Most customer relationship management (CRM) systems are designed to be easy to use, but the definition of “easy” varies from user to user. The CRM failure rate was as high as 69% in 2017, with functionality cited as a major reason, which gives simple CRMs an edge over complex solutions that may deter user engagement. We reviewed dozens of CRMs to learn which are the easiest to learn and use, and which one is the best overall.
Top 6 Easy-to-Use CRM Systems
Simple CRM | Best For |
|---|---|
(Best Overall) Teams wanting an intuitive, easy-to-use CRM with built-in calling | |
Small businesses needing a CRM with built-in marketing and service desk capabilities | |
Companies requiring simple pricing and easy-to-use core CRM tools | |
Organizations wanting a CRM with an emphasis on visual sales management tools | |
Businesses wanting a free, no-frills CRM with basic features for unlimited users | |
Teams looking for a CRM with gamification tools to increase user engagement |
How We Evaluated Simple & Easy CRM Software
Simple CRM software is straightforward, with features and pricing that are easy to understand. It should be easy to use, require little technical skill, and need minimal time required to get up and running.
Therefore, the criteria used to assess simple CRMs include:
- Core CRM features like contact management and lead assignment
- Features options like gamification tools to encourage use
- Automation tools for hands-free business workflows
- Database that’s painless to manage and maintain
- Straightforward installation and setup process
- Intuitive interface that’s easy to learn and use
- Affordable, uncomplicated service plans
- Multichannel customer support
- A free trial period
Did you know: You can learn everything about CRM systems, including benefits, costs, and best practices, in our Ultimate Guide to Customer Relationship Management Software.
Freshworks CRM: Best Overall Simple CRM for Small Business
Freshworks CRM’s click-to-call dashboard
(Source: Freshworks CRM)
Since we last updated:
Freshworks CRM, formerly Freshsales, recently rebranded with a new name, new service plans, and access to Freshmarketer automation software. Forever-free plans are still available and include mobile apps, 24×5 support, live chat, and more.
Why it’s best overall: Freshworks CRM earned the top spot in our comparison for its easy-to-understand CRM features and its built-in phone that makes, logs, and records calls in a single click. This is the perfect choice for companies wanting a solution with the combined power of a CRM and a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) business phone system so users only need to learn a single platform.
Freshworks CRM Pros | Freshworks CRM Cons |
|---|---|
Feature-rich integrated phone system | Mobile app lacks some desktop calling features |
Offers workflow automation | No templates for frequently used actions like quotes and canned email responses |
Contact enrichment via social profiles | Limited overall social media integration |
Freshworks CRM Pricing
- Free: Supports unlimited users
- Blossom: $12 per user, per month
- Garden: $25 per user, per month
- Estate: $49 per user, per month
- Free trial of paid plans: 21 days
Features
- Five role levels protect data by limiting what activities users can perform.
- Customizable form fields, layouts, and sales pipeline help users focus on what’s important.
- Workflow automations include triggers for lead assignment, personalized emails, and invoicing.
- Training videos onboard new users quickly.
- Customer support includes email, phone, ticketing, and an extensive knowledge base.
Really Simple Systems: Best CRM for Sales, Marketing & Support Teams
Really Simple Systems opportunity management dashboard
(Source: Really Simple Systems)
Why it’s a great multiteam CRM: Really Simple Systems lives up to its name with easy-to-learn tools for sales agents, marketing reps, and service desk employees alike. This is a great choice for businesses wanting a solution that keeps campaign and case management data in a single place that’s accessible to all three components of the customer experience journey.
Really Simple Systems Pros | Really Simple Systems Cons |
|---|---|
Free email and chat support with all plans | Phone support with paid plans only |
Includes task management tools | Limited workflow automation |
Accessible from mobile web browser | Lacks mobile apps |
Really Simple Systems Pricing
- Free: Supports up to two users
- Starter: $14 per user, per month
- Professional: $30 per user, per month
- Free trial of paid plans: 14 days
Really Simple Systems Features
- Opportunity probability and weightings limit the guesswork involved in sales forecasting.
- Automatically merge records to reduce duplication potential.
- Use native mass email tool to bulk send emails without learning a third-party email client.
- Includes a seven-step setup guide.
- Team training tools include videos, webinars, and a support hub.
Less Annoying CRM: Best Simple CRM With Straightforward Pricing
Less Annoying CRM lead report
(Source: Less Annoying CRM)
Why it’s less annoying: Feature for feature, Less Annoying CRM stacks up well against similar solutions on our list. Where it really shines, though, is its lack of complex pricing tiers that can make choosing the right service plan a chore. All of this CRM’s features are available for a flat fee of $15 per user, per month with no contracts or usage limits, making it the best choice for companies that don’t want to sort through a myriad of service plans to find the best
Less Annoying CRM Pros | Less Annoying CRM Cons |
|---|---|
Single-tier pricing | May pay for unneeded features |
Extremely short learning curve | Lacks advanced features |
Syncs with Google Calendar | Does not offer email integrations |
Less Annoying CRM Pricing
- Monthly plan: $15 per user, per month
- Free trial: 30 days
Less Annoying CRM Features
- Manage highly customizable settings for contacts, records, and pipelines in a few clicks.
- Receive free phone and email support, including during the free trial.
- Get free assistance uploading and importing contact files.
- Built-in shared calendar for team insight of events and tasks.
- Strong login credentials and role assignments to protect accidental data access or deletion.
Pipedrive: Best Simple CRM With Visual Sales Pipeline Tools
Pipedrive contact interface
(Source: Pipedrive)
Why visual tools matter: The best type of CRM for your business are those that optimize the way your users learn and work. Some types of CRMs, like Pipedrive, include tools such as visual pipelines and customizable dashboards that appeal to visually oriented workers, like graphic designers or architects.
Pipedrive Pros | Pipedrive Cons |
|---|---|
Affordably priced | Lacks a free plan |
24/7 multilingual live chat and email support | Phone support limited to top tier plan |
Advanced user permissions | Limited to two sets on basic plan |
Pipedrive Pricing
- Essential: $12.50 per user, per month
- Advanced: $24.90 per user, per month
- Professional: $49.90 per user, per month
- Free trial: 14 days
Pipedrive Features
- Visual sales pipeline with drag-and-drop interface.
- Automated workflows, including deal updates and email sends.
- Unlimited cloud storage reduces hunting for documents in multiple locations.
- Audio notes with automated transcription for easy reading.
- Copious training videos and tutorial, online knowledge base, and community hub.
HubSpot: Best Simple, Free CRM for Unlimited Users
HubSpot conversation management
(Source: HubSpot)
Why it’s the best free choice: While HubSpot isn’t the only free CRM on our list, it’s our pick for the best free solution for unlimited users. It offers many of the features included with paid CRM solutions, like email integration and pipeline management, bundled in an intuitive, easy-to-learn free package. HubSpot CRM is a good choice for businesses wanting a forever-free system that accommodates large and small teams.
HubSpot Pros | HubSpot Cons |
|---|---|
Lively online hub for community support | Free plan lacks direct customer support |
Access to HubSpot Insights for company profile enrichment | Limited additional social media tools |
Features email tracking | Tracking limited to 200 per month on free plan |
HubSpot Pricing
- Free: Supports unlimited users
- Sales Hub and Marketing Hub add-ons: $50 to $800 per month
HubSpot Features
- Integrated live chat support for engaging with customers right in the CRM.
- Includes Gmail and Outlook integration, simplifying email-based activities such as marketing campaigns.
- Canned snippets make it easier to answer frequently asked questions.
- Create standalone or website-embedded forms to efficiently collect customer data.
- Connect supported ad networks for insight into advertising analytics.
Agile CRM: Best Simple CRM for Increasing User Engagement
Agile CRM gamification dashboard
(Source: Agile CRM)
Why gamification matters: The best CRM solution on the market won’t help businesses improve the customer experience if no one on the team uses it. Agile CRM’s gamification tools motivate sales teams by supporting friendly competition and encouraging collaboration within the platform. This is a terrific choice for teams that are energized by good-natured rivalry designed to produce superior results.
Agile CRM Pros | Agile CRM Cons |
|---|---|
Automation rules available with each plan | Only Enterprise plan offers unlimited rules |
Includes social monitoring tools | Not offered with the free plan |
Paid plans feature email and phone support | Free plan limited to email support |
Agile CRM Pricing
- Free: Supports up to 10 users
- Starter: $8.99 per user, per month
- Regular: $29.99 per user, per month
- Enterprise: $47.99 per user, per month
Agile CRM Features
- Syncs with Google Calendar and includes appointment scheduling tools.
- Add leads, deals, and tasks to CRM with one click.
- Access contacts, deals, and upcoming tasks from the mobile app.
- Manage tasks with drag-and-drop and sort tasks by category.
- Training materials include workshops, webinars, and setup guides.
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