How to Find the Right Apps for Your Business (Plus 6 You Probably Haven't Tried Yet)
Key Takeaways
Start with a clear business need before downloading any app.
Use reputable app directories and comparison tools like G2, Capterra, or Product Hunt.
Conduct pilot tests with a small team before organization-wide deployment.
Consider integration compatibility, customer support, and vendor reputation.
Obscure or niche apps often offer innovation that mainstream tools miss.
How to Find Apps for Business
Choosing the right apps for your business is no longer a matter of preference—it’s a strategic imperative. With over 5 million apps across Android and iOS platforms and thousands more in desktop SaaS marketplaces, the options can be overwhelming. The risk? Wasting budget, time, and productivity on tools that don’t solve the problems you actually have.
This guide is built to help business owners take a smarter, more methodical approach to app discovery. We’ll explore what criteria to prioritize, where to search, how to test effectively, and a few obscure but impressive apps to jumpstart your search.
Why App Discovery Matters
According to a 2023 report from Blissfully, the average SMB uses 137 different SaaS applications — a number that has doubled in the last five years. Yet 29% of these tools are unused after just 3 months. Why?
Poor user adoption
Lack of integrations
Redundant functionality
Overlapping subscriptions
This underscores the need for intentional app selection, rather than chasing trends or peer recommendations alone.
Step 1: Define Your Business Needs
Before opening the app store or Googling "best business tools," you need clarity. What is the problem you're trying to solve? Examples include:
Streamlining onboarding
Automating repetitive tasks
Enhancing collaboration in remote teams
Improving financial tracking or compliance
Each app should solve a specific pain point and align with your goals.
“If you’re not solving a core operational challenge, you’re just adding noise.” — Alina Mehta, CTO at StratEdge Consulting
Step 2: Establish Evaluation Criteria
Create a simple evaluation checklist:
Cost vs. Value – Will it deliver ROI within a realistic timeline?
Scalability – Will it grow with your business?
Ease of Use – Can your team adopt it without extensive training?
Integration – Does it work with your existing stack (Slack, CRM, QuickBooks, etc.)?
Security & Compliance – Especially critical in finance, HR, and legal.
Support – Is customer service responsive and knowledgeable?
Step 3: Where to Discover High-Quality Apps
Skip the generic lists on lifestyle blogs. Instead, use purpose-built resources:
G2 – Real user reviews, comparison charts, and ROI data.
Capterra – Excellent for side-by-side comparisons.
Product Hunt – Great for discovering innovative or early-stage tools.
TechCrunch + Indie Hackers – Spotlight cutting-edge tech for startups.
Reddit (r/smallbusiness, r/entrepreneur) – Honest (sometimes brutally so) feedback.
LinkedIn HR/IT groups – Peer suggestions with practical context.
Step 4: Run a Pilot Program
Once you shortlist a few apps, assign a small internal team to run a pilot program. The goal is to:
Identify usability issues
Collect team feedback
Measure time savings or improvements
Catch integration problems early
A pilot period of 2–3 weeks is usually enough to understand whether an app will fly or flop.
Step 5: Measure Success with KPIs
Don't skip post-deployment evaluation. Measure:
Time saved on tasks
Cost savings or cost avoidance
Error reduction (especially with automation)
User adoption rates
Customer satisfaction impact (if applicable)
Case Study: A mid-size marketing firm piloted an obscure CRM app, OnePageCRM, and reported a 37% reduction in sales rep admin time within 60 days.
Six Obscure Apps Worth Trying
If you need a jumpstart, here are six lesser-known business apps making waves under the radar:
1. Quire
Category: Project Management
A minimalist but powerful tool for organizing team workflows. Think of it as Trello’s quieter, more organized sibling.
2. Plutio
Category: Business Operations
An all-in-one platform for solopreneurs and agencies—from proposals to time tracking to invoicing.
3. Pumble
Category: Team Communication
A Slack alternative with unlimited message history in the free tier. Designed for small businesses.
4. Fyle
Category: Expense Management
Smart expense tracking that integrates directly with Gmail and Outlook. Features real-time policy violation detection.
5. Tability
Category: Goal Tracking / OKRs
Perfect for businesses wanting to move beyond spreadsheets for quarterly planning. Great for visual goal progress.
6. The HR Brief
Category: On-the-go HR Compliance Updates
Timely compliance updates, state and federal breakouts, upcoming alerts, all under one roof. Start with Federal updates for free.
Bonus: Questions to Ask Before Committing
Does the app offer a free trial or freemium version?
Are there documented case studies from similar businesses?
How often is the app updated?
Is the pricing transparent and scalable?
Will the vendor help with onboarding?
Final Thoughts
In a world of information overload, it’s easy to fall into the trap of installing "too many tools." But smart app selection starts with clarity, followed by research, and a commitment to testing before deploying.
Obscure doesn’t mean irrelevant. In fact, the right lesser-known tool might be the secret weapon your business has been missing.
“The right tool doesn’t just make your work easier. It makes your business smarter.” – David Ng, SaaS Implementation Consultant
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