My top picks · Updated October 2026
Lee Thompson
Digital Marketing Specialist
30 Years +
in Digital Marketing
Building Websites
I recommend Framer
Run Campaigns
Google Ads, Meta, SEO
No Paid Promos
Only my real opinions
My promise
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you sign up through one, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That's how the site stays free and independent.
It never changes a score or a ranking. If a free tool is the better choice for you, I'll say so, even when it earns me nothing. Tools I haven't finished testing are marked 'Soon' instead of getting a made-up score.
Lee Thompson
Digital Marketing Specialist
More ways to choose
Starter stack
Just getting started? The free and low-cost tools I would set up first, one for every job.
Find your starter stack ↗
Agency picks
Running client work or a growing team? Tools built for more seats, more sites and more automation.
See my agency picks ↗
Head-to-head comparisons
Torn between two tools? Straight answers on Semrush vs Ahrefs, Kit vs Mailchimp and ChatGPT vs Jasper.
Compare the tools ↗
My top picks · October 2026
Scored on features, value, ease of use and support, with every price checked on the provider's own pricing page. My AI pick is still being scored: for now, start with ChatGPT's free plan.
Se
Semrush
Best overall · SEO
Businesses serious about Google and AI search
From $139/mo
7-day free trial
8.4
Read review →
Ki
Kit
Best for creators · Email
Newsletters, automations and selling digital products
Free plan available
Paid from $33/mo yearly
8.8
Read review →
Hu
HubSpot CRM
Best free CRM · CRM
Small teams tracking leads and deals for free
Free forever plan
Upgrade when you grow
8.6
Read review →
Fr
Framer
Best for design · Websites
Brands that want a premium site without developers
Free to start
Paid from $10/mo yearly
9.0
Read review →
📏 What the scores mean
Every score is out of 10. It tells you how well a tool does its job for a typical small business at a fair price. Always read who it's best for, because the highest score isn't always the right fit for you.
Scores I stand behind
✓ 9+ means I recommend it for most
✓ 8+ means a strong pick for the right fit
✓ 7+ means good, with clear caveats
What 'Soon' means
– I haven't finished testing it yet
– Prices are checked, the score isn't
– It gets a score once I've used it
Lee's score
9.0
/10 · Excellent
9.0 – 10
Excellent
8.0 – 8.9
Very good
7.0 – 7.9
Good
Below 7
Not recommended
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Affiliate disclosure
DigiStacker is free to use because some links are affiliate links. If you sign up through them I may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes my scores, rankings or recommendations.
Independence
Every verdict is my own opinion, based on my research and experience. No company pays to be reviewed, ranked or featured, and I'll always tell you who should skip a tool as well as who should buy it.
Pricing
Prices are checked on each provider's own pricing page and shown in USD. Software pricing changes often, so always confirm the current price and terms before you buy.
General information only
The content on this site is here to help you compare marketing software. It isn't financial, legal or tax advice, so choose the tools that suit your own business.
DigiStacker is an independent review site run by Lee Thompson, Design and Digital Marketing Specialist with over 30 years experience.
Business tools, rated honestly by Lee Thompson, Digital Marketing Specialist with 30 years in design and marketing. Real prices, my own opinions, zero sponsored rankings.
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