A small business’s growth path depends heavily on its CRM software choice. Gartner’s research shows 40% of small and medium-sized businesses switch their CRM tools to improve performance. Another 31% make the switch because their current systems lack features.
Picking the right customer relationship management tool goes beyond a simple feature checklist. Data quality matters more than you might think. A 2024 Validity study highlights a costly truth – bad CRM data drains at least 20% of annual revenue from 31% of organizations. Small business owners need to think carefully when selecting a CRM system that handles sales pipelines, customer interactions, and business analytics.
We tested 140 CRM tools built for small businesses and picked 15 standout options. These solutions work well for companies at every level, from new startups to faster growing enterprises. Zoho CRM earned PCMag’s Editors’ Choice award because it lets users customize everything. Each platform on our list shines differently based on what you need. The average CRM budget is $87 per user monthly, but most small businesses spend between $35 and $105 – making our recommended options available to growing companies.
Salesforce Sales Cloud
Image Source: Salesforce
Salesforce Sales Cloud dominates the CRM industry with detailed solutions that streamline sales processes from lead to close. This cloud-based platform combines powerful automation with robust analytics to help small businesses scale.
Salesforce Sales Cloud Key Features
The platform centralizes customer data management and gives a complete 360-degree view of customers through multiple communication channels. Sales pipeline management shines with features that track opportunities, score leads, and forecast sales. The AI-powered Einstein system scores leads and opportunities to help sales teams set priorities. Sales representatives can access immediate data, update records, and work together with team members from anywhere using mobile access. The platform also streamlines repetitive tasks like data entry and follow-up emails through robust automation tools.
Salesforce Sales Cloud Pros and Cons
Pros:
- One source of truth for all customer information through centralized data management
- Customization features that adapt to your business’s specific needs
- Evidence-based decision making through powerful analytics and reporting tools
- Easy connection with many third-party applications
- Growth potential that matches your business needs
Cons:
- Users who aren’t tech-savvy might struggle with the learning curve
- Small businesses may find it costlier than other CRM options
- Setup might need expert help
- Simple businesses could feel overwhelmed by features
Salesforce Sales Cloud Pricing
The platform comes in five main tiers. Starter Suite costs CAD 34.83 per user/month with simple lead and opportunity management. Pro Suite at CAD 139.34 per user/month adds forecasting and customizable dashboards. Enterprise tier costs CAD 229.90 per user/month with advanced pipeline management and deal insights. The Unlimited plan runs CAD 459.81 per user/month and includes predictive AI features. Einstein 1 Sales costs CAD 696.68 per user/month for businesses that need generative AI capabilities.
Salesforce Sales Cloud Best For
Growing small businesses ready to invest in a detailed, adaptable CRM solution will find great value in Salesforce Sales Cloud. Companies with complex sales processes that need automation and teams looking for detailed analytics will benefit most. The platform serves businesses in finance, healthcare, retail and other sectors. Teams willing to invest time in training and customization will get the most from this robust system.
HubSpot CRM
Image Source: HubSpot
HubSpot CRM is a versatile platform that brings sales, marketing, and customer service tools together in one ecosystem. This all-in-one solution helps small businesses manage customer relationships with an easy-to-use interface that sets it apart from complex systems.
HubSpot CRM Key Features
The platform’s complete contact management system lets businesses store and organize customer information quickly. It has detailed contact profiles and interaction history that help personalize outreach. Sales teams can view their pipeline through a visual dashboard with immediate reporting. They get notifications when prospects open emails or visit websites. The marketing automation tools let businesses create, schedule, and track campaigns easily. Built-in features for meeting scheduling, document sharing, and call logging cut down manual data entry. The free version gives you unlimited data storage for up to 1,000,000 contacts.
HubSpot CRM Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface that works great for beginners
- Free plan with core CRM features
- One platform for marketing, sales, and service
- Uninterrupted connection with over 500 external tools
- Options that grow as your business expands
Cons:
- Adding advanced features costs a lot more
- Less customization than enterprise alternatives
- Higher-tier plans are needed for advanced automation and A/B testing
- No custom reporting in free version
- You pay more to increase contact limits
HubSpot CRM Pricing
The platform uses a freemium model with five hubs: Marketing, Sales, Service, Content, and Operations. You get basic CRM features with unlimited users in the free plan. Starter Customer Platform costs CAD 20.90 per user monthly with annual billing or CAD 27.87 month-to-month. Professional plans are a big deal as they start at CAD 1,114.69 per month for the Marketing Hub. Enterprise plans cost CAD 5,991.45 monthly before onboarding fees. Professional and Enterprise plans need yearly contracts and onboarding fees from CAD 2,090.04 to CAD 9,753.52.
HubSpot CRM Best For
Startups and small businesses looking for an easy-to-use, scalable solution without heavy upfront costs will love HubSpot CRM. Companies just starting their customer relationship processes find great value in the free plan. The Starter plan works best for businesses with modest budgets that need simple automation and email marketing. Mid-sized companies with bigger budgets will benefit more from higher tiers that offer complete marketing automation and advanced analytics. The platform shines when you have a social-first marketing strategy that needs integrated content management, social media, and email tools.
Zoho CRM
Image Source: Zoho
Zoho CRM stands out as a robust player in the CRM world by combining sophisticated features with cost-effectiveness. This cloud-based solution helps businesses of all types standardize their customer interactions and optimize sales operations.
Zoho CRM Key Features
Zoho CRM shines in sales force automation and removes repetitive tasks through efficient workflows. The platform has detailed lead management tools that capture, score, and identify promising leads. Its workflow automation takes care of routine follow-ups and updates fields automatically. The AI assistant Zia can predict deal outcomes, spot anomalies, and suggest macros based on how users work. Blueprint feature makes sales processes visual so team members know their next steps at each pipeline stage. Zoho’s omnichannel tools enable immediate customer conversations through email, social media, phone, and live chat. Mobile teams can access the platform through iOS and Android apps that sync data even offline.
Zoho CRM Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable without technical knowledge
- Easy-to-use interface with efficient onboarding
- Rich integration options with 900+ third-party extensions
- Detailed free plan that supports three users
- Strong automation tools in all pricing tiers
Cons:
- Basic-tier plans have fewer features
- Customer support gets mixed feedback
- Third-party integrations can be challenging
- AI tools only available in premium plans
- Top-tier subscriptions needed for advanced analytics
Zoho CRM Pricing
Zoho’s pricing structure spans five tiers. The Free plan lets three users access simple features. The Standard plan costs CAD 19.51 per user monthly when billed annually and adds sales forecasting and custom fields. Professional tier at CAD 32.05 brings inventory management and Google Ads integration. Enterprise level at CAD 55.73 offers AI capabilities, territory management, and custom functions. Ultimate plan priced at CAD 72.45 delivers expanded feature limits and advanced analytics.
Zoho CRM Best For
Zoho CRM works perfectly for small to medium businesses moving from spreadsheets to organized customer management. Companies looking for an affordable yet flexible platform will find great value here. The system suits organizations that need to standardize processes without complex enterprise features. Zoho’s scalable pricing lets businesses expand smoothly, making it ideal for growing startups. The platform excels when companies need to connect multiple business tools and departments efficiently.
Pipedrive
Image Source: Pipedrive
Pipedrive stands out as a CRM solution that changes complex sales processes into manageable visual pipelines. The platform’s easy-to-use design puts pipeline clarity and sales efficiency first. This makes it perfect for businesses that want straightforward customer relationship management.
Pipedrive Key Features
The platform’s visual sales pipeline lets you drag and drop deals to track their progress. It makes your work easier by handling routine tasks from data entry to follow-up emails. Smart contact management pulls information about contacts from the web automatically, which cuts down manual work. The AI-powered Sales Assistant looks at your sales data to give tailored recommendations and helps write personalized emails from simple prompts. You get detailed reporting tools with customizable dashboards that track key performance metrics. Sales teams can sync with their favorite mobile apps and talk to clients through Gmail and Outlook while they’re out and about.
Pipedrive Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Workflows you can customize to match your business processes
- Smooth integration with over 400 third-party tools
- Easy-to-use visual pipeline that tracks sales clearly
- Resilient infrastructure for reporting and analytics
- Simple interface that doesn’t need much technical know-how
Cons:
- Top-tier plans cost more for advanced features
- All but one of these plans lack built-in project management
- Takes time to learn despite the simple design
- Lead section needs more customization options and Kanban view
- Basic plans have limited AI features
Pipedrive Pricing
Pipedrive has five pricing tiers with monthly or annual billing options. Annual billing saves up to 42%. The Essential plan costs CAD 19.51 per user monthly with annual billing. The Advanced plan runs CAD 54.34 per user monthly and includes email templates and automation features. The Professional tier costs CAD 68.27 and has AI tools and revenue forecasting. The Power plan (CAD 89.18) adds project management. Enterprise level (CAD 137.94) gives you enhanced security and unlimited customizations.
Pipedrive Best For
Small to medium businesses moving from spreadsheets to structured customer management will find Pipedrive most useful. Sales-focused teams that need visual pipeline management get the most value from this platform. The CRM works great for organizations that want to standardize their processes without dealing with enterprise-level complexity. The platform helps businesses boost their conversion rates through better sales visualization and task prioritization.
Ontraport
Image Source: Ontraport
Ontraport serves as an all-in-one business platform designed for small and mid-sized businesses that want to streamline their operations. This detailed CRM solution brings together marketing automation, sales management, and customer service tools in one unified system.
Ontraport Key Features
The sort of thing I love about Ontraport is its custom objects capability. Businesses can store and manage data beyond traditional contacts and deals. Users create relationships between different record types to handle complex business processes. The platform’s visual campaign builders orchestrate multi-channel marketing funnels. On top of that, its smart pipelines let you manage sales processes and customer experiences with drag-and-drop simplicity. The system captures every interaction automatically in a unified contact history, from page visits to purchases. The platform has task automation to coordinate online and offline activities, among other self-scheduling capabilities with Google Calendar integration. Ontraport also offers lead scoring and routing to help you focus on high-potential prospects.
Ontraport Pros and Cons
Pros:
- The platform adapts and customizes without needing developer help
- Exceptional customer support with quick service and educational resources
- Detailed all-in-one solution that reduces the need for multiple tools
- Built-in membership site and course creation features
- Enterprise-grade marketing automation within the CRM platform
Cons:
- Takes time to learn with a sometimes overwhelming interface
- Few integrations with external platforms compared to competitors
- Costs more for small businesses just starting out
- Some technical issues with automation features
- Reports and metrics need many filters to understand
Ontraport Pricing
Ontraport has tiered pricing with a 14-day free trial (no credit card required). The Basic plan starts at CAD 110.08/month for 1,000 contacts and one user. The Plus plan costs CAD 204.82/month for 2,000 contacts and two users. For growing businesses, the Pro plan runs CAD 413.83/month supporting 10,000 contacts and three users. The Enterprise plan at CAD 692.50/month has 20,000 contacts and five users. Each additional user costs CAD 64.09/month across all plans.
Ontraport Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses that need a detailed solution instead of multiple platforms will benefit from Ontraport. The system excels for businesses with subscription models, online courses, or membership sites. Companies that need sophisticated marketing automation with CRM functionality will find great value here. The platform’s extensive support resources and accessible interface help organizations with non-technical staff. To conclude, growing businesses ready to centralize and automate their customer experience across marketing, sales, and support will find Ontraport invaluable.
Nimble
Image Source: www.nimble.com
Nimble stands out as a relationship-focused CRM that connects social media data with traditional contact management. This single-tier platform enriches contact data automatically from public and private databases. Small businesses can build stronger customer relationships without spending hours on manual data entry.
Nimble Key Features
Nimble’s unified contact management system brings together data from emails, calendars, and social networks into one complete view. The powerful Nimble Prospector browser extension gathers contact information across websites and social platforms without tab switching. The social data enrichment feature pulls details like job titles, location, and social profiles automatically to create complete contact records. Users can track sales opportunities through customizable deal pipelines with visual processes. The platform also comes with built-in email marketing tools that track performance and a web form builder to generate leads. Each account can store up to 25,000 contacts with 2GB storage per user.
Nimble Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Smooth integration with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
- Strong social media connectivity for relationship intelligence
- Accessible interface with minimal learning curve
- Complete mobile app with business card scanning
- Automatic contact enrichment reduces manual data entry
Cons:
- Limited to 100 group messages per user daily
- No free plan (only 14-day trial available)
- 2GB storage per seat may be insufficient for document-heavy businesses
- Additional costs for exceeding contact limits
- Basic reporting capabilities compared to enterprise alternatives
Nimble Pricing
Nimble keeps pricing simple with a single Business plan at CAD 34.69 per user/month with annual billing or CAD 41.66 per user/month billed monthly. The plan has 25,000 contacts, 2GB storage per seat, and the Nimble Prospector tool. Growing businesses can add 10,000 contacts or 10GB storage for CAD 13.93 per month each.
Nimble Best For
Nimble serves small business teams and solopreneurs who value relationship building over complex sales tracking. The platform excels for professionals who use social selling and need enriched contact data. Teams using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace benefit from Nimble’s smooth integration features. Sales professionals looking for a balance between functionality and simplicity will find great value in this affordable, accessible system.
Membrain
Image Source: Membrain
Membrain stands out from regular CRMs by combining sales enablement with CRM features tailored for complex B2B sales cycles. This specialized platform has proven its worth as a three-time Top Sales CRM winner. It’s the only software recognized as a G2 Crowd High Performer in CRM, Sales Performance Management, Sales Coaching, and Sales Enablement categories.
Membrain Key Features
The platform offers four distinct products that work together or independently. The Prospecting module guides teams through prospect qualification and provides sales engagement playbooks for human-centered interactions. Active Pipeline makes sales processes visible, predictable and measurable. Account Growth lets teams create account plans, build relationships, and add customer value. The platform’s coaching tools help develop sales talent with evidence-based results. Teams can access relevant content throughout the sales process at the right time. The software has a complete CRM database to manage accounts, contacts, and activities. Users also get productivity tools like email tracking and team collaboration features.
Membrain Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Visual sales process with drag-and-drop customization
- Built-in playbooks providing step-by-step guidance
- Resilient coaching capabilities with performance tracking
- Uninterrupted integration with 100+ applications including Office365
- Complete CRM functionality included at no extra cost
Cons:
- Annual contracts required with no month-to-month option
- Steeper learning curve for complex sales implementations
- Higher price point compared to simple CRM solutions
- Limited capabilities on free version
- Less suitable for simple transactional sales processes
Membrain Pricing
The software’s pricing revolves around four core products. Prospecting costs CAD 68.27 per user monthly. Active Pipeline runs CAD 96.14 per user monthly. Account Growth is priced at CAD 124.01 per user monthly. Elevate starts at CAD 416.61 per account monthly including one coach. Users can get all three sales modules in the Sales Suite bundle for CAD 249.41 per user monthly. Additional features like Content Hub+ and advanced automations are available for extra fees.
Membrain Best For
B2B organizations with complex, consultative selling environments get the most value from Membrain. Companies looking to standardize sales processes across teams will find it particularly useful. The platform works best for businesses with sales cycles lasting three months or more. Teams focused on sales coaching will benefit from Membrain’s structured performance improvement approach. The software helps companies boost win rates through consistent process execution rather than just tracking customer data.
Salesmate
Image Source: Salesmate
Salesmate is a smart sales CRM built for small businesses that want to boost their sales and marketing without switching between multiple tools. This cloud-based solution combines complete contact management with powerful automation features.
Salesmate Key Features
Salesmate provides 360° contact management with auto profile enrichment that cuts down manual data entry. The visual sales pipeline shows clear deal progression with simple drag-drop controls. The built-in calling and texting features make separate communication tools unnecessary. Smart emails with tracking let users know when prospects open emails, which enables quick follow-ups. The platform has Smart Flows to automate sales and marketing tasks, along with customizable web forms that capture leads. Users can also make use of the meeting scheduler to cut down email exchanges. A mobile app helps teams stay productive anywhere with quick access to contacts, deals, and communication tools.
Salesmate Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Small business-friendly pricing
- Exceptional customer support rated 4.9/5 on Capterra
- Complete automation for both sales and marketing
- User-friendly interface that’s easy to learn
- Built-in calling and texting capabilities
Cons:
- Reports can be hard to understand
- Some users report accuracy problems
- Simple plan has limited features
- Extra costs for calling and texting credits
Salesmate Pricing
Salesmate comes with four pricing tiers and a 15-day free trial. The Basic plan costs CAD 32.05 per user monthly and provides simple pipeline management. The Pro plan at CAD 54.34 adds sequences and quotes management. The Business plan costs CAD 87.78 and includes deal credit split and power dialer features. The Enterprise plan has custom pricing with dedicated support.
Salesmate Best For
Small businesses are Salesmate’s sweet spot, especially teams that need an all-in-one CRM solution. The platform works great for companies that want to automate repetitive sales tasks but keep their customer interactions personal. The software serves many industries from retail and real estate to IT consulting and manufacturing. Salesmate strikes the right balance between cost and features for growing businesses moving from simple spreadsheets to organized customer management.
Nutshell
Image Source: Nutshell CRM
Nutshell takes a direct approach to CRM that makes it easy for small businesses to use without losing any powerful features. This friendly platform solves a common problem – getting sales teams to actually use the software.
Nutshell Key Features
Nutshell gives you complete contact management with unlimited storage for contacts and accounts. The platform lets you customize sales pipelines with visual workflows that make tracking opportunities easy. Your email and calendar sync naturally with both Google and Microsoft platforms. Sales automation handles routine tasks so teams can focus on closing deals. The platform provides solid reporting tools with activity, funnel, and forecast reports. It also has personal email sequences, meeting scheduling software, and AI-powered speech-to-text transcription called Notetaker. Mobile apps for iOS and Android help teams stay productive away from their desks.
Nutshell Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Clean, accessible interface that needs minimal training
- No limits on contacts, storage, or users
- Powerful out-of-the-box reporting
- Integration with popular tools like Google Apps and Mailchimp
- Free live support with all plans
Cons:
- Fewer customization options than enterprise alternatives
- Support available only Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm Eastern
- You need higher-tier plans for multiple pipelines
- Some users have trouble with email HTML display
- Extra costs for SMS messaging capabilities
Nutshell Pricing
Nutshell has tiered pricing with monthly or annual billing options. The Foundation plan starts at CAD 22.29 per user monthly (billed annually). Pro plan costs CAD 58.52 per user monthly and adds features like multiple pipelines and email sequences. Power AI plan runs CAD 72.45 monthly per user and includes AI timeline summaries and voice transcription. Enterprise needs are met with the top tier at CAD 93.36 per user monthly, giving you unlimited pipelines and custom fields. All plans come with free access to Marketing Foundation and Engagement Foundation.
Nutshell Best For
Small-business outbound sales teams who want quick setup and adoption will find Nutshell excellent. The platform works best when organizations move from spreadsheets to structured customer management. Companies with non-technical users get great value from Nutshell’s approach. This CRM helps businesses boost team productivity without long training or complex setup processes.
Close
Image Source: Close CRM
Close delivers a simplified CRM experience that turns leads into revenue quickly. The platform’s design helps small businesses start using it right away without spending too much time on setup.
Close Key Features
The platform has complete contact management with unlimited leads and contacts in higher-tier plans. A unified communication hub blends email, calling, SMS, and video capabilities into one user-friendly interface. The workflow automation takes care of repetitive tasks and boosts productivity through customizable sequences. Sales teams can access full functionality through iOS and Android apps while on the move. The AI Email Assistant drafts and edits messages right in the platform. AI Lead Summaries create quick overviews of important activities. Teams can utilize Power Dialer to make sequential calls, while Predictive Dialer connects agents when contacts pick up. On top of that, it has custom fields, opportunity tracking, and pipeline management tools.
Close Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Users can start making calls within 15 minutes of starting the trial
- Customer support ranks at the top with complete training resources
- Single platform eliminates the need for multiple tools
- Direct access to global calling, email, and SMS from one interface
- Structured communication through workflows reduces manual work
Cons:
- Sales experience helps get better results (though learning resources exist)
- Price seems high until you factor in features that others charge extra for
- Trial lasts only 14 days with no free plan
- Best rates require yearly contracts
- Automation features sometimes face technical issues according to users
Close Pricing
Close comes with four pricing tiers and monthly or annual billing choices. The Solo plan fits individual users with basic features. The Essentials plan costs CAD 68.27 per user monthly. The Growth tier runs CAD 137.94 per user monthly with extra automation features. The Scale plan costs CAD 193.68 per user monthly and adds advanced coaching tools and permissions. Calling features cost extra based on usage.
Close Best For
Small businesses and startups that need quick setup without complications will find Close most useful. The platform managed to keep its focus on small business needs instead of chasing larger enterprises. Sales teams looking to double their productivity through simplified processes will see great results. The platform’s user-friendly design and excellent support make it perfect for teams without much technical expertise.
Copper
Image Source: PRWeb
Copper is the leading CRM solution that works perfectly with Google’s ecosystem. The platform makes use of extensive server resources to provide uninterrupted integration with Gmail and other Google applications.
Copper Key Features
The Chrome extension lets users manage their CRM tasks right inside Gmail or Google Calendar. Users can quickly access tasks, view past activities, and add contacts without switching apps. The platform sends automated emails through one-off messages and email sequences directly from Gmail accounts to add a personal touch. The API stands out with its user-friendly design and robust capabilities. Teams find building integrations much easier compared to platforms like HubSpot. Custom workflow needs are met through excellent Zapier and Make connectors that integrate with tools like PandaDoc and Dialpad.
Copper Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Deep Google Workspace integration with native functionality
- Simple interface that teams quickly adopt
- Gmail-based email automation
- Robust and simple API for custom integrations
- Fast setup with user-friendly design
Cons:
- Email automation works only in People and Leads sections
- Email sequences need Business tier subscription
- Limited merge fields in email templates
- Automated emails lack native unsubscribe option
- Costs more than simple CRM alternatives
Copper Pricing
Copper provides four pricing tiers. The Starter plan costs CAD 12.54 per seat monthly (annual billing) or CAD 16.72 (monthly billing) with 1,000 contact limit and simple features. The Basic plan costs CAD 32.05 per seat monthly (annual) or CAD 40.41 (monthly) and adds pipelines and task automation. The Professional plan is CAD 82.21 per seat monthly (annual) or CAD 96.14 (monthly) with workflow automation and reporting. The Business plan costs CAD 137.94 (annual) or CAD 186.71 (monthly) and offers unlimited contacts with premium support.
Copper Best For
We see organizations that rely heavily on Google Workspace choosing Copper for their daily operations. Small businesses love its simple design that needs minimal training. Teams moving from spreadsheets to organized customer management appreciate its Google-like interface. The platform works best for companies that value simplicity over complex features, especially those deep in the Google ecosystem.
Keap
Image Source: Keap
Keap utilizes automation to help small businesses streamline their sales and marketing processes. This strong platform, previously called Infusionsoft, combines CRM functionality with sophisticated automation tools. Small businesses can focus on growth instead of repetitive tasks.
Keap Key Features
The platform shines with its advanced automation tools that handle day-to-day sales and marketing tasks. Keap offers detailed contact management and automated lead capture through custom forms, landing pages, and social media. Marketing tools come with email and text messaging capabilities. The system triggers personalized follow-ups based on client data and activity. Sales teams get pipeline management, appointment scheduling, and quote generation features. The AI content assistant creates emails, landing pages, and marketing campaigns quickly. The platform has built-in payment processing and invoicing features among other reporting tools.
Keap Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Advanced automation tools save time on daily tasks
- Single platform combines CRM, marketing, and sales tools
- Migration services up to 15 free hours
- The core team includes a Success Manager and 24/7 chat support
- Quick-start automation templates for fast setup
Cons:
- Costs more than other small business CRMs
- Contact list growth leads to substantial price increases
- Required one-time implementation fee of CAD 695.29
- Some users report outdated platform design
- Learning curve remains steep despite the easy-to-use interface
Keap Pricing
The Pro plan starts at CAD 179.74 monthly for two users with annual billing (CAD 235.48 monthly). Three users can access the Max plan at CAD 277.28 monthly with annual billing (CAD 334.41 monthly). Both plans offer complete features but differ in contact limits. Each additional user costs CAD 40.41.
Keap Best For
Small businesses ready to automate their customer relationships will find value in Keap. The platform excels at eliminating hours of manual work while improving lead conversion rates. Service-based businesses, e-commerce operations, and SMEs benefit from Keap’s all-encompassing approach to automation and customer management.
Freshsales
Image Source: Tech.co
Freshsales delivers a cloud-based CRM solution that small and medium-sized businesses can use to simplify their sales processes. The platform combines core functionality with accessibility as part of the complete Freshworks suite.
Freshsales Key Features
The platform uses AI-powered contact and deal scoring that helps teams focus on promising opportunities. Teams can customize dashboards and reports based on their business needs. A single interface gives users access to unified sales tools like chat, email, and phone communication. Sales pipeline visibility improves with its Kanban view for contacts, accounts, and deals. Higher-tier plans include Freddy AI that provides informed insights, contact scoring, and text enhancement capabilities.
Freshsales Pros and Cons
Pros:
- A forever-free plan that supports unlimited users with core functionality
- Paid plans start at CAD 12.54 per user monthly
- Communication tools come built-in with all plans
- Multiple automation options reduce manual work
- Custom fields and dashboards make the interface fully adaptable
Cons:
- Support works only on weekdays
- Free plan lacks reporting features
- Enterprise alternatives offer more customization options
- Large data volumes can cause performance issues
- Users give mixed feedback about support quality
Freshsales Pricing
The free plan accommodates up to three users. Teams pay CAD 12.54 per user monthly (billed annually) for the Growth plan with Kanban views and communication tools. AI features and multiple sales pipelines come with the Pro plan at CAD 54.34 per user monthly. The Enterprise tier costs CAD 82.21 per user monthly and adds advanced customization and governance features.
Freshsales Best For
Businesses that need an all-in-one CRM solution will find value in Freshsales’s simplified processes without multiple systems. The accessible interface makes it ideal for organizations new to CRM software. Sales automation capabilities help businesses save valuable time. The flexible reporting tools benefit companies that need custom reports and dashboards for informed decisions.
Less Annoying CRM
Image Source: Less Annoying CRM
Less Annoying CRM lives up to its name with a refreshingly straightforward approach in the ever-changing world of customer relationship management. This self-funded platform has managed to keep its steadfast dedication to small business needs since 2009. They rejected the typical investor-driven model that pushes for enterprise features and higher prices.
Less Annoying CRM Key Features
Less Annoying CRM gives you unlimited contacts and companies with a clean, uncluttered interface built for immediate productivity. The platform has customizable pipelines and fields that adapt to specific business needs without technical expertise. Users get continuous connection with Google Calendar integration among built-in task management with daily email reminders. The platform’s form builder, added recently, automatically populates the CRM with lead data. Teams stay connected without dedicated apps through 25GB of file storage per user and detailed mobile access from any browser.
Less Annoying CRM Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Accessible interface that needs minimal training
- Transparent, consistent pricing without hidden costs
- Outstanding customer support from seasoned CRM coaches (5+ years average experience)
- 30-day free trial without credit card requirements
- Quick implementation with minimal setup time
Cons:
- No permanent free plan available
- Limited feature set compared to more detailed platforms
- Lacks built-in email marketing and advanced workflow automation
- No dedicated mobile app, only browser-based mobile access
- Support hours limited to business days
Less Annoying CRM Pricing
Less Annoying CRM offers one straightforward plan at CAD 20.90 per user monthly without contracts or additional fees. Their transparent approach has all features, unlimited contacts, 25GB storage per user, and free support. The company keeps this simplified pricing structure to avoid the common industry practice of forcing upgrades or introducing hidden costs.
Less Annoying CRM Best For
Less Annoying CRM serves individual users and small teams who want a no-headache approach to customer management. The platform works best for businesses moving from spreadsheets to their first CRM system. Organizations that value simplicity over extensive features ended up finding substantial value in this approach. This is clear from 100% of surveyed users planning to renew their subscriptions.
Apptivo
Image Source: Apptivo
Apptivo uses a modular approach to CRM and offers a broad app suite. The platform covers finance, HR, inventory management, and marketing tools among other customer relationship features. Users will appreciate its flexible dashboards, detailed lead profiles, and deal creation capabilities.
Apptivo Key Features
The platform stands out with its modular design that delivers specific functions through “apps” – you can access over 65 of them across different plans. The system manages contacts through separate apps for Leads, Contacts, and Customers. It makes a clear distinction between individuals (Leads/Contacts) and businesses (Customers). Sales teams can customize their pipelines with Kanban board options to visualize deal progress. The platform automates workflows to handle routine tasks when specific triggers occur. Gmail or Outlook users can integrate their email directly through Apptivo’s Emails app. Sales teams can track pipeline value, sales funnel performance, and 12-month forecasts with detailed analytics.
Apptivo Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable interface with exceptional dashboard functionality
- Outstanding technical support includes 24/7 email and chat across all plans
- Complete all-in-one solution needs fewer separate tools
- Simple contact and customer data management
- Strong opportunity and pipeline reporting capabilities
Cons:
- Learning curve exists due to many features and settings fields
- UI looks less modern than some competitors like Zoho CRM
- Pages sometimes need refreshing for updates
- Modern AI content-generation tools lag behind competitors
- Many options can feel overwhelming
Apptivo Pricing
The platform comes with four pricing tiers and offers monthly or annual billing. A Lite plan starts at CAD 20.90 per user monthly with annual billing, including 18 apps and 100 custom fields. The Premium plan costs CAD 34.83 monthly with annual billing, offering 46 apps and 250 custom fields. Ultimate plan users pay CAD 55.73 monthly with annual billing to access 57 apps and 350 custom fields. Enterprise customers get custom pricing with 65 apps and 500 custom fields.
Apptivo Best For
Small to medium businesses that need solutions beyond simple CRM functions will find Apptivo valuable. The platform works well for organizations that want to bring their marketing, sales, and customer service under one roof. Companies moving from physical retail to online stores benefit from Apptivo’s eCommerce features. The platform delivers great value when you need extensive customization without technical know-how.
Comparison Table
| CRM Solution | Starting Price (CAD/month) | Key Distinctive Features | Best Suited For | Notable Pros | Notable Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce Sales Cloud | 34.83/user | – AI-powered insights (Einstein) – 360° customer view – Advanced pipeline management | Growing businesses with complex sales processes | – Extensive customization – Powerful analytics – Adaptable | – Steep learning curve – Higher cost – Complex implementation |
| HubSpot CRM | Free (Basic) 20.90/user (Starter) | – Marketing automation – Email tracking – Up to 1M contacts storage | Startups and small businesses needing simple CRM | – User-friendly – Detailed free plan – All-in-one platform | – Expensive advanced features – Limited customization – Costs increase with contacts |
| Zoho CRM | Free (3 users) 19.51/user | – AI assistant (Zia) – Blueprint feature – Omnichannel capabilities | SMBs moving from spreadsheets | – Highly customizable – Strong automation – Wide range of integrations | – Limited lower-tier features – Mixed support quality – Integration challenges |
| Pipedrive | 19.51/user | – Visual sales pipeline – Smart contact management – AI Sales Assistant | Sales-focused teams needing visual management | – Efficient workflows – Visual pipeline tracking – User-friendly | – Higher costs for advanced features – Limited lead customization – Steep learning curve |
| Ontraport | 110.08/month | – Custom objects – Visual campaign builders – Membership site capabilities | Businesses with subscription models | – Flexible platform – Exceptional support – All-in-one solution | – Steep learning curve – Limited integrations – Higher starting cost |
| Less Annoying CRM | 20.90/user | – Simple interface – Google Calendar integration – 25GB storage per user | Small teams seeking simplicity | – User-friendly – Clear pricing – Outstanding support | – No free plan – Limited features – No mobile app |
| Freshsales | Free (3 users) 12.54/user | – AI-powered scoring – Built-in communication tools – Customizable dashboards | Businesses new to CRM software | – Budget-friendly – Built-in communication tools – Customizable interface | – Limited weekend support – No free plan reporting – Performance issues |
| Apptivo | 20.90/user | – 65+ business apps – Modular approach – Extensive customization | SMBs needing detailed solutions | – Highly customizable – 24/7 support – All-in-one solution | – Complex interface – Dated UI – Overwhelming options |
Conclusion
Small businesses need the right CRM solution to improve operations and propel development. Our detailed review of 15 leading CRM platforms reveals several crucial factors decision-makers should think about.
Different CRM solutions shine based on what your business needs. Salesforce Sales Cloud packs enterprise-grade features with powerful customization, though it costs more. HubSpot CRM shines as an excellent starting point with its reliable free tier – perfect for startups watching their budget. Zoho CRM earned PCMag Editors’ Choice by striking the sweet spot between cost and advanced features.
Prices vary by a lot among these options. HubSpot, Freshsales, and Zoho CRM give you simple features at no cost. Mid-range options like Less Annoying CRM at CAD 20.90 per user and Pipedrive starting at CAD 19.51 per user pack solid features at reasonable prices. Premium choices such as Ontraport (CAD 110.08/month) and Keap (CAD 179.74/month) bring advanced automation tools for businesses ready to spend more.
Your best choice depends on your business’s specific needs. Teams that value simplicity should look at Less Annoying CRM or Nutshell. Copper works best for organizations heavily using Google Workspace. B2B companies with complex sales cycles might find Membrain especially valuable. Keap or Ontraport could be ideal for businesses that need powerful automation.
Small businesses should identify their core needs before picking a CRM platform. Understanding your team’s size, tech expertise, integration requirements, and budget will help narrow down the options. Most providers offer free trials that let you test-drive their platform before making a decision.
Validity’s 2024 study shows CRM’s importance clearly – poor CRM data costs all but one of these organizations at least 20% of their yearly revenue. Choosing the right customer relationship management tool isn’t just a tech decision – it’s the foundation for business growth and customer satisfaction.
FAQs
Q1. What are the key factors to consider when choosing a CRM for a small business? When selecting a CRM for a small business, consider factors such as ease of use, scalability, integration capabilities, pricing structure, and essential features like contact management, pipeline tracking, and reporting. Also, evaluate the level of customer support and training resources provided.
Q2. How much should a small business expect to spend on CRM software? CRM costs for small businesses can vary widely. Many providers offer free plans with basic features, while paid plans typically range from CAD 20 to CAD 100 per user per month. More advanced solutions with extensive automation capabilities can cost upwards of CAD 200 per month.
Q3. What are the benefits of using a CRM system for a small business? A CRM system can help small businesses streamline customer interactions, improve sales processes, enhance customer service, and provide valuable insights through data analysis. It centralizes customer information, automates routine tasks, and facilitates better team collaboration.
Q4. Can a free CRM solution meet the needs of a small business? Free CRM solutions like HubSpot CRM or Freshsales’ free tier can indeed meet the basic needs of many small businesses, especially those just starting out. However, as a business grows or requires more advanced features, upgrading to a paid plan may become necessary.
Q5. How important is customization in a CRM for small businesses? Customization is crucial for small businesses as it allows the CRM to adapt to specific workflows and processes. While some businesses may prefer out-of-the-box solutions for simplicity, others benefit greatly from the ability to tailor fields, pipelines, and reports to their unique needs.