If your business goal is to find an affordable and simple CRM that helps them organize customer data, track leads, and improve customer interactions while staying within budget, you’ve come to the right place!
Trying to expand and improve customer relationship management processes, as well as coordinating sales and marketing teams, staying abreast of new opportunities, and being highly organized and efficient can be challenging. Sound familiar? Well, a CRM system may be the answer to your prayers.
Key Takeaways
- You may not think you need a CRM system right now, but starting early will allow you to scale faster and test and test which systems work for you.
- There are three main types of CRM systems: operational, analytical and collaborative. Reading this guide and assessing what your business needs will help you make the right choice.
- CRM systems can offer a return on investment of $8.71 if you can cover the initial budget costs for every dollar spent, they are worth the investment.
6 Best CRMs for Startups in 2025
Starting a business is exciting, but let’s face it: managing customer relationships can quickly become overwhelming. This is where CRMs come in to save the day. Whether you’re a fledgling startup or rapidly scaling, the right CRM can boost your sales, speed up processes, and keep your customers coming back for more. Let’s take a look at the six best CRMs for startups in 2025 – no corporate jargon, just the information you need to choose the right one for your growing business.
What makes CRM ideal for startups?
Before we jump into the list, here are the non-negotiables for a beginner-friendly CRM:
- Scalability: You need a system that grows with you.
- Affordability: Your CRM shouldn’t blow your budget.
- Ease of use: Your team doesn’t have time for steep learning curves.
- Integration: Seamless integration with tools you already use, like Slack, Mailchimp or Shopify.
As a beginner, it is important for you Get your CRM system rightbefore you even think you need it! This will allow for faster growth and scaling.
What are the different types of CRM systems?
CRM systems generally fall into three categories:
- Operational CRM: It focuses on automating customer-related processes such as sales, marketing and service.
- Analytics CRM: Emphasizes the analysis of customer data to make strategic decisions.
- Collaborative CRM: It aims to improve communication and collaboration between business units and with customers.
1. HubSpot CRM
Best for: All-in-one Simplicity
HubSpot is no problem for startups. Why? Because he is for free to begin with. Yes, you read that right. HubSpot’s free plan gives you access to contact management, email tracking, and even reporting tools. Plus, as your business grows, you can add advanced features like sales automation, marketing tools, and customer service capabilities. If email automation is something that suits you and your business needs, check it out The best email marketing tools of 2024.
Key Features:
- Contact Management: Unlimited connection on the free plan.
- Email Tracking: Know exactly when a prospect will open your email.
- Customizable pipelines: Tailor sales processes to your unique needs.
- Integration: Over 1000 tools including Gmail, Outlook and Shopify.
- Assessment: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $50 per month.
In 2023, Brightland Co.saw a startup selling premium olive oils 70% increase in customer retention within 6 months Using HubSpot CRM. They used email automation and customer data to engage their buyers.
2. Pipedrive
Best for: Sales-Oriented Teams
Pipedrive lives up to its name with a laser focus on helping you grow your sales. Its intuitive, drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to track deals and manage pipelines. Pipedrive’s automation features also eliminate the headache of repetitive tasks. 94% of businesses using CRM software have one increase in sales productivityand 44% of businesses see a 10-29% increase in productivity!
Key Features:
- Contract Management: Visual pipelines make it easy to track sales progress.
- Automation: Set up workflows to send follow-ups or automatically update deal milestones.
- Understanding and Reporting: Real-time analytics to identify trends.
- Mobile App: Manage sales on the go.
- Assessment: Starts at $14.90 per user per month.
WeWork Local, a co-working startup, used Pipedrive to expand its sales team across three continents. Thanks to powerful reporting tools, it reduced deal closing times by 30%.
3. Zoho CRM
Best for: Scaling on a budget
If you’re booting, Zoho CRM is your friend. It’s affordable, customizable, and loaded with features that punch well above their weight. Zoho also seamlessly integrates with the rest of the software ecosystem, from email marketing to project management tools.
Key Features:
- Custom Modules: Create features specific to your business needs.
- AI Assistant: Zia, Zoho’s AI bot, helps with sales forecasting and task automation.
- Omnichannel Communication: Manage emails, calls and social media in one place.
- Affordable Plans: Solid features at affordable prices for starters.
- Assessment: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $12 per user per month.
CleanLeaf, an eco-friendly cleaning startup, increased its revenue by 50% in one year with Zoho CRM. They credited AI assistant Zia with making follow-ups easier and improving lead conversion rates.
4. Salesforce Essentials
Best for: Startups with big aspirations
Salesforce is a titan in the CRM world, and its Essentials plan is designed for small businesses. While it’s more expensive than some alternatives, its scalability and advanced tools are worth considering if you’re thinking long-term.
Key Features:
- Customer 360 View: See every interaction a customer has with your brand.
- AppExchange: Access to thousands of integrations and applications.
- Automating tasks: Email replies, homework assignments, etc. automate it.
- Mobile First Design: Fully functional on smartphones.
- Price: It starts at $25 per user per month.
5. Freshsales (by Freshworks)
Best for: Startups that Love Automation
Freshsales is a CRM that prioritizes ease of use and automation. It offers AI-powered lead scoring, sales pipelines and integrations with popular tools. Startups looking to save time and focus on sales will find Freshsales invaluable. TechHive, The SaaS startup used Freshsales to automate 80% of its email data and increased demo orders by 60% in two quarters.
Key Features:
- AI Lead Evaluation: Focus on the hottest leads.
- Custom workflows: Automate boring tasks with ease.
- Installed Telephone System: Call directly from CRM.
- Integration: It works with tools like Slack, Zapier, and QuickBooks.
- Assessment: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $15 per user per month.
6. Copper CRM
Best for: Startups using Google Workspace
If your team lives on Gmail and Google Workspace, Copper is the perfect CRM. It integrates deeply with Google tools, so you can manage leads, track tasks, and collaborate seamlessly without ever leaving your inbox.
Key Features:
- Gmail Integration: Manage CRM tasks directly from your inbox.
- Contact enrichment: Automatically extracts information from emails and LinkedIn.
- Activity Tracking: Automatically records meetings, calls and emails.
- Ease of use: Minimal learning curve.
- Price: It starts at $29 per user per month.
How to choose the right CRM for your startup
With so many great options, how do you choose the best CRM for your startup? Here’s a quick checklist:
- Define your goals: Need better sales tracking, automated marketing or customer support tools?
- Set your budget: Look for plans that balance affordability and scalability. Read more about How much does it cost to start and run a business?
- Test it: Many CRMs offer free trials. Try a few to see what works for you.
- Think long term: Choose a CRM that can grow with your startup.
The right CRM can be a game changer for your startup in 2025. Whether you’re looking for simplicity (HubSpot), advanced sales tools (Pipedrive), or deep integrations (Copper), there’s a solution tailored to your needs. Invest in a CRM now and you’ll thank yourself later when your team smashes sales targets and delights customers with ease.
If you’re still not sure what’s the best option for your business, sJoin Foundr+ for a 1-2-1 coach who can give you expert advice from someone who’s been there, done that and got the shirt. When you sign up for just $1, you’ll get instant access 30+ courses and 1000+ lessons at the click of a button, so you can learn on the go whenever you want. Register here and prepare to take control of your startup’s future.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of using CRM?
Implementing a CRM offers a number of benefits, including:
- Improved customer relations: By gaining detailed information about customers, businesses can personalize interactions and provide better service.
- Increased sales: CRMs help you identify and manage leads more effectively, leading to higher conversion rates.
- Improved communication: Centralized data ensures that all team members are informed and able to collaborate effectively.
- Automated tasks: Routine tasks like follow-up emails and data entry can be automated, saving time and reducing errors.
- Informed decisions: Analytics and reporting features provide insights that inform strategic planning.
What features should you look for in a CRM?
Key features to consider when choosing a CRM include:
- Contact management: Store and manage customer data efficiently.
- Leadership and deal management: Track prospects and sales opportunities through the pipeline.
- Task and activity management: Organize and monitor assignments, meetings and follow-ups.
- Automation: Automate repetitive tasks to increase efficiency.
- Reporting and analytics: Learn about sales performance and customer behavior.
- Integration capabilities: Ensure compatibility with other tools and platforms your business uses.
How much does a CRM system cost?
CRM pricing varies widely based on features, number of users, and deployment method. Options range from free versions with basic features to enterprise solutions that cost hundreds per month per user. It is important to consider both the initial costs and the potential costs for supplements, training and maintenance.