Small Business
Best Free CRM Software for Small Businesses in 2024
Find the best free CRM systems for small businesses. Enhance your customer interactions without overspending. Discover the best no-cost options.
Introduction
Introducing a new system or replacing an outdated one can be a daunting endeavor, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems are no exception. Even large enterprises often struggle with costly, overly complex, and underutilized CRM implementations, such as Salesforce.
To mitigate these risks, it's wise to trial tools at no cost before fully committing to a long-term solution. This approach not only ensures the system aligns with the business's unique needs but also helps identify any potential gaps through practical application.
For small and medium businesses, here are some FREE CRM softwares built to scale in the future:
Hubspot CRM: Best for Sales Automation
Bigin (by Zoho CRM) - Best for Integration
Update: Zoho CRM no longer provides free option (15-days free trial only), Bigin by Zoho CRM is now the free version of Zoho CRM, free for up to single user (instead of 3)
Price: Free for single user
Best Known For:
Good choice for businesses that already use Zoho products and are looking for an omnichannel solution.
Quick Overview
Zoho CRM is a cloud-based application designed to assist sales teams in managing customer relationships, converting leads, and boosting revenue. It seamlessly integrates with numerous Zoho business applications, making it an excellent choice for companies already utilizing Zoho products. The free plan connects with Zoho Analytics, Zoho Campaigns, Zoho Forms, Zoho Desk, Zoho Projects, Zoho Survey, SalesIQ, and Zoho CRM Mobile Edition.
Its omnichannel capabilities allow sales teams to handle customer interactions across diverse platforms, including phone, email, social media, and live chat. Additionally, Zoho CRM provides robust features for managing deals and opportunities, such as sales pipeline management, forecasting, and comprehensive reporting.
Pros
Integrates with all the Zoho Suite products
Mobile App
Cons
Free version is limited to single pipeline, 500 records and 3 automations
Only one user allowed in the free version
Freshsales - Best for Robust Features
Price: Free for up to 3 users
Best Known For:
Good choice for businesses that need a robust CRM with features such as telephony, marketing email journeys and chatbots.
Quick Overview
Freshsales’ free CRM plan offers all the essential tools you need to get started, whether your business is B2B or B2C. It includes features such as marketing email journeys, chatbots, unlimited support, calling capabilities within the CRM, and comprehensive lead and contact management.
Its intuitive visual pipeline simplifies deal tracking, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to expand their sales teams. Additionally, the mobile app ensures that users can remain productive, no matter where they are in the world.
Pros
Users can set up chatbots
Built in telephone
Multichannel communication
Cons
Support not available on weekends
Klipy - Best for Simplicity and AI
Price: Free for up to 3 users
Best Known For:
Good choice for businesses that have high volume of ongoing conversations and doesn't have resources to manage data quality or maintain admin on data entries
Quick Overview
Klipy's free CRM plan boasts a simple and intuitive interface, making it ideal for first-time CRM users, regardless of prior experience. Embracing the motto "No manual entry CRM," Klipy features auto email routing, summaries, call analytics, and AI-powered qualification and pipeline updates. The platform also offers a straightforward Kanban-based pipeline, task management, and AI-enhanced contact management.
As a rapidly growing startup, Klipy is committed to continuous improvement with weekly product releases, ensuring they can quickly adapt to meet the diverse needs of their customers.
Pros
Designed for minimum manual entry (auto routing, extraction and logging)
Fast and frequent upgrade (weekly)
A lot of AI and Generative AI features (non-chatbot)
Direct coaching and support from founding team
Cons
AI Extraction limited to emails and online meetings
Lacks Reports and Analytics
Doesn't support complex custom data objects
Bitrix24 - Best for Unlimited Free Users
Price: Free for unlimited users
Best Known For:
Good choice for businesses that need team collaboration features and sales automation
Quick Overview
Bitrix24's free CRM plan is comprehensive, offering unlimited users, contacts, and deals. Within its CRM, you can list an unlimited number of catalog items, including services, and manage all communication channels from a centralized dashboard. This makes it an excellent collaboration tool for sales teams, allowing them to build agile teams without concern for overhead costs.
Bitrix24 enhances its project management capabilities with a robust suite of collaboration tools. Video calls facilitate face-to-face interactions, essential in remote work settings or when discussing complex details. Chats allow for real-time discussions, ensuring that no query or update is missed. Calendars help keep track of project timelines and individual task deadlines. With Drive and online documents, teams can collaborate seamlessly on content, ensuring everyone has access to the most up-to-date information.
Pros
Free forever plan with unlimited users
Auto-Dialer
Integration and Omnichannel messaging
Cons
Free plan has 5GB limit on online storage
Free plan only allows one pipeline
Expensive paid plan
Conclusion
Key features to prioritize when selecting free CRM software for small businesses include robust contact and lead management, intuitive deal/sales pipeline tracking, efficient task management, insightful reporting and analytics, seamless email integration, convenient mobile access, and compatibility with other essential business tools. It's crucial for small businesses to assess their unique requirements, the number of users, user-friendliness, and scalability potential as they grow. Many free CRM solutions provide paid tiers with advanced features, ensuring they can evolve alongside your business.
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