Top 10 CRM Systems for Small Businesses in 2025

Pulse CRM made our list because it keeps things refreshingly simple without cutting corners on the features small businesses need most. You get all the basics- lead tracking, automated follow-ups, customer tagging, and reporting—without the bloated dashboards or discombobulating menus some of the bigger platforms throw at you.

Pulse's strongest asset is its ultra-intuitive, built-in team collaboration features. Instead of jumping between emails, spreadsheets, and chat apps, your entire team can leave notes, track updates, and collaborate inside a single customer profile card, all in one digital space.

Small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) that want to scale quickly without being overwhelmed by clunky processes or expensive software upgrades and add-ons.

Reviews highlight Pulse's easily navigable and intuitive interface and recommend it for new CRM users. Another standout trait among Pulse reviews is the comments regarding the unmatched support team, which users praise endlessly. While Pulse may not offer as much customization as some alternatives, the support and simplicity you'll get with Pulse can compensate for it (depending on your needs).

Plans range from $49 to $199 US monthly. All plans include access to Pulse's full suite of features.

The highest valued CRM with the best customer and onboarding support for SMBs.

Aside from Salesforce, HubSpot is another well-known CRM solution. Its special attraction (so to speak) is its comprehensive marketing capabilities, cohesive and unified platform, and truly decent free CRM version.

The free plan includes tools to manage up to 1,000 contacts and core features, and unlike many other companies, it doesn't restrict you to a one-week or 14-day trial. While it may not be the best in any one area of performance *per se*, HubSpot's overall package gives it allure.

Small businesses on a budget looking for a free CRM with a simple setup.

A G2 review describes HubSpot as a “jack of all trades and master of none,” claiming that the software is not specialized enough to stand out in any one area of CRM performance.

Hubspot has a free CRM. Their paid plans start with the Starter Customer Platform plan at $20 per month per seat, the Professional plan at $100/mo per seat, and the Enterprise plan at $150/mo per seat. The Professional and Enterprise plans are yearly commitments with onboarding fees. The Enterprise plan may require an upfront payment.

The best free CRM software.

Zoho CRM is a leading CRM for small and medium-sized businesses. Its robust feature set, extensive customization options, and decent price point (relative to other products) have made it one of the best CRMs in 2025, whether you're a small enterprise or not. Its competitive pricing, user-friendly design, and extensive integration capabilities make Zoho a leading solution, particularly for businesses looking for a CRM to adapt as you scale.

Small—to mid-sized businesses that want a comprehensive yet flexible system without the high costs of bigger brands, like Salesforce. It's especially beneficial for teams that anticipate scaling and require a CRM that can accommodate more complex workflows in the future.

User reviews of Zoho CRM say that the platform is functional, ideal for smaller to medium-sized businesses, and offers excellent value for what you’re getting. Less praiseworthy reviews mention that customer support is not great, and that the platform’s UI (user interface) could be better.  The consensus appears to be that Zoho is an attractive and competitively priced solution for SMBs.

The paid plans range from the Standard membership, which costs $20 per month per user, to the Marketing Hub Professional plan, which costs $895 per user.

The best valued CRM for SMBs.

Entering the market with a much more affordable option, FreshSales might be a lesser-known name, but take it from us: the platform is steadily gaining a reputation for itself, along with a dedicated user base, due to its highly navigable UI that is both beginner-friendly and intuitive. When you factor in the accessible price point, FreshSales makes FreshSense.

SMBs that want a budget-and-novice-friendly CRM.

Reviews on Reddit say that the software is intuitive and the features are good, but that the tech support is a constant headache and pain point. The people seem content with FreshSales and find it improves team productivity and enhances collaborative work. Some reviewers are dissatisfied with the limitation in features and functionality on the lower-tier payment plans, as this individual states on G2, "I wish more AI features were available at all tier plans and not only at the most expensive tiers".

Plans range from $11 to $71 USD per user per month when billed annually.

The most competitively priced CRM.

Monday.com was launched in 2012, and its initial product was project management software, which it is primarily known for. Monday CRM is a newer product that they released in 2022. The CRM integrates seamlessly with Monday's other suite of products, but it can also stand on its own. Its standout features are its visually rich sales pipeline, comprehensive email tracking, and collaboration capabilities.

Robust pipeline and sales management.

There appears to be a growing frustration among Monday users who have highlighted the platform's persistent paywall, which blocks you from using its features to the fullest extent, and the continuous add-ons that pop up. This can be a pro or a con, because while many features and integrations are available, accessing them can noticeably increase your monthly cost.

​Monday CRM offers pricing plans ranging from $15 to $33 USD per user per month when billed annually—contact their sales team to learn about the Enterprise plan.

The most customizable CRM.

Advertised as the CRM built for salespeople by salespeople, Pipedrive's strength is its intuitive visualization of sales processes and suite of sales features. Its drag-and-drop pipeline makes it simple for sales teams to manage deals and focus on their most important leads. Its integration with over 400 third-party software allows you to incorporate the CRM with other related work platforms and improve your workflow.

Businesses that want comprehensive and robust sales functionality.

Pipedrive reviews are generally positive, but its purported weaknesses are the subpar customer service and the inability to speak with a live agent if you are on one of the upper-tiered payment plans.

Plans start at $24 per user/month (Essential plan) and range to $129 per user/month (Enterprise plan). They also offer a 14-day free trial.

The best CRM for sales-focused teams.

A CRM needing no introduction, and known for its robust feature set and extensive customization, Salesforce is the most popular CRM available in 2025. If you try Google searching, "What is the most popular or best CRM?" The result will almost invariably be Salesforce. 

That said, just because it's the most ubiquitous or well-known doesn't necessarily mean it suits everyone or every business. Small businesses and solo entrepreneurs most likely find the steep price tag, notoriously complex setup, and learning curve to be barriers. 

Medium-large business enterprises that require a CRM platform with a trove of advanced CRM features to align with their business processes, and have the resources and staff to manage and oversee the platform.

The attitudes and opinions expressed online about Salesforce are polarizing, and this, admittedly, is putting it lightly. Some express a deep disdain towards the software, whereas others reluctantly admit there's nothing else that's as powerful or evolved.

Salesforce offers four different pricing plans, each offering more features and functionality than the last: Sales Essentials costs $25 per user, per month; Lightning Professional is $80 per user, per month; Lightning Enterprise is $165 per user, per month Lightning Unlimited is $330 per user, per month, and Lightning Unlimited+ is $500 per user, per month.

The most scalable, albeit high-maintenance CRM.

Formerly known as Infusionsoft, Keap CRM is sophisticated with advanced automation capabilities, but the software still manages to be intuitive and relatively easy to use (compared with other tech). Keap offers one of the most extensive automations features, which include a library of prebuilt workflow automation templates and other time-saving tools.

Keap is especially ideal for service-based small businesses, such as coaches, consultants, agencies, and freelancers, who need a simple way to manage client relationships, automate follow-ups, and keep sales moving without getting bogged down by technical issues. If your goal is to spend more time serving clients and less time managing tools, Keap is worth a hard look. Keap is also suitable for businesses that want outstanding automation capabilities and can afford the steeper price tag.

On the whole, people seem content with their Keap experience. One G2 validated reviewer, a founder and small business owner, says the software is, "A robust product that reminds me a bit of learning how to use Microsoft Excel. There is so much to learn that even when I haven't used it for years, I discover more it can do." 

Other common remarks include that the software has a learning curve, but its functionality is impressive once you've figured your way around the platform. Also noted is that the pricing can be limiting for small businesses.

Keap offers its customers monthly or annual payment plans. You can pay annually for $2,988 or choose to pay monthly for $299. For these prices, the limit is two users only and 1500 contacts. 

The best CRM for sales and marketing automation.

Less Annoying CRM prioritizes simple functionality and a straightforward UI, making it one of the easiest, most beginner-friendly CRMs available. For $15 a month, Less Annoying offers unlimited contacts, pipelines, custom fields, task management, and a calendar feature. Though the feature set is limited, the features offered are well-developed and customizable. 

Medium-large businesses will likely need a more complex solution to meet their needs. They also don't have a mobile app, so you can't work on the go.

Small businesses or solopreneurs who want a straightforward, to-the-point solution that provides the core features, with a minimal learning curve.

Online reviews of the platform are, for the most part, positive. People rave about its ease of use, affordability, and efficient onboarding. Customers also seem pleased with the customer support they provide, stating that live support people will work with you to solve any problems or answer questions.

$15 USD per user per month. There are no tiers, hidden fees, or contracts. There are no strict limits; up to 50,000 contacts are recommended for optimal performance.

The most beginner-friendly CRM.

A well-established player in the CRM market with a dedicated user base, SugarCRM has been around since 2004 and is significantly more developer-oriented than most other names on this list. Recognizing for possessing some of the strongest sales automation processes, the platform "brings customer CRM data and processes together so your teams can collaborate, act faster, and make every interaction count", as G2 aptly describes.

Developer-oriented businesses that want complete control over their CRM environment, whether hosted in the cloud or on-premises.

A validated G2 reviewer says about SugarCRM "It gets the job done, but lacks the look, feel, and features of other marketing platforms." The review elaborates and describes the aesthetic as "boring", which is less than ideal for marketing teams developing email marketing campaigns.

Other reviews do not share the previous view; instead, many are enthusiastic, highlighting SugarCRM's exceptional customer support, where real humans will work alongside you to help set up the software according to your needs and preferences. Another validated G2 reviewer states, "I don't think there is anything I don't like about this SugarCRM software".

Plans range from the Essentials at $19 per user per month (3 user minimum) to the Premier plan at $135 per user per month (10 user minimum). All plans are billed annually, with minimum user requirements for most plans.

The CRM with the most advanced and customizable sales and marketing automation.