worker’s comp

HR Software 

With the innovation of new technology, HR, in general, is moving toward automation through software. Rather than hiring a team of HR employees, you can utilize all the tools Paycor provides. 

These tools include:

  • Employee recordkeeping
  • Employee self-service
  • Paperless document management
  • Automated workflows
  • Reporting & analytics
  • Performance management

Using HR software reduces the time spent on repetitive, low-impact administrative tasks. This allows your HR team to focus on more productive tasks and longer-term projects. HR software also reduces human error and offers more accurate analytics, as well as an improved organization of employee data.

Recruiting Software 

To keep up with the ways candidates in modern times are applying to jobs, Paycor’s recruiting software strengthens your company’s ability to find top talent. This is achieved with Paycor’s software that reduces hiring barriers and allows applicants to apply on any device and from any location.

The recruiting software’s tools include:

  • Candidate dashboard
  • Custom hiring workflows
  • Remote hiring
  • Interview scorecards
Screenshot of Paycor recruiting software page
(Source: Paycor)

In essence, you can optimize and streamline every part of your recruiting and hiring process. The powerful analytics system also allows you to see where the top candidates are coming from and if there are any bottlenecks in your hiring process. You can also automatically list job postings on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and Indeed.

Time & Attendance Software

Paycor’s time and attendance software manages time off and tracks hours worked. This allows you to effectively keep track of labor distribution with accurate and automated timekeeping.

Screenshot of Paycor’s time and attendance software page
(Source: Paycor)

If you’re entering time cards manually, it’s time to take advantage of more efficient solutions. The time and attendance software fully integrates with Paycor’s payroll software to offer a comprehensive bundle that eliminates duplicate data entry and improves payroll accuracy.

The time and attendance software tools include:

  • Mobile logging
  • Overtime insights
  • Time dashboard
  • Compliance checks
  • Attendance management

Accurate timekeeping is essential with the rise of U.S. labor costs. As such, there’s no room for error and your company needs to stay on top of its payroll. Read our article on how to convert minutes for payroll for a more accurate calculation.

Learning Management Software

Paycor also offers learning management software that gives employees the opportunity to learn and build new skills. The learning management software combines classroom, virtual, mobile, and social capabilities on one comprehensive platform. This allows employees to learn at their preferred pace.

Paycor’s visibility offers real-time reporting and automated alerts for course completions or achieved milestones. 

The learning management software’s tools include:

  • Mobile learning
  • Gamification through leaderboards and badges
  • Detailed recordkeeping
  • Specialized compliance training programs

Alternatives to Paycor Payroll 

Here are a few alternatives you can compare this Paycor review with:

Paychex

  • Paychex is another payroll and HR software company that services any sized business. Read the Paychex review to find out more on its features.
  • This software is best for medium-sized and growing businesses with 50 to 1,000+ employees
  • Both software offer remarkably similar features with Paychex providing better customer support while Paycor offers better performance management
  • Starts at $39/month + $5/employee

Gusto

  • Gusto is a full-service HR, benefits, and payroll software which serves over 100,000 small businesses in the U.S. Read our Gusto review to learn more.
  • It is optimal for new payroll managers and very small businesses that have one to ten employees
  • Gusto focuses more on payroll services than HR whereas Paycor focuses on both
  • Starts at $39/month + $6/month per employee

Paylocity 

  • Paylocity is an HR and online payroll provider
  • The software is suited for mid-sized to large businesses that need an all-in-one payroll and HR software
  • Nearly identical in features offered, Paylocity’s user-interface is slightly more complex than Paycor
  • Starts at $45/month + $4/employee

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Paycor Payroll Review

We cannot finish our Paycor payroll review without answering a few lingering questions that might be on your mind. Here are a few questions we commonly get asked about Paycor and the answers that follow.

Bottom Line on Paycor Payroll Review

Paycor is an excellent human capital management software that offers extensive HR and payroll tools. Based on the different pricing tiers, Paycor is suitable for any sized business that wants to optimize and automate its HR and payroll processes. The best recommendation we can give is to sign up for Paycor’s free trial. You’ll quickly learn if the software is right for your business and if it can improve it.

How to Convert Minutes for Payroll in 3 Steps + Free Conversion Chart

Materials for converting minutes for payroll

If you own a small business with multiple hourly workers, it’s essential to convert minutes for payroll when your employees work partial hours. Converting their time worked to exact minutes prevents a lot of payroll problems in the future. It also provides accurate wage distribution to ensure your employees aren’t overpaid or underpaid.  

How to Convert Minutes for Payroll in 3 Steps  

There are two strategies when you want to convert minutes for payroll. You can either use the actual hours worked or round the hours to the nearest quarter. 

We recommend using the actual hours worked because rounding can lead to overpaying or underpaying your employees in the long run. No matter which method you choose, learning how to convert minutes for payroll involves three quick and easy steps.

Step 1: Calculate Total Working Hours and Minutes

Decide if you want to use actual hours worked or rounded hours worked in your payroll conversion calculations.

Actual Hours Worked

To calculate your employee’s actual hours worked, you’ll need the total hours and minutes they worked for the payment period. You can find these exact numbers by gathering timesheets or time and attendance records for each of your employees.

Let’s go over an example timesheet for a weekly hourly wage employee. In this example, the employee doesn’t take lunch breaks, so he doesn’t clock in and out for lunch.

Key Features

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Clock-in & out times

9:00 AM – 5:15 PM

9:10 AM – 5:30 PM

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

9:15 AM – 5:25 PM

9:05 AM – 4:55 PM

Total Time Worked

8 Hours & 15 Minutes

8 Hours & 20 Minutes

8 Hours

8 Hours & 10 Minutes

7 Hours & 50 Minutes

To calculate total hours worked, add up the total number of hours across the five days. Only add the hours, you will add the total minutes separately.

  • Total hours: 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 7 = 39 hours

Next, add up the total minutes the employee worked.

  • Total minutes: 15 + 20 + 10 + 50 = 95 minutes

Convert 60 minutes of the employee’s total 95 minutes to equal one hour.

  • 95 minutes – 60 minutes = 1 hour and 35 minutes

As such, the employee worked a total of 40 hours and 35 minutes for the week.

Rounded Hours Worked

You also have the option to convert minutes for payroll by using rounded hours. If you choose this method, federal law states that you must practice accurate rounding or risk violating FLSA minimum wage and overtime pay requirements.

With rounded hours, you can round the employee’s time to the nearest quarter of an hour. A quarter of an hour is 15 minutes so you can round to :00, :15, :30, or :45.

Employee time from 1 to 7 minutes past the previous quarter can be rounded down. For example, if an employee works 8 hours and 6 minutes, their rounded hours would be 8.

Employee time from 8 to 14 minutes past the previous quarter must be rounded up and counted as a quarter-hour of work time. For example, if an employee works 8 hours and 27 minutes, their rounded hours would be 8.5. 

Rounding guidelines:

Round Down

7 minutes or less past the previous quarter (1-7, 16-22, 31-37, 46-52)

Round Up

8 minutes or more past the previous quarter (8-14, 23-29, 38-44, 53-59)

Step 2: Convert the Minutes to Decimals

The next step is to convert only the minutes worked to a decimal. 

For example, let’s say your employee worked 40 hours and 15 minutes during the week. You would divide only the 15 minutes by 60 minutes to receive your decimal.

  • 15/60 = 0.25

This means that the employee worked 40.25 hours during the pay period.

You can also use our time conversion chart to convert minutes for payroll quickly:

Payroll Minutes to Decimals Conversion Chart

Minutes

Hour Decimal

Minutes

Hour Decimal

Minutes

Hour Decimal

Minutes

Hour Decimal

1

0.02

16

0.27

31

0.52

46

0.77

2

0.03

17

0.28

32

0.53

47

0.78

3

0.05

18

0.30

33

0.55

48

0.80

4

0.07

19

0.32

34

0.57

49

0.82

5

0.08

20

0.33

35

0.58

50

0.83

6

0.10

21

0.35

36

0.60

51

0.85

7

0.12

22

0.37

37

0.62

52

0.87

8

0.13

23

0.38

38

0.63

53

0.88

9

0.15

24

0.40

39

0.65

54

0.90

10

0.17

25

0.42

40

0.67

55

0.92

11

0.18

26

0.43

41

0.68

56

0.93

12

0.20

27

0.45

42

0.70

57

0.95

13

0.22

28

0.47

43

0.72

58

0.97

14

0.23

29

0.48

44

0.73

59

0.98

15

0.25

30

0.50

45

0.75

60

1.00

Step 3: Multiply Calculated Time by the Wage Rate

Once you convert the employee’s time, it’s time to calculate how much you need to pay them. Take the employee’s hourly wage rate and multiply it by their decimal time.

For example, if the employee worked 40.25 hours and earns $20 an hour, you would take 40.25 and multiply it by 20.

  • 40.25 hours x $20.00 =  $805.00

The employee’s total wages before payroll taxes and deductions are $805.00.

How to Track Converted Minutes for Payroll

One of the most common issues with payroll processing is finding a way to convert minutes for payroll when you have many hourly workers. Converting each employee’s total hours worked by hand is time-consuming and prone to human error.

There are two better solutions we recommend for your business.

1. Payroll Software

The best way to track your employee hours and convert them to decimals is through payroll software like Gusto. Gusto will sync your team’s hours automatically, convert the hours to decimals, and pay your employees. 

You can also use Gusto to track your team’s hours. Employees can log their hours using Gusto’s desktop website or mobile app. To avoid misuse, you can designate office sites and specific locations where your employees are allowed to clock in and out. 

In essence, Gusto handles all of your payroll processing tasks accurately and quickly. You’ll be able to manage your team from a single location rather than using multiple software and apps. Read the review on Gusto to know more about this payroll tool.

2. Spreadsheet

Another way to convert minutes for payroll is by using spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. This is the best option for businesses that don’t want to invest in payroll software but also don’t want to calculate wages by hand.

Create a payroll processing spreadsheet and list out the appropriate columns with each of your hourly employees. Then, input their hours worked after each pay period and run a simple formula to convert minutes for payroll.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for How to Convert Minutes for Payroll

At this point, you should fully understand how to convert your employees’ minutes for payroll. However, let’s discuss a few additional questions that business owners commonly ask us.

Bottom Line on How to Convert Minutes for Payroll

Although it’s straightforward to convert minutes for payroll, it can be extremely time-consuming if you have a large workforce. You’ll need to run separate calculations for each employee and double-check them to ensure they’re accurate. Nonetheless, your goal is to translate each employee’s hours worked into decimal form. Then, you multiply it by the employee’s pay rate.

If you’re interested in optimizing your payroll process, Gusto tracks employee working hours and calculates their decimal number automatically. You’ll receive a detailed cost report of wages and taxes each pay period without having to complete any manual calculations.