Small business owners have a lot on their plates, always working hard to put their customers first. Juggling everything from marketing and sales to customer support and keeping clients happy, they need a solid customer relationship management (CRM) system to stay on top of it all.
In this blog, we dive into the top CRMs that are tailor-made for small business owners, highlighting key features to look out for and how these tools can really support your team. Plus, we’ll take a closer look at monday sales CRM and see why it might just be the ideal choice for your small business. And here’s a little heads-up: there’s a free trial available, giving you a chance to try it out before you decide!
Table of Contents
Qualities to look for when choosing a CRM
When picking out a CRM for your growing business, there are a few must-have features you can’t compromise on. Here’s what your small business CRM needs to have:
- Totally Tailored: Your CRM should fit your business like a glove. A top-notch CRM lets you manage sales, marketing, and all aspects of customer interaction just the way your business needs it.
- User-Friendly: You don’t want to spend ages figuring out a new tool. The best CRM is easy to understand and quick for your team to get the hang of.
- Adaptable: Your CRM should grow and change as your business does. Whether it’s handling more leads or tweaking your sales process, your CRM should be up for the challenge. For example, you might need to track sales documents as your sales strategy evolves.
- Teamwork-Friendly: A great CRM makes it easy for your team to work together. It should offer simple ways for different departments to communicate and integrate smoothly with your other tech tools, keeping everything in one spot.
- Cloud-Based: With a cloud-based CRM, you can access your data from anywhere and have plenty of storage for all your leads and customer info.
CRM 1: Pipedrive
Pipedrive is ideal for small businesses looking for a CRM tool with a visually appealing and efficient sales pipeline.

This user-friendly platform offers a drag-and-drop feature that makes it super easy to keep up with important tasks. Plus, you can tailor the fields to fit perfectly with your current systems and enhance your workflows. The mobile app is a great bonus too, as it lets you connect with customers and your team no matter where you are.
Key features:
- It logs calls automatically, so you don’t have to.
- You get a contacts map for a clear view of where your customers are.
- And there’s the option to share dashboard links, making collaboration a breeze.
Pros
- Helpful mobile CRM apps
- 24/7 email and chat support
Cons
- No free forever plan
- Functionality is limited for the price
Pricing: From $14.90 per user/month with annual plan. Free trial available.
CRM 2: Salesforce
It’s a well-known name in the CRM world, famous for its comprehensive features and the ability to tailor it to your specific needs. But keep in mind, it does come with a higher price tag compared to other CRMs out there.
Salesforce is a top pick for small businesses looking for a CRM that’s both advanced and highly customizable.
Key Features:
- A pop-up wizard that adds a personal touch to your experience.
- Einstein Activity Capture, which seamlessly integrates Salesforce with your email and calendar.
- An easy-to-navigate app interface.
Pros:
- You get access to the extensive Salesforce tech ecosystem.
- Excellent mobile apps to help you stay connected wherever you are.
Cons:
- The starting price is pretty steep, and there’s no free plan.
- It has a bit more of a learning curve compared to other CRMs.
Pricing: Starts at $25 per user per month, billed annually.
CRM 3: SendPulse

SendPulse’s CRM may not be as well known as Salseforce or Hubspot but it’s just as powerful. On top of that, SendPulse is a multichannel marketing automation platform which means users get tons of useful marketing features on a single platform.
This CRM integrates seamlessly with SendPulse’s lead generation and nurturing tools like chatbots, email campaigns, landing pages and SMS notifications.
Key Features:
- Manage deals and allocate specific deals to sales reps
- Gmail integration to manage inbox and customer interactions
- Customer data from different channels in one place (live chat, chatbot, email)
Pros:
- Intuitive CRM dashboard and collaboration features
- Marketing automation options
- Flexible pricing model
Cons:
- Free plan limited to 5 users (but probably enough for a small business)
CRM 4: Zoho CRM
Ideal for small businesses seeking a CRM solution that’s free for the long haul, Zoho CRM stands out.
It’s designed to help you boost your lead generation, speed up your sales process, and track performance with precision. The platform’s mobile app and customizable dashboard make accessing and understanding your data a breeze, even when you’re on the move.
Key Features:
- Zia, the built-in AI assistant, helps predict leads and deal outcomes.
- The ‘trophy’ feature is great for building team spirit, especially in remote teams.
- There are comprehensive charts for detailed customer reports.
Pros:
- Host meetings and presentations directly within the CRM.
- Set up alerts to stay in sync with your remote workforce.
Cons:
- Customer support is limited to 24/5 on the free plan.
- Many advanced features are only available on the paid plans.
Pricing: Offers a ‘Free Forever’ plan for those on a tight budget.
CRM 5: HelpCrunch
Ideal for small businesses focused on making decisions driven by data, Helpcrunch CRM offers a suite of tools to improve interactions with customers. It’s equipped with an AI assistant, which helps in extracting valuable insights from past sales data and customer interactions.
Before delving into specific plans, let’s understand what HelpCrunch brings to the table. This all-in-one platform empowers businesses with:
- Live chat: Engage website visitors in real-time, answer questions, and guide them towards conversions.
- Email marketing: Craft and launch targeted email campaigns to nurture leads, promote your brand, and drive sales.
- Shared inbox: Manage all customer interactions from one centralized platform, streamlining communication and improving efficiency.
- Knowledge base: Build a self-service resource library, empowering customers to find answers on their own and reduce support load.
- Popups and web forms: Capture leads, collect valuable data, and promote special offers with eye-catching popups and forms.
- Mobile app: Manage your customer interactions on the go, ensuring you’re never out of touch.
- Integrations: Connect HelpCrunch with your favorite CRM, helpdesk, and other business tools for seamless workflows.
HELPCRUNCH PRICING: OPTIONS TAILORED FOR YOUR GROWTH
HelpCrunch offers four flexible plans to cater to businesses of all sizes and stages:
- Basic ($15/month per seat): Perfect for solopreneurs and startups, this plan offers live chat, email marketing, shared inbox, knowledge base, web forms, and basic integrations.
- Pro ($25/month per seat): Ideal for growing businesses, this plan builds on the Basic features with advanced email automation, chatbots, visitor insights, lead scoring, and custom branding.
- Premium ($39/month per seat): Designed for mid-sized companies, this plan unlocks everything in Pro, plus priority support, custom onboarding, dedicated account manager, and advanced reporting features.
- Enterprise (Custom pricing): For high-volume businesses with complex needs, this plan offers tailored features, dedicated support, and the ability to scale with your growth.
CRM 6: HubSpot CRM
Ideal for both B2B and B2C businesses in search of a scalable, comprehensive solution, HubSpot CRM is a fantastic choice.
This CRM not only supports the growth of small businesses but also expands its offerings with advanced features like marketing automation and customer service tools. Plus, it integrates effortlessly with the wider range of HubSpot tools, simplifying the management of every stage of the customer journey.
Key Features:
- Ad management to keep track of which promotions are bringing in customers.
- Predictive lead scoring to help prioritize potential customers.
- List segmentation for crafting personalized emails.
Pros:
- Basic tools are accessible for free.
- A wide array of features supports business growth and expansion.
Cons:
- The free CRM features, while useful, are somewhat limited in their capabilities.
- The paid plans can be pricier compared to other options in the market.
Pricing: There’s a free plan available, perfect for businesses watching their budget.
CRM 7: SugarCRM
Perfect for small businesses in need of a sophisticated CRM system, SugarCRM has been a reliable platform since its inception in 2004. It’s particularly suitable for businesses that have a good level of technical expertise in-house and are looking for advanced functionalities.
Key Features:
- Tools for guided selling to help steer your sales process.
- Integration with email and calendar for streamlined communication.
- Geo-mapping to visually track customer locations.
Pros:
- It supports over 30 different languages, making it versatile for global use.
- You have the option to choose between cloud-based or on-premise solutions.
Cons:
- It’s notably more costly compared to other CRM options in the market.
- To get a free taste of the CRM, you need to watch a 3-minute demo.
Pricing: Starts at $49 per user per month, based on an annual subscription.
CRM 8: Zendesk Sell
Ideal for small businesses that want to automate their sales processes, Zendesk Sell is a CRM system available on both web and mobile platforms. It’s designed to assist small businesses in efficiently managing their customer relationships and sales operations. With its user-friendly interface, customizable options, and automation features, it simplifies and streamlines your workflows.
Key Features:
- Includes a built-in dialer and call recording capabilities.
- Provides API access for greater flexibility.
- Comes with a handy mobile app.
Pros:
- The interface is easy to navigate.
- Seamlessly integrates with other Zendesk products.
Cons:
- The sales pipeline options are somewhat limited.
- There isn’t a free plan available.
Pricing: Starts at $19 per user per month, and there’s also a free trial to test it out.
CRM 9: Keap
Ideal for dynamic small businesses with plans to grow, Keap provides CRM and startup automation software that’s all about saving time on those repetitive day-to-day tasks. This platform gives you a clear view of your leads and opportunities, along with the ability to send tailored emails and set up follow-up actions.
Key Features:
- Automated scheduling for appointments.
- Efficient lead capture that works on autopilot.
- Available as both a mobile and desktop app.
Pros:
- Tailor-made for the hectic world of startups and entrepreneurs.
- Allows you to visually map out your workflows as you create them.
Cons:
- It’s quite a bit pricier compared to other CRM options in our list.
- There’s no free version available once the trial period is over.
Pricing: Starts at $159 per month under an annual subscription plan. A free trial is also available to give it a test run.
CRM 10: Insightly
Perfect for businesses that need a CRM which also tackles project management, Insightly stands out.
Key Features:
- It integrates smoothly with apps you already use, like Gmail, Office 365, and Mailchimp.
- Its project management tools help you keep tabs on tasks and projects.
- The advanced reporting digs deep into data for thorough analysis.
- Customizable dashboards give you a snapshot of your business at a glance.
Pros:
- It’s a jack-of-all-trades, blending CRM with project management.
- The interface is super user-friendly, so your team can get on board quickly.
- Strong integration with other apps boosts its usefulness and efficiency.
Cons:
- The advanced features might feel a bit much for some at first.
- Its project management tools are handy, but not as detailed as dedicated project management software.
- A few users have mentioned the occasional bug and the desire for more updates.
Pricing:
- Insightly has a free plan for basic use, and paid plans start from $29 per user per month (billed annually), with options for more advanced needs.
Conclusion: Empowering SMBs with the Right CRM Tools
Selecting the right CRM is a strategic decision that can significantly impact the success of an SMB. This comprehensive review of the top 10 CRMs for SMBs in 2024 aims to provide valuable insights and guidance for businesses in their quest to find the perfect CRM solution. By understanding the unique features and benefits of each CRM, SMBs can make an informed decision that aligns with their specific needs and goals, thereby empowering them to achieve greater efficiency, customer satisfaction, and business growth.
FAQs: Top 10 CRMs for SMBs in 2024
1. What is a CRM and why is it essential for SMBs?
A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system helps SMBs manage customer interactions and data, streamline business processes, and enhance customer relationships.
2. How does a CRM improve customer relations for SMBs?
A CRM improves customer relations by providing a centralized platform for tracking interactions, personalizing communication, and understanding customer needs and preferences.
3. Can CRMs integrate with other business tools used by SMBs?
Yes, most modern CRMs offer integration capabilities with various business tools like email marketing, accounting software, and e-commerce platforms.
4. Are there affordable CRM options suitable for small businesses?
Absolutely, there are many CRM options available that are affordable and specifically designed to meet the needs of small businesses.
5. How do CRM analytics contribute to the growth of an SMB?
CRM analytics provide valuable insights into customer behavior, sales trends, and marketing effectiveness, helping SMBs make data-driven decisions for growth.