Best CRM Software for Small Business (2025)

Choosing the right CRM can transform how your small business manages customer relationships and closes deals. We’ve tested the leading CRM platforms to help you find the best fit.

Our Top Pick: HubSpot CRM

For most small businesses, HubSpot CRM offers the best combination of features, ease of use, and value. Its generous free tier makes it accessible to startups, while paid plans scale as you grow.

What to Look for in a CRM

Before diving into our comparisons, here are the key factors we evaluated:

• Ease of Use — How quickly can your team get up and running?
• Contact Management — Can you track all customer interactions in one place?
• Pipeline Management — How effectively can you visualize and manage your sales process?
• Integrations — Does it connect with your existing tools?
• Pricing — Is it affordable for your team size and budget?

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot has become the go-to CRM for small businesses, and for good reason. The free tier includes unlimited users and up to 1 million contacts—more than enough for most SMBs.

Pros

• Completely free to start with unlimited users
• Intuitive interface that requires minimal training
• Excellent integration ecosystem
• Built-in email tracking and meeting scheduling

Cons

• Paid plans can get expensive as you scale
• Advanced features require higher-tier plans
• Marketing automation is limited on free plan

Best For

HubSpot is ideal for startups and small teams that want a powerful CRM without upfront costs. It’s also perfect if you’re already using HubSpot’s marketing tools.

Salesforce

Salesforce is the industry standard for CRM, offering unmatched customization and features. However, its complexity makes it better suited for growing businesses with dedicated admin resources.

Pros

• Extremely powerful and customizable
• Massive app marketplace (AppExchange)
• Industry-leading reporting and analytics
• Scales from small business to enterprise

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Can be expensive for small teams
• Often requires administrator expertise

Best For

Salesforce is best for businesses with complex sales processes or those planning significant growth. If you need advanced customization, it’s hard to beat.

Pipedrive

Pipedrive takes a sales-first approach, designed by salespeople for salespeople. Its visual pipeline makes it easy to track deals at every stage.

Pros

• Visual, intuitive pipeline management
• Quick to set up and learn
• Affordable pricing for small teams
• Strong mobile app for sales on the go

Cons

• Limited marketing features
• Basic reporting on lower tiers
• Fewer integrations than competitors

Best For

Pipedrive is perfect for sales-focused teams that want a simple, visual way to manage their pipeline. It’s especially good for teams that spend a lot of time on the road.

The Bottom Line

For most small businesses, we recommend starting with HubSpot CRM. The free tier gives you everything you need to get started, and you can upgrade as your needs grow.

If you have complex sales processes or need maximum customization, Salesforce is worth the investment—just be prepared for a steeper learning curve.

For pure sales teams focused on pipeline management, Pipedrive offers an excellent balance of simplicity and power at an affordable price.