Best Google CRM: Top 7 CRMs for Google Users (June 2023)
This article is part of a larger series on CRM.
Google Workspace is a popular suite of business productivity tools for emailing, managing documents, spreadsheets, and slide decks, storing contacts, and tracking calendar events. When integrated with customer relationship management (CRM) software, businesses can synchronize their sales data and files with ones stored in Google applications. Based on affordability, features, and user experience, we’ve identified the top Google CRMs:
- Best Google CRM for marketing capabilities: HubSpot CRM
- Broadest Google app integrations: Pipedrive
- Solid pick for its Google Sites lead generation integration: Zoho CRM
- Great mobile Google capabilities: Freshsales
- Most intuitive Chrome extension tool: Copper CRM
- Best CRM for Gmail: Streak CRM
- Excellent Google Analytics integration: Salesforce
Best Google CRM Software Compared
Provider | Starting Monthly Price Per User* | Free Plan? | Our CRM Rating Out of 5 |
---|---|---|---|
$18 (up to two users) | ✓ | 4.80 | |
$14.90 | ✕ | 4.79 | |
$14 | ✓ | 4.71 | |
$15 | ✓ | 4.68 | |
$23 | ✕ | 4.53 | |
$15 | ✓ | 4.41 | |
$25 | ✕ | 4.25 | |
*Based on annual billing. Monthly billing is also available for slightly higher rates.
HubSpot CRM: Best for Google Marketing Functions
Pros
- Free plan allows integration with Google Workspace apps
- Expansive capabilities such as using Gmail, managing Google Ads, and syncing contact and calendar data to the CRM
- Offers Chrome Extension to access CRM records and tools in the Gmail interface
Cons
- Lacks pricing scalability; paid plans get expensive
- Using Chrome Extension in Google Drive requires a third-party connector tool
- Expensive for users to access Google Search Console data and search engine optimization (SEO) analytics; requires the Professional plan
- You manage marketing activity: Many small businesses commonly combine their sales and marketing functions into one team. That said, HubSpot serves as a prime Google CRM for both functions. On the higher-tier plans for the Marketing Hub or CRM Suite, teams can manage and track Google Ads and associated audiences from the CRM. They can also sync search console and SEO data into the CRM for analysis.
- You want a free CRM for Google: HubSpot is a great Google CRM that has a free plan for unlimited users and no-cost integrations with Gmail to use email from the CRM. It also works with Calendar and Contacts to sync data between both systems. The Google Ads integration is even available for the free Marketing Hub to create audiences based on ad campaigns. Finally, HubSpot’s freemium option includes the Chrome Extension, which gives CRM access to Gmail.
- You want to use the Chrome Extension in Google Calendar: While HubSpot has a great Chrome Extension tool for accessing CRM records and tracking email activity from Gmail, users cannot extend that capability to access the CRM from Google Calendar.
- Alternative: Copper CRM is a great alternative with its Chrome Extension tool accessible in both Gmail and Calendar apps.
- You need a more scalable CRM with Google integrations: There’s no question that HubSpot is a superior free CRM system compared to other products. The challenge is that it gets expensive to scale and update to higher tiers when users need more data capacity and advanced features.
- Alternative: Zoho CRM and Freshsales are our favorite CRMs for cost-scalability—offering free-forever options and affordable paid plans.
HubSpot CRM Monthly Pricing Plans*
*Pricing is based on annual billing on a per-month breakdown. Monthly billing is available for a higher cost. Each plan offers a 14-day free trial. Pricing reflects pricing info available at the time of publishing. While we update pricing information regularly, we encourage our readers to check current pricing here.
**Pricing uses the monthly Sales Hub costs for individuals and small teams. The provider also offers Enterprise-level products for larger sales teams and the CRM Suite, which includes sales, marketing, customer service, CMS, and operations software in one product for a higher price.
HubSpot monitoring Google Ad performance (Source: HubSpot)
Our Expert Opinion
HubSpot ranks as our top pick for best CRM for Google app integrations. While it’s great for offering free integration options with a quick and seamless integration process, we must acknowledge the marketing capabilities it contains that no provider can. Marketing teams and businesses can deploy Google Ad campaigns and track its performance while also getting Google Search Engine analytics in the platform to boost web traffic and lead generation efforts.
Pipedrive: Best for Its Wide Range of Google Integrations
Pros
- Can integrate with nearly all Google apps including Gmail, Ads, Meet, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Drive
- Offers Chrome extension tool for accessing Pipedrive as a sidebar in Chrome browser for Google apps
- Robust features for deal, lead, and pipeline management
Cons
- Doesn’t offer a free plan or free Google integrations
- Some Google integrations, such as Google Ads, require a third-party connector
- Using Gmail in your CRM requires the Advanced plan
- You want CRM connectivity with all Google apps: Relative to other CRM software on this list, Pipedrive has some of the broadest integration capabilities for Google apps. Either through Zapier or a direct connection, users can access apps like Gmail, Meet, Calendar, Contacts, Ads, Drive, and Tasks tools and data in Pipedrive. You can even use the Google single sign-on function to log into the CRM using Google credentials.
- You need to access Pipedrive in Gmail: Like many other CRMs, Pipedrive offers a Chrome Extension feature that gives users CRM accessibility from Google. This allows them to add leads, log contact activity and communications, and sync information from a Google app like Gmail into the CRM database.
- You want a direct integration with Google Ads: Pipedrive does allow connectivity with Google Ads to capture lead data from form submissions into the CRM system. This feature, however, requires a third-party connector tool like Zapier and user configuration to create those data flows.
- Alternative: HubSpot CRM and Zoho CRM are the best alternatives that offer direct integration to Google Ads.
- You need free Google integrations: Because Pipedrive has no free-forever plan, users, by default, cannot access the Google CRM integrations for free.
- Alternative: Streak CRM and HubSpot CRM are the best options that offer free Google integrations.
Pipedrive Monthly Pricing Plans*
*Pricing is based on annual billing on a per-user monthly breakdown. Monthly billing is available for a higher cost. Paid plans include a 14-day free trial. Pricing reflects pricing info available at the time of publishing. While we update pricing information regularly, we encourage our readers to check current pricing here.
Pipedrive accessing Google Drive files (Source: Pipedrive)
Our Expert Opinion
Pipedrive provides sales teams with a powerful way to manage deals, leads, and contract proposals. As a Google Workspace CRM, it offers integrations with most of the popular Google apps for two-way data sync and accessing the Google functions, such as sending Gmail messages or sharing Drive files, all in the CRM. Another plus, those who wish to reverse the connection and access Pipedrive in Google apps can do so with the Chrome Extension tool.
Zoho CRM: Best for Generating Leads Through Google Sites
Pros
- Free and affordable plans available
- Users can connect with Google Sites to generate leads through online web forms
- Allows data sync across Google Calendar, Tasks, Contact, and Gmail apps
Cons
- Poor product usability and experience ratings
- Google integration and data sync options are not available for free
- Gmail access in the CRM requires the Standard plan
- You want to use Google Sites websites for lead generation: Zoho CRM is an affordable, sophisticated CRM with plenty of automation options. One of the workflows users can create is a lead generation process that creates contact records automatically for webform submissions on Google Sites. Through the CRM, users can customize their web forms, determine lead ownership, and automate emails for form submissions.
- You need broad data sync options across Google apps: Zoho gives a range of connectivity with Google apps—allowing users to sync Calendar, Contacts, Drive, Gmail, and Task data between both systems. Teams can also automatically add contacts to the CRM database for Google Ads conversions while analyzing keywords that led to submissions all in the CRM.
- You need a free Google integration: While Zoho has a free plan available for up to three users, it does not allow third-party integrations, including Google apps, until the Standard plan for $14 per user monthly.
- Alternative: HubSpot CRM and Freshsales are great options with free direct integrations with Google apps.
- You want a more intuitive CRM interface: Zoho CRM tends to get poor reviews for product usability, specifically for system navigation as it has a clunky design with lots of button options.
- Alternative: Copper CRM is a great alternative designed specifically for Google teams and has a cleaner interface for solid user experience ratings overall.
Zoho CRM Monthly Pricing Plans*
*Pricing is based on annual billing on a per-user monthly breakdown. Monthly billing is available for a higher cost. Zoho CRM comes with a 15-day free trial for the paid plans. Pricing reflects pricing info available at the time of publishing. While we update pricing information regularly, we encourage our readers to check current pricing here.
Zoho CRM creating Google Sites web form (Source: Zoho)
Our Expert Opinion
Zoho is affordable Google CRM software that can provide data sync capabilities between the CRM and all of the major Google apps, including Contacts, Tasks, Calendar, Gmail, and Drive. Its unique value add is the Google Sites connectivity that lets users auto-generate leads through a custom website designed on and hosted by Google Workspace.
Freshsales: Best Mobile Google App
Pros
- Free Google integrations available for Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Contacts, Sheets, and Docs
- Freshsales Gmail add-on allows CRM accessibility in both mobile and web Gmail apps
- Unique integration option with Google Business Messages
Cons
- Certain Google integrations require a Zapier connector
- CRM extension for accessing Freshsales data in Google only works for Gmail
- Relatively expensive to manage multiple pipelines
- You conduct sales on-the-go often: Freshsales is considered one of the best mobile CRM apps as it lets you manage data and communicate with leads on-the-go. For Google integrations, Freshsales offers a CRM extension where you can access CRM data records, create appointments, log activity, take notes, and manage tasks all in Gmail. It works for both the Gmail web application and the mobile app.
- You want to message leads through Google Business: Freshsales is notorious for its omnichannel capabilities—letting you engage leads via phone, email, live chat, text, and the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. Additionally, it’s one of the only CRMs that can integrate with Google Business to message customers searching for your company on Google Search Engine or Maps.
- You prefer direct Google integrations: One of the issues with Freshsales as a Google CRM is that many of the integrations and data sync options, specifically for Sheets, Docs, and Drive, require Zapier as a brokering tool between the systems.
- Alternative: HubSpot CRM is the best alternative with free Google connections that are all direct integrations.
- You want wider CRM extensions: While Freshsales offers an extension tool to access the CRM from a Google app, it’s limited to Gmail.
- Alternative: Pipedrive’s Chrome extension tool lets you access your Pipedrive account and resources on all Google apps as long as it’s through the Chrome browser.
Freshsales Monthly Pricing Plans*
*Pricing is based on annual billing on a per-user monthly breakdown. Monthly billing is available for a higher cost. Freshsales offers a 21-day free trial and optional paid add-ons for additional workflow automations and phone credits starting at $5. Pricing reflects pricing info available at the time of publishing. While we update pricing information regularly, we encourage our readers to check current pricing here.
Our Expert Opinion
Freshsales stands out as a unique CRM for Google. This is primarily due to its CRM add-on for Gmail being accessible on the mobile app and the fact that you can integrate the CRM with Google Business to use as an additional outreach channel. Despite requiring Zapier for specific integrations, Freshsales ultimately is an affordable and easy-to-use CRM that can sync with nearly all the popular Google apps.
Copper CRM: Best Intuitive Chrome Extension
Pros
- Built for Google and has an interface design similar to Google apps
- Google Chrome extension that allows users to access and view CRM data directly in Gmail or Calendar apps
- Offers unique integration with Google Data Studio for generating complex reports
Cons
- No free Google integrations
- Not a particularly cost-friendly CRM option for small businesses on a tight budget
- Mass email is not available until the Professional plan
- You want a true Google CRM: Copper is the closest thing you’ll get to a CRM by Google. The developer intentionally created the product for Google Workspace teams—allowing broad integrations with apps like Gmail, Contacts, Calendar, Drive, Sheets, and Data Studio. Plus, you get the ability to access Copper in Gmail and Google Calendar interfaces.
- You need an intuitive Google Chrome extension: Copper, as a CRM built for Google, is created to appear like Google apps by using a similar clean and modern interface design. This is best expressed in its Chrome extension tool that lets users access the CRM directly in Gmail and Calendar. While other CRMs offer a similar extension or add-on, none are more intuitive than Coppers.
- You need free Google integrations: Copper is relatively expensive and does not offer any free-forever plan—making it not ideal for free Google integrations.
- Alternative: Freshsales is an excellent alternative with a free plan, a simple interface, and no-cost integrations with all the available Google apps.
- You want more affordable mass email: One of the more expensive features for Copper is the mass emailing tools that let you deploy marketing campaigns or conduct sales outreach on a mass scale. This capability requires the Professional plan for $59 per user, per month.
- Alternative: HubSpot CRM includes mass email capabilities with engagement tracking and templates, all on the free-forever plan.
Copper Monthly Pricing Plans*
*Pricing based on annual billing on a per-user monthly breakdown. Monthly billing is available for a higher cost. Copper also comes with a 14-day free trial. Pricing reflects pricing info available at the time of publishing. While we update pricing information regularly, we encourage our readers to check current pricing here.
Copper Chrome extension in Gmail (Source: Copper)
Our Expert Opinion
As one of two CRMs on this list intentionally built for Google, Copper makes its mark as an intuitive product with broad Google integrations. It’s also an excellent option for teams who constantly keep their Gmail and Calendar tabs open and are specifically interested in the Chrome extension option. This tool is not only helpful in managing CRM records and accessing data, but is easy to set up and operate.
Streak: Best Gmail CRM
Pros
- Free and scalable paid plans
- Unique format as its a CRM plugged into Gmail to manage contacts and pipelines on the Gmail interface
- Integrates with Google apps like Calendar, Drive, Sheets, Forms, and Chat for data sync
Cons
- Users find it difficult to get used to interface design
- Only one user on Free and Solo plans
- Expensive to integrate with non-Google apps and to create automated workflows
- You want to use your CRM in Gmail: Streak is another CRM built specifically for Google. It’s unique in that the actual CRM system storing contacts and pipelines is accessible in Gmail as a plugin. This allows users to manage email communications, tasks, and sales activity all on one interface.
- You are a freelancer: Streak is super affordable and has a free plan for one user—making it a particularly solid freelance CRM software. Another benefit is the pipeline management within Gmail is fully customizable. A solo-operated business user can use it to track any business process, including sales deals, client projects, and financial activities like invoicing.
- You want to connect with non-Google apps: Teams that want to connect their CRM with non-Google applications should look elsewhere. Streak doesn’t allow other integrations until the Pro+ plan for $69 per user monthly and can only directly connect with Calendly, Slack, and Typeform. The others require Zapier connection tools.
- Alternative: Salesforce is the best Google CRM for directly integrating with third-party tools—allowing access to over 2,500 native and third-party apps for general business use and industry-specific applications.
- You prefer a traditional CRM interface: Some users may not like the idea of using their CRM in Gmail. Some user reviews indicate that it makes the CRM tricky to operate.
- Alternative: HubSpot CRM is a better alternative that acts as a traditional CRM system with high usability ratings.
Streak Monthly Pricing Plans*
*Pricing based on annual billing on a per-user monthly breakdown. Monthly billing is available for a higher cost. Pricing reflects pricing info available at the time of publishing. While we update pricing information regularly, we encourage our readers to check current pricing here.
Streak interface in Gmail with automations (Source: Streak)
Our Expert Opinion
Streak is a specialized CRM option for users who love the Gmail interface. One thing we especially like is the customization that allows teams to oversee processes beyond sales activities. The product is also affordable for freelancers looking to get more from their Google apps with a compatible CRM.
Salesforce: Best Google Analytics Integration
Pros
- Includes unique Analytics 360 feature which is an integration with Google Analytics for getting complete views on customer history
- Offers Lighting for Gmail extension that brings Salesforce into Gmail and Calendar interface
- Highly-sophisticated platform that comes with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) tools
Cons
- No free plan
- Expensive paid plans and relatively costly Google integration
- Steep learning curve required for the analytics tools
- You want to integrate with Google Analytics: One of the key capabilities of Salesforce is that users can get a direct integration with the Google Analytics 360 platform. This gives teams advanced details on their customers to help create segmented audience lists and track history at every stage of the buyer journey. It also allows you to see website analytics in the Sales Cloud and evaluate organic searches of prospects.
- You need to access Salesforce in your Gmail: Salesforce, through a strategic partnership with Google, offers a Lightning for Gmail tool that lets users access CRM data from Gmail and Calendar. This allows you to keep data up-to-date through synchronization and manage contacts, accounts, and opportunity records without leaving Google.
- You need an affordable Google CRM: Because of its advanced features and focus on boosting sales team performance, Salesforce is more expensive than other small business CRM providers on this list—starting at $25 per user, per month billed annually on the lowest plan.
- Alternative: Freshsales is the all-around most cost-friendly option, with scalable paid plans and Google integrations available for free.
- You want a CRM designed specifically for Google: Salesforce is one of the most popular general-use CRM systems in the world. Therefore, while it may have partnerships with Google and accessible integrations, the tools and modules were not designed specifically for Google users.
- Alternative: Copper and Streak CRM are two great alternatives designed to integrate with Google apps, look like Google apps, or operate within Google apps.
Salesforce Monthly Pricing Plans*
*Pricing is based on annual billing on a per-user monthly breakdown. Salesforce offers a 30-day free trial on paid plans. Pricing reflects pricing info available at the time of publishing. While we update pricing information regularly, we encourage our readers to check current pricing here.
Salesforce integration with Google Analytics (Source: Salesforce Ben)
Our Expert Opinion
Salesforce maintains its reputation as a powerful automation and data analytics tool through Google integrations. The most compelling feature was the direct connection to Google Analytics 360 to obtain advanced insights on customers, monitor their journeys, and segment audience lists. We also like how Salesforce leverages its partnership to create a solid extension tool that lets you access CRM resources in Gmail or Calendar apps.
How We Evaluated the Best Google CRM Software
To determine the best CRM for Google Workspace, we evaluated each product’s capacity to integrate with Google apps like Gmail, Contacts, Calendar, Tasks, Drive, Sheets, and Ads either directly or through a third-party connector like Zapier. We also looked at the functionality of the integration and whether it could do more than just synchronize data two ways. We also looked at other critical software attributes like product affordability and user experience.
The tabs below offer insight into our evaluation process of the best Google CRMs:
25% of Overall Score
Because many of the CRMs include Google capabilities like using Gmail from the CRM and two-way data sync, we first elevated general features we feel are vital to any CRM. These include the basics like reporting and analytics tools, mobile applications, and third-party integrations outside Google. We also wanted plenty of customization options for teams to tailor their system to their needs.
20% of Overall Score
Pricing first considered the overall affordability of each provider. Cost-friendly and scalable plans and free-plan availability are crucial for this criteria. Additionally, each CRM should offer flexible billing options either monthly or annually, and include Google-specific features on the lower-tiered plans.
20% of Overall Score
These criteria looked specifically into Google features. Broad integration with many Google apps, for example, lets you expand into more places to sync your sales data. We also looked at whether an extension was available for using the CRM in Google apps and wanted to see how much functionality the Google apps provided once connected. For instance, some CRMs could sync lead data from Google Ads campaigns, while others could manage entire campaigns.
20% of Overall Score
Help and support is all about maximizing user experience. Having service reps available 24/7 on many channels like phone, chat, and email help users quickly resolve product or billing issues. We also wanted to see the array of self-service resources available, like tutorials, user forums, and product guides.
15% of Overall Score
In addition to first-hand experience with these CRMs, we evaluated what actual users say about each product through online reviews. We primarily looked at attributes like product ease of use and how users felt about each feature. We also evaluated the perceived value for the price paid for each Google CRM.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Google, while it has many business productivity tools for email, file management, event tracking, and contacts storage, does not have a native CRM system to oversee sales. However, the Google Workspace apps can integrate with the most popular CRM systems for users to access and sync Google data with their CRM. Certain CRM apps like Streak and Copper CRM are specially designed for Google teams.
With only a couple exceptions to the rule, if a CRM offers email access to send, receive, and track emails from the CRM system, odds are it connects to Gmail. Gmail is a popular email service that many businesses use to communicate with customers, colleagues, partners, and other contacts and, therefore, is included in just about all CRM products.
Google has not developed its own native CRM system to manage leads, track deals, and distribute sales and marketing campaigns. Google apps, however, are frequently included as direct integration to CRM systems so users can sync their contact, email, calendar, and task data between both apps.
Bottom Line
Google CRMs are products that integrate with Google Workspace apps to expand functionality and keep data synchronized. As Google does not have its own CRM software, you can integrate its apps with many popular CRMs to get similar capabilities and can access certain CRMs in Google interfaces. While HubSpot received the best score for this evaluation, other products could be a better fit depending on feature needs and whether you want a CRM built for Google.