Why Every Business Needs a CRM
A CRM system centralises customer data, communication, and sales pipelines. Instead of digging through spreadsheets or emails, your team can instantly see client history, preferences, and interactions.
- Better organisation of customer data
- Increased sales efficiency
- Smarter marketing campaigns
- Improved customer support
- Cost savings compared to manual processes
Best CRM for Business
For medium and large businesses, CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, and Zoho CRM often lead the pack. They offer advanced analytics, automation, and integrations with marketing and finance tools.
Best CRM for Small Business
Small businesses need something affordable, user-friendly, and quick to set up. Popular options include: HubSpot (free plan), Zoho CRM (feature-rich), Freshsales (simple + automation), Pipedrive (visual pipeline).
Free CRM for Small Business
Early stage? Start with a free CRM: HubSpot, Bitrix24, Zoho Free Edition. These let you manage contacts, deals, and email without upfront cost—great for validation before scaling.
Simple / Basic CRM
If you just need essentials: Less Annoying CRM, Streak (inside Gmail), and Insightly keep things clean without enterprise clutter.
Best Sales CRM
Sales-focused platforms optimize pipelines & follow-ups: Pipedrive, Close CRM, Salesforce Sales Cloud for larger motions.
Real Estate CRM Software
Realtors need MLS + communication focus. Strong picks: Follow Up Boss, LionDesk, Propertybase.
Best CRM for Startups
Startups value flexibility + low cost: HubSpot Free, Airtable templates, Monday Sales CRM are easy to adapt and scale.
CRM Comparison Table (2025)
Tool | Price Tier | Pipeline View | Email Sync | Mobile | Automations | Free Plan |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HubSpot CRM | Freemium | Yes | Yes | Yes | Basic (Free) / Advanced (Paid) | Yes |
Zoho CRM | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Limited) |
Pipedrive | Mid | Yes (Visual) | Yes | Yes | Workflow (Higher Tiers) | No |
Freshsales | Low-Mid | Yes | Yes | Yes | Good | Limited Free |
Less Annoying CRM | Low | Basic | Partial | Responsive | Minimal | No (Trial) |
Streak | Freemium | Gmail-Based | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
Close CRM | Mid | Yes | Built-In Dialer | Yes | Strong | No |
Follow Up Boss | Mid | Yes | Yes | Yes | Good | No |
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FAQs
What is the simplest CRM for small businesses?
Less Annoying CRM and Streak are among the simplest—minimal setup, core contact + pipeline tracking.
Is there a truly free CRM?
Yes. HubSpot CRM, Bitrix24, Zoho Free Edition and Streak’s free tier offer real usable functionality.
Which CRM is best for realtors?
Follow Up Boss and LionDesk are popular for lead routing + follow-up speed; Propertybase for deeper MLS integration.
What’s the difference between CRM and sales CRM?
A general CRM covers contacts + support + marketing; a sales CRM prioritizes pipeline, forecasting, sequences, and closing efficiency.
Conclusion: Pick a CRM that matches stage + complexity. Start free, validate usage, then layer automation. Need a tailored stack? Talk to us.