9 Best Free CRM for Startups in 2024
Last Updated: By TRUiC Team
Consumer retention efforts have changed drastically in the last decade. Customer relationship management (CRM) software is more robust than ever, and there are countless ways this software helps companies connect with their clients.
CRM systems are designed to be a central, internal space where businesses can store prospective and current data to help grow their business, which is why they’re perfect for entrepreneurs. We’ve compiled a list of the best free CRM for startups in 2024 so you can take your company to new heights.
Best Free CRM Software for Startups: HubSpot
Best Free CRM Software for Startups
It can be hard to choose free CRM tools that best fit your business needs. That’s why we’ve done the research — so you don’t have to.
First, there are three main types of CRM systems you should be aware of — analytical, collaborative, and operational:
- Operational CRMs simplify a business’s main processes so that it can generate leads faster.
- Analytical CRMs use data collection and analyses to serve their customers.
- Collaborative CRMs are all about bringing together a business’s marketing, sales, and service data so that everyone in the company can better understand their base.
Now that you know the basics, here are some of the best free CRM software available to entrepreneurs:
Best Free CRM for Startups: HubSpot
We recommend HubSpot CRM software for startups because of its flexible pricing plans, accessibility, and variety of free sales tools and resources.
1. HubSpot CRM
About
HubSpot is an industry leader in marketing and sales, so it’s no surprise HubSpot CRM made the list, too.
HubSpot boasts a collaborative CRM system, meaning there are plenty of tools for your marketing and customer service teams to use as well. No matter the size of your startup, you can get started with HubSpot’s CRM for free.
Notable Features
- Available around the globe
- Strong API integration to help with tracking
- Ability to automate several sales processes
- Visual dashboards to help with sales pipeline management
Pros
- Access to helpful content and Hubspot training materials
- Automatic notifications when leads open your communications
- Robust organizational features for sales teams
Cons
- Interface might not be as streamlined as well as other free CRM systems
- More powerful features are only available on paid plans
- Free CRM plan is more sales-oriented
Best For:
- Startups who need help with website construction but don’t have IT capabilities
- A more established startup team
- A rapidly-growing salesforce
Recommended: Get started with HubSpot today!
2. Freshworks CRM
About
The Freshworks CRM, Freshsales, is all about uniting your salesforce. It’s a great CRM for startups looking to streamline the sales process, track leads, and stay organized.
Their AI tool, Freddy, takes some of the guesswork out of CRM navigation so that your salesforce can do what they do best: make connections.
Notable Features
- 24/5 customer support, regardless of payment plan status
- AI tool (“Freddy”)
- “Freemium” plan that grows alongside your business (plus free trial for paid versions)
Pros
- Instinctive
- Affordable
- Reliable
Cons
- Expects sales team to be well-versed in marketing campaign execution
- Can be outgrown quickly depending on startup needs
- “One size fits all” mentality
Best For:
- A sales-heavy startup
- Smaller teams (anywhere from one to four members)
- Self-starter salespeople
Get started with Freshsales today!
3. Zoho CRM
About
Zoho CRM is a great tool for startups looking to take their business to new heights. In addition to their free CRM platform, Zoho offers a free trial for their paid plans.
Not only is it one of the the top-rated free CRM systems, but it’s also designed to help small businesses in various industries stay organized. From real estate to retail or nonprofits, Zoho CRM can do it all.
Notable Features
- New Canvas design studio allows you to re-envision your CRM at any time
- Designed to also support a remote salesforce
- Customizable CRM for your business’s needs
Pros
- Great for small businesses
- Easy to navigate interface
- Strong product offering
Cons
- Not the best CRM software for a startup that’s still trying to get off the ground
- No live chat feature
- Some issues with email integration
Best For:
- Aesthetically-inclined entrepreneurs
- Established startups that are looking to take their sales processes to the next level
- Remote office culture/startup
Learn more by reading our full Zoho CRM Review.
Get started with Zoho CRM today!
4. EngageBay
About
The EngageBay CRM does exactly as it sounds: it helps your startup boost engagements that you can transform into sales.
While other previous CRMs on this list were mostly sales-focused, EngageBay offers a wide array of features, including email marketing, landing page assistance, and more. If you’re looking to spread the word about your startup, EngageBay could be a great place to start.
Notable Features
- Excellent marketing campaign integration abilities
- Powerful landing page builder
- Social media and text message integration capabilities
- Email templates
Pros
- Strong selection of marketing automation tools available for the free plan
- Unified software that allows for more than just sales organization
- Live chat integration tool for company websites
Cons
- Little to no training or content materials
- The ability to track information in the software may leave users wanting more
- No option to design your own landing page — must use EngageBay templates
Best For:
- Smaller startup teams (EngageBay can support a team of up to 15)
- Creative entrepreneurs who rely on customer engagement from newsletters
- Startups whose website generates a majority of their sales leads
5. Bitrix24
About
Bitrix24 is the ideal free CRM system for entrepreneurs with large supply orders. Startups that need to send quotes or invoices, see projections of their new sales funnels, and even integrate social media ad campaigns will find this system useful.
Bitrix24’s website also offers educational content and client support that help entrepreneurs with any problems that arise.
Notable Features
- Offers order management and payment processing features
- Measures key metrics like customer life value and acquisition costs
- Unlimited customer database so you can always access past information
Pros
- Robust sales automation process
- Strong mobile app to help you be more hands-free
- Includes unlimited users
- Extremely small business and entrepreneur-friendly
Cons
- Does not offer a ton of marketing tools
- Weak audio conferencing tool
- Myriad features can lead to a more cluttered user interface
Best For:
- Retail/inventory-based startups like restaurants and bakeries
- Startups who rely on sales promotions for lead generation
- Transportation and storage entrepreneurs
Learn more by reading our full Bitrix24 CRM Review.
6. Agile CRM
About
The Agile CRM boasts over 30 integrations to help streamline countless marketing and sales process.
Not only does Agile CRM help keep things organized, it also allows users to foster friendly competition among sales teams. Agile CRM is sure to keep you and your team on your toes.
Notable Features
- Phone integrations help salespeople stay on script
- Easy to use “drag and drop” web page building tool
- Ability to “gamify” sales goals and track who’s in the lead
Pros
- Users can easily attach documents to email campaigns, customer deals, and more
- Automatic call distribution tool optimizes customer response times
- “All in one” CRM tools
Cons
- Integration software not optimized for Android phones
- More robust features only available for Agile CRM paid plans
- Difficult to add custom fields to email campaigns/landing pages/etc.
Best For:
- Startups who rely on phone calls for lead generation
- Entrepreneurs who are looking for a good introductory CRM system
- Small startup teams (anywhere from one to four members)
7. Insightly
About
The Insightly CRM is perfect for startups that are looking to focus on and cultivate better customer relationships. This software ensures clients that the services sold are delivered on time while holding the business accountable.
Not only that, but users also have the ability to create sales networks that allow others within the company to see who’s connected to who.
Notable Features
- Ability to build and deploy custom apps via the CRM platform
- Network building capability
- Strong workflow automation features
Pros
- Free for two users
- Users are able to design and customize their dashboards
- Affordable and easy to navigate
Cons
- CRM system may seem “basic” to some users
- Outlook integration may leave users wanting more
- Must have a user account for everyone on your team
Best For:
- Consultants who find themselves juggling multiple clients
- Marketing and advertising startups looking to boost sales
- Nonprofit startups that thrive on relationships
- Project management
8. Capsule
About
Sometimes less is more. The Capsule CRM software takes that to heart to bring users a simple yet powerful management system.
Like Insightly, Capsule wants to put your customers at the forefront of your business by allowing you to create profiles to foster more authentic customer relationships.
Notable Features
- Ability to adapt your sales pipeline within the CRM system
- Caller ID via the Capsule mobile app lets you know when a lead is reaching out
- Customer profile creation
Pros
- Simple, easy-to-use interface
- Robust chat integration
- Great for small businesses
Cons
- Customized reports may leave users wanting more
- Not a ton of features available on the free version; however, they offer a free trial for paid plans
- Lack of interface customization and design may leave some users wanting
Best For:
- Creative entrepreneurs (you’ll love the simple aesthetic!)
- Entrepreneurs providing IT and tech services
- Smaller startup teams (anywhere from one to four members) and consultants
9. Apptivo CRM
About
Just like with Bitrix24, the Apptivo CRM does wonders for startups that communicate often with their warehouse suppliers or need to send (and keep track of) frequent invoices. Their workflow approval process is simple to use, and the website offers an abundance of helpful content and training materials.
If you’re looking to keep all of your financial and sales materials in one place, Apptivo may be a good CRM software for you.
Notable Features
- Customizable ecommerce features
- Approval workflow
- Customizable layout
Pros
- Affordable pricing with free trial for paid plans
- Easy onboarding/training process
- Offers integrations with most tech companies (Gmail, Slack, etc.)
Cons
- Mobile app may leave users wanting more
- Not as intuitive as other CRMs
- Email marketing tool may leave users wanting more
Best For:
- Retail/inventory-based startups like restaurants and bakeries
- Startups who rely on sales promotions for lead generation
- Ecommerce startups
FAQ
What is CRM software?
CRM stands for customer relationship management. A CRM software is an internal system designed to be a central space where companies can store prospective and current data to help grow their business.
What are the 3 types of CRM?
The three types of CRM are collaborative, analytical, and organizational.
- Operational: simplify a business’s main processes to help with lead generation
- Analytical: use data collection and analyses to better serve customers
- Collaborative: bring together a business’s marketing, sales, and service data so that everyone in the company can better understand their base.
Do startups need CRM?
Yes! CRM systems are perfect for tracking customer data and keeping a startup's sales and marketing information organized. Plus, there are plenty of options that allow you to find the perfect fit for your business.
Review Methodology
The customer relationship management software market is constantly growing and evolving as startups seek to find the best free CRM solution that meets their specific needs.
In order to help readers decide which free CRM systems are best for their business, we evaluated the following criteria: pricing, ease of use, customer support, key features, customization, and customizability.
We evaluated the best CRM software based on the following criteria:
- Pricing: For paid CRM systems, Does the software offer essential features at an affordable price for startups, as well as a free trial?
- Ease of Use: CRMs that have a clean UI/UX and easy navigation will help users quickly learn how to use them.
- Customer Support: Customer support should be available via phone, email, chat, live chat, social media, etc. The more plans a CRM has, the better it is. We looked at the number of different types of customer service options when determining which were the best CRM solutions for startups.
- Features: CRM systems that have base features like customer management, sales automation, and marketing tools. Mobile CRM is a software application designed to run on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. It allows users to access their data from anywhere at any time.
- Customization: Being able to customize a CRM solution to a specific business is one of the most important features that any CRM should have. This can be done in many ways, such as by using templates or custom fields and reports. However, it’s also possible to use a third-party service that integrates with the CRM, adding extra usability to the software.
- Customer Reviews: Authentic customer reviews from authority review sites like TrustAuthority and others give valuable insight into the CRM from the customer's point of view.
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