We have talked about Free vs Paid CRM multiple times e.g., Free CRM Vs Paid CRM For Business and the cons & pros of choosing one for your business but what about affordable CRM in paid category?
What are the best paid CRM software which are cheap and yet very effective and every small business & startup should consider them first before taking a dip in the CRM software for their organisation.
Before we take a plunge into different affordable CRM solutions and their benefits let’s discuss first what feature we should look into them before deciding an affordable & cheap CRM software over an expensive one.
- Define the features you must-have.
- Decide whether you want to scale the features or users in future.
- Ease of use is the most important factor.
- Does this CRM allow integration with all the platforms you deal with?
- How secure is there infrastructure.
- Learn about their hidden costs.
Let’s see how to decide on these requirements.
1. Define Your “Must-Have” Features
- Start with the Basics: What are the absolute core functions you need? Typical CRM features include:
- Contact management
- Lead tracking
- Sales pipeline management
- Task and calendar management
- Basic reporting
- Prioritize: Which features are deal-breakers, and which are ‘nice-to-haves’? This clarity will help you avoid paying for capabilities you won’t use.
2. Scalability Matters
- Plan for Growth: Your business aims to expand, right? Choose a CRM that can grow with you. Consider the pricing implications of adding more users or upgrading features as your needs increase.
- Flexible Plans: Many affordable CRMs offer tiered plans. A scalable CRM lets you start small and upgrade when necessary.
3. Ease of Use
- Intuitive Interface: A complex CRM will discourage adoption by your team. Look for clean design and straightforward navigation.
- Free Trials and Demos: Test-drive the software before committing. See if it’s something your team will actually enjoy using.
- Training and Support: Will the provider offer sufficient resources to help your team get acquainted with the system?
4. Integration Capabilities
- Plays Well with Others: Does the CRM seamlessly connect with your existing tools like:
- Email marketing platforms
- Accounting software
- Project management tools
- Helpdesk software
- Saves Time: Good integrations eliminate manual data entry and streamline your workflow.
5. Security – Don’t Cut Corners
- Data Protection: Especially relevant if you handle sensitive customer information. Scrutinize the CRM’s security measures, encryption protocols, and data storage practices.
- Reputable Provider: Is the CRM company well-established with a good track record?
6. Hidden Costs – Read the Fine Print
- Implementation Fees: Some CRMs might have upfront implementation charges.
- Support Costs: Does the basic plan include customer support or is that an add-on?
- Per-User Pricing: Calculate the total cost based on the number of users in your team.
Prioritize the CRM’s core features that match your needs and ensure it can grow with your business. Look for ease of use, strong integrations, robust security, and clarity on all associated costs.
Top 5 Most Affordable CRM Software In The Market in 2024
In our research we found the best affordable CRM in the market are not a great fit for everyone and they are most dependent on the local market. For example, Pipedrive may be a cheap alternative to expensive CRM for a US based customer but it is still expensive for an Indian customer.
However, we have made a list of top 5 most affordable CRM software for small business currently available in the market.
- Hubspot
- ZNICRM
- ZOHO CRM
- Freshsales
- Less Annoying CRM
Let’s discuss about them more so that you can decide what is good for you as per your requirements.
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot offers a comprehensive and free CRM solution tailored for various business roles, including sales leaders, marketers, customer service teams, operations managers, and business owners. Its features are designed to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and facilitate growth without extra costs. The CRM provides tools for email tracking, meeting scheduling, lead management, and more, all within a user-friendly interface. It supports integrations with numerous platforms, enhancing its utility for diverse business needs.
- Pros:
- Robust Free Plan: Many essential features are available for free, making it cost-effective for startups and small businesses.
- Scalability: Upgrade to paid plans seamlessly as your business expands.
- Excellent Marketing Tools: Strong integration with HubSpot’s marketing automation tools.
- User-Friendly: Intuitive interface, easy to learn and use.
- Cons:
- Limited Customization: The free version offers less flexibility in tailoring the CRM.
- Advanced Features Get Pricey: Paid tiers can get expensive if you need extensive functionality.
- Support Quality Varies: Free plan support can be less responsive than paid plans.
Website: https://hubspot.com
Pricing Page: https://www.hubspot.com/pricing/marketing/starter
Pricing: $15/mo per user + Free Plan Available
ZNICRM
ZNI CRM offers a comprehensive CRM solution that includes lead management, marketing automation, invoicing, and customer support tools. It is designed to be affordable with a flat-rate pricing model that supports an unlimited number of users, emphasizing ease of use and customizability. The platform is mobile-friendly, ensuring accessibility across devices, and provides 24/7 customer support. It integrates various functionalities to streamline operations, from sales tracking to field service management, catering to businesses of all sizes.
- Pros:
- Value for Money: Offers a good range of features at a competitive price point.
- Unlimited Users Plan: No per user pricing. Flat price for unlimited users.
- Easy to Setup: Particularly suited for businesses new to CRMs.
- Third-party Integrations: Connects with some popular tools (limited compared to larger players).
- Cons:
- UI: User interface is something we should work upon more. Yes, we know it’s pretty basic and template based.
- Customer Support: Only ticket based support is available for small value plans.
- Advanced Features Lacking: If you need highly sophisticated reporting or in-depth customization, you might find it limited.
Website: https://znicrm.com
Pricing Page: https://znicrm.com/pricing.php
Pricing: Rs 9,000/yr for unlimited users
Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is well-known for its comprehensive suite of features tailored for sales automation, marketing automation, and customer relationship management. It offers flexibility with extensive customization capabilities, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes. Zoho CRM also integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps and many third-party applications, enhancing functionality and workflow efficiency.
- Pros:
- Highly Scalable: Serves businesses from small teams to large enterprises.
- Customizable: Offers good flexibility to tailor the CRM to your workflow.
- Wide Range of Features: Includes tools for marketing, sales, customer support, and more.
- Strong Integrations: Connects with Zoho’s other products and many third-party apps.
- Cons:
- Can Be Overwhelming: The sheer number of features can be intimidating for some users.
- Steep Learning Curve: Might require more training time to master all functions.
- Pricing Variations: The numerous pricing editions can be confusing to navigate.
Website: https://zoho.com
Pricing Page: https://www.zoho.com/crm/zohocrm-pricing.html
Pricing: $20/mo per user for standard plan
Freshsales
Freshsales, part of the Freshworks product suite, is known for its intuitive user interface and robust CRM capabilities. It provides a 360-degree view of customers with features like sales automation, marketing automation, chat, and telephony all in one CRM. Freshsales also includes AI-based insights to help businesses prioritize leads and deals likely to close.
- Pros:
- User-Friendly: Clean interface and great for sales pipeline visualization.
- Built-in Phone & Email: Convenient communication tools within the platform.
- Excellent Support: Known for responsive and helpful support.
- Good Automation Features: Helps streamline sales processes.
- Cons:
- Reporting Can Be Limited: More advanced reporting might require paid tiers.
- Less Customizable: Compared to some other CRMs.
- Third-Party Integrations Limited: Might not integrate with all of your existing tools.
Website: https://www.freshworks.com/crm/sales/
Pricing Page: https://www.freshworks.com/crm/pricing/
Pricing: $10/mo per user for growth plan
Less Annoying CRM
Less Annoying CRM emphasizes simplicity and ease of use, making it suitable for small businesses seeking basic CRM functionalities without complexity. It offers a flat, budget-friendly pricing structure without tiers or hidden costs, ensuring affordability. Additionally, Less Annoying CRM is praised for its excellent customer support, providing hands-on assistance to help businesses optimize their CRM use.
- Pros:
- Simplicity Above All Else: Designed specifically to be exceptionally user-friendly and avoid complexity.
- Great for Small Businesses: Focuses on the essentials that small teams truly need.
- Transparent Pricing: Flat-rate pricing per user, no hidden fees or complex tiers.
- Excellent Support: Known for their responsive and helpful customer service.
- Cons:
- Feature Depth Limited: If you need highly advanced functionality or niche industry features, this might not be the fit.
- Less Customizable: Prioritizes ease of use over deep customization options.
- Marketing Automation Missing: No built-in marketing automation tools; you’d need to integrate third-party solutions.
Website: https://www.lessannoyingcrm.com
Pricing Page: https://www.lessannoyingcrm.com/pricing
Pricing: $15/mo per user
Key reasons why affordable CRMs are an excellent choice for startups & small business:
- Budget-Friendly: Startups often have limited resources. Affordable CRMs minimize upfront costs and allow you to invest in other vital areas of your business.
- Essential Features Focus: Many affordable CRMs prioritize the core features startups need – contact management, lead tracking, and sales pipeline management – without the extra bells and whistles that can drive up the price.
- Scalability: As your business grows, choose an affordable CRM that scales with you. These often have tiered plans, letting you add users and upgrade features as needed, without overpaying early on.
- Minimize Risk: Affordable CRMs reduce the financial risk of investing in a complex system that your team may not fully adopt or outgrow quickly.
- Ease of Use: Startups benefit from intuitive, user-friendly CRMs that are quick to learn and don’t require extensive training. This enables your team to focus on building customer relationships.
