10 Best Free CRM Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 15 tools reviewed.
With so many different free CRM software available, figuring out which is right for you is tough. You know you want to affordably manage customer interactions, data, and relationships but need to figure out which tool is best. I've got you! In this post I'll help make your choice easy, sharing my personal experiences using dozens of different free CRM tools with a variety of teams and projects, with my picks of the best free CRM software.
Why Trust Our Free CRM Software Reviews?
We’ve been testing and reviewing free CRM software since 2022. As revenue operation leaders ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software.
We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different RevOps use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our free CRM software review methodology.
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Capsule CRM | From $18/user/month | Website |
| monday sales CRM | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| EngageBay | From $14.99/month (750 contacts) | Website |
| Streak | From $15/user/month | Website |
| Really Simple Systems | From $14/user/month | Website |
| Bitrix24 | From $49/month (5 users) | Website |
| eWay-CRM | From $20/user/month | Website |
| ClickUp | From $7/user/month | Website |
| HubSpot CRM | From $20/month | Website |
| Zoho CRM | From $14/user/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow To Choose Free CRM Software
With so many different free CRM software solutions available, it can be challenging to make decisions on what tool is going to be the best fit for your needs.
As you're shortlisting, trialing, and selecting free CRM software, consider the following:
- What problem are you trying to solve - Start by identifying the free CRM software feature gap you're trying to fill to clarify the features and functionality the tool needs to provide.
- Who will need to use it - To evaluate cost and requirements, consider who'll be using the software and how many licenses you'll need. You'll need to evaluate if it'll just be the revenue operation leaders or the whole organization that will require access. When that's clear, it's worth considering if you're prioritizing ease of use for all or speed for your free CRM software power users.
- What other tools it needs to work with - Clarify what tools you're replacing, what tools are staying, and the tools you'll need to integrate with, such as accounting, CRM, or HR software. You'll need to decide if the tools will need to integrate together or if you can replace multiple tools with one consolidated free CRM software.
- What outcomes are important - Consider the result that the software needs to deliver to be considered a success. Consider what capability you want to gain or what you want to improve, and how you will be measuring success. For example, an outcome could be the ability to get greater visibility into performance. You could compare free CRM software features until you’re blue in the face but if you aren’t thinking about the outcomes you want to drive, you could be wasting a lot of valuable time.
- How it would work within your organization - Consider the software selection alongside your workflows and delivery methodology. Evaluate what's working well and the areas that are causing issues that need to be addressed. Remember every business is different — don’t assume that because a tool is popular that it'll work in your organization.
Best Free CRM Software Reviews
These detailed overviews will give you a clearer idea of how each free CRM software stands out among its competitors. I’ve included standout features and integrations, pricing information, and a screenshot of the user interface to give you a feel for each product.
Capsule CRM offers a streamlined approach to managing customer relationships, integrating easily with various tools to enhance productivity. What's Free: 2 users and 250 contacts.
Why I Picked Capsule CRM: As free CRM software, Capsule CRM excels by providing a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it accessible for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers essential features such as contact management, task tracking, and sales pipeline visualization, allowing businesses to get started without a significant investment in CRM technology.
What makes Capsule CRM unique is its integrated task management system that seamlessly connects tasks with sales opportunities, contacts, and cases. This integration allows users to manage follow-ups, deadlines, and project milestones directly within the context of their CRM activities. The task management system supports categorization, prioritization, and scheduling, making it easier for teams to collaborate and stay on top of all customer-related activities.
Capsule CRM Standout Features and Integrations
Features include contact management, sales pipeline, task and project management, customization options, integration capabilities, user-friendly interface, mobile access, reporting tools, team collaboration features, security and privacy controls.
Integrations include Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Calendar), Microsoft Office 365, Mailchimp, Xero, QuickBooks, Slack, FreshBooks, and more using Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Send and receive emails right in Capsule CRM
- Integrated calendar tasks management
- Intuitive and easy to use
Cons:
- More digital marketing integration welcomed
- Can't drag-and-drop data tags or fields
monday offers a sales CRM with contact and pipeline management, process automation, and customer onboarding tools for sales teams.
Why I picked monday Sales CRM: This software has deal management and workflow automation features that sales teams, account managers, and business owners can benefit from. Users can set up customized deal stages to track their pipeline, automatically assign leads to sales reps, and view contact interactions over time. Sales forecasting and contact activity notifications keep sales reps planning ahead and responding to immediate needs.
For businesses where the sales team is at the forefront of revenue operations, this can be a great choice. The software does have features that marketing teams and customer support reps can use, but overall it caters primarily to sales teams. Customizable dashboards can also be created to measure sales KPIs and other performance metrics.
monday Sales CMR Standout Features and Integrations
Features include activity management, email tracking, email templates, workflow automation, custom pipeline builder, notifications, sales forecasting, team goals, and reporting dashboards.
Integrations include Airtable, Canva, DocuSign Easyform, Figma, Hootsuite, Jira, JustCall, Miro, PandaDoc, Tableau, Toggl, Twilio, and Zoho.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Quick setup and friendly user interface
- Large knowledge base and YouTube channel to access support
- Companies using other monday products can stay in the ecosystem
Cons:
- Customer support is not readily available by phone
- Those looking for a robust solution may not find every feature they need
Best for small businesses with light customer success operations
EngageBay has a free, all-in-one CRM suite for small businesses with automatic data entry, targeted marketing, and workflow automation features.
Why I picked EngageBay: The freemium version of this software offers many of the same features of a paid account, just with some limitations. Users can manage and segment contacts, create email sequences, build and test landing pages, and manage a help desk through the platform. It generally covers the basics of what your sales and marketing teams need from a CRM, with the greatest limitations being in the customer service features.
This software is a great option for small businesses that don’t require a robust customer support operation. Virtually all of the marketing tools are available in the free plan, but users are limited to 250 contacts, 1000 branded emails, and 500MB of storage. For sales, all you miss out on from the next plan tier is calling minutes and custom deal milestones.
EngageBay Standout Features and Integrations
Features include email broadcast and sequences, forms, landing pages, live chat, social suite, reporting dashboard, Facebook ads, appointment scheduling, and predictive lead score.
Integrations include Asana, BigCommerce, DocuSign, Google Meet, JotForm, LinkedIn, Outlook, QuickBooks, Shopify, Stripe, Trello, Twilio, Xero, Zapier, and Zoom.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- All integrations are accessible in the free version
- A/B landing pages helps users run tests
- Virtually all marketing tools in the next plan tier are accessible in the free version
Cons:
- Freemium users can only access email and chat support from EngageBay
- Customer support features are limited compared to a paid plan
Streak is a Chrome extension CRM, bringing all of its functionalities directly into the Google Workspace tools (Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Sheets, and Google Drive).
Why I picked Streak: App-switching is too often productivity’s pesky opponent, so the chance to connect a CRM directly with your most-used workplace tools can be appealing. Users can create custom pipeline views, track and view all contact interactions, and access contact data directly from Gmail. The software also has data importing and exporting capabilities and workflow customization features.
For companies that want to amplify the tools they're already using rather than migrate to a whole new environment, this can be a great option. In particular, professionals in the venture capital industry can benefit from the document organization and investment data access the tool offers. Likewise, those in the real estate industry can keep track of their client’s history and manage deal and commission information with the platform.
Streak Standout Features and Integrations
Features include email tracking, custom fields, A/B testing, custom pipeline views, contact timelines, smart inputs, automatic call logging, and a mobile app.
Integrations include Google Workspace: Gmail, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Meet, etc. Zapier can also be connected for additional integrations with a paid account.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Email tracking gives details like when emails are opened
- Straightforward features make it easy to use and benefit from all features
- Reduces app-switching by integrating directly into Google Workspace
Cons:
- Lacks a ‘home base’ for users because it’s a Chrome extension
- Smaller menu of features; some users might be seeking more
Really Simple Systems is CRM software built specifically for small B2B businesses, designed to be simple and easy to use.
Why I picked Really Simple Systems: Users can build and manage relationships, collaborate, and understand their KPIs with the features this software provides. Sales teams can manage their contacts and pipeline, create sales quotes, and plan tasks, events, and calendars. Marketers can use the tool to manage their campaigns, automate their emails and marketing, create segmented lists, and build web forms. Customer support teams have access to case management and reporting features as well as service level agreements.
Simplicity is at the heart of the platform, and the company’s philosophy is to make complex applications easier and more affordable. Their aim is to provide everything small businesses need for their sales and marketing without unnecessary complexity.
Really Simple Systems Standout Features and Integrations
Features include contact management, pipeline management, workflow automation, web forms, reporting and forecasting, lists and segmentation, campaign management, and service level agreements.
Integrations include Google Sheets, Leadinfo, Microsoft Azure, Onelogin, QuickBooks, Sage Business Cloud, Xero, and Zapier, which offers additional integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Responsive and knowledgeable customer support team
- Many free how-to videos are available through their YouTube channel
- Simple user interface makes the software user-friendly
Cons:
- May not be suited for large enterprises
- Businesses in B2C may find not all features relevant, and others are missing
Bitrix24 is a complete workspace software that offers CRM, project management, HR, website, and collaboration tools all in one platform.
Why I picked Bitrix24: CRM software are robust tools on their own, but this platform goes beyond the scope of a standard CRM to incorporate all spheres of business operations. Users can manage their revenue operations with the tool’s lead management, sales automation, and quote and invoice functionalities. They can also plan and track their projects, manage employee schedules and requests, and build and manage their website or e-store.
This software is a good option for companies looking to do more with less and centralize various aspects of their business. For small, early-stage businesses, it’s a good toolkit to get them started. For large enterprises looking to streamline their processes, it creates a central source of truth. It’s also worth noting that the tool offers flat-rate pricing tiers rather than pricing per user.
Bitrix24 Standout Features and Integrations
Features include contact management, video calls, social media management, rules and triggers for deals, inventory management, live chat, and a website builder.
Integrations include Box, DocuSign, Dropbox, Google Workspace, Mailchimp, Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, Xero, and Zapier, which unlocks additional integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flat pricing tiers means no guesswork from per-user pricing
- Free version offers enough functionality for small business
- Users can bring project, workforce, and customer relationship management into one platform
Cons:
- The CRM tool can not be accessed independently of the rest of the platform
- The user interface can be overwhelming as there are so many features
eWay-CRM helps sales and marketing teams manage their contacts, deals, and projects directly from Outlook and other Microsoft products.
Why I picked eWay-CRM: This software has contact and company management, email marketing, and sales automation features. Users can use the single, centralized database to store and access all of their contact data and send bulk emails with ready-made templates directly from an Outlook account. Automated workflows and reminders keep sales reps on top of every deal.
In addition to useful CRM features, the software can also be used for project management. The project management tool helps users keep emails, tasks, and meetings organized by project. Users can create tasks and subtasks in the platform and manage timesheets, billing, and deliveries. Again, all of these features are integrated into Outlook, meaning users won’t need to switch apps to access their project planning or CRM software.
eWay-CRM Standout Features and Integrations
Features include automatic email tracking, contact custom fields, notes and follow-ups, automated workflows, reminders and notifications, email templates, and project management.
Integrations include Adobe Sign, Microsoft Office, Outlook, PowerBI, Tableau, QuickBooks, WordPress, and Zapier, which unlocks additional integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- CRM is connected with project management
- Responsive and knowledgeable customer support team
- Integrates directly into Outlook and Microsoft Office tools
Cons:
- Not compatible with other email and workspace tools
- Setup and getting to know the product can take some time
Self-described as ‘one app to replace them all’, ClickUp is broad-spectrum software that includes CRM, project management, and HR, IT, and finance tools.
Why I picked ClickUp: Revenue operations teams can stay aligned with product and design teams using this software for their CRM needs. Sales reps can manage prospect and customer accounts, automate sales processes, and get real-time reporting in the platform. Marketers can collaborate on assets, manage campaigns, and plan content calendars.
The software also has specific features for product, engineering, design, finance, HR, and IT teams, bringing all departments together in the same platform. This means every team is connected and shares a workspace. The project management tool lets users visualize and plan projects, collaborate, and track progress across teams and departments.
ClickUp Standout Features and Integrations
Features include flexible pipeline and list views, over 50 dashboard widgets, customer onboarding, automated workflows, order tracking, and templates.
Integrations include Chrome, Clockify, Dropbox, Evernote, Figma, Harvest, HubSpot, Intercom, Outlook, Salesforce, Slack, Timely, Toggl Track, Zendesk, and Zoom. Additional native integrations are available, and Zapier unlocks even more integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable platform can be molded to fit virtually any business’ needs
- Facilitates company-wide alignment by bringing all teams into one platform
- Project management and reporting are in the same system as CRM
Cons:
- CRM solution can’t be used separately from the rest of the software
- Feature-rich platform, but can be difficult to navigate
HubSpot CRM is software that sales representatives, marketers, and customer service teams can use to plan, manage, and track the performance of their work.
Why I picked HubSpot CRM: This tried-and-true software offers contact, lead, and pipeline management tools as well as business intelligence and data analytics features. Sales teams can leverage the meeting scheduler, company insights, and deal tracking tools. Marketers can rely on the platform’s email automation, chatbot builder, and ad management. And customer success teams can manage their helpdesk, emails, and live chat in the same place.
Known for its quick setup, users can sign up for a free plan and get started right away. The simple and intuitive user interface makes the platform easy to navigate with minimal learning required. These factors make it a great option for teams that want to get a CRM solution up and running quickly.
HubSpot CRM Standout Features and Integrations
Features include form automation, ad retargeting, landing pages, list segmentation, email tracking, live chat, reporting dashboard, ticket pipelines, and company insights.
Integrations include Calendly, EventBrite, Facebook, Google Workspace, LinkedIn, Mailchimp, Microsoft Suite, Outlook, PandaDoc, Slack, Shopify Typeform, Zoom, and more. Zapier unlocks additional integrations with a paid account.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- The platform is modular, so users can build up the stack they need
- Plenty of help content and community content for support
- Friendly user interface makes tool accessible and easy to use
Cons:
- Users may hit limits quickly in the free plan
- Free plan does not include customer support
Zoho CRM has features to help users build strong customer relationships, streamline their workflows, and manage and measure their business operations. A 15-day free trial is available for every plan tier.
Why I picked Zoho CRM: This software helps revenue operations teams create great user experiences with omnichannel coordination and data-driven personalization. Users can also build automated workflows and create assignments, escalations, and validations in the platform. The software has customizable charts and a range of data visualization options to analyze data and track metrics.
The tool’s real standout feature is its built-in AI, nicknamed ‘Zia’. Zia acts as a conversational assistant, giving users analytic and predictive insights on the go. This tool also scans customer emails for competitor mentions and sentiment analysis, giving sales reps and customer support staff useful information for navigating customer conversations.
Zoho CRM Standout Features and Integrations
Features include an AI bot, automated workflows, segmentation, attribution, omnichannel management, custom page layouts, reports and charts, sales forecasting, and a mobile app.
Integrations include Dataddo, DropBox, Eventbrite, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, PandaDoc, PostgreSQL, QuickBooks, Qwilr, Slack, Stripe, Twilio, WhatsApp, and Zoom. Even more integrations are available with Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- A marketplace of over 800 integrations makes it easy to connect your tech stack
- Users can access the full functionality of any pricing tier free for 15 days
- AI-powered bot ‘Zia’ gives users on-the-go insights and notifications
Cons:
- Some terminology in the product is not standardized, which can be confusing
- Users will need a paid plan to continue using the software after the trial
Other Free CRM Software
Didn’t find an option that suited your needs on the short list? Here are a few other free CRM software you can check out:
- Freshsales
Best for building out a modular CRM solution
- Dolibarr
Best for open-source CRM and ERP software in one
- Crmble
Best for turning Trello into a CRM quickly
- Trello
Best for customized visual sales tracking
- folk
Best for a collaborative contact management workspace
Related Free CRM Software Reviews
If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these tools closely related to free CRM software that we've tested and evaluated.
- Sales Software
- Lead Management Software
- Business Intelligence Software
- Contract Management Software
- Revenue Management System
- CPQ Software
Selection Criteria For Free CRM Software
With numerous options available, it's vital to assess free CRM software based on its ability to meet specific business needs, address common pain points, and enhance revenue operations. My methodology for evaluating free CRM software incorporates extensive personal trials and in-depth research, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each tool's capabilities.
Core Free CRM Software Functionality: 25% of total weighting score
To be considered for inclusion on my list of the best free CRM software, the solution had to support the ability to fulfill common use cases:
- Streamlining contact management to ensure accurate and accessible customer information.
- Enhancing lead tracking and conversion processes to drive sales growth.
- Facilitating task management and team collaboration to improve productivity.
- Offering basic analytics for insight into sales performance and customer trends.
- Simplifying communication through integrated email and notification features.
Additional Standout Features: 25% of total weighting score
- Innovative Interaction Capabilities: Advanced interaction features like built-in telephony or chat integration.
- Integration Flexibility: Ability to integrate with a broader range of external platforms and services.
- Enhanced Customization: More profound customization options allowing the software to adapt to complex business processes.
- Expanded Reporting: More comprehensive reporting tools that provide deeper insights.
- Scalability: Options to upgrade to more feature-rich paid versions as the business grows.
Usability: 10% of total weighting score
- Intuitive Design: Clear, user-friendly interfaces that facilitate ease of use.
- Quick Learning Curve: Straightforward functionality that new users can quickly adapt to.
- Accessibility: Ensuring easy access across different devices and platforms.
Onboarding: 10% of total weighting score
- Educational Resources: Availability of resources like tutorials, guides, and webinars.
- Interactive Guides: Tools like interactive product tours or setup wizards to aid new users.
- Community Support: Active user communities or forums for peer advice and troubleshooting.
Customer Support: 10% of total weighting score
- Responsive Support: Even if basic, reliable customer support is essential for addressing technical issues.
- Self-help Resources: Comprehensive knowledge bases or FAQs for self-service troubleshooting.
Value For Money: 10% of total weighting score
- Clear Upgrade Paths: Transparent information on what is included in free versus paid plans.
- No Hidden Costs: Assurance that essential features remain free without unexpected charges.
Customer Reviews: 10% of total weighting score
- Positive Feedback: Consistently good reviews from current and past users.
- Success Stories: Testimonials or case studies demonstrating effective use in similar business scenarios.
When selecting a free CRM, focus on solutions that not only address your immediate needs but also offer a path for growth and scaling. This foresight ensures that the chosen CRM can evolve alongside your business, continually supporting your revenue operations and strategic objectives.
Trends In Free CRM Software For 2024
As businesses increasingly rely on CRM to streamline their processes and foster customer relationships, developers are innovating to provide more robust, feature-rich solutions without the price tag. Here's a snapshot of the current trends based on the latest software updates, press releases, and release logs:
Enhanced Automation and Integration:
- Deeper Automation: Free CRM platforms are extending their automation capabilities to cover more complex, multi-step processes, reducing manual workload and increasing efficiency.
- Broader Integration: There's a push to offer wider integration with third-party tools, allowing small businesses to create a more interconnected tech ecosystem without additional costs.
Advanced Data Analytics and AI:
- Predictive Analytics: Free CRMs are starting to incorporate predictive analytics features, giving small businesses foresight into customer behaviors and sales trends.
- AI Assistance: The integration of AI to provide actionable insights, automate data entry, and offer predictive lead scoring is becoming more prevalent, even in free versions.
Mobile Accessibility and Cloud-Based Operations:
- Mobile Optimization: Recognizing the need for on-the-go access, free CRMs are enhancing their mobile apps to offer comprehensive functionality that mirrors desktop versions.
- Cloud Advancements: Leveraging cloud technology to ensure data is accessible, secure, and consistently backed up is a key trend, supporting the agile operations of modern small businesses.
Community and Collaborative Features:
- Collaborative Tools: Features that facilitate collaboration among team members, such as shared contacts and interaction logs, are being emphasized to enhance team synergy.
- Community Support: The cultivation of active user communities around free CRM platforms provides invaluable resources for users to exchange tips, troubleshoot issues, and share best practices.
As you consider adopting or switching CRM solutions, these trends underscore the importance of selecting software that not only addresses your current needs but is also positioned to grow with your business, leveraging the latest technological advancements to enhance your customer relationships and operational efficiency.
What is Free CRM Software?
Free CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software is a tool that helps businesses manage customer interactions, data, and relationships at no cost. These software solutions typically provide basic functionalities needed for effective customer management, including contact storage, lead tracking, task scheduling, and sales pipeline management. They are geared towards small businesses or startups that require essential CRM features without the financial burden of paid software.
The benefits of free CRM software include improved organization and efficiency in managing customer relationships. They help businesses track customer interactions and sales processes, leading to better customer service and potentially increased sales. Free CRM tools also provide cost savings for small businesses or startups that might not have the budget for more comprehensive, paid CRM solutions. By centralizing customer information, they facilitate easier access to data and smoother communication with customers. While these tools may have limitations compared to their paid counterparts, they still offer valuable capabilities for businesses looking to manage their customer relationships more effectively.
Features Of Free CRM Software
Free CRM software can streamline customer interactions, sales tracking, and marketing processes, providing valuable insights that drive strategic decisions. Here are the most important features to look for in free CRM software to manage revenue operations effectively:
- Contact Management: Centralizes all customer data.
- Ensures that every team member can access comprehensive customer profiles, enhancing personalized communication and customer service.
- Lead Management: Tracks potential customers through the sales funnel.
- Facilitates the effective monitoring and nurturing of leads, increasing the conversion rate and impacting revenue positively.
- Deal Tracking: Monitors the progress of sales opportunities.
- Provides visibility into the sales pipeline, helping to forecast revenue and prioritize efforts on the most promising deals.
- Task and Activity Tracking: Organizes and schedules follow-ups and tasks.
- Keeps the team aligned on next steps, ensuring consistent engagement with prospects and customers to drive sales.
- Email Integration: Connects with email systems for seamless communication.
- Allows for efficient tracking of customer interactions and ensures that all communication is logged and accessible for future reference.
- Reporting and Analytics: Offers insights into sales activities and performance.
- Enables data-driven decision-making by identifying trends, measuring progress against targets, and uncovering areas for improvement.
- Mobile Access: Provides access to CRM functions on mobile devices.
- Ensures team members can update and access vital information while in the field, maintaining productivity and responsiveness.
- Customization: Allows the software to be tailored to specific business needs.
- Enhances usability and relevance by enabling businesses to modify fields, workflows, and reports to match their operational processes.
- User-Friendly Interface: Ensures ease of use and minimal training requirement.
- Accelerates adoption and maximizes the utility of the CRM, ensuring that the team can focus on using the software to drive revenue rather than learning how to navigate it.
- Integration Capabilities: Connects with other business tools and platforms.
- Enhances efficiency and provides a more holistic view of customer interactions and business operations by linking with other essential software.
In selecting free CRM software, it's vital to choose a solution that offers comprehensive features to support your revenue operations, fostering customer relationships and enabling growth. The right CRM can provide a foundation for streamlined processes, improved customer engagement, and informed strategic planning, all of which are key to enhancing revenue outcomes for your business.
Benefits Of Free CRM Software
By integrating a CRM system, businesses can centralize their customer data, streamline their sales processes, and cultivate stronger relationships with their customers—all critical factors for revenue growth. Here are five primary benefits of implementing free CRM software:
- Cost Efficiency: Minimizes operational costs.
- By adopting free CRM software, businesses can enjoy the core functionalities of customer relationship management without the financial burden, allowing them to allocate resources elsewhere.
- Enhanced Customer Insights: Provides a comprehensive view of customer interactions.
- Centralized data enables businesses to better understand their customers' needs, preferences, and behaviors, facilitating personalized engagement and improved customer satisfaction.
- Improved Sales Processes: Streamlines lead and deal management.
- Free CRM software helps organize and track sales opportunities, enabling businesses to nurture leads more effectively and close deals faster, thereby boosting revenue.
- Collaboration and Accessibility: Facilitates team collaboration and data access.
- By centralizing customer information, the software ensures that all team members have access to up-to-date data, fostering collaboration and enabling more coordinated and efficient customer engagement.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Offers basic analytics and reporting tools.
- With insights garnered from CRM reporting features, businesses can make informed decisions regarding their sales strategies and customer engagement practices, driving more targeted and effective revenue operations.
Costs & Pricing For Free CRM Software
Exploring CRM software options is a crucial step for businesses aiming to optimize their customer relationship management without significant investment. Free CRM software can be an excellent starting point, offering essential features that cater to the fundamental needs of managing customer interactions and sales processes. Here's an overview of typical plan options you might encounter when considering free CRM software:
Plan Comparison Table For Free CRM Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $0 - $15 per user/month | Contact management, deal tracking, task management, basic reporting |
| Advanced | $15 - $45 per user/month | More extensive CRM features, enhanced integrations, advanced analytics |
| Premium | $45+ per user/month | Full feature suite, advanced customization, premium support |
| Free Option | $0 | Limited features, basic contact management, lead tracking, user collaboration |
When selecting a CRM plan, it's important to assess which features align with your business's specific needs and growth ambitions. While free CRM software can provide significant value, understanding the limitations and potential for scalability within each plan ensures you make an informed decision that supports your business's long-term success.
Free CRM Software Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re still not sure what you’re looking for in free CRM software or how these tools can benefit your team, I’ve answered a few common questions to help you out.
What are 5 key CRM features?
Different free CRM software offer different feature sets, but here are 5 core features you might be looking for:
- Contact management: A cloud-based repository of contact data like phone numbers, email addresses, company name, industry, job title, and social media accounts.
- Workflow automation: Setting up automations for core processes, like lead scoring, scheduling follow-up meetings, or setting customer interaction notifications.
- Email automation: Building and scheduling email campaigns, segmentation, email templates, and email tracking all fall under this umbrella.
- Helpdesk: Managing customer support tickets, automating customer communication workflows, and managing chatbots to respond to customer experience FAQs.
- Reporting and analytics: Reports and dashboards that track core metrics and real-time pipeline performance and give predictive insights like sales forecasting.
How much does a CRM cost?
Of course, all of the software included on this list have a free plan available. But once you’re looking for additional functionality like unlimited users or deeper data analytics, you might need to opt for a paid plan. The price of CRM software can vary, and many tools have a number of pricing tiers to choose from. Generally, the cost is calculated per user, per month.
What other operations software should I use?
These days, teams rely on their tech stack to do their work more effectively. Here are a few other operations software you might want to consider adding to your stack:
- Content management system: Software that lets your team create, edit, and publish branded content in a way that’s collaborative and organized.
- Business intelligence software: Software that facilitates in-depth data analysis to get a more nuanced understanding of your business performance.
- Project management software: A tool you can use to plan projects, assign tasks, manage workloads, troubleshoot bottlenecks, and track team productivity.
Can you export data easily from these free platforms?
Yes, most free CRM platforms allow for straightforward data exportation to common formats like CSV or Excel. This feature enables businesses to perform external analyses or move data between systems without significant obstacles.
How does free CRM software handle data security?
Free CRM software typically includes basic data security measures such as data encryption and secure access protocols. However, the level of security may vary significantly between providers, making it essential for businesses to review the security features carefully to ensure they meet compliance and data protection standards.
Are there any hidden costs associated with free CRM?
While free CRM software provides core functionalities without charge, there may be hidden costs related to add-ons, additional users, advanced features, or support services. It’s crucial for businesses to understand the pricing structure for any upgrades or extensions to avoid unexpected expenses.
Additional Revenue Operations Software
Check out more reading material about the ways CRM software can support your team:
- What Is Customer Relationship Management? Your Key To Successful Growth
- CRM & Marketing Automation: The Differences, Benefits & Why You Need Both
- 8 Insightful Tips For Building Customer Relationships That Last
Conclusion
For businesses big and small, starting your customer relationship management journey with free CRM software has many benefits. When you go with a free plan, your team members are able to test out the platform and see if it works for them. Whether you want to implement marketing automation, streamline your workflows, or improve your lead management, there’s a tool out there for it.
Ready to invest? Check out our list of the best CRM software for 2023, which includes paid options that weren’t on this list.
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