If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.
In today's data-driven market, it's essential to harness the power of top-tier CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software to manage customer relationships effectively. These tools are crucial for driving sales and discovering new insights in your industry.
No matter your industry, CRM software has likely become a necessity. It's worth noting that your competitors are probably already using these tools. If your organization is struggling with lead management and customer interactions, there's a risk of falling behind as more organized competitors could potentially outperform you.
CRM software proves invaluable for both large corporations and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) by organizing customer data effectively. It automates and manages the customer lifecycle, catering to different business needs with specific features designed to improve customer interactions and strengthen relationships through quick and adept responses to client needs.
This guide will not only detail what features to look for in CRM software but also highlight the top CRM solutions as rated by The Ascent. This will help you make an informed decision that can transform your customer management strategy.
Product | Description | Next Steps |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Freshsales' CRM gives businesses of all sizes excellent features at a great price. Its tools are user-friendly and easy to learn. Small businesses on a budget will likely find everything they need.
|
|
Rating image, 4.10 out of 5 stars.
4.10/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Pipedrive is a user-friendly, sales-focused CRM tool that brings your pipeline to life. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to manage the sales process as well as predict revenue.
|
|
Rating image, 3.90 out of 5 stars.
3.90/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
HubSpot offers a great free CRM software product with upgrade options for robust paid features. This tool also syncs with the rest of the HubSpot ecosystem so you can easily coordinate your teams.
|
|
Insightly
Rating image, 4.20 out of 5 stars.
4.20/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
As one of our favorite CRM software tools, Insightly comes with an outstanding collection of features to support both your sales and marketing teams.
|
|
Agile CRM
Rating image, 4.10 out of 5 stars.
4.10/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Designed for small to mid-sized businesses, Agile CRM acts as a centralized hub for your CRM software needs. Offering tons of integrations, this tool is a great option for sales teams.
|
|
Redtail CRM
Rating image, 4.10 out of 5 stars.
4.10/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Redtail CRM is designed to put everything a salesperson needs at their fingertips with a simple web-based dashboard. While there is a learning curve, users are able to quickly access critical info.
|
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Capsule CRM suits small businesses on a budget. Opt for its free or affordable versions. It's simpler but sufficient compared to leading CRMs.
|
|
Zendesk Sell
Rating image, 3.70 out of 5 stars.
3.70/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Zendesk Sell makes managing a sales team simple, and it offers a variety of reporting tools to help you figure out how to improve your team's efficiency.
|
|
Rating image, 3.70 out of 5 stars.
3.70/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Zoho CRM is a one-stop shop for all your CRM needs and more. A fully customizable CRM package with excellent automation tools.
|
|
Vtiger Sales CRM
Rating image, 3.70 out of 5 stars.
3.70/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Vtiger specializes in improving customer interactions by streamlining communication. With customer support and automation features, integrated teams will appreciate this CRM software tool.
|
|
Rating image, 3.70 out of 5 stars.
3.70/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Salesforce offers unmatched features and options, but the leading CRM doesn't come cheap. Small businesses may be overwhelmed by the platform's size, which makes this more suited for large companies.
|
|
SugarCRM
Rating image, 3.60 out of 5 stars.
3.60/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
SugarCRM is a powerful CRM software that offers plenty of features and third-party integrations. This platform helps streamline communication so your team stays coordinated and organized.
|
|
Close
Rating image, 3.60 out of 5 stars.
3.60/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Close is a centralized lead generation and sales pipeline CRM software that keeps your entire team organized and streamlined.
|
|
Bitrix24
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Bitrix24 has a vast number of features and customizations yet, consequently, comes with a steep learning curve. This CRM software offers a free version that's perfect for startups and tight budgets.
|
Freshworks CRM (formerly Freshsales) earned our top ranking as the best CRM out there. This software solution provides a good balance between a lean and affordable option and an enterprise solution that has more features. The platform offers excellent customer support and an intuitive interface with an option for just about any feature you would need. It also comes in at a low price point.
Some actions and dashboard customization are limited. There's also no user forum. However, these downsides are outweighed by all of the software's advantages.
One of the main features Freshworks offers is lead scoring. It has a strong prospecting tool that will help salespeople feel more in control of their pipeline. Other features include team management and reports.
Freshworks offers a lead tracking system that allows you to score individual prospects. Image source: Author
Pipedrive is ideal for small businesses or salespeople who are heavily involved with the marketing team. This easy-to-use CRM has lots of marketing tools to help your team get to the next level, and it comes in at an affordable price. It's also very easy to use and was made by sales experts for sales experts. This is a great option if your team is growing and you need something to organize your efforts.
Despite the good pricing options, there's no forever free plan for this software. Also, the Essential plan includes web forms that are branded, and the feature set is somewhat limited. However, this is one of the most affordable CRM solutions out there, and it's easy to use as long as you get the training. Also, the customer support is 24/7.
Pipedrive's pipeline management feature is a standout. It allows you to closely monitor your lead generation and sales process with proven methodologies, helping your team make more conversions. You can use it to spot trends, and customization is easy. The software also integrates your email system, helps you generate leads, and produces visual sales reports.
Pipedrive will improve the communication between your sales team and your customers. Image source: Author
HubSpot CRM is a free CRM option for small businesses on a tight budget. This CRM is very easy to set up and get started with, and its massive features list makes it great for large enterprises as well. HubSpot offers something for everyone -- big companies can get all the bells and whistles to manage their marketing and sales teams, while solopreneurs can opt for the simple "forever free" option.
The massive feature set can be daunting for some users and costs can quickly increase the more features you need. However, the "forever free" option, the scalable CRM stack and marketing suite, and the excellent performance-reporting dashboards set this software platform apart in a good way.
HubSpot's pipeline dashboard is its standout feature. The dashboard shows every detail about your sales funnel in real time and lets you share it with the entire team so everyone is on the same page. It is well-designed and easy to read, and you can chop up the data to see who is overperforming and who is underperforming. Other features include activity logging, real-time chat, and email templates.
HubSpot does a good job of providing visualized data. Image source: Author
Insightly is a CRM tool geared toward improving the flow and organization of your business. Its range of marketing tools is impressive, and it has automation features that will save your team time.
Unfortunately, the best marketing features are for higher-paid tiers, and some app integrations regularly break. However, those issues are more than outweighed by a fantastic support team, extensive features no matter your business size, and even a "forever free" plan for those solopreneurs who need a simple solution right away.
Its most interesting feature is lead routing, which helps you contact prospects at exactly the right time. With this feature, the sales team focuses efforts on red-hot leads, automatically sending those leads to a team member when the time is right. Insightly also offers email marketing, custom dashboards, and plenty of integrations with popular third-party software.
Agile CRM is designed for small and medium-sized companies. It is a cloud-based solution that integrates all of your activities -- sales, marketing, social media, and even customer service -- into one place. The software comes at a number of pricing levels, ranging from free to enterprise, and it supports more than 50 plug-ins and integrations.
While the customization could be better and automation features can be tough to understand, we like the fact that importing contacts is quick and easy, there's seamless application with popular apps like Skype and Facebook, and gamification features help improve employee efficiency.
One of the big features of Agile is its contact management tool. Agile keeps contacts organized and allows the user to store basics about your customers, including interests and how they interact with your company. This allows you to build lasting relationships with your customers. The software also offers tools for project management, appointment scheduling, and even a landing page builder.
Redtail CRM is another top solution that goes the route of simplicity rather than trying to bombard the user with features. This software option doesn't have the range of capabilities of some platforms, but it's a great web-based solution for small businesses that need a simple CRM platform to organize their sales efforts.
The software could stand to have some free training, more features, a more robust mobile app, and some additional customization options, but it does a lot of things really well -- particularly customer service, an easy-to-use dashboard, detailed contact information, and email archiving. The pricing is pretty straightforward: It's $99/month for every 15 users.
The dashboard is one of the best aspects of Redtail. As soon as you log in, you can see everything that you need to know, including upcoming appointments, workflow tasks, and team notices. Salespeople are often pulled in every direction, so it's helpful to have one hub to keep them centered. Additionally, the software offers a calendar, detailed contacts list, reports, a mobile app, and workflow processes.
Capsule CRM is ideally suited for companies that are worried about price and ease of use. This platform provides all of the functionality any sales team expects from a CRM, even if it doesn't have some of the more advanced features you might find with some of the pricier options. However, it's a web-based tool that offers a free version, and that makes it attractive to a lot of small businesses.
Beyond its limited features, the software has other downsides. Its customer support is also limited, and it doesn't have a long list of integrations. It also doesn't offer much in the way of reports. However, it has a simple, clean dashboard, a great mobile app, and -- most importantly -- a free version. And that might be enough for your organization.
The software has an interesting contact list tool. You can upload contacts from a spreadsheet, and its automation tool checks the fields and automatically creates those fields in the software, which is a big time-saver. You can add an opportunity or a case to the contact to track sales progress with each individual or make notes and attach files to them. The software also helps you track cases and opportunities, and while its reporting features are limited (and only available to paid users), you can create basic reports to help with sales forecasting and spotting trends.
Capsule allows you to store detailed information on potential customers. Image source: Author
Zendesk Sell is a platform that excels with limited onboarding and powerful reporting features to help you improve the performance of your team. It can get expensive, but this CRM is one you should explore as it is easy to use and offers plenty of interesting features for a sales team.
The main downsides of the software are that it is expensive beyond three users, has limited features at its lowest tier, and customer support is limited. However, this is an easy-to-use platform that is great for tech novices; onboarding is minimal and its strong reporting tools compare favorably to competitors.
Zendesk has a good tool for managing leads. You can't put as much detail into it as other software platforms, but leads are easy to add and organize. The software keeps a detailed call log so you know how many calls your team is making and what impact it is having on conversion rates. Its reports let you dive into conversions, call and email outcomes, and many other aspects of your team's performance.
Vtiger Sales CRM is a platform that aims to streamline communication both internally and externally, as well as improve your interactions with customers overall. The software does a good job of organizing and storing information on your various sales and marketing efforts, and it has helpful automation features to save your team some time.
Vtiger has a free version, making it a solid option for sole proprietors and small businesses. The software's organization of contact search results leave much to be desired, and a number of modules may increase the learning curve, but Vtiger has a lot of advantages as well. For example, it offers an easy-to-understand management console, adaptable customization and modules, and excellent value when it comes to the number of features you get.
The level of customization when it comes to the contact list is probably the software's strongest feature. You'll be able to capture leads and contacts a lot easier with customizable fields and the ability to attach notes and other information to help land a sale. Prebuilt widgets and customizable charts will help you get even more out of the software.
Salesforce CRM is one of the biggest names in the CRM world, for good reason. This platform caters to small and large businesses alike, and it offers just about any CRM feature your company needs. The Salesforce team will customize the software to your specifications, and while it's not the cheapest CRM on the market, you'll get a lot for your money.
Salesforce can be challenging to learn, the setup is complicated, and if you want a lot of features, you'll have to pay quite a bit. However, you can pick and choose the features you want, there’s a lot of integrations, and it offers tools for every facet of your business.
Salesforce's opportunity management feature will let your team funnel leads through the pipeline so they keep track of them better. The software also offers task management, which lets you attach dates and manage the team schedule through the software. And you'll also be able to create custom quotes using information entered into the software so you can quickly process orders.
Salesforce’s highly visual dashboard will keep your sales team on the same page. Image source: Author
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software is a crucial tool for businesses aiming to streamline their customer management processes and enhance sales outcomes. When selecting a CRM system, there are several key features that are essential for optimizing performance and delivering real business value. Here’s a breakdown of the most critical features you should look for in a CRM software:
Choosing a CRM system with these key features can significantly enhance your ability to manage customer relationships effectively, drive sales growth, and improve overall business performance.
Wondering why your business should invest in CRM software? If you’re seeking improvements in your organization’s operations and customer interactions, a robust CRM system could be the answer. Here’s how CRM software can transform your business dynamics.
Today’s CRM systems offer comprehensive tracking of every interaction you have with your customers. This includes every email, live chat, phone call, in-person conversation, and even text messages.
Moreover, these systems extend their tracking capabilities to social media interactions. By enabling social media tracking, your business can identify which posts are most effective at engaging customers, helping you tailor your content to generate maximum interaction.
Effective CRM implementation is all about seamless execution. CRM software helps streamline various office tasks through integrated tools such as task lists, interactive calendars, and push alerts.
For example, when you input your daily goals into your CRM's calendar application, it automatically generates a to-do list for you. As you progress through your day, this list updates in real-time, helping you stay organized and focused, ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks.
CRM software isn't just about managing current customer relationships—it's also a powerful tool for tracking sales productivity and customer engagement over time. With these systems, you can compile detailed reports from the data logged within the CRM. These reports might cover critical metrics like new revenue streams or customer engagement indices like the number of new contacts made.
Such detailed performance reports are invaluable for strategic planning. They allow your business to use real-time data to forecast future sales and customer trends, giving you a clearer picture of what to expect in the upcoming quarters and enabling more accurate planning and resource allocation.
Understanding the cost of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is crucial for businesses planning to invest in this powerful tool. The pricing of CRM systems varies widely depending on several factors including feature set, scalability, and the vendor's pricing model. Here's a breakdown of the typical costs associated with CRM software:
Most CRM providers offer a subscription-based model, charging a monthly or annual fee per user. This is the most common pricing structure, especially for cloud-based solutions. Prices can range from as low as $10 per user per month for basic functionalities to over $150 per user per month for advanced features tailored to large enterprises.
Many CRM vendors use tiered pricing, where different levels of functionality and services are priced differently. Basic tiers are cheaper and include core features like contact management and email integration, while higher tiers offer advanced features like custom reports, increased automation, and superior analytics capabilities. This allows businesses to start with a more basic plan and scale up as their needs grow.
Some traditional CRM systems, particularly those that are on-premise, require a one-time licensing fee. This can seem expensive initially, with costs ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, but there are no recurring monthly fees. Keep in mind, however, that there might be additional costs for updates, maintenance, and support.
Beyond the basic subscription or licensing fees, there are several additional costs that businesses might encounter, including:
There are also free CRM solutions available, which are ideal for small businesses or startups with basic needs. These free versions typically support a limited number of users and have restricted features, but they can be a good starting point to experience CRM benefits without initial investment.
When evaluating CRM costs, consider the potential return on investment. A more expensive CRM might offer features that significantly improve customer satisfaction, streamline operations, and boost sales, thereby justifying the higher cost.
The cost of CRM software varies based on the complexity of the system, the number of users, and additional services required. It's important for businesses to assess their specific needs, consider potential growth, and evaluate the total cost of ownership over time before making a decision.
Selecting the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is a pivotal decision for businesses aiming to enhance customer interactions and drive sales growth. The perfect CRM should align with your business goals, integrate smoothly with your existing operations, and be scalable as your business grows. Here’s a practical guide on how to choose the right CRM software:
Before you start looking at CRM options, understand your business needs. Identify the problems you aim to solve with a CRM, such as improving lead conversion rates, automating sales processes, or enhancing customer support. Each business will have unique requirements based on factors like company size, industry, and market dynamics.
Adoption of any new software depends heavily on its ease of use. Select a CRM that has an intuitive interface and requires minimal training. This ensures that your team will actually use the software, rather than avoiding it due to its complexity.
No two businesses are exactly alike, so a one-size-fits-all CRM solution is unlikely to be the most effective. Look for software that allows you to customize features such as dashboards, reports, and fields to match your specific workflows and data requirements.
The CRM software should seamlessly integrate with other tools that your business uses, such as email clients, social media platforms, ERP systems, and marketing automation tools. Integration is crucial for maintaining data flow between systems, reducing data entry tasks, and providing a comprehensive view of customer interactions.
Choose a CRM that can grow with your business. Consider whether the CRM can handle increased data volume and additional users without significant performance issues. Also, check if the provider offers higher-tier plans with advanced features that you might need in the future.
In today’s mobile-first world, accessing CRM on the go is essential. Ensure the CRM software offers a robust mobile app or a mobile-responsive design to allow your team to access and update data from anywhere, at any time.
Good vendor support can drastically reduce the time it takes to resolve issues and minimize downtime. Look for CRM providers who offer comprehensive support and training resources. This includes online tutorials, live webinars, and responsive customer service.
Data security is paramount when dealing with customer information. Check the security measures implemented by the CRM provider, such as data encryption, secure data storage, and compliance with regulations like GDPR.
Finally, evaluate the pricing plans of various CRM systems. Determine what features are included in each plan and assess whether the cost aligns with your budget and the value it offers. Be wary of hidden costs like add-ons or upgrades that may be necessary for your use case.
By following these steps, you can choose a CRM software that not only fits your current needs but also supports your future business growth.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.