10 Best FREE CRM for Startups (2025)
You need to develop and manage a positiive customer relationship in order to have a successful startup. However, staying on top of your customer’s needs and maintaining a profitable relationship with them is difficult. The best approach to address the challenge is with the right CRM system.
CRM for start-ups caters to the needs of companies that are in their early stages of growth. Such CRM helps employees of a startup to onboard with minimal training.
After 50+ hours of research, I have reviewed 30+ of the Best Free CRM for Startups, uncovering the top options, both free and paid. My in-depth guide provides a trusted, well-researched look at the features, pros and cons, and pricing of each. This unbiased review offers comprehensive insights into the most credible tools. Read the full article to discover exclusive and must-see recommendations. Read more…
Best CRM for Startups
Name | Zoho | Salesforce | Monday | Pipedrive |
Features | ✔️ Functional Cloud CRM ✔️ Effective communication tools |
✔️ Offers easy follow-ups on key contacts and leads. ✔️ Helps you to monitor and manage your business. |
✔️ Manage everything in one workspace ✔️ Set up in minutes |
✔️ Marketing and sales automation ✔️ Blog and website integration |
Free Trial | 15 Day Free Trial (No credit card required) | 30 Day Free Trial (No Credit Card Required) | Basic free version | 30 Day Free Trial (No Credit Card Required) |
Review/Rating | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
Link | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More |
1) Zoho
Best for start-ups looking to use social media as a marketing tool.
Zoho is my preferred choice for organizing contacts, managing tasks, and tracking deals. It helped me centralize my customer address book, and I could give my sales team easy access to the data they needed. According to my research, it is one of the best CRM for start-ups, providing an easy way to monitor key metrics and manage monthly targets.
Email Automation: Yes
Integration: Google, Zapier, GitHub, Dropbox.
Free Trial: 14 Day Free Trial
Features:
- Cloud CRM: This cloud CRM boasts effective communication tools and customizable automation. I found it perfect for fulfilling my dynamic needs.
- Task and Deal Efficiency: I managed tasks and deals efficiently, converting live chats into leads effortlessly with this system.
- Support: It offered me live chat, telephone, and email support to ensure comprehensive user assistance.
- Integrations: I noticed super smooth integration with Google, Zapier, GitHub, and Dropbox for enhanced functionality.
- Supported Platforms: Zoho CRM is compatible across the Web, iOS, and Android. I could seamlessly use it on a wide range of devices.
Pros
Cons
👉 How to Get Zoho for Free?
- Go to Zoho
- Press the “GET STARTED” button to create your account and begin your 15-day free trial today.
15-Day Free Trial (No credit card required)
2) Salesforce
Best for large and medium-sized businesses
Salesforce is a SaaS CRM that I particularly appreciate for managing my customer relationships and building custom solutions for business needs. It helped me boost customer loyalty and improve retention. I was able to monitor sales performance and easily manage customer data. In my experience, it is one of the best CRM options for organizing data and providing support from a central dashboard.
Email Automation: Yes
Integrations: Google Workspace, Slack, Quickbooks, etc.
Free Trial: 30 Days
Features:
- Customer Relationships: This CRM allowed me to improve customer loyalty, retention, and satisfaction, aiming to build lasting connections.
- Cloud-Based Management: I could monitor and manage my business operations easily with this cloud-based CRM system.
- Support Channels: It provided me with the essential phone and chat support to resolve my queries.
- Third-Party Integration: I could perfectly integrate it with ActiveCampaign, Zapier, and DocuSign. It helped me streamline my operations with ease.
- Supported Platforms: This CRM is available on Android, Windows, iPhone, Mac, and Web-based platforms, making it a flexible option.
Pros
Cons
👉 How to Get Salesforce CRM for Free?
- Go to Salesforce CRM
- Select “TRY FOR FREE” to register and activate your 30-day free trial with no credit card needed.
30-Days Free Trial (No credit card required)
3) Monday
Best for All-in-one Project Management Tools and CRM software
I reviewed Monday and found it great for managing sales processes in one place. It offered me a simple visual interface that helped streamline workflows. I was able to collaborate with my team easily, track tasks, and automate processes. According to my review, it is perfect for small businesses looking to manage projects and connect teams efficiently.
Email Automation: Yes
Integration: Microsoft Teams, Dropbox, Slack, Zapier, Google Drive, etc.
Free Trial: Free Forever Plan
Features:
- Data Import: It allowed me to easily import customer data in just a few clicks, helping me stay organized.
- Automation: I could rely on automatic scheduling for notifications and reminders, which helped me avoid missing deadlines.
- Lead Management: Monday integrates with other essential tools, accelerating response times and boosting my overall productivity.
- Integrations: This CRM integrates with Microsoft Teams, Dropbox, Slack, Zapier, and Google Drive, allowing me to experience a seamless workflow.
- Supported Platforms: It is available on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and web, providing me flexibility across devices.
- Deployment Type: The software is cloud-based with an open API, giving you the most versatile deployment options.
Pros
Cons
👉 How to Get Monday for Free?
- Go to Monday
- Click on the “Get Started” button to get Life Time Free Basic Plan Up to 2 seats (No Credit Card Required).
Life Time Free Basic Plan
4) Pipedrive
Best for start-ups that need to schedule a lot of sales meetings
Throughout my assessment of Pipedrive, I found it perfect for start-ups. It offered smooth integration with marketing tools and allowed me to adjust workflows as needed. I recommend it as one of the most effective CRM platforms for managing sales appointments and creating a professional first impression with clients.
Email Automation: Yes
Integration: Zapier, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Pipechat, HubSpot, etc.
Free Trial: 30 Day Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)
Features:
- Automation Tools: Marketing and sales automation with reporting and analytics helped me streamline and optimize my campaigns.
- Email Campaigns & Sales Reports: I used customizable email marketing campaigns with click-to-call and direct mail tools to improve engagement rates. The system also provides customizable sales pipeline reports with automated alerts.
- Cloud Deployment: The CRM is cloud-based, offering me a reliable and scalable solution for managing my business remotely.
- Customer Support: With 24/7 email and chat support, I could resolve technical or operational issues promptly, ensuring smooth operations.
- CRM Integration: The platform lets me easily integrate with tools like Zapier, Automate.io, and Microsoft Flow, providing a great way to manage contacts.
- Supported Platforms: Supported on Windows, Android, iPhone, Mac, and web, ensuring flexibility and accessibility across multiple devices.
Pros
Cons
👉 How to Get Pipedrive for Free?
- Go to Pipedrive
- Tap “Try it free” to create an account and enjoy a 30-day free trial without the need for a credit card.
30-Day Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)
5) Freshsales
During my analysis, Freshsales offered an ideal solution to accelerate revenue by using targeted sales strategies. Thanks to its Freshdesk integration, which helped me combine sales and support, I suggest it as a top-rated CRM that reduces IT complexity and improves lead generation with customizable web forms.
Email Automation: Yes
Integration: Mailchimp, Trello, Freshchat, QuickBooks, HubSpot, etc.
Free Trial: Lifetime Basic Free Plan
Features:
- Sales Tracking: I could send sales goals and track progress on a daily, weekly, or quarterly schedule with ease.
- Auto Assignment: Auto-assignment rules let me automatically allocate lead contacts to specific sales agents for faster response times.
- AI Insights: AI-powered insights and sales forecasting tools helped me predict future revenue and improve conversion rates significantly.
- Customer Support: It comes with multiple support channels, including live chat, telephone, and email. I accessed these support channels to address and resolve my queries.
- Integration Options: To boost my productivity, I could integrate with platforms like Mailchimp, Trello, Freshchat, QuickBooks, and HubSpot.
- Supported Platforms: Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, this tool works across various platforms for maximum flexibility.
Pros
Cons
👉 How to Get Freshsales for Free?
- Go to Freshsales
- Click “Try it Free” to create your account and kick off your 21-day free trial.
21-Day Free Trial
6) HubSpot
Best for the best solution for start-up businesses wanting an easy-to-use CRM.
I analyzed HubSpot, and I could access its marketing automation, sales workflow tools, and CRM analytics features. It allowed me to monitor business performance and refine my campaigns effectively. In fact, HubSpot is one of the best platforms for converting visitors into customers and running inbound marketing. I personally recommend it for startups that want an all-in-one solution.
You can integrate this CRM software with other marketing and customer service tools. It is one of the best CMS for start-ups. It provides flexible pricing plans that allow you to find detailed customer purchase histories or stack them together for an all-in-one CRM solution.
Email Automation: Yes
Integration: Microsoft Teams, Dropbox, Slack, Zapier, Google Drive, etc.
Free Trial: Free Forever
Features:
- Comprehensive Lead Management: I could efficiently track sales pipelines and manage email campaigns with its integrated lead management features.
- Enhanced Collaboration: According to my experience, team collaboration significantly improved with integrated social media and CRM tools.
- Document Management: I could use it for document management with support for e-signatures to simplify the process.
- Support Options: It lets me access support via live chat, telephone, and online meetings, making customer service more accessible.
- Integrations: For better functionality, I could integrate it seamlessly with Gmail, FreshBooks, Mailchimp, CloudTalk, Aircall, and many more services.
- Supported Platforms: HubSpot CRM supports Windows, Android, iPhone, and Mac, making it accessible on the most popular operating systems.
Pros
Cons
👉 How to Get HubSpot CRM for Free?
- Go to HubSpot CRM
- Click “Get free CRM” to register and set up your free account; no credit card is needed.
Free Forever Plan
7) Salesflare
Best for collaborating more efficiently on customer conversations
Salesflare is a smart CRM tool that helps you identify important sales opportunities and take action on time. I found that it offers great solutions for B2B companies looking to improve their sales processes. During my research, I discovered that Salesflare allows teams to collaborate efficiently by tracking customer interactions.
Features:
- Workflow Optimization: This CRM allowed me to streamline operations and improve collaboration by efficiently managing workflows and integrating all my sales tools.
- Automatic Logging: I found that the CRM could automatically log meetings and calls for better organization.
- Document Folder: SalesForce provides each customer with a personalized document folder, making it easier to organize and retrieve files when needed.
- Support: This CRM provided me with chat and mail support to help address any queries or technical issues quickly.
- Integration: It allowed me integration with Gmail, Office 365, and iCloud, ensuring smooth transitions across platforms.
- Supported Platforms: The CRM works on multiple platforms, including Web, Apple iOS, and Android, allowing me to access it from any device.
Pros
Cons
👉 How to Get Salesflare for Free?
- Go to Salesflare
- Select “Try it for free” to register and activate your 30-day free trial with no credit card needed.
30-Day Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)
8) Insightly
Best for start-ups that want project management tools within their CRM
In my experience, Insightly is a top CRM for startups. It helped me collect customer data and improved my productivity. I could also help my sales team nurture client relationships and track lead details more efficiently. Its comprehensive marketing tools integrate smoothly with existing systems, which is a superior choice for any startup.
Features:
- Project Management: I could efficiently manage my projects by converting opportunities into tasks and syncing them with my calendar, ensuring the timely completion of milestones and deadlines.
- Built-in Event Tools: The built-in event management tools were perfect for tracking milestones and tasks, ensuring smooth project completion.
- Customer Support: It offers email support and lets me opt for paid phone support if I need additional help.
- Mobile Functionality: The mobile app offers features like a business card scanner, voice notes, and data synchronization, which helped me stay organized.
- CRM Integrations: To enhance functionality, I could integrate this platform with Amazon EC2, Asana, Capsule CRM, Gmail, HubSpot, and more.
- Supported Platforms: The app is available on Android and iOS, making it compatible with most mobile devices.
Pros
Cons
👉 How to Get Insightly CRM for Free?
- Go to Insightly CRM
- Click “Try CRM Free” to create your account and get started with your free plan.
Lifetime Free Basic Plan
9) Agile CRM
Best for New businesses that want a range of free sales tools
According to my research, Agile CRM is amazing for lead management and automation for startups. It allowed me to manage deals and track customer information with ease. Due to its contact analytics and nurturing tools, I was able to close more deals. I particularly liked the campaign templates, which made my marketing efforts easier. Its support for up to 50,000 contacts is impressive.
Features:
- Customer Interaction Tracking: I could track client conversations and calls, which helped me maintain organized records in CRM systems. The tool’s automation allowed me to track buyer history for complete interaction visibility.
- Data Integration and Insights: Syncing with Google Calendar allowed me to stay updated with tasks and meetings, ensuring data-driven insights for better decision-making.
- Support: It allowed me to receive customer service through chat and email, offering essential assistance for troubleshooting or inquiries.
- Integrations: The platform integrates with popular systems like Shopify, Magento, Joomla, Drupal, and WordPress, allowing seamless workflow.
- Supported Platforms: I could seamlessly access the CRM on the web, Android, and iOS, which makes it great for flexibility across devices.
Pros
Cons
👉 How to Get Agile CRM for Free?
- Go to Agile CRM
- Click “GET STARTED” to sign up for your FREE Agile CRM account with no credit card needed.
Free Basic Version for 10 Users
10) Copper
Best for robust revenue analytics that offers more visibility
I checked out Copper, and I was able to store and manage contacts and emails without any hassle. Its Google Calendar integration made managing leads, deals, and events so much easier. I found the customizable contact categories to be very useful for organizing business relationships. The revenue analytics feature is one of the best, and the built-in email automation saved me a lot of time.
Features:
- Data Consolidation and Real-time Insights: I appreciate how the CRM consolidates data from multiple sources, offering me real-time updates on my sales funnel.
- Automated Email Marketing: The CRM’s email sequences and drip campaigns allowed me to streamline bulk marketing using pre-built templates, which is great for growing businesses.
- Integrations: It lets me seamlessly integrate with popular tools like HubSpot, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, and G Suite. This offered flexible workflow management and real-time currency conversion for international startups.
- Supported Platforms: You can access the CRM on web, Android, and iOS platforms, making it perfect for multi-device flexibility.
Pros
Cons
👉 How to Get Copper for Free?
- Go to Copper
- Click “Try free” to register and begin your 14-day free trial; no credit card is required.
14-Days Free Trial
What are the types of CRM?
Three types of CRM systems are:
- Collaborative CRM systems: Collaborative CRM systems are breaking down silos. Often the marketing team, sales reps, and customer support agents are all in different departments and not properly connected with each other. Each of those departments is further separated based on geographic locations, channels they serve, products they focus on, or skill specialties.
- Operational CRM systems: This type of CRMs helps streamline a company’s processes for customer relationships. They provide tools to better visualize and handle the full customer journey more efficiently.
- Analytical CRMs: This type of CRM focuses on helping you analyze the customer data you have to gain important insights. Digital tools and platforms now make it easy to collect large quantities of data.
How Did We Choose Best CRM tool for Startups?
At Guru99, we prioritize providing accurate, relevant, and objective information through rigorous content creation and review processes. After 50+ hours of research, I reviewed 30+ of the Best Free CRM for Startups, offering a well-researched guide on the top free and paid options. This unbiased review covers essential features, pros and cons, and pricing, ensuring startups find credible tools. When selecting a CRM, it’s crucial to choose cost-effective, scalable, and easy-to-implement solutions that support future growth without overwhelming complexity.
Here are some key features which help you to select a CRM system for your start-up:
- Reporting: A good CRM for a start-up will help in tracking your activities and generate reports to show your data. This will help you make informed decisions.
- Ease of Use: CRM software offers lots of options, so it’s important to select a tool that’s easy to use for you and your team.
- Integration: The best CRM for a start-up is one that easily integrates with other tools and services, allowing you to automate multiple processes.
- Customization: When you’re choosing a CRM, make sure it lets you customize workflows and processes since every business is different.
- Cost-effectiveness: It is best to choose tools that fit within startup budgets.
- Scalability: The tool allows you to grow your operations without switching platforms.
What are the benefits of using CRM for start-ups?
Here are some important benefits of using CRM for start-ups:
- CRMs help in tracking everything from sales leads to customer data.
- They offer automation and integration capabilities that make working with various cloud-based applications easy.
- It helps to track sales leads to customer data.
- You can easily segment your contacts by location, deal size, close date, and more to find the warmest leads to focus on.
- They also make it possible to manage complex customer relationships and keep track of billing and shipping data.
- CRMs also provide users with a dashboard that helps them keep track of all the important data.
- It helps you to increase the revenue and profitability of any business.
How to adopt your new startup CRM?
Adopting a new CRM can be a daunting task, but with the help of a qualified provider, it can be a successful experience. When you are looking to adopt a new CRM, here are some steps that you need to follow:
Step 1) First, it is important to identify your needs and assess which CRM is best suited.
Step 2) You also need to test out the different features of the CRM to make sure that it is user-friendly and meets your needs.
Step 3) Once you have decided on a CRM, get it installed and configured correctly.
Step 4) Lastly, you need to train your team on how to use the CRM and keep up with regular updates.
How do CRM systems typically handle Automation?
CRM systems typically handle Automation in one of two ways: through rule-based automation or Scripting.
- Rule-based automation typically uses predefined rules to automatically update data in the system. It is easier to set up and manage, but it can be less flexible and customizable.
- On the other hand, Scripting allows for more dynamic and flexible automation. It allows more customization and control over how data is updated. Although more flexible and customizable, it can be more time-consuming to set up and maintain.
So, the best approach depends on the specific needs of your CRM system and the type of automation you are looking to implement.
Verdict
As a startup, I believe the right CRM can be the backbone of efficient operations. My experience with CRMs like Zoho, Salesforce, and Monday has shown me how these tools can streamline customer relationship management. Each offers distinct features that cater to different business needs. Check my verdict for further insight.
- Zoho offers a customizable and powerful solution with integration features, making it an excellent choice for growing startups.
- Salesforce provides a robust platform that helps improve customer satisfaction with scalable solutions ideal for medium to large businesses.
- Monday is an all-in-one CRM with project management capabilities, offering a user-friendly interface for efficient collaboration.