A small, opinionated directory of marketing tools
Better Apps helps owners and operators of small agencies, solo marketers, and in-house teams find the right tool for each marketing job, see what it costs, and know when to ask for help.
Browse all 30 toolsStack cost calculatorSee the stack Kerry runs
17 of these tools are ones Kerry uses. Prices last checked November 5, 2026.
What does a real marketing tool stack cost?
The AI ops stack for small agencies costs $183.74 a month for one person and $662.70 a month for five people, counting each tool's list price on monthly billing. It has 17 tools. We checked every price against the vendor on November 5, 2026. Costs grow with each seat, so the table shows several team sizes.
| Team size | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $183.74 | $2,204.88 |
| 3 people | $423.22 | $5,078.64 |
| 5 people | $662.70 | $7,952.40 |
| 10 people | $1,261.40 | $15,136.80 |
List prices on monthly billing, checked November 5, 2026. Yearly is the monthly figure times 12.
Which marketing job do you need a tool for?
Better Apps groups 30 marketing tools into 6 jobs: Ads, Reporting, Research, Ops, Content and email and AI assistants. Start with the job you need done, then compare the tools for it side by side. Every tool page shows its plans, its list price and the date we last checked that price against the vendor.
Ads
Tools for building, running, and checking paid campaigns on search, social, and video.
5 tools
Reporting
Tools that pull marketing data together and turn it into reports clients and bosses can read.
4 tools
Research
Tools for studying search demand, competitors, audiences, and keywords before you commit budget.
6 tools
Ops
Tools that run the work behind marketing, including projects, approvals, automation, and client handoffs.
7 tools
Content and email
Tools for writing, designing, scheduling, and sending content and email to your audience.
5 tools
AI assistants
AI assistants that help with drafting, analysis, and routine marketing tasks, with a person checking the work.
3 tools
| Job | Tools listed | With a free plan |
|---|---|---|
| Ads | 5 | 1 |
| Reporting | 4 | 4 |
| Research | 6 | 5 |
| Ops | 7 | 6 |
| Content and email | 5 | 5 |
| AI assistants | 3 | 2 |
How does Better Apps work?
Better Apps is run by Kerry Morrison of BetterStory. Every tool page carries facts checked against the vendor, with the source and the check date, most recently November 5, 2026. A tool earns a full review only when Kerry has used it and written a verdict and one real flaw. Nobody pays to change a verdict or a ranking.
Grouped by job
Tools sit under the work they do: Ads, Reporting, Research, Ops, Content and email, and AI assistants. You start with the job you need done and then compare the tools for it.
First-hand verdicts only on reviewed tools
A full review carries Kerry's own verdict, one real flaw, and the date of the review. Tools that Kerry has not reviewed get a listing with verified facts and a clear label.
Prices with a source and a date
Every price shows where it came from and when Better Apps last checked it. Nobody pays to change a verdict or a ranking.
The toolkit is how we work, not what we sell. Better Apps has no affiliate links and no sponsored listings. How we pick tools and how this site makes money.
About Better Apps
What is Better Apps?
Better Apps is a small, opinionated directory of marketing tools. It groups tools by job so you can see what to use, what it costs, and how to set it up.
Who runs Better Apps?
Kerry Morrison of BetterStory runs the site. BetterStory is an applied AI consulting firm for mid-market SaaS.
How do you pick tools?
Tools get a listing with verified facts, and some earn a full review with Kerry's own verdict. The how we pick page explains the two tiers.
Do you take money to list tools?
No. Nobody pays to be listed, to change a verdict, or to change a ranking. At launch there are no affiliate links and no sponsored listings.
How often are prices checked?
Better Apps checks prices every month. Each price shows its source and the date it was last checked.
How do I suggest a tool?
Use the submit page. Send the tool's name or link, what you use it for, and one thing that annoyed you about it.