Customer Relationship Management Tools have gained importance in recent times. CRMs have become a vital part of any startup or small business in today’s digital age due to the efficiency and credibility it provides. It helps businesses to centralize customer data, improve customer service, and increase customer retention and sales efficiency. While the high-end CRM tools are costly, there are many free CRMs available in the market for small businesses. In this guide, we will check some of the free CRMs for Startups and Small Businesses that are most relevant in 2024. Let’s get started and help you find the best option.
Table of Contents
Best Free CRMs for Startups and Small Businesses
ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-inclusive project management tool solution that includes everything that any small business or startup looks for in free CRM software. The platform is designed in a way that it will centralize and organize your workspace, starting from a single task to an entire project. It offers an adaptable structure to its users and provides features such as task automation, adaptable views, and real-time teamwork.
Key Features of ClickUp
- With ClickUp’s distinct hierarchy pattern, businesses can organize their workplace into discrete, simple activities to complex projects.
- ClickUp gives businesses the ability to customize statuses, assignees, and fields in their workspace. Additionally, one can easily filter and search, and use hotkeys to enhance productivity.
- ClickUp offers templates for several use cases and automation options for repetitive procedures and tasks.
- ClickUp promotes teamwork and makes it possible to create visual databases that connect papers, tasks, and other resources.
- ClickUp allows businesses to track and estimate how much time they spend on tasks.
Pros of Using ClickUp
- ClickUp offers an easy-to-use and customer-friendly platform.
- It releases new features for constant improvement.
- It offers a free plan with robust features.
- It offers a highly customizable platform as per user requirements and workspace.
- It also provides real-time collaboration & 1000 + tools integration.
Cons of Using ClickUp
- The Learning curve is hard for new users.
- Clustered integration options during initial setup.
- Some users report Android app glitches.
- It lacks a project message board.
- Users report unnecessary reminder pushups.
Compatibility
ClickUp offers multiple platform support and compatibility like browser-based (cloud), mobile apps (Android, iOS), and desktop apps (Windows, Mac).
ClickUp Pricing
| Plan Name | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Free | Free |
| Unlimited | $7.00 per user/month |
| Business | $12.00 per user/month |
| Enterprise | Custom |
Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is an all-in-one collaboration platform that aims to streamline project management and team communication. It is an all-inclusive free CRM software for startups that allows collaboration and is curated for businesses and startups of all sizes. Bitrix24 provides you with robust and powerful CRM software to manage customer interactions, lead generation, and sales pipelines. It is used for listing tasks and collaboration with tools like Gantt charts and Kanban boards.
Key Features of Bitrix24
- Bitrix24 offers integrated communication solutions like online meetings and chats.
- It provides efficient project management solutions along with visual timelines.
- Strong CRM features enable businesses to increase sales, manage contacts, and collaborate as a team.
- It offers a website builder that lets businesses make their websites with ease.
- Bitrix24 is a one-stop tool that offers automation and marketing technologies and tools.
Pros of Using Bitrix24
- Streamlined team interaction capabilities and integrated communication tools.
- It makes the retrieval of documents and access easy.
- It offers cloud-based collaboration solutions.
- It offers features like cooperative writing, telephony, and a photo gallery.
- Bitrix24 offers a cost-effective free plan.
Cons of Using Bitrix24
- Bitrix24 is hard to learn with a wide array of features.
- Few users do not find the user interface customer-friendly.
- For large teams, the offered range of plans is costly.
- Some users report glitches and downtime.
- It only offers live chat support for its users.
Compatibility
Bitrix24 offers compatibility with browser-based (cloud), mobile apps (Android, iOS), and desktop apps (Windows, Mac).
Bitrix24 Pricing
| Plan Name | Pricing | Users Included |
|---|---|---|
| Free (Cloud) with limited features | Free | Unlimited |
| Basic (Cloud) | $43.00 per month | 5 |
| Standard (Cloud) | $87.00 per month | 50 |
| Professional (Cloud) | $175.00 per month | Custom |
Also read: Top 10 Emerging Trends and Technologies in CRM Software
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is considered one of the best free CRM software for startups and small businesses. It offers a lifetime freemium plan that is designed to streamline your marketing, sales, and customer service initiatives and features. Customers from over 120 countries use the HubSpot CRM to manage their operations. It is considered an award-winning software to attract potential leads.
Key Features of HubSpot CRM
- HubSpot CRM offers an all-in-one customer, content, and sales management solution for all types of businesses.
- It also offers capabilities for email tracking and efficient communication through templates.
- It promotes data-driven decisions by businesses which includes reporting and analytics features.
- Businesses can track any lead or deals throughout the sales and marketing funnel.
- It integrates easily with other extensive HubSpot Marketing Hub and Service Hub.
Pros of Using HubSpot CRM
- It offers a lifetime freemium plan with good features.
- It provides notifications of real-time lead updates.
- Businesses can set up personalized email sequences.
- It Provides over 300 third-party integrations seamlessly.
- It provides an award-winning easy-to-use user interface.
Cons of Using HubSpot CRM
- The higher version and plans can get expensive.
- There is no early cancellation for annual plans.
- Some items get inaccessible and down at times.
- It does not offer A/B testing features for lower plans.
- Extra cost for additional and multiple technical support.
Compatibility
HubSpot CRM supports cloud-based browser support and Mobile app compatibility (Android, iOS).
HubSpot CRM Pricing
| Plan Name | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Free | Free |
| Starter | $45.00 per month |
| Professional | $1,600.00 per month |
| Enterprise | $4,999.99 |
Pipedrive
Pipedrive is specially designed to streamline sales processes and operations of small and medium-sized businesses. It is considered one of the best cloud-based CRM tools available in the market. It streamlines the entire sales pipeline and enhances the overall team efficiency. Pipedrive believes in providing transparent visuals throughout various stages of the sales process, allowing businesses to monitor the progress of multiple deals on one platform.
Key Features of Pipedrive
- It eliminates a lot of hectic work by offering sales automation features.
- It offers an all-in-one lead management software for businesses.
- Pipedrive also offers sales reports that can be customized as per business goals and requirements.
- It also allows its users to share and track templates and documents across channels.
- It provides functionalities like internal notes, activity feeds, and deal sharing.
Pros of Using Pipedrive
- It is considered a powerful tool for sales teams.
- It offers lower-level plans that are affordable.
- It gives API access for customization.
- It provides a machine-learning sales assistant for plans.
- The workflow automation is included in all plans.
Cons of Using Pipedrive
- It only offers a free trial.
- The learning curve is complex.
- Lower plans have limited reports and fields.
- Phone support is not available with lower plans
- It offers little expensive high-end plans as compared to its competitors.
Compatibility
Pipedrive offers cloud-based browser support and Mobile app compatibility for both Android and iOS.
Pipedrive Pricing
| Plan Name | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Essential | $9.90 per user/month |
| Advanced | $19.90 per user/month |
| Professional | $39.90 per user/month |
| Power | $49.90 per user/month |
eWay-CRM
eWay-CRM is a Customer Relationship Management solution that can be integrated directly into Microsoft Outlook. The software is designed to help small businesses and starts with contact management for the business, email marketing, sales, and projects. It also seamlessly integrates your emails, calendars, tasks, and contacts saved in Outlook. eWay CRM comes with two crucial software, eWay-CRM Online and eWay-CRM Desktop.
Key Features of eWay-CRM
- It offers a user-friendly interface for its users and hence it is easy to manage.
- It can be integrated directly with Microsoft Outlook with ease.
- It offers beautiful templates for marketing emails and user behavior stats.
- It provides one platform to record and monitor deliveries, tasks, and tasks.
- eWay-CRM allows you to track communication and work with businesses to manage contacts.
Pros of Using eWay-CRM
- It allows full customization options.
- The software is fully mobile-optimized.
- The pricing is affordable and flexible.
- It supports multiple languages worldwide.
- The basic functions are super easy to learn.
Cons of Using eWay-CRM
- The naming conventions are complicated.
- It comes with limited in-app integrations.
- Loading and saving time is high
- Offline functionality stops working at times.
- It can slow down Outlook booting.
Compatibility
It offers multiple platform support and compatibility with browser-based (cloud), mobile apps (Android, iOS), and desktop apps (Windows, Mac).
eWay-CRM Pricing
| Plan Name | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Free | Free (Lite version with limited features) |
| Basic | $18.00 per user/month |
| Professional | $24.00 per user/month |
| Enterprise | $36.00 per user/month |
Capsule
Capsule is a Customer Relationship Management tool designed for small businesses with basic CRM needs. Capsule is a lightweight CRM that is easy to use and simple. It focuses on organizing customer interactions and organizing them with features like activity tracking, note-taking, and contact management. It promotes collaboration and allows its users to share customer information and notes with the entire team. Capsule offers a free plan with limited features and storage.
Key Features of Capsule
- Capsule gives a summary of sales opportunities, leads, and their potential values.
- It also provides activity reporting and sales analytic features.
- It offers core functionalities and is ideal for new startups.
- Makes task management easy and provides meeting scheduling, phone calls, and submission deadlines.
- Businesses can share critical details within the team and can have readymade email templates.
Pros of Using Capsule
- It integrates well with other systems and tools.
- The capsule is lightweight and easy to use.
- It offers custom fields with easy customization.
- It gives ample storage space for documents.
- It offers sales pipeline visibility and clarity.
Cons of Using Capsule
- It cannot handle heavy tasks.
- It comes with limited features.
- The G-suite integration is hard.
- No personal reminders are present.
- It does not offer live chat support.
Compatibility
It offers compatibility with browser-based (cloud), and mobile apps (Android, iOS).
Capsule Pricing
| Plan Name | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Free | Free |
| Starter | $18.00 per user/month |
| Growth | $36.00 per user/month |
| Advanced | $54.00 per user/month |
Also read: Top 10 CRM Integration Solutions to Try in 2024
Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is considered an award-winning customer relationship management software in over 180 countries. It is a one-stop solution for all marketing, sales, and customer support activities. The software also offers customization features allowing users to customize it as per the size and requirements of their business. Zoho CRM can help startups deal with customer management, sales reporting and analytics, contact information, deals, payments, and reports.
Key Features of Zoho CRM
- It automates the entire sales process.
- It offers advanced analytics and reporting.
- It also offers omni-channels of communication
- It builds and defines streamlined processes for the business.
- It offers top-level data security features.
Pros of Using Zoho CRM
- It offers a valuable free plan.
- It reduces the time on mundane tasks with automation.
- It provides accurate data across channels.
- It offers a top-line digital security mechanism.
- It provides 24/7 support.
Cons of Using Zoho CRM
- It has update issues.
- Multiple customization can be overwhelming at times.
- Some users report bugs and glitches.
- Limited functionality with lower plans.
- Issues with customer support reach.
Compatibility
Zoho CRM offers compatibility with browser-based clouds and Mobile Apps that include Android & iOS.
Zoho CRM Pricing
| Plan Name | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Standard | $14.00 per user/month |
| Professional | $23.00 per user/month |
| Enterprise | $40.00 per user/month |
| Ultimate | $52.00 per user/month |
Zapier
Zapier can be best explained as a bridge or an online application that bridges and connects over 6000+ applications and allows businesses to automate tasks and workflow. Businesses can connect their project management tools to their email and marketing platforms seamlessly with the help of Zapier. It creates automated workflows called Zaps that enable triggers and specific actions related to that trigger.
Key Features of Zapier
- It offers over 1000 integrations.
- It is initiative and user-friendly.
- The automation of workflow is easy to set up.
- It allows data transfer between apps.
- It offers a free plan with limited zaps and automation tasks.
Pros of Using Zapier
- It supports over 6000 apps.
- Multiple workflows can be handled with a single trigger.
- It offers a feature of autoreplay.
- It saves a lot of time.
- It has a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Cons of Using Zapier
- It does not have any mobile app.
- Customer support is not great.
- The free version is quite limited.
- The learning curve is extensive.
- The automation fails at times.
Compatibility
It offers compatibility with only web applications that are browser-based (Cloud).
Zapier Pricing
| Plan Name | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Free | Free |
| Starter | $19.99 per month |
| Professional | $49.00 per month |
| Team | $299.00 per month |
EngageBay
EngageBay is a comprehensive CRM tool that aims to simplify and streamline service automation, marketing, and sales. It makes the entire operations streamlined by combining Marketing automation, lead generation, email marketing, social media engagement, and CRM. it is considered an easy-to-use software even by non-technical individuals.
Key Features of EngageBay
- It offers automation for marketing tasks.
- It also offers automated email sequences for operations.
- It has a landing page builder that can help businesses create great landing pages.
- It has all-in-one contact management functionalities for businesses.
- It allows you to track, manage, and close deals efficiently and effectively.
Pros of Using EngageBay
- It is considered as an all-in-one suite.
- It is designed for small and medium-sized businesses.
- It offers a free helpdesk and live chat support.
- It is affordable with its pricing and features.
- It offers a free plan.
Cons of Using EngageBay
- The email templates are outdated.
- A free trial is not available.
- Troubleshooting options are limited.
- There is no SMS functionality.
- Navigation is not easy at times.
Compatibility
EngageBay offers compatibility with web applications that are browser-based (Cloud) and mobile applications (both Android and iOS).
EngageBay Pricing
| Plan Name | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Free | Free |
| Basic | $10.39 per user/month |
| Growth | $19.99 per user/month |
| Pro | $39.99 per user/month |
Odoo CRM
Odoo CRM is considered the best open-source CRM software available in the market. It has over 5 million users worldwide. The software offers a modern interface for its users with a smart filter option. It can be used by businesses of all sizes and makes the tracking and monitoring of the entire sales process easy. It also streamlines the marketing, customer service operations, and sales pipeline and can be controlled via one single platform.
Key Features Of Odoo CRM
- It offers a new-age interface with smart filters.
- The Odoo CRM offers an interface that is mobile-friendly.
- It offers multiple options related to the sales pipeline along with an overview of the pipeline.
- It automatically creates leads via various communication channels like emails, VoIP calls, social media interactions, etc.
- It also offers features like a ticketing system, live chat, & knowledge base.
Pros of Using Odoo CRM
- It offers a web-based centralized system
- It offers flexibility to choose components as per needs.
- It offers third-party integrations.
- It acts as a comprehensive platform.
- It offers unlimited users under the free plan.
Cons of Using Odoo CRM
- The Community version comes with limited support.
- Can be hard for non-specialized users.
- Connection with customer service providers is difficult.
- The information regarding the updation procedure is hard to find.
- Some users report untimely glitches after updates.
Compatibility
Odoo CRM offers compatibility with both cloud-based web applications and mobile applications for Android and iOS.
Odoo CRM Pricing
| Plan Name | Pricing |
|---|---|
| One App | Free |
| Standard | $24.90 per month |
| Custom | $37.40 per month |
Factors to Consider When Opting for CRM for Startups
- It is important to check if the CRM software is cloud-based or on-premise. The Cloud one is easy to use and much more affordable for small businesses.
- Always go with a CRM tool that is scalable and adapts to your business’s changing goals and requirements.
- Consider CRM software that is easy to set up and use with a user-friendly interface.
- The CRM software should have customization features for tasks and fields.
- The CRM should also have integration compatibility with numerous third-party tools and platforms.
- It should include some basic features and functionalities like lead tracking, contact management, sales automation, customer support functionality, analytics, and reporting capabilities.
- Most importantly, one should always go with CRM software that is affordable as per their business requirements, needs, and stage.
| S.No | Software | Best For | Free |
| 1 | ClickUp | Best for personal use & small teams | Free Plan with Limited Features |
| 2 | Bitrix24 | All-in-one business management | Free Plan with Limited Features |
| 3 | HubSpot CRM | Sales and marketing | Free Plan with Limited Features |
| 4 | Pipedrive | Sales teams | Free trial |
| 5 | eWay-CRM | Small businesses | Free Plan with Limited Features |
| 6 | Capsule | Small businesses | Free Plan with Limited Features |
| 7 | Zoho CRM | All business Sizes | Free Plan with Limited Features |
| 8 | Zapier | Integrates various apps | Free Plan with Limited Features |
| 9 | EngageBay | All-in-one CRM | Free Plan with Limited Features |
| 10 | Odoo CRM | Businesses of all sizes | Free |
FAQs
Are customer data secure in a free CRM?
Security of customer data can be a major concern for a lot of small businesses as it can be heavy on pockets for most of the startups. However, even free CRM has robust security measures that safeguard your customer data online.
Do I need to pay even while using a free CRM?
Most of the CRM offers a lifetime free plan but it also comes with a lot of limited features and functionalities. A free plan CRM is good during the initial stage of any new startup, however, it is always better to pay for the standard or entry-level plan for the CRM to enjoy the features, storage, and functionality it offers.
What are the most crucial features to look for in a CRM?
Many free CRM tool plans like HubSpot CRM, Zoho CRM, and EngageBay offer basic features. However, one should always look for features like contact management, lead tracking, marketing, and sales automation features in the CRM they are choosing for their business.
