Last reviewed: August 2026
People often ask which tools work well to run two businesses without a team. Here’s the practical stack — the tools worth opening every week.
Banking & Money
Venn (read the full review →) — business banking, built for Canadian small businesses. EQ Bank (read the full review →) — a place to park savings for a better rate. Wise (read the full review →) — how to pay overseas suppliers; the rates and fees beat most banks. Wealthsimple (read the full review →) — investing and longer-term savings.
Accounting
Xero — connects to your bank, tracks expenses, and makes GST and tax time survivable.
Selling Online
Shopify (read the full review →) — the platform many Canadian stores run on. One of the easiest ways to launch a real online store without a developer.
Content & Marketing
Kit — email list and free lead magnets.
Productivity
Google Workspace — professional email on your own domain, plus docs and storage.
Our Rule for Tools
Nothing makes this list unless it removes real friction. Start with a bank account, bookkeeping, and one selling platform. Add the rest only when you feel the pain they solve.
Disclosure: some links here are referral or affiliate links. If you sign up, Life Built in Canada may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Only genuinely relevant tools are recommended.
← Back to the journal