Startups may have some reservations about investing in a CRM. Such as:
- CRMs can range in price, but even base plans can seem like a big expense for a startup with limited resources.
- Some CRMs are feature-rich and complex, which can be intimidating for a small team to learn and use effectively.
- Early-stage startups might feel they don’t have enough leads or customers to justify a CRM yet. They might be managing everything with spreadsheets or email for now.
- Will the CRM be able to grow with the startup? Investing in a system that won’t adapt to future needs can be a waste of resources.
The hesitation is valid. However, for a startup, it’s crucial to think progressively and invest in CRM software to grow rapidly without breaking the experience for buyers.
In this article, we bring you the five best CRM software for startups and explain why they could be a good fit for your organization.
5 Best CRM Software for Startups
Here is a quick summary of the tools we have handpicked:
Company | Features | G2 Ratings | Pricing (per user per month) |
LeadSquared | Lead management, workflow automation, mobile app | 4.3 | Starts at $25 |
Streak CRM | Gmail lead management | 4.4 | Free; Paid plan starts at $19 |
Insightly | Kanban board, project management | 4.0 | Free for 2 users; Paid plan starts at $29 |
Copper CRM | Lead qualification, collaboration | 4.5 | Starts at $23 |
HubSpot | Landing page builder, basic lead management | 4.3 | Free; Paid plan starting at $45 |
1. LeadSquared
LeadSquared offers sales CRM software to help businesses manage their sales processes, teams, and customer data.
Website: https://www.leadsquared.com/crm-software/
Key features:
- Lead management, including lead capture, lead scoring, opportunity management, and communication tools (email, SMS, WhatsApp)
- Workflow and sales process automation
- Intelligent reporting and dashboards
- Offers mobile CRM for field sales
- LeadSquared CRM also integrates with various third-party applications such as email, chat, telephony, payment gateways, and meeting schedulers.
Why is LeadSquared CRM a good choice for Startups?
The positive feedback on ease of use, features like lead prioritization, and customer support suggest that LeadSquared could be a good option for startups to consider.
G2 rating: 4.3/5
User feedback: “LeadSquared has helped us streamline our processes. The most beneficial feature is lead prioritization, and it has helped us very much.”
Pricing: Starts at $25 per user per month
2. Streak CRM
Streak is a free CRM built directly inside your Gmail inbox. It’s a good option for startups who are comfortable managing customer interactions primarily through email.
Website: https://www.streak.com/
Key features:
- Free plan with no credit card required.
- Allows users to manage leads and deals directly from your inbox.
- Mail merge for personalized email outreach.
- Pipeline management with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Snooze emails and set reminders for follow-ups.
Why is Streak CRM a good choice for Startups?
Since it is entirely free and easy to use for email-centric workflows, it could be a good choice for startups.
G2 rating: 4.4/5
User feedback: “Overall, I love it – I am able to organize workflow & client communications in one place, and that is terrific.”
Pricing: Free for basic features. Paid plan starts at $12 per user per month.
3. Insightly
Insightly is a project management and CRM platform that allows for managing projects, tasks, and customer relationships in one place.
Website: https://www.insightly.com/
Key features:
- Project management tools: Create tasks, assign deadlines, and track project progress alongside CRM data.
- Kanban boards: Visualize your sales pipeline and workflow with drag-and- drop functionality.
- Customizable dashboards: Tailor dashboards to see the metrics that matter most to your business.
- Web forms and landing pages: Capture leads directly from your website.
Why is Insightly CRM a good choice for startups?
Insighly’s project management features can be valuable for startups working on multifaceted tasks.
G2 ratings: 4.0/5
User feedback: “Insightly has been a great CRM solution for our growing startup. We use it to manage both our sales pipeline and our project workflows.”
Pricing: Free plan for up to 2 users; paid plans start at $29 per user per month.
4. Copper CRM
Copper CRM is a web-based CRM designed specifically for Google Workspace users. It integrates seamlessly with Gmail, Calendar, and other G Suite apps, making it a natural fit for startups already using that ecosystem.
Website: https://www.copper.com/
Key features:
- Access and update CRM data directly from Gmail and other G Suite apps.
- Automatically qualify leads and assign them to the appropriate salesperson.
- Automatically captures emails, meetings, and other interactions with leads and customers.
- Provides insights into future sales based on your pipeline.
- Teams can work together on deals and share customer information seamlessly.
Why is Copper CRM a good choice for startups?
Intuitive interface and excellent Google Workspace integration make Copper CRM ideal for startups already using those tools.
G2 ratings: 4.5/5
User feedback: “It’s given me an easy and efficient way to manage my sales opportunities. I didn’t have to invest hours learning how to use the software, this is great.”
Pricing: Starts at $23 per user per month
5. HubSpot CRM
HubSpot is a marketing, sales, and service platform that offers a free CRM with paid tiers for additional features.
Website: https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm
Key features:
- Completely free tier with core CRM functionalities.
- Integrates seamlessly with other HubSpot marketing and sales tools (additional cost may be associated).
- Drag-and-drop email marketing tools.
- Landing page builder.
- Extensive library of free marketing resources and templates.
Why is HubSpot CRM a good choice for startups?
HubSpot offers great value, ease of use, and scalability as your business grows.
G2 ratings: 4.3/5
User feedback: “We initially chose Hubspot because of its user-friendly UX/UI. We have now used Hubspot for over 6 years, and it has been incredible constantly ensuring they added features that keep up with our growth.”
Pricing: Free tier with paid plans starting at $45 per user per month.
Done Deal? Or Not Yet?
So now you know the CRM options to consider for your startup. But if you still have any hesitation, the following tips can help you make an informed decision.
Step 1: Pen-down your needs.
- What are your biggest sales and customer relationship challenges?
- What CRM features are essential for your business?
- How will a CRM help you achieve your sales and marketing goals?
- Will it still be affordable if your team grows?
Step 2: Consider your budget and team size.
- Focus on CRMs with affordable pricing plans, especially for smaller teams.
- Opt for user-friendly interfaces and consider training resources offered by the CRM provider.
Step 3: Take free trials if available.
- Focus on using the core features you identified in step 1 during the trial.
- Request a trial if you don’t see this option on their website. Many CRM companies offer free trials upon request.
Step 4: Decide as a team.
- Involve your team in the selection process. Get their feedback on usability and features.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Prioritize ease of use for all potential users and data security.
I hope these tips help you find a nice CRM for your startup.
My final recommendation would be to give LeadSquared a shot. Quickly fill out this form, and our representative will contact you shortly.
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