Issue #3 The €0–€100 AI Toolkit for Small Businesses
Free and budget-friendly AI software that helps small businesses punch above their weight.
Most small businesses assume AI means big budgets, enterprise software, and teams of engineers. The truth?
There are powerful AI tools for small businesses out there that cost between €0 and €100 per month. Or even better plenty are completely free.
Tools that can be used for marketing, customer service or finance and HR, and are affordable.
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how SMBs grow, save time, and compete. And a budget AI toolkit that can make a company feel bigger than it is, without blowing up the budget, is definitely handy.
So, let’s see where and what can your company use AI (and cheap).
1. Marketing & Customer Growth
Marketing is often the first place small businesses start with AI.
Content writing: The free version of ChatGPT, Copy.ai, or Jasper’s starter plan can draft product descriptions, blog posts, and social captions in seconds.
SEO helpers: The free versions of Semrush, Ubersuggest, or even Google Search Console uncover keywords, show rankings, and suggest fixes.
Email campaigns: Mailchimp’s free plan and HubSpot CRM use AI to personalize subject lines and boost open rates.
With a handful of AI marketing tools, even a solo founder can run campaigns that look professional.
2. Customer Service & Support
Customers expect quick answers, but hiring 24/7 staff isn’t realistic. AI can do that job.
Chatbots: Tidio and ManyChat let you build bots that answer FAQs or capture leads.
Auto-replies: Gmail and Outlook AI features draft instant responses.
Call insights: Otter.ai and Fireflies transcribe calls and highlight follow-ups automatically.
Faster responses means happier customers, and all above are free or affordable AI chatbots.
3. Operations & Productivity
AI streamlines the boring-but-crucial parts of running a business.
Task automation: Zapier free tier and Make connect apps so data flows automatically.
Document handling: Notion AI and ChatGPT summarize notes, draft reports, and manage tasks.
Smart scheduling: Motion or Clockwise optimize calendars for focus time.
Less admin, more deep work.
4. Finance & Admin
Managing the books doesn’t have to drain your time.
Bookkeeping: QuickBooks Simple Start or Zoho Books starter plans.
Expense tracking: Wave (free) or FreshBooks Lite.
AI invoicing: Automated invoice generators built into QuickBooks or Zoho.
Small businesses can handle finance like pros without hiring one (sorry accountants).
5. Sales Enablement
Closing deals gets easier with AI on your side.
CRM: HubSpot CRM free or Zoho CRM starter organize leads and pipelines.
Lead scoring: Affordable AI add-ons predict who’s most likely to buy.
Outreach: Lavender or Apollo free plan personalize cold emails.
A sales process that feels automated, but still personal.
6. HR & Hiring
Recruiting and onboarding also benefit from AI for SMBs.
Job ads: Draft postings with ChatGPT or Copy.ai templates.
CV screening: Manatal and Breezy HR free plans filter candidates.
Onboarding: ClickUp AI auto-generates checklists and workflows.
Faster hiring, smoother onboarding, fewer HR headaches.
7. Creative & Design
Strong visuals help small businesses stand out.
Graphics: Canva Magic Studio and Adobe Express free tier.
Video editing: CapCut and Descript for captions and trimming.
Product visuals: MidJourney starter, DALL·E credits, or free mockup tools.
Professional branding without a design agency budget.
How to Build Your Toolkit
Here’s the golden rule: start small. Don’t try to adopt every AI tool at once.
Instead, pick 2–3 tools that directly solve your biggest pain point.
Do you want to get more customers? Keep up with admins? Or provide faster support? There is a tool for that.
1. Begin with free tiers.
Most AI platforms give you powerful functionality for €0. Use these versions first to test if the tool really makes your life easier. Only upgrade when you hit a clear limitation that’s worth paying for.
2. Watch your monthly stack.
It’s easy to sign up for multiple tools and end up paying more than you planned. Keep your total AI spend under €100 per month until you can clearly measure the return (like more leads, fewer hours spent on admin, or improved customer feedback).
3. Treat AI as “digital teammates.”
Imagine adding junior staff to your business who:
write first drafts of your emails,
organize your calendar,
and answer common customer questions.
That’s what AI can do today.
The trick is to hire the digital teammates that save you the most time right now, not the ones that look flashy but don’t solve your problems.
4. Keep it flexible.
Your needs will evolve. The toolkit you build today might look different in six months, and that’s okay. The advantage of AI tools is that you can test, switch, or cancel quickly with minimal cost.
Try one new free AI tool this week. The payoff will come faster than you expect.
Have in mind that AI isn’t just for big enterprises. With the right AI toolkit for small businesses, you can compete smarter, respond faster, and grow leaner. But also, be careful. AI is making mistakes, even though they are powerful or seem flawless.