The cheapest stack that still works

Every category filled with a free tier. Fine for a first year. The trade is time: you reconcile, you chase invoices, you answer the chat.

Service business · Just me · curated by SMB Stack · updated 2026-10-09

Your stack

Retail shopRestaurant or caféService businessAgency or studioTrades or contractorOnline storeJust me2–10 people11–50 people51–200 people

POS

Square POSFree $0/mo: 2.6% + 15¢ per tap, dip, or swipe; Plus $49/mo per location: 2.5% + 15¢; Premium $149/mo per location: 2.4% + 15¢

Doesn't connect directly to Wave

$0 /mo

Accounting

WaveFree (bank transactions entered by hand); Pro $19/mo or $190/yr adds automatic bank imports and receipt capture; cards 2.9% + 60¢

Connects to none of your 2 related picks · doesn't connect directly to Square POS and Relay

$0 /mo

PayrollNot chosen · see 12 picks—

Scheduling

Homebase SchedulingBasic free for 1 location, up to 10 employees; per location, unlimited employees, billed annually: Essentials $24/mo, Plus $56/mo (6 months free when you add payroll, limited time), All-in-One $96/mo; payroll add-on extra

Free up to 10 users

CRM

HubSpot CRMFree CRM; Starter Customer Platform $15/mo per seat

Connects to Mailchimp

$15 /mo

Email

MailchimpFree to 250 contacts; Essentials $13/mo at 500 contacts, $26.50 at 1,000, $45 at 2,500, $75 at 5,000, $110 at 10,000 (monthly); Standard from $20/mo

Connects to HubSpot CRM

$13 /mo

Online storeNot chosen · see 14 picks—

Banking

RelayStarter free (20 checking accounts); Grow $30/mo adds approval rules and recurring invoices; Scale $120/mo ($90 limited-time) adds free same-day ACH and 50 accounts

Doesn't connect directly to Wave

$0 /mo

Add a category…Invoicing & paymentsExpense managementInventoryProject managementWebsite builderBusiness phoneBusiness internetAI receptionist & answeringCustomer supportReviews & reputationSocial mediaAI voice & videoPresentations & designSEO & local searchWeb analyticsContracts & e-signatureHR & complianceSecurity & passwordsBusiness insuranceLoans & creditLegal & formation

$28 /mo
for 1 person · core categories onlyWithin your budget (under $100 a month).

1 of 3 connections this stack needs are direct

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