Buyer's Guide

10 Best Small Business Checking Accounts: Top Picks for 2026

Explore the best small business checking accounts for 2026, including top banks, fees, features, and standout perks.

By Rayanne Harmon May 4, 2026 | Banking, Buyer's Guide

Choosing the best small business checking account is not as straightforward as it used to be. There are more options than ever, from traditional banks with local branches to digital-first fintech platforms packed with automation tools. What works for one business owner can fall short for another, especially depending on how you handle payments, manage…

7 Best Mobile Credit Card Processors of 2026

By Andrea Herrera May 1, 2026 | Buyer's Guide, Ecommerce, Free Resources, Retail

Mobile credit card processing lets you accept payments anywhere using a smartphone or tablet with a mobile card reader or tap to pay. It’s ideal for vendors, service providers, and retailers that need flexible, on-the-go checkout. In 2026, the best mobile credit card processors offer offline capability, tap to pay on iPhone and Android, fast…

6 Best Hard Money Lenders

I evaluated six top hard money lenders on rates, loan terms, and speed. I found Kiavi best overall for competitive rates and fast approval, with Flip Funding as the go-to for low-credit borrowers.

By Lauren McKinley May 1, 2026 | Buyer's Guide, Financing

The best hard money lender will have varying characteristics depending on your specific needs. However, top lenders should have a combination of competitive rates, a wide range of loan terms, fast funding speeds, and flexibility in eligibility criteria. Hard money loans are generally used for real estate transactions, with the value of the collateral being…

6 Best Fast Business Loans for Quick Cash

By Lauren McKinley May 1, 2026 | Buyer's Guide, Financing

While funding seeds can vary based on the loan type and lender, the best quick business loans should be able to issue funds within 48 hours. Additionally, they should have flexible qualification requirements, favorable rates and terms, and a simple application process. Many types of loans meet the criteria for a fast business loan, although…

7 Best Payroll Software for Small Business Users in 2026

By Robie Ann Ferrer April 30, 2026 | Buyer's Guide, Human Resources

The best payroll software for small business owners should do more than calculate wages and file taxes. It should fit the way your company actually runs, whether you’re paying salaried staff, hourly teams, contractors, or a mix of all three. With the right platform, you can automate payroll, manage paid time off and staff attendance,…

My Ranking of the 6 Best Phone.com Alternatives for 2026

By Faithe J. Day, Ph.D. April 30, 2026 | Buyer's Guide, Office Technology

Phone.com is an affordable voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider with flexible calling plans and virtual numbers. However, it lacks advanced unified communications (UC) features, native integrations, and built-in artificial intelligence (AI) tools that many businesses need to scale. If you need more robust functionality, switching to a Phone.com alternative can improve team collaboration, automation,…

6 Best Payroll Services for Small Businesses (Updated 2026)

By Robie Ann Ferrer April 30, 2026 | Buyer's Guide, Human Resources

Payroll gets complicated fast once you factor in tax filings, garnishments, and state compliance. The best payroll services for small businesses help ensure employees are paid accurately and on time while also handling tax filings and other compliance tasks. In reviewing payroll providers for this guide, I found that not all payroll service providers offer…

6 Best Employer of Record Services for 2026

An employer of record (EOR) offers a wide suite of services and solutions for managing global employment and payroll. Here are my picks for the best EOR services.

By Robie Ann Ferrer April 30, 2026 | Buyer's Guide, Human Resources

Hiring internationally can help businesses expand faster, but it also adds payroll, tax, benefits, and compliance responsibilities that vary by country. If you don’t have in-country HR support, handling those requirements internally can get complicated quickly. That’s where an employer of record (EOR) can help. It lets you hire and pay workers in other countries…