[Last updated: May 15, 2016]
Best for Small Business: Pipedrive
Overview: An easy to use visual pipeline system that is ideal for small teams. This is a CRM your team will want to use. Pipedrive is used in small (0-50 employees), and medium companies (51-1,000 employees).
Summary: One of the best things Pipedrive has going is the sheer simplicity. Small businesses and entrepreneurs can keep track of their customer interactions without a lot of confusion. This product was built with sales reps in mind and it shows. The mobile app allows for the software to be used from anywhere with a cell signal. The pipeline view will show you how many leads you have as well as where they are in the buying cycle, and it all happens at a glance. There aren’t a lot of customization options, but it’s perfect for small ventures looking to keep track of leads in an easy and powerful way.
Read our full Pipedrive review here.
Best for Mid-Size Business: Hubspot
Overview: Completely free and a decent stand alone option. You’ll have to upgrade to get the marketing automation suite added. Hubspot is used in small (0-50 employees), medium (51-1,000 employees) and enterprise companies (1,000+ employees).
Summary: Hubspot was our best marketing automation software for mid-sized business and this CRM is a great compliment. The tool is 100% free with a promise from Hubspot never to charge for it. Obviously, it’s a perfect counterpart to their other software and a no-brainer for anyone already using their suite of products. If your small business is on a tight budget, this is the best option for you as well. Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s not powerful. Great lead tracking, email integration that automatically logs when you email customers, you can even track a few calls on the free plan. If you don’t use Hubspot, the CRM isn’t going to be good for most large businesses.
Read our full Hubspot review here.
Best for Enterprise:SugarCRM
Overview: Easily scaled from a few users to large corporate teams, this software is poised to help keep track of every sale in a large business. SugarCRM is used in small (0-50 employees), medium (51-1,000 employees) and enterprise companies (1,000+ employees).
Summary: Finding a CRM software for enterprises isn’t an easy task, but Sugar handles it nicely. In addition to the price for larger companies being clearly labeled (starting at $65/mo), there are features that make them stand out in the large business world. For instance, you can incorporate role-based views to keep sensitive information private and not waste time looking at things you don’t need. The enterprise plan allows for up to 100 concurrent customers to be viewing their end of the portal at one time. Forecasting tools and deep customer tracking to help identify SQL’s from the rest make this tool a closer’s best friend. Smaller companies may find it too complex. That said, if you need some serious CRM, look no further.
Read our full SugarCRM review here.
Best Value Option: Zoho
Overview: Inexpensive (free version available) and powerful. This small business CRM is perfect for bootstrapped companies that need intricate customer tracking. Zoho is used in small (0-50 employees), and medium companies (51-1,000 employees).
Summary: Full of features without a hefty price tag. You will also love the speed to both set up and use this software. Made for small businesses who aren’t the most tech-savvy, this tool is easy to navigate. Within a few clicks, you’ll be ready to start impressing leads and current customers. The data that comes in from a CRM is invaluable, and Zoho makes it easy to sort out right from inside the system. You can customize charts to show the information that is valuable to you. Next, you can export them in a number of formats to get that data into the right hands. Not bad for starting at only $12/mo for their cheapest plan. It’s also free for up to 10 users. Enterprise options are available, but it seems to be better suited for small to mid-sized.
Read our full Zoho review here.
Number 5: SAP CRM
Overview: A fantastic big business option that is arguably one of the best overall. SAP CRM is used in medium (51-1,000 employees) and enterprise companies (1,000+ employees).
Summary: SAP is an enterprise that was built to help enterprise clients. Their options are vast and industry specific. If you are in one of the 26 available industries, you’ll find your customers a home quickly and easily. The reporting and capabilities are just as intricate, but the interface leaves something to be desired. There is so much usability that onboarding to the system is often difficult and tedious. If you can get past that point and your team doesn’t mind the interface, the relationship with your customers will be set up for long-term success. Small businesses will want to pass, but mid-sized and large businesses may want to delve a little deeper into the features.
Read our full SAP CRM review here.
Number 6: Workbooks.com
Overview: Detailed workflow, customer interaction tracking and ease of use make this one of the favorite CRM’s for small businesses on the market. Workbooks.com is used in small (0-50 employees), and medium companies (51-1,000 employees).
Summary: Workbooks allows you to create powerful customer interaction. Once it’s set up, you’ll have no problems keeping tabs on your leads and clients. However, there is a bit of a learning curve and the interface takes some time to get to know. The number of contacts you can manage is unlimited and this tool has some of the most useful integrations on the market. Meant for smaller ventures, this CRM only allows for up to 25 users. If you have a larger sales team with a large business, you’ll want to pass this one up. Small businesses will benefit from the power that comes with the one pricing option available.
Read our full Workbooks.com review here.
Number 7: Salesforce
Overview: One of the oldest CRM’s on the market that still packs a punch. Moving into related territory like marketing automation and PaaS just make this company more valuable. Salesforce is used in small (0-50 employees), medium (51-1,000 employees) and enterprise companies (1,000+ employees).
Summary: There are a lot of moving parts to the Salesforce puzzle. This company has been in customer management since the early days and have created many solutions to that end. If you need an intricate option and have several products of your own to keep track of, this option will get you where you need to be. On the downside, all of those moving parts can hold up progress for a small agile business if you spend too much time on them. Unless you are looking for something specific. For instance, you need a way to manage customer service, but not sales. If picking and choosing features to find the right product sounds good, give Salesforce a deeper look.
Read our full Salesforce review here.
Number 8: Microsoft Dynamics
Overview: You have to admit that the company knows software. After several iterations from 2003 until now, this version seems to work incredibly well. Microsoft Dynamics is used in small (0-50 employees), medium (51-1,000 employees) and enterprise companies (1,000+ employees).
Summary: CRM magazine (yes, there is a mag on the subject) heralds Dynamics as the best solution for small, medium, and large business. With those honors, it would seem like a no-brainer to use, but there are a few drawbacks. The integrations and familiar interface are pluses, but the price tag may leave most small businesses on the sidelines. Starting at $50/mo per user puts it up towards the top as far as pricing. To boot, there is a minimum 5 seat signup which drives the cost to a minimum of $250/mo. There is a ton of value making the price worth it for larger businesses and die-hard Windows fans.
Read our full Microsoft Dynamics review here.
Number 9: SalesNet
Overview: Build custom sales workflows that really allow you to hone in on what works for you, but the interface is a bit clunky. SalesNet is used in small (0-50 employees), and medium companies (51-1,000 employees).
Summary: If your current CRM allows you to keep track of current sales and customer data but isn’t helping you improve the sales and relationships of your company, you may want to look at SalesNet. This tool has features that can really drive better conversions and more sales by correctly interpreting and acting on the data. An integrated email platform will help a lot of small businesses wanting to combine costs. Real time tracking can be done through the dashboard and the app helps small teams stay up to date easily. Pricing starts at $25/mo per user which isn’t the cheapest option but appropriate to what they bring to the table.
Read our full SalesNet review here.
Number 10: InfusionSoft
Overview: Built with smaller operations in mind, this solution can have your business swimming with the big fish. Powerful tools and incredible customization. InfusionSoft is used in small (0-50 employees), and medium companies (51-1,000 employees).
Summary: InfusionSoft is primarily known for its intricate products, including their flagship email marketing software. The CRM offering is no different, and it comes at no surprise, it can be used very well with their other products. Custom tags and deep integration allow you to flawlessly track all communication in a lead/customers life and automate most of your CRM duties. The price is steep starting at $199/mo. If you want to truly incorporate the sales automation that will cost you at least $299/mo for up to four users. If you are a bootstrapped startup, you’ll want to find a lower cost option. InfusionSoft is for small to medium sized businesses with a lot of moving parts and higher priced goods.
Read our full InfusionSoft review here.
Number 11: Netsuite CRM
Overview: Track both your leads and sales with this one tool. Netsuite CRM is used in medium (51-1,000 employees) and enterprise companies (1,000+ employees).
Summary: Netsuite is a great option for companies who like one tool to provide the value of several combined solutions. You’ll receive all of the typical CRM goodies, but with the added benefit of marketing integration, order management, and performance tracking. All of these items together allow you to streamline the process and the time that it takes to identify SQL’s and quickly resolve customer issues. You’ll be able to make the entire pipeline process work smoothly with all of the extra tools available in one place. Almost a strict enterprise option, small businesses will want to sit this one out.
Read our full Netsuite CRM review here.
Number 12: Sage CRM
Overview: A basic, yet solid option for businesses who need something easy to use. Sage CRM is used in small (0-50 employees), and medium companies (51-1,000 employees).
Summary: Another great option for those who are worried about implementing a large complex CRM. Sage is a trusted name in the industry and the dashboard will seem easy and familiar to experienced users and beginners alike. To aid newer users even further, the support at Sage is phenomenal and you’ll be helped quickly while being treated well. It’s not bulky, but it is powerful with a range of tools to help you grow sales, improve relationships and track everything from one place. The price may throw some small businesses off the trail at $39/mo per user. If you need a CRM that works for small business, this may be your option.
Read our full Sage CRM review here.
Number 13: Insightly
Overview: A great CRM for smaller ventures that also doubles as a project management software to get more bang for your buck. Insightly is used in small (0-50 employees), medium (51-1,000 employees) and enterprise companies (1,000+ employees).
Summary: Another great value option for small businesses. You can receive most of the feature sets Insightly offers, free for up to 2 users. This tool has one of the best mobile apps in the CRM world which will allow heavy traveled teams to maintain customer relationships like they would from the office. You’ll also be able to scale your service up and down easily. With plans that fit small businesses to large enterprises, Insightly is also one of the most flexible. Their pricing is toward the top range at $99/mo per user, but the enterprise features are there.
Read our full Insightly review here.
Number 14: Work[etc]
Overview: Tons of tools come loaded with this software including invoicing forms, project management and more. Work[etc] is used in small (0-50 employees), and medium companies (51-1,000 employees).
Summary: Work[etc] is one of the smallest and little known CRM tools out there, but that’s mainly because of their small business focus. Most CRM’s go for the mid-sized companies, leaving enterprises and small ventures with few options. This tool changes that by offering an incredibly powerful lineup of options that will help small businesses grow faster. There are so many options that it is borderline difficult to setup and use. Pricing is a bit steep as far as small business options go, but the power once it’s set up correctly will definitely offset the cost.
Read our full Work[etc] review here.
Number 15: Maximizer
Overview: Integrates very well with Microsoft and valuable data insights are included, but this option comes with a lengthy contract. Maximizer is used in small (0-50 employees), and medium companies (51-1,000 employees).
Summary: A very easy to use tool. Sales force and marketing automation, customer service, and all your analytics right in the same place. If you use the Microsoft suite (excel, powerpoint), this option may be the best at integrating with those tools. If you would like to try your CRM before committing, that won’t be an option with Maximizer. While it does have a short free trial, you won’t be able to see it working fully. Their only payment option is $55/mo billed annually, which comes to $660. Not necessarily great if you want to try it out before you commit. If you’re looking for something powerful and extremely simple, this could be it. Enterprises may want to look elsewhere.
Read our full Maximizer review here.
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