01 Small business
Free tool stack for a Nepali shop or local service
A pasal, tutor, repair service, or Facebook shop does not need expensive software to start. This hub prioritizes offline-friendly, secure, and simple tools that work on low-end devices.
Starter roadmap
- 01Create basic designs with Photopea, free stock photos, and compressed product images.
- 02Use LibreOffice or OnlyOffice for invoices, stock sheets, and quotations.
- 03Back up records with MEGA or Filen, and protect accounts with Bitwarden plus 2FA.
- 04Use QR tools, PDF tools, and product-background removers when they directly support sales.
Nepal checklist
- Works on NTC/Ncell or common Nepali broadband without a VPN.
- Has a usable free tier, clear NPR-equivalent pricing, or a local payment workaround.
- Supports students, freelancers, or small businesses with practical outcomes.
- Links back to the resources directory so readers can compare alternatives.
Recommended tools
See full directoryPhotopea
Free Photoshop in a browser for menus, price lists, and social posts.
LibreOffice
Free Office; bills, invoices, stock sheets, and Nepali text.
OnlyOffice
MS-compatible alternative if LibreOffice formatting breaks.
Obsidian
Notes and inventory ideas; works offline during power cuts.
BentoPDF
Private client-side PDF tools for quotations and invoices.
Unsplash
Free product/lifestyle photos for social pages.
Pixabay
Second free stock source.
Squoosh
Shrink product photos so pages load on 4G.
FAQ
What is the first tool a shop owner should learn?
Photopea or Canva-style design basics usually create immediate value: menus, offers, price lists, and social posts.
What about security?
Start with Bitwarden for unique passwords and Ente Auth for two-factor authentication on Gmail, wallets, and bank logins.
Do free tools handle Nepali text?
LibreOffice generally handles Nepali text well, but always export and print-test invoices before using them with customers.