Recommended Tools for New Small Businesses
The banking, bookkeeping, email, payroll and payment tools we set up for new Connecticut businesses, and an honest take on who each one suits. You pay each provider directly and every account stays in your name.
Business bank account
As part of Business Launch Setup, Andrew helps clients open a business bank account with Relay.
Relay is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.
QuickBooks Online
Bookkeeping software that tracks income and expenses, sends invoices and produces the reports you and your tax preparer need.
- Good fit for
- Most small businesses, especially once you have regular sales, expenses or contractors to track.
- Maybe not for
- A very small side business with a handful of transactions a year may not need a paid plan yet.
- Cost
- List prices start at $20/month (Solopreneur) and $38/month (Simple Start). Intuit often discounts the first few months.
Google Workspace
Professional email at your own domain (you@yourbusiness.com), plus calendar, shared drive and video meetings.
- Good fit for
- Anyone who wants customers to see a real business email address instead of a personal Gmail or Yahoo account.
- Maybe not for
- Businesses already settled on Microsoft 365.
- Cost
- Business Starter is $7 per user/month on an annual plan or $8.40 month to month.
Gusto
Payroll software that pays employees and contractors and handles payroll tax filings.
- Good fit for
- Owners hiring their first employee, and S-Corp owners who need to pay themselves a salary through payroll.
- Maybe not for
- Solo owners with no employees and no S-Corp election usually don’t need payroll yet.
- Cost
- Monthly base price plus a per-person fee; see Gusto’s current pricing when you sign up.
Stripe
Accept card payments online through payment links, invoices or a checkout page, with no website coding.
- Good fit for
- Service businesses that bill clients online or want a simple “pay now” link.
- Maybe not for
- Shops that mainly sell in person may prefer a point-of-sale system.
- Cost
- No setup or monthly fees; standard pricing is 2.9% + 30¢ per successful domestic card payment.
Sources (checked October 2026)
- QuickBooks Online pricing page (quickbooks.intuit.com): Solopreneur $20 and Simple Start $38 per month, list price.
- Google Workspace pricing page (workspace.google.com): Business Starter $7/user/month on an annual plan, $8.40 month to month.
- Gusto Help Center, “Refer a friend to Gusto” (support.gusto.com): referred businesses get $100 after their first payroll.
- Stripe pricing page (stripe.com): 2.9% + 30¢ per successful domestic card transaction, no setup or monthly fees.
Prices and promotions are set by each company and can change. Check the provider’s site before you sign up.
General information only, not tax, legal or investment advice. Enhance Finance LLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by these companies except as described in the disclosure above.
Want these tools set up for you, the right way?