You just finished reading Traction. You’re excited 🔥. Your leadership team is on board. You’ve scheduled your first L10 meeting. Then someone asks: “So… where do we actually track all this stuff?”
And suddenly you’re drowning in Google searches for “best EOS software” while also trying to learn what a Rock actually is.
We’ve been there. When we initially implemented EOS at our previous company BrightGauge, we cobbled together spreadsheets, OneNote templates, and email chains. It technically worked — but adoption was spotty, things fell through the cracks, and scaling beyond our leadership team felt impossible.
That messy experience is exactly why we built Strety. We knew what new EOS teams needed because we’d lived through what they didn’t.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what matters in EOS software when you’re just starting out, which platforms make adoption easiest, and how to avoid the mistakes that derail first-time implementations.
Why Software Matters for New EOS Teams
Here’s what we learned the hard way: EOS works beautifully… until it doesn’t. And the breaking point is almost always adoption.
The pattern plays out like this: Your leadership team gets EOS. You’re running L10 meetings. Rocks are tracked. Issues are getting solved. Then you try to scale it to your department heads, and suddenly nobody’s engaging between meetings. Your beautifully organized spreadsheet sits untouched until five minutes before the next L10.
The statistics back this up. Only 1 in 3 major change initiatives fully meet their goals, and only 7% of workers agree that communication at their business is open, timely, and reliable. When you’re implementing a new operating system, those odds work against you unless you have the right tools.
One marketing agency saw 70% client base growth and 30% year-over-year growth after implementing EOS. The difference between success and abandonment often comes down to whether your tools support daily engagement or require extra effort.
The Spreadsheet Trap
Spreadsheets seem like the smart start. They’re free, familiar, and flexible. You can customize them exactly how you want. Plus, EOS was designed to work with simple tools, so why overcomplicate things?
Here’s why: spreadsheets require behavior change AND discipline. Every Rock update, every Issue added, every To-Do tracked requires someone to remember to open that file, find the right tab, and make the edit.
Jeromy, Caleb, and Michael from Heritage Advises experienced this firsthand. After merging their three agencies, they used spreadsheets to track EOS for 18 months. “We had the spreadsheets ready to go in each channel, but between meetings, no one was looking at them. So we would have a meeting, list the to dos, the rocks and things like that, document it the way we were supposed to. But then we won’t look at it again until the following week.”
The adoption problems compound as you scale. What works for 4 leadership team members becomes chaos at 10 people. By the time you’re ready to roll EOS out department-wide, your spreadsheet system is already broken.
Spreadsheets DO make sense in one scenario: when you’re still exploring whether EOS is right for you. If you’re testing the framework with a small leadership team before committing, our free EOS implementation template gives you structure without financial commitment. But once you’re committed to EOS and planning to scale beyond 6-8 people, the adoption problems become inevitable.
What Changes When You Use Software
The right software doesn’t just replace your spreadsheets — it changes how your team engages with EOS on a daily basis.
Real-time visibility eliminates the “where’s that thing?” moments. Everyone knows where to find the Issues list, Rock updates, and meeting notes. No more hunting through folders or asking “which spreadsheet was that in?”
Integration means less behavior change for your team. When your EOS software runs inside Microsoft Teams or connects to your daily tools, checking on Rocks becomes part of your existing workflow rather than a separate task to remember.
Accountability becomes automatic, not manual. To-Dos sync with your task manager. Rock progress is visible to everyone. People get notifications about commitments instead of waiting until the L10 to remember what they promised.
Scaling beyond your leadership team becomes possible. Mark from Parachute Technology experienced this transformation: “The ease of use of Strety has allowed us to push it across not only the executive level, but also into the department and individual levels. So we have now taken our EOS implementation from a team of six executives to an organization of over seventy people.”
That’s the difference between EOS software that works and software that doesn’t — teams actually use it without constant reminders from leadership.
What Makes EOS Software “Beginner-Friendly”?
After watching hundreds of teams implement EOS, we’ve identified exactly what separates beginner-friendly platforms from ones that overwhelm new users.
James from the ITeam learned this lesson after trying his first EOS platform. “What I didn’t like about the first platform we used [Ninety.io] is that it was very rigid. A lot of it wasn’t very customizable. It felt like — this is the way and the only way. And I didn’t necessarily like that, because it doesn’t always fit every aspect of our business.”
Here’s what actually matters when you’re choosing software for your first 90 days of EOS:
5 Essential EOS Software Criteria for New Teams
1. Intuitive L10 Meeting Flow
Can you run your first Level 10 Meeting without reading a manual? The software should guide you through the agenda naturally — Segue, Scorecard, Rock Review, Headlines, To-Dos, IDS. If you’re spending your first L10 figuring out the software instead of solving issues, it’s too complex.
2. Simple Rock Tracking
Does everyone instantly understand whether a Rock is on-track or off-track? Can they update status in seconds, not minutes? Your quarterly priorities should be visible at a glance, not buried in menus.
3. Integration with Daily Tools
This is where most platforms fail new teams. The software might have every EOS feature imaginable, but if it requires your team to learn a whole new system, adoption will suffer.
Georg from Valiant Technology felt this painfully with their first platform: “The challenge with Ninety.io was that it was so standalone away from our other tools. Every tool we have that doesn’t integrate to our other tools becomes another place we have to go do double entry. So we’re constantly spending time cutting and pasting from one to the other.”
He understood what matters:
“Every time we can avoid having to manually enter something, we’re getting back seconds and minutes. MSPs, like most businesses, especially service businesses, are games of inches. You’re not hitting home runs every day. On your best days, you’re hitting singles constantly.”
4. Forgiving Structure
Your first quarter of EOS won’t be perfect. You’ll realize your Scorecard metrics aren’t quite right. Some teams won’t meet weekly. You might customize your L10 agenda slightly. Beginner-friendly software lets you adapt without breaking the system.
5. Real Human Support
When you’re stuck at 8:45am before your 9am L10, can you get help? The best platforms for new teams include customer success support that actually understands EOS implementation challenges.
The “best” EOS software for beginners? The one your team actually uses 📊. Every other consideration — features, price, even official licensing — is secondary to adoption.
Why Strety Works for Teams New to EOS
Let’s talk about what we built and why it works for beginners.
What Strety is: Built by the founders of BrightGauge (a company we grew and sold using EOS). We’re an official EOS Licensee, and we designed every feature based on what we wished we’d had during our own messy implementation.
Pricing: Competitive with other platforms, with all integrations and features included in the base price rather than as add-ons. Strety pricing is transparent, easy to understand, and affordable.
Best for: Teams that want EOS tools integrated with their daily work. Companies that value modern UX and extensive integrations. Operators who want software built by people who actually run businesses.
Why Strety works for beginners:
The adoption advantage comes from meeting teams where they already work. We run directly inside Microsoft Teams and Slack — you don’t leave your communication hub to run L10 meetings. Your first L10 happens in a familiar environment, not a new platform you’re still learning to navigate.
The integration ecosystem eliminates double-entry work. Connect with Microsoft To Do, Planner, ConnectWise, and major project management platforms. When your To-Dos sync with the tools you already use, checking them becomes part of your existing workflow.
We ship updates weekly based on customer feedback. As an operator-built platform, we move fast when customers tell us something isn’t working. The fastest development speed in the industry means your feedback actually shapes the product.
Customer perspective:
When the Heritage Advises team were evaluating platforms after their spreadsheet adoption problems, they tried multiple options.Â
“We searched around online and from our initial investigation, it came down to Strety versus Ninety.io. We did have a free trial with Ninety.io, but we didn’t do much with it at all. We played around with it a little bit, but it was kind of confusing. It wasn’t simple and straightforward. Versus when we used Strety, it was like, ‘Oh, this is easy. This is straightforward.'”
James from ITeam had run EOS for seven years, starting with spreadsheets and PDFs before trying other platforms. After switching to Strety, his team scaled their implementation from 6 executives to 38 people company-wide.
We built Strety specifically because we remember how overwhelming first-time EOS implementation felt at BrightGauge. Every feature decision came from our own experience as operators, not consultants. That’s why we obsess over things like running meetings inside Teams (meet where you already talk) and one-click To-Do creation from Slack messages (capture ideas instantly, not later).
We’re building software that works with your existing tools while also helping you consolidate where it makes sense. Run projects directly in Strety if that simplifies your stack. Use our survey tools instead of paying for another platform. The goal is giving you flexibility — integrate with what you love, replace what you don’t need.
We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’re building software for operators like us who value integration, modern UX, and the freedom to run EOS their way.
Strety vs. Ninety: If you’re comparing us to Ninety specifically, we’ve written a detailed comparison of Strety vs. Ninety.io that breaks down the key differences in approach, integrations, and pricing.
How to Test-Drive EOS Software (Your 2-Week Trial Plan)
Don’t just sign up and click around. Here’s how to actually test whether software will work for your team.
Week 1: Leadership Team Only
Day 1-2: Initial Setup
- Import or create your Vision/Traction Organizer
- Set up your Accountability Chart
- Create your quarterly Rocks
- Build your Scorecard with actual metrics
Day 3-5: First Real L10 Run ONE real Level 10 Meeting — not a practice run. Use your actual Issues list. Track real To-Dos. See what happens when your team tries to solve problems using the software.
What to watch for:
- Did everyone know where to find the Issues list?
- How many clicks to add a To-Do during the meeting?
- Could you run IDS smoothly, or did the software get in the way?
Day 6-7: Between-Meeting Engagement This is where the truth reveals itself. Did anyone check Rocks between meetings? Did To-Dos get completed? Can people find what they need without asking you?
Week 2: Expand to One Department
Day 8-9: Add Your Next Team Invite your sales team, operations team, or whoever’s next in your rollout plan. Set up their first L10 meeting in the software.
Day 10-12: Watch Where They Get Confused New users reveal problems you didn’t see. Where do they get stuck? What questions do they ask? If the same question comes up multiple times, that’s a warning sign.
Day 13-14: Decision Time If both teams rate their meetings 8+ out of 10 and engagement is good between meetings, roll it out. If adoption is spotty or people are frustrated, try another platform.
The test isn’t whether you love the software — it’s whether your team uses it without constant reminders.
Common Mistakes New Teams Make
Mistake 1: Choosing Legacy Software Over Modern Platforms
We see teams default to the “established” option because it feels safer. They choose platforms that have been around longer, assuming maturity equals quality. Then they discover the interface feels dated, integrations are limited, and the development cycle moves slowly.
Strety is the most feature-rich EOS platform on the market. We have more integrations, more tools (EOS + Projects + People + Performance + Playbooks + Surveys), and faster development speed than any alternative. But features only matter if teams actually use them.
The real question isn’t “who’s been around longest?” It’s “which platform will my team adopt?” Newer players often move faster, listen better, and build with modern workflows in mind. A three-year-old platform with weekly updates can serve you better than a seven-year-old platform that ships semi-annually.
Don’t confuse longevity with quality. Test the software yourself. See which one your team gravitates toward naturally.
Mistake 2: Skipping the Free Trial
Never buy based on a demo alone. Demos are choreographed performances. Your team needs to test the actual workflow — the fumbling around, the “wait, how do I…” moments, the real experience of using it under time pressure during a meeting.
Most platforms offer 30-day free trials. Use the full trial period. Don’t decide after one test meeting.
Mistake 3: Company-Wide Rollout on Day 1
The temptation is real: get everyone on the new system immediately! Create the transformation overnight!
This almost always backfires. Start with your leadership team only. Get comfortable. Build confidence. Then add one department at a time. Each rollout teaches you something that makes the next one smoother.
Mark from Parachute Technology did this right: “We have taken the approach of starting with our leadership team, getting that up and running and getting comfortable with the process, and then we’ve continually moved it further down the organizational chart.”
That patient approach let them scale from 6 executives to 70 people successfully.
Real Stories: Teams Who Got It Right
Stellar Senior Living: Scaling Across 36 Communities
Maddison from Stellar Senior Living managed EOS implementation across 36 senior living communities with hundreds of employees. Talk about a challenging first-time rollout.
“The biggest thing that I’ve seen in the industry is the constant chaos. It’s an emotionally charged environment — you’re supporting families, and caring for aging adults who may feel like every issue is an emergency. It’s easy to fall into a reactive mindset, constantly putting out fires and never looking beyond what’s right in front of you, which I feel like EOS really combats.”
For a team new to EOS managing multiple locations, the software choice mattered enormously. They needed something simple enough for busy community directors to adopt, but robust enough to maintain consistency across all 36 sites.
The lesson for new teams: if software works for a complex multi-location rollout, it’ll work for you.
The Well: Nonprofit Making EOS Accessible
The Well nonprofit proves that new EOS teams don’t need massive budgets to succeed. As a nonprofit running on tight margins, they needed software that delivered value without breaking the bank.
Their experience shows that beginner-friendly doesn’t mean feature-limited. Even resource-constrained organizations can run comprehensive EOS implementations with the right tools. The key is choosing software that simplifies rather than complicates.
What These Teams Did Right
They tested thoroughly before committing. No one chose software based on marketing promises. They tried it with their actual teams doing actual work.
They started small and scaled intentionally. Whether it’s 36 communities or one nonprofit office, they proved the system worked before expanding.
They prioritized real-world usability. In emotionally charged environments or resource-constrained settings, the software had to just work. No time for complicated interfaces or steep learning curves.
They got support when needed. Both teams leaned on customer success and EOS expertise rather than struggling alone through implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you implement EOS without software?
Yes, many teams start with spreadsheets and Google Docs. EOS was designed to work with simple tools. However, software dramatically improves adoption rates and makes scaling beyond your leadership team much easier.
What’s the easiest EOS software to learn for beginners?
The easiest EOS software integrates with tools your team already uses (like Microsoft Teams or Slack) and has intuitive navigation that doesn’t require extensive training. Look for platforms like Strety with strong onboarding support and customer success teams.
How much does EOS software typically cost?
Pricing ranges from $10-15 per user per month for most platforms. Some offer free trials (30 days is common) and the first user free. Consider ROI rather than just cost — teams save hours weekly on meeting prep and follow-up.
Should we start with spreadsheets or jump straight to software?
If you’re just exploring EOS, spreadsheets work fine for your leadership team. Once you’re committed to EOS and planning to scale beyond 6-8 people, software prevents the adoption problems that plague spreadsheet implementations.
What features matter most in EOS software for new teams?
Prioritize simple L10 meeting management, easy Rock tracking, and Scorecard visibility. Integrations with your daily tools (email, chat, calendar) dramatically reduce the learning curve and increase adoption.
How long does it take to onboard a team to EOS software?
Most teams run their first L10 meeting in software within 1-2 weeks. Full adoption across your organization typically takes 30-60 days. The best platforms offer customer success support to accelerate this timeline.
Do we need an EOS Implementer to use EOS software?
No, EOS software works for both self-implementation and implementer-led processes. Many platforms support both paths. However, working with an EOS Implementer often accelerates success, especially for first-time EOS teams.
What’s the biggest mistake new teams make when choosing EOS software?
Choosing software based on anything other than ease of adoption. The “best” platform is the one your team will actually use. Start with your leadership team, test thoroughly, then roll out company-wide.
Next Steps: Getting Started
The right EOS software for beginners integrates with your daily tools, has intuitive navigation, and supports your team through those crucial first 90 days.
Your software choice makes the difference between consistent engagement and abandoned spreadsheets.
If You’re Brand New to EOS
Start here: Grab our free EOS Implementation Template if your team is just getting started. It’s a comprehensive Google Sheet with all the core EOS tools organized in one place — perfect for testing the framework before investing in software.
Use the template to:
- Run your first few L10 meetings
- Set up your initial V/TO and Rocks
- Test whether EOS feels right for your team
- Build momentum before choosing software
Once you’re committed to EOS (usually after 1-2 quarters), that’s when software becomes essential for scaling beyond your leadership team.
If You’re Ready for Software
Start your trial this week. Your leadership team should test-drive software BEFORE your first official quarterly planning session. Use the 2-week testing framework we outlined above. Don’t skip the trial.
We’ve helped thousands of teams through their first EOS implementation. Our customer success team knows exactly where new teams get stuck — and we built Strety to eliminate those friction points.
Run your L10 meetings inside Microsoft Teams. Track Rocks where your team already works. Create To-Dos from Slack messages. Get real humans to help when you’re confused.
Ready to see if Strety is right for your team? Start your free 30-day trial today. No credit card required. Our team will help you run your first L10 meeting in software within a week. Or book a quick call with our team to walk through your specific situation. We’ll be honest about whether we’re the right fit — and if we’re not, we’ll point you in the right direction.
The hard part of EOS isn’t the framework. It’s getting your team to use it consistently. Choose software that makes adoption easy, not complicated.