Top 10 Cheapest CRM Software in 2024
In a Nutshell
Choosing an affordable CRM that includes all the features you need is a challenge. In this cheapest CRM review we look at different options to help answer the question ‘What is the cheapest CRM?’. After my extensive research I’ve narrowed down the options. While any of the tools on this list can provide value, my favorites were Zoho CRM for the automation features that are available on the free plan, and EngageBay for its affordability.
10 Cheapest CRM Solutions—Shortlist
Discover my top 10 budget-friendly CRM picks that deliver functionality without draining your funds. After evaluating numerous systems, these standouts meet diverse business demands without the hefty price tag.
- Freshsales — Best for dynamic marketing tools
- HubSpot — Best for integrations
- Zoho CRM — Best for automation
- Pipedrive — Best for sales-focused teams
- Nimble — Best for daily visualization
- Monday.com — Best for customization
- Capsule — Best for customer interactions
- EngageBay — Best for budget-conscious startups
- Agile CRM — Best for small businesses looking for an all-in-one solution
- Salesforce Sales Cloud — Best for comprehensive management.
Introduction
Selecting a cheap CRM for a small business can be challenging, especially when balancing cost and quality. Understanding the critical role of CRM systems in customer engagement and management is essential. Choosing incorrectly could not only waste money but also prevent meaningful customer connections.
This article details the top 10 most low cost CRM solutions for 2024, guiding you through each to pinpoint the essential features for your business needs. I cover user interfaces, integration, scalability, and support to help you make a choice that boosts your long-term business success.
Key Features
Selecting cheap CRM software requires careful consideration of key features that enhance customer relations and streamline internal processes effectively and affordably.
Automation Capabilities
CRM tools, such as Pipedrive, streamline sales by automating tasks like email campaigns and advancing leads with minimal manual input. This ensures every opportunity is captured and allows your team to focus on strategic initiatives.
Integration with Other Tools
Top CRMs like HubSpot, featuring over 300 integrations and serve as a central hub that links everything from email marketing to accounting. This creates a unified platform that enhances workflow, synchronizes data, and provides a holistic view of customer interactions.
User-Friendliness
A CRM should be easy to navigate. With visual pipelines and intuitive dashboards, systems like HubSpot allow your team to efficiently track lead progress and update statuses, speeding up onboarding and improving productivity.
Scalability for Growing Businesses
Your CRM must evolve with your business. Whether managing basic contacts in small settings or complex analytics in large enterprises, a scalable CRM adjusts to your growing demands, eliminating the need to switch systems as you expand.
Benefits
Affordable CRM systems bring significant advantages to your business operations. They help optimize your budget, allowing you to shift funds to other essential areas, enhancing financial flexibility and business growth during economic squeezes.
Cost Savings
Choosing an affordable CRM means you’re budget-savvy, not penny-pinching. This strategic decision frees up financial resources, supporting business sustainability and expansion.
Improved Customer Relationships
A robust CRM tool improves how you interact with customers. It allows you to track engagements, understand their needs, and respond more aptly, deepening relationships and making each customer feel uniquely valued.
Enhanced Sales Processes
Efficient CRM systems streamline crucial sales tasks, from tracking leads to following up with them. For example, I’ve seen sales teams cut lead conversion times through smarter CRM tactics, ensuring no opportunities are missed.
Better Data Management
Even affordable CRMs offer powerful analytics and reporting capabilities, providing clear insights into sales trends and customer behavior. This data helps you stay ahead of market shifts and adapt strategies swiftly.
How to Choose a Cheap CRM
When discussing CRM software selection, I stress that low cost should not sacrifice the quality and functionality your business requires. Choosing an affordable yet effective CRM can revolutionize how you manage customer relationships. Here’s my streamlined approach:
Determine Essential Features
Pinpoint the must-have features based on your business’s unique needs to elevate customer engagement. Decide if you require in-depth analytics to understand customer patterns or if smooth integration with existing sales tools takes precedence. Key features should cover contact management, automated follow-ups for better efficiency and personalized interactions, and access to up-to-date data.
Assess Compatibility with Existing Systems
Ensure the new CRM software integrates well with your current systems. Avoid the hassle of incompatible software, which can force a workflow overhaul, as happened with a client dealing with poor email integration. Confirm the CRM’s compatibility with your tools through direct integrations or APIs.
Consider User Experience and Support
Select a CRM that’s easy to use; complicated systems will not be fully utilized, making them ineffective. Opt for CRMs with user-friendly interfaces and robust customer support. Remember, effective support can make a big difference, as evident from helping a small business tackle slow CRM support last year.
Evaluate Scalability and Future Needs
Choose a CRM that will grow with your business. It should support future growth, from adding more users and increasing data storage to enhancing features. Investing in a scalable CRM now prevents the need to switch systems as your business expands.
Budget Considerations
Establish a realistic budget early. While feature-rich CRMs are attractive, they can be expensive. Look for the best value, considering all costs, including setup, training, and future feature additions.
The Top 10 Cheapest CRM Systems
Why I Chose Freshsales
Freshsales shines especially for teams needing dynamic marketing tools. Its AI sharpens operations and predicts trends essential for growing sales efficiently.
Pricing
Freshsales Plan
Growth ($11 per user per month): Includes contact lifecycle stages, kanban view for contacts, and email templates.
Pro ($47 per user per month): Includes Freddy AI contact scoring, advanced custom fields, and auto-assignment rules.
Enterprise ($71 per user per month): Includes field-level permissions, Freddy AI forecasting insights, and custom module workflows.
Freshsales Suite Plan
- Growth ($11 per user per month): Includes multichannel engagement-SMS, email, and WhatsApp, landing pages, and product catalog.
- Pro ($47 per user per month): Includes custom events-based segmentation, reply tracking, and Freddy AI SMS generator.
- Enterprise ($71 per user per month): Includes sandbox, transaction emails, and auto logs.
Freshmarketer Plan
- Free ($0 per user per month): Includes 500 monthly email sends, basic segmentation, and list and contact management.
- Enterprise ($15 per user per month): Includes 10,000 monthly email sends, Facebook and Instagram custom audiences, and Freddy AI.
Features
The clear visual sales pipeline and customizable dashboards stand out, providing a personalized snapshot of your team’s sales activities and crucial metrics.
Integrations
It integrates smoothly with Google Calendar, Slack, and various marketing platforms, boosting its functionality without the clutter of extra tools.
Don’t Choose Freshsales If…
Avoid Freshsales if you need in-depth customer support built into your CRM or require a highly specialized tool with a limited need for extensive integrations.
Summary
Freshsales is perfect for businesses seeking a powerful, user-friendly CRM that excels in automation and integration, particularly for improving sales and marketing processes. Its free tier includes essential features, with more advanced options available in upgraded plans.
Pros
- AI-driven automation via Freddy AI.
- Comprehensive email, phone, live chat, and SMS functionalities
- User-friendly and intuitive design
Cons
- Limited direct customer support features
- Advanced features require paid plans
Why I Chose HubSpot
HubSpot excels due to its superior ability to integrate. It meshes seamlessly with numerous tools and services, fitting effortlessly into any business model. This integration capability makes it a top choice for businesses aiming to streamline operations and boost productivity without increasing their number of tools.
Pricing
For Individuals and Small Teams
- Free Tools ($0 per user per month): Includes marketing and sales tools, service and content tools, and commerce and operations tools.
- Starter Customer Platform ($20 per seat per month): Includes 1,000 marketing contacts, sales hub starter, and content hub starter packs.
- Professional Customer Platform ($1,200 for 5 users per month): Includes 2,000 marketing contacts, sales, service, and content hub professional packs.
For Businesses and Enterprises
- Professional Customer Platform ($1,200 for 5 users per month): Includes 2,000 marketing contacts, sales hub starter, and content hub professional packs.
- Enterprise Customer Platform ($4,000 for 7 users per month): Includes 10,000 marketing contacts, sales, service, and content hub enterprise packs.
Features
HubSpot impresses with its task management and email sequence features. Task queues function like playlists to help streamline sales activities, while its email tools offer deep personalization options, ensuring messages strike a chord with recipients.
Integrations
HubSpot’s strength lies in its vast integration network. It integrates smoothly with platforms like Salesforce, enhancing CRM capabilities and marketing tools like Mailchimp, expanding its usefulness as a comprehensive management platform.
Don’t Choose HubSpot If…
Avoid HubSpot if you’re budget-conscious and need advanced CRM features at a lower cost or if your business demands extensive customization that its free or basic plans don’t offer.
Summary
HubSpot is perfect for businesses prioritizing integration and efficiency. It supports various business sizes and types with its extensive features and scalable platform. While its higher plans provide robust tools for dedicated CRM users, the free plan still offers significant value, scaling as your business grows.
Pros
- Extensive integration options
- Robust task management
- Advanced email marketing
Cons
- Pricing tiers escalate with advanced features
- Limited customization in the free plan
Why I Chose Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM impresses with its balance of affordability and advanced automation tools. It’s perfect for growing businesses needing to automate complex tasks and integrate various apps without breaking the bank.
Pricing
Products and Plans
- Free plan ($0 per user per month): Includes contact book, lead generation, limited automation, analytics, customization, but is limited to only three users.
- Standard ($18 per user per month): Includes basic modules, advanced filters, and multiple pipelines.
- Professional ($30 per user per month): Includes assignment rules, SalesSignals, and macros.
- Enterprise ($45 per user per month): Includes multiple scoring rules, email parsers, and custom SalesSignals.
- Ultimate ($55 per user per month): Includes email parsers, portals, and data entry wizards.
Bundles
- CRM Plus ($11 per user per month): Includes eight integrated apps with users having access to all features.
- CRM Flex ($18 per user per month): Includes the ability to select the needed integrated apps and grant access to users.
Features
Zoho CRM offers a wide array of features. From automating sales processes to managing projects, it ensures smooth customer interactions. Its real-time analytics deliver valuable insights, helping businesses make informed decisions swiftly.
Integrations
With support for extensive integrations like GetResponse, SendInBlue, and over 450 other apps, Zoho CRM creates a flexible and customizable environment, meeting specific business demands.
Don’t Choose Zoho CRM If
Avoid Zoho CRM if you need an immediately intuitive interface or a simpler system that requires little to no training for your team.
Summary
Zoho CRM is ideal for companies seeking a comprehensive, feature-dense CRM system that excels in automating complex operations at a competitive cost. It’s especially beneficial for those prioritizing deep customization and broad integration options to refine their CRM tactics. Its combination of potent tools and affordability positions it as a strong choice for businesses aiming to boost efficiency and expand.
Pros
- Exceptional AI-driven capabilities
- Its integration prowess is robust
- The software is known for its affordability
- Effective customer segmentation and email marketing tools
Cons
- New users might face a steep learning curve
- The user interface could use aesthetic updates
Why I Chose Pipedrive
Pipedrive stands out because it’s designed by sales experts specifically for the sales community, ensuring that everything from the deal to lead management is optimized for efficiency. Its sharp focus on key sales functionalities and robust analytics tools position it as a top contender for teams aiming to boost their sales performance.
Pricing
- Essential ($14 per seat per month): Includes pipeline, calendar, and lead management, personalized onboarding, and contact reports.
- Advanced ($29 per seat per month): Includes email automation builder, full email sync, and scheduling.
- Professional ($59 per seat per month): Includes streamlined lead routing, AI sales assistant, and revenue forecasts.
- Power ($69 per seat per month): Includes increased account permission controls, project planning, and 24/7 support.
- Enterprise ($99 per seat per month): Includes enhanced security customization, unlimited reports, and complete feature access.
Features
Optimize your sales pipeline using the comprehensive Lead and Deal Management tools that track progress seamlessly at each stage. Customize the system to fit your unique business needs with adjustable fields, pipelines, and reports. Bolster your sales tactics with its advanced analytics, enabling you to make strategic, data-backed decisions that drive your sales upwards.
Integrations
Pipedrive integrates effortlessly with numerous external applications, such as Surfe and LinkPorte, enhancing its utility.
Don’t Choose Pipedrive If…
It may not be the best fit if you’re restricted by budget and need a CRM that offers extensive features at a lower cost.
Summary
Pipedrive excels by simplifying sales management through an intuitive, visually-driven interface and extensive customization options. Ideal for sales teams focused on growth and efficiency, it offers various pricing tiers, providing significant value in boosting team collaboration and streamlining sales processes.
Pros
- Simple and efficient visual sales pipeline
- Strong team collaboration
- A customizable pipeline and dashboard
Cons
- The pricing may be a bit steep
- New users might require some time to adapt to its features
Why I Chose Nimble CRM
Nimble CRM is a great solution dedicated to small businesses and startups. It provides a simple, yet robust, set of tools to help companies build better relationships with clients. I liked that the tools were easy to set up and start using without requiring an extensive time investment to get up and running.
Pricing
Nimble CRM has a very simple pricing structure, which I found refreshing. With Nimble, you can get started right away without having to agonize over which pricing plan will be the best for your business.
- Free Trial: Nimble includes a 14-day free trial for all users to test out the software before committing to the paid subscription.
- Basic Pricing ($29.90/user/month): Includes all CRM features, 25 000 contact record storage, 2GB/seat storage, Microsoft 365 and Workspace integration, and Nimble Prospector feature.
- Additional Credits ($10/100 credits): Credits can be used to automatically find missing contact information from social media or other websites.
- Additional Contacts ($10/10 000 additional contacts): When you reach your contact limit, you can get additional contacts.
- Additional Storage ($10/10 GB additional storage): Get more storage when you need it.
Features
Nimble provides a plethora of easy features that makes it ideal for small businesses. Some of the standout features include contact management, social media integration, insights and analytics, and task management. One of the best features I found was the ‘Today Page’ that gives you a visual overview of what the day holds. Here, you can see your to-do’s, deals, and engagement opportunities at a glance.
Integrations
Nimble offers easy integration with Microsoft 265 and Workplace products. Additionally, the marketplace also supports integrations with a number of other third-party apps. These include integrations with MailSend, Osano, MailChimp, PandaDoc, Quickbooks, Shopify, and others.
Don’t Choose Nimble CRM If…
Avoid Nimble if your business requires more robust CRM solutions with many automation features. Additionally, you shouldn’t choose Nimble if you’re looking for a CRM with advanced AI features. If your business is growing very fast, or if you have multiple different departments, products, or services, you might feel limited by Nimble’s simple offering.
Summary
Nimble CRM is the ideal for small businesses that are looking for a simple and affordable CRM solution. One of the biggest benefits of the tool is the simple pricing strategy, which takes all of the guesswork out of choosing your subscription. All of the CRM features are immediately included in the affordable monthly subscription. The only times you’ll pay more is when you need to increase your storage or get credits for automated searches.
Pros
- Good selection of integrations
- Easy to use sales pipeline features
- Decent project management tools available
- Mobile app available
Cons
- Automation tools are limited
- Email functionality within the CRM is limited
- Contact storage limited to 25 000 – need to pay extra for more
Why I Chose Monday.com
I picked Monday.com for its standout customization abilities. It scales effortlessly from small startups to big enterprises, maintaining rich features at every level.
Pricing
- Basic ($15 per seat per month): Includes contact management templates, mobile apps, and unlimited customizable pipelines.
- Standard ($20 per seat per month): Includes activity management, advanced account management, and AI email generator
- Pro ($33 per seat per month): Includes Google Calendar sync, sales forecasting, and mass email tracking.
- Enterprise (Contact Sales): Includes lead scoring, sales documents, and account management.
Features
Its AI-driven tools automate mundane email and activity tasks, freeing up your team to tackle strategic challenges.
Integrations
Monday.com boosts efficiency with seamless integrations like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Slack, creating a unified workflow across tools.
Don’t Choose Monday.com if:
Avoid it if you need simple, ready-to-use CRM solutions with clear, straightforward pricing.
Summary
Monday.com suits teams seeking deep customization across complex workflows. It delivers a versatile feature set designed to streamline operations and enhance productivity.
Pros
- Tailored automation and integration
- Customizable dashboards
- Wide range of integrations
Cons
- Complex pricing structure
- Overwhelming automation and integration options
Why I Chose Capsule
Capsule, as the name suggests, offers all the basic CRM tools a business requires at an affordable price point. Their pricing strategy is also structured in such a way that it’s easy to scale as your business grows, while still being considered an affordable option.
Pricing
- Free Forever: Supports up to two users and 250 contacts.
- Starter ($21/user/month): 30 000 contacts, 1 sales pipeline, 1 project board, 10 AI content assists, 1 shared mailbox, and 5 email templates.
- Growth ($38/user/month): 60 000 contacts, 5 sales pipelines, 5 project boards, 1000 AI content assists, 3 shared mailboxes, and 50 email templates.
- Advanced ($60/user/month): 120 000 contacts, 50 sales pipelines, 50 project boards, 1000 AI content assists, 5 shared mailboxes, and 500 email templates.
- Ultimate ($75/user/month): 240 000 contacts, 100 sales pipelines, 100 project boards, 1000 AI content assists, 10 shared mailboxes, and 1000 email templates.
Features
Capsule includes all of the basic features you expect from a CRM such as contact, calendar, and pipeline management. The tool also sup[ports a number of useful integrations to get even more functionality out of your tech stack. One of the best features of Capsule’s CRM is the robust and unlimited case history. This enables your teams to see the entire history with a client at a glance – ensuring everyone is on the same page at all times.
Integrations
Capsule offers a number of useful integrations that includes Quickbooks, Gmail, Transpond, Xero, Mailchimp, Sage, and more.
Don’t Choose Capsule If…
Avoid Capsule if you’re looking for a CRM with robust features. This tool is best suited to small businesses, and features might be limited to larger scale operations. Also, avoid Capsule if your business has multiple or complex business offerings.
Summary
Capsule is an affordable and easy-to-use CRM for small businesses that want to improve their customer interactions. It’s here that the tool excels by allowing businesses to see their entire history with a particular client at a glance.
Pros
- Free plan available
- Very easy to use
- Simple and effective integrations
- Decent customer integration management features
Cons
- Some integrations feel a bit basic
- Some features are basic
Why I Chose EngageBay
EngageBay stands out for its affordability and feature-rich platform, which is perfect for startups. It offers necessary tools without large investments and integrates smoothly into everyday business processes.
Pricing
- Free ($0 for per user per month): Includes 250 contacts, deals, tasks, email tracking, appointment scheduling, and live chat.
- Basic ($12.99 per user per month): Includes 500 contacts, multiple deal tracking, calling, predictive lead scoring, third-party integrations, and a tag manager.
- Growth ($49.99 per user per month): Includes 20 000 contacts, email scheduler, lead board, multiple currencies, sales automation, products, and proposals.
- Pro ($79.99 per user per month): Includes 30 000 contacts, auto dialer, proposal analytics, role management, call records, call scripts, goals, custom reporting, and a conversational inbox.
Features
EngageBay provides a broad range of CRM, marketing, and sales automation tools, including contact management, appointment scheduling, and performance tracking.
Integrations
It supports integration with popular platforms like Zapier, Mailgun, and Microsoft Office 365, boosting its adaptability and enhancing tool synchronization.
Don’t Choose EngageBay If…
It may not suit large enterprises or rapidly scaling businesses due to its limited support scope and absence of round-the-clock customer service.
Summary
Ideal Cheap CRM for startups and small businesses, EngageBay balances cost-effectiveness with crucial CRM features. Its user-friendly interface and strong integration options offer valuable support for managing customer relationships on a budget.
Pros
- Offers a free plan
- The interface is user-friendly
- Has comprehensive features
Cons
- Not suited for large enterprises
- Lacks 24/7 customer support
Why I Chose Agile CRM
Agile CRM combines low cost with rich features, making it a standout choice. Perfect for small businesses, it offers extensive CRM tools for free, making it one of the most affordable options available.
Pricing
- Free ($0 for 10 users per month): Includes 50,000 contacts and companies, custom data fields, and lead scoring.
- Starter ($8.99 per user per month): Includes email campaigns, web engagement, contact level analytics, and form builder.
- Regular ($29.99 per user per month): Includes helpdesk, groups, labels, and canned responses.
- Enterprise ($47.99 per user per month): Includes 50+ integrations, email, and phone support, Google/Shopify/Stripe sync, and Chrome extension.
Features
Enhance customer engagement and streamline operations with Agile CRM’s Contact Management. Boost marketing with Marketing Automation that simplifies email campaigns and social media, saving time and resources. Advance your sales strategies with Sales Tracking, which helps your team monitor progress and analyze metrics.
Integrations
Agile CRM integrates smoothly with top email services and social media channels, enhancing communication. It supports e-commerce with platforms like Shopify and Stripe and boosts productivity through tools like Slack and Trello.
Don’t Choose Agile CRM If…
Avoid Agile CRM if you need support in more than six languages or require frequent updates and the latest CRM features, as Agile might lag in these areas.
Summary
Agile CRM excels in affordability and functionality, ideal for cost-conscious small businesses needing a comprehensive CRM solution to effectively manage customer relations and sales activities.
Pros
- Utilizes gamification to enhance collaboration within sales teams
- Strong mobile support
- Advanced telephony features
- Extensive integration options
Why I Chose Salesforce Sales Cloud
Salesforce revolutionizes sales management with its precise reporting and extensive tracking, thanks to AI enhancements by Einstein that elevate it as a leader in technology-driven sales improvement.
Pricing
- Starter Suite ($25 per user per month): Includes simplified setup, contact management, and email integration.
- Professional ($80 per user per month): Includes quoting and contracting, forecast management, and customizable reports and dashboards.
- Enterprise ($165 per user per month): Includes advanced pipeline management, territory planning and management, and workflow and approvals automation.
- Unlimited ($330 per user per month): Includes premier success plan, predictive AI, and conversation intelligence and sales engagement.
- Einstein 1 Sales ($500 per user per month): Includes Einstein Copilot, sales programs, and performance management.
Features
With customizable dashboards and reports, Salesforce allows businesses to tailor their CRM to effectively oversee their sales activities.
Integrations
It seamlessly integrates with numerous applications like Google Apps and Outlook, boosting productivity by ensuring all tools work together smoothly.
Don’t Choose Salesforce Sales Cloud If…
It may not suit very small businesses or startups due to high costs and complex features that might be overwhelming at the beginning.
Summary
Ideal for large businesses or those requiring sophisticated CRM tools, Salesforce Sales Cloud provides unmatched insights and control over customer interactions, though its complexity and expense may deter smaller enterprises.
Pros
- Comprehensive tracking and analytics
- Advanced integration capabilities
- AI-driven insights with Einstein
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Cost-prohibitive for some businesses
The Bottom Line
Having explored the most affordable CRM software for 2024, I trust my findings assist you in selecting one that matches your business needs. It’s crucial to find a balance between cost and features to enhance efficiency economically. The ideal CRM meets your unique needs and supports your growth. Choose smartly to optimize your investment.
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