Best CRM Software for Small Businesses: Top Tools Compared

Small businesses often grapple with disorganised customer data and missed opportunities, which hinders their growth and customer satisfaction. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is a set of integrated, data-driven software solutions that allow companies to manage, track, and store information related to current and potential customers.

Implementing the best CRM software for small businesses can organise their operations, improve customer interactions, drive growth, and more. To help you out, we have compared the top CRM software for small businesses to help you find the one that’s perfect for your business needs.​

Best CRM Platforms Tailored for Small Business Needs

It is interesting to note that 71% of small businesses have already implemented CRM systems in order to improve their operations and client interactions.

If you’re a small business, too, then you must also deploy effective tools to manage client interactions for long-term success in today’s times.

This comparison of some of the best CRM software for small businesses will help you make the right choice:

1. Salesforce Starter

Salesforce Starter is a complete CRM solution designed for small businesses that combines marketing, sales, and customer support features into a single platform. With a monthly cost of $25 per user (Essential Plan), it provides a cost-effective starting point for companies looking to improve customer relationship management.

Key Features

• Centralised data management to create detailed customer profiles, track interaction history, and customise fields to meet specific business needs.
• Manage leads and opportunities throughout the sales pipeline with intuitive tools.
• Access onboarding videos, checklists, and a revamped home page to facilitate a smooth setup process.
• Utilise prebuilt sales, service, and marketing reports to track key success metrics and visualise business data.

2. Zoho CRM

The next best CRM software for small businesses on the list is Zoho CRM. It is a versatile solution designed to cater to businesses of all sizes, including small enterprises.

Pricing Plans

Comes with a range of pricing plans to accommodate various needs.

Key Features

• Engage with customers through email, social media, live chat, and phone calls, all from one central platform.
• Customise modules, fields, and workflows to match your business processes without extra effort.
• Automate tasks like lead assignments and follow-ups.
• Get clear insights with detailed reports and dashboards that track sales and customer interactions.
• Easily integrate with tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 to keep everything connected.

3. HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM provides a scalable and user-friendly solution for small businesses seeking reliable customer management without a high learning curve. It offers a free plan with unlimited users, while paid plans start at $20 per user/month (Starter Bundle, billed annually). The paid plan adds automation, AI-powered insights, advanced reporting, and a lot more features.

Key Features

• Capture and track leads with a centralised contact and deal management system.
• Automate emails, follow-ups, and task assignments to improve efficiency.
• Use AI-powered insights for lead scoring and personalised recommendations.
• Monitor sales pipelines with custom dashboards and real-time analytics.

4. Pipedrive

For small businesses looking for an easy-to-use yet effective tool to track deals and increase sales, Pipedrive is a sales-driven CRM. The Essential plan has a monthly price of $19.90 per user, while higher tiers provide automation and more sophisticated reporting.

Key Features

• Customisable sales pipelines to track deals and forecast revenue.
• To increase productivity, automation solutions manage lead allocations, email sequences, and follow-ups.
• Better customer interactions are achieved by centralising communication through email and call tracking.
• A sales assistant driven by AI offers tailored insights to help close deals more quickly.
• Allows for smooth workflow management by integrating with more than 400 third-party apps.

5. Freshsales

A feature-rich yet reasonably priced CRM system, Freshsales CRM is a component of the Freshworks suite and is intended for small businesses seeking to optimise customer interactions and sales. Basic contact management is included in the 21-day free trial plan. Paid plans start at $9 per user per month, billed annually (Grow Plan).

The Freshsales Grow Plan provides essential tools to manage sales and customer interactions. Users can manage contacts, accounts, and deals with an intuitive Kanban view. Businesses can also access a product catalog, curated reports, the Freshworks Marketplace for extended functionality, and a CPQ license to help simplify quoting.

Key Features

• AI-powered lead scoring helps prioritise high-intent prospects for better conversions.
• Built-in email, phone, and chat features enable seamless communication from one platform.
• Customisable sales pipelines let businesses track deals and automate follow-ups effortlessly.
• Visual analytics dashboards provide real-time sales performance insights.

The Bottom Line

Your needs, whether they be for automation, sales monitoring, or effective communication, will determine which CRM software is best for your small business. But rest assured, with options like Salesforce Starter, Zoho CRM, HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Freshsales, there’s a solution for every budget and workflow.

And while a CRM helps you manage customers, a strong online presence is just as crucial. With Crazy Domains’ website solutions, you can build a professional, scalable online presence to grow alongside your business.

Try it for FREE today!