The best customer relationship management (CRM) software helps companies monitor customer interactions, organize customer data, and boost overall efficiency. For small businesses, choosing the right CRM software can make a huge difference in efficiency.
Let’s go over the top 10 CRM software tools for small businesses highlighted by our experts. We’ll also cover key considerations for choosing a CRM and explore its benefits.
Key Points
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software streamlines communication, organizes customer data and enhances overall business efficiency.
- Salesforce CRM is the top choice for small businesses, followed by HubSpot's Sales Hub and Zoho CRM.
- Selecting a user-friendly CRM is essential for small businesses, as it reduces the learning curve and ensures quicker adoption.
Table of Contents
Top 10 CRM Software for Small Businesses in 2024
- Salesforce CRM
- HubSpot’s Sales Hub CRM
- Zoho CRM
- Pipedrive
- Freshsales (Freshworks CRM)
- Agile CRM
- Capsule CRM
- Insightly
- Teamgate
- Zendesk Sell (Formerly Base CRM)
1. Salesforce CRM
Salesforce CRM is the top customer relationship management software for small businesses. It offers a complete suite of features that meet diverse needs, including advanced sales forecasting, which helps companies accurately predict future revenue.
Its AI-driven sales and marketing automation optimizes processes by automating routine tasks and delivering actionable insights. Salesforce also features highly customizable dashboards that allow businesses to tailor their analytics and reporting.
Additionally, it also seamlessly integrates with popular business tools like Slack and QuickBooks to enhance overall efficiency.
Key Features
- Advanced sales forecasting: Capable of predicting future sales with precision
- AI-driven sales and marketing automation: Automates tasks and provides actionable insights
- Customizable dashboards: Provides access to tailored analytics and reporting
- Seamless integration with other tools: Connects easily with Slack, QuickBooks, and more
Pricing
- Starter Suite: $25/user/month
- Pro Suite: $100/user/month
2. HubSpot’s Sales Hub CRM
HubSpot’s Sales Hub CRM is one of the most popular CRM solutions for small businesses because it combines ease of use with powerful marketing and sales features. It offers a robust free tier that provides essential CRM functions, which makes it an excellent choice for small businesses and startups.
The platform excels in email and call tracking, helping users streamline customer communication and follow ups. Additionally, Sales Hub includes marketing automation tools that allow businesses to effortlessly create and track email campaigns.
For businesses already using Gmail and Slack, HubSpot’s Sales Hub easily integrates with these systems, ensuring easier adoption and smooth workflow.
Key Features
- Free CRM core: A powerful free tier covering all essentials
- Email and call tracking: Streamlines communication and follow-ups
- Marketing automation tools: Effortlessly create and track email campaigns
- Integrations with popular apps: Easily connects with Gmail, Slack, and more
Pricing
- Starter: Starts at $20 per month
3. Zoho CRM
[Source: Zoho]
Zoho CRM is a leading CRM tool for small businesses due to its affordability and comprehensive feature set. It comes with a range of capabilities that automate sales processes, so users can generate leads and do follow-ups easily.
The platform is easy to customize, allowing businesses to tailor modules to fit their specific needs. Zoho CRM also supports multichannel communication that lets businesses manage emails, social media interactions, and live chats all from one place.
Additionally, its AI-powered analytics, by way of Zia, provides deeper insights that can drive better decision-making.
Key Features
- Sales automation: Automation capability streamlines lead generation and follow-ups
- Customizable modules: Users get to tailor the CRM to their business needs.
- Multichannel communication: Manage emails, social media, and live chat in one place
- AI-powered analytics: Leverage Zia for deeper insights
Pricing
- Standard: $14/user/month (billed annually) or $20/user/month (billed monthly)
- Professional: $23/user/month (billed annually) or $35/user/month (billed monthly)
- Enterprise: $40/user/month (billed annually) or $50/user/month (billed monthly)
- Ultimate: $52/user/month (billed annually) or $65/user/month (billed monthly)
4. Pipedrive
Pipedrive is another top choice for small businesses, especially those focused on sales. Known for its simplicity, the platform makes managing sales pipelines intuitive with its visual, drag-and-drop interface. It also provides robust lead-tracking capabilities, helping businesses manage potential customers effectively.
In addition to these features, Pipedrive offers accurate sales forecasting tools. These abilities allow businesses to make decisions based on the data they acquire.
Its wide integration options also ensure that the tool can easily connect with other essential business tools like Mailchimp and Google Workspace.
Key Features
- Pipeline management: Visualize and manage your sales process with ease
- Lead tracking: Effective management of potential customers
- Sales forecasting: Make data-driven decisions with accurate forecasts
- Integration options: Connect with tools like Mailchimp and Google Workspace
Pricing
- Essential: $14/user/month (billed annually) or $24/user/month (billed monthly)
- Advanced: $34/user/month (billed annually) or $44/user/month (billed monthly)
- Professional: $49/user/month (billed annually) or $64/user/month (billed monthly)
- Power: $64/user/month (billed annually) or $79/user/month (billed monthly)
- Enterprise: $99/user/month (billed annually) or $129/user/month (billed monthly)
5. Freshsales (Freshworks CRM)
Freshsales, part of the Freshworks suite, is a top CRM software for small businesses that prioritize ease of use and sales productivity. It features a highly intuitive interface that directly integrates phone and email communications within the CRM, simplifying contact management.
The platform also includes intelligent lead scoring that helps companies prioritize leads based on their likelihood to convert. Freshsales excels in providing a visual sales pipeline that makes tracking deals straightforward.
Moreover, the platform’s AI-powered insights, via Freddy AI, guide sales teams in making decisions by suggesting the next best actions for deals.
Key Features
- Built-in phone and email integration: Manage communications directly within the CRM.
- Intelligent lead scoring: Prioritize leads based on conversion likelihood
- Visual sales pipeline: Easily track deals with a Kanban-style board
- AI-powered insights: Freddy AI suggests the next best actions for deals.
Pricing
- Growth: $9/user/month (billed annually) or $11/user/month (billed monthly)
- Pro: $39/user/month (billed annually) or $47/user/month (billed monthly)
- Enterprise: $59/user/month (billed annually) or $71/user/month (billed monthly)
6. Agile CRM
Agile CRM is an ideal option for small businesses seeking a feature-rich platform at an affordable price. It combines sales automation with marketing tools, allowing businesses to automate tasks like follow-ups and campaign management.
Additionally, Agile CRM integrates a helpdesk feature, enabling businesses to manage customer support within the same platform. The software also includes project management tools, which makes it simpler for teams to track and manage tasks alongside sales activities.
This all-in-one approach makes Agile CRM a versatile solution for small businesses.
Key Features
- Sales automation: Automate repetitive tasks like follow-ups and lead management.
- Marketing automation: Design and track campaigns across multiple channels.
- Helpdesk integration: Manage customer support within the CRM.
- Project management tools: Keep sales and project tasks in one place.
Pricing
- Starter: Starts at $8.99/user/month
- Regular: Starts at $29.99/user/month
- Enterprise: Starts at $47.99/user/month
7. Capsule CRM
Capsule CRM is another excellent CRM software for small businesses. The platform is known for its simplicity and focus on contact management. Its user-friendly interface makes organizing and managing customer information easy, with customizable fields and tags for better segmentation.
Capsule also includes task management features, helping businesses stay on top of their daily activities. The CRM’s sales pipeline feature allows users to visualize and track their sales process easily.
Capsule CRM’s ability to integrate with popular tools like Mailchimp and Xero further enhances its utility.
Key Features
- Contact management: Easily organize and manage customer information
- Task management: Keep track of tasks and set reminders
- Sales pipeline: Users can visualize and manage the sales process efficiently.
- Third-party integrations: Connect with tools like Mailchimp and Xero
Pricing
- Free version: up to 2 users and 250 contacts
- Starter: $18/user/month (billed annually) or $21/user/month (billed monthly)
- Growth: $36/user/month (billed annually) or $38/user/month (billed monthly)
- Advanced: $54/user/month (billed annually) or $60/user/month (billed monthly)
- Ultimate: $72/user/month (billed annually) or $75/user/month (billed monthly)
8. Insightly
Insightly is a powerful CRM solution for small businesses that need project management alongside customer relationship management. It combines CRM functionality with robust project management tools, allowing businesses to manage customer data and projects within a single platform.
The platform also offers email tracking capabilities, helping businesses monitor customer communications effectively. The platform’s customizable dashboards allow users to tailor their analytics and reporting to fit their needs.
Furthermore, it integrates with a wide range of apps, including Google Workspace and QuickBooks, which makes it a versatile tool for small businesses that use them.
Key Features
- Project management integration: Manage projects and CRM in one place
- Email tracking: Monitor customer communications effectively
- Customizable dashboards: Tailor analytics and reporting to your business needs
- App integrations: Connect with tools like Google Workspace and QuickBooks
Pricing
- Plus: $29/user/month (billed annually) or $35/user/month (billed monthly)
- Professional: $49/user/month (billed annually) or $59/user/month (billed monthly)
- Enterprise: $99/user/month (billed annually) or $129/user/month (billed monthly)
9. Teamgate
Teamgate is a smart CRM choice for small businesses focused on improving sales processes. The platform offers a clear visual sales pipeline that helps businesses manage deals more effectively.
Additionally, Teamgate includes lead generation tools that capture leads directly from your website, enhancing your sales funnel. The CRM provides excellent analytics and reporting features that provide organizations access to valuable insights regarding their sales performance.
Teamgate’s ability to integrate with other tools like Mailchimp and Zendesk makes it a well-rounded option for sales-focused teams.
Key Features
- Sales pipeline management: Access a clear visual pipeline to manage deals
- Lead generation tools: Capture leads directly from your website
- Reporting and analytics: Gain insights with customizable reports
- Integrations: Sync with tools like Mailchimp and Zendesk
Pricing
- Starter: Free for 2 users
- Team: $39.90/user/month (billed annually) or $49.90/user/month (billed monthly)
- Growth: $59.90/user/month (billed annually) or $74.90/user/month (billed monthly)
10. Zendesk Sell (Formerly Base CRM)
Zendesk Sell is a top CRM solution for small businesses looking to streamline sales and customer support. Originally known as Base CRM, Zendesk Sell offers robust sales automation features that save time by automating repetitive tasks.
The platform also includes comprehensive email and call tracking, ensuring that all customer communications are recorded in one place. Zendesk Sell’s visual pipeline provides clear visibility into the sales process, allowing businesses to monitor deals at every stage.
Additionally, it integrates well with Zendesk’s customer support tools to provide users with a unified solution for managing sales and support.
Key Features
- Sales automation: Automate repetitive sales tasks to save time
- Email and call tracking: Keep all communications in one place
- Pipeline visibility: Get a clear view of your sales funnel with visual reports
- Customer support integration: Seamlessly integrates with Zendesk’s customer support tools
Pricing
- Team: $19/month
- Growth: $55/month
- Professional: $115/month
- Enterprise: $169/month
6 Key Considerations When Choosing CRM Software for Small Businesses
1. Ease of Use
Choosing a CRM tool that’s easy to use is crucial for small businesses, as it reduces the learning curve and ensures fast adoption by your team. Look for an intuitive interface that simplifies navigation and makes key functions accessible without extensive training. A user-friendly CRM boosts productivity by allowing your team to focus on customer relationships rather than struggling with the software.
Moreover, a well-designed CRM should offer customizable features that adapt to your business needs without overwhelming users, helping maintain a seamless workflow and ensuring the software enhances rather than hinders daily operations.
2. Data Security
Data security is a top priority when selecting CRM software, as it stores sensitive customer information. Ensure the CRM provider offers robust security measures, including encryption, regular backups, and secure data storage. Compliance with industry standards, such as GDPR, is also essential to protect your business from legal risks.
Additionally, look for features like user access controls to limit data exposure and ensure only authorized personnel can view or edit sensitive information. By prioritizing data security, you safeguard your customers’ trust and protect your business from potential breaches and their associated costs.
3. Cost-Effectiveness
Cost-effectiveness is a key consideration, especially for small businesses operating on tight budgets. When evaluating CRM software, consider not only the upfront costs but also the long-term value it provides. Compare pricing plans and check if the software offers scalable options as your business grows.
Also, evaluate what features are included in each plan to ensure you’re getting the most out of your money. Some CRMs offer free tiers or affordable packages with essential features, making them ideal for small businesses. Balancing cost with functionality ensures you get a solution that meets your needs without overspending. 
4. Reporting and Analytics
Effective reporting and analytics are crucial in CRM software, providing insights that drive informed decision-making. A good CRM should offer customizable reports that let you track key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your business. Look for analytics features that can identify trends, monitor sales pipelines, and evaluate customer behavior. Real-time data and visual dashboards enhance your ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances.
By choosing a CRM with strong reporting and analytics capabilities, you equip your business with the tools needed to optimize operations and improve overall performance.
5. Customer Support
Reliable customer support is essential when implementing CRM software, especially for small businesses that may not have in-house IT expertise. Ensure the CRM provider offers multiple support channels to address issues promptly.
Additionally, look for resources like knowledge bases, CRM experts, and tutorials that can assist with troubleshooting and maximizing the software’s potential. Responsive and accessible customer support minimizes downtime and helps your team resolve issues quickly.
6. Integrations
Integrations are vital for ensuring your CRM software works seamlessly with other tools your business relies on, such as email marketing platforms, accounting software, and customer service systems. A CRM that offers robust integration options helps streamline your operations by centralizing data and automating workflows. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors from manual data entry.
When choosing a CRM, consider its compatibility with your existing systems and how easy it is to integrate. Effective integration enhances productivity and allows for a more cohesive business process. 
5 Benefits of Using CRM Software for a Small Business
So, why is CRM important for small businesses in the first place? Here are some benefits small businesses could gain from using CRM software:
- Better data organization
- Helps you qualify your leads
- Re-engages your customers
- Improves team collaboration
- Automates your processes
1. Better Data Organization
CRM software helps small businesses organize and manage customer data more efficiently. Centralizing all customer information in one place allows easy access to important details like contact history, preferences, and interactions. This organized data enables businesses to personalize communication and offers.
2. Help You Qualify Your Leads
CRM software enables small businesses to better qualify leads by tracking interactions and scoring them based on engagement and behavior. This helps companies prioritize leads that are more likely to convert, thus improving sales efficiency. Additionally, automating lead qualification saves you time and resources.
3. Re-engages Your Customers
CRM software makes it easier to re-engage customers by tracking their activity and identifying those who have become inactive. With automated reminders and targeted marketing campaigns, businesses can reach out to lapsed customers with personalized offers or updates. This re-engagement strategy helps revive relationships and encourages repeat business.
4. Improves Team Collaboration
CRM software enhances team collaboration by centralizing all customer interactions and data in one place. This allows team members across departments to access the same information. This transparency reduces communication gaps and enables coordinated efforts in managing customer relationships.
5. Automates Your Processes
CRM software automates many routine tasks, like data entry, follow-ups, and reporting, freeing up time for your team to focus on more important activities. Automation reduces the risk of errors, ensures consistency in customer interactions, and speeds up processes that would otherwise be time-consuming.
CRM Software for Small Businesses Takeaways
Choosing the right CRM for a small business is not an easy task, but with the help of this article, it doesn’t have to be a frustrating process. Any of the 10 customer relationship management (CRM) solutions we’ve listed above will serve your business well; simply select one that best fits your specific business requirements. Additionally, many software solutions companies specialize in tailored CRM solutions for small businesses, so partnering with them is also worth considering.
CRM Software FAQs
1. How much does CRM software cost for small businesses?
The cost of CRM software for small businesses can vary widely, depending on factors, such as the size of the business, the number of users, the features included, and more. 
Generally, small business plans range from $12 to $20 per month, though you can also choose enterprise plans and negotiate a custom quote. Alternatively, many CRM tools are free to use as well.
2. How much should I spend on a CRM?
When budgeting for CRM, never spend more than you have. Carefully consider the functionalities you need and expect from the CRM software, and thoroughly research your options before settling on one. 
3. Does a small business need a CRM system?
Yes. Regardless of the size of the business, you can benefit greatly from a CRM system. 
