Managing customer relationships gets complicated fast. You’ve got different teams, different goals, and different tools all going in opposite directions. And if you’re in retail, healthcare, or real estate, your CRM needs definitely don’t look like everyone else’s.
That’s exactly what this guide is here for.
Inside, I’ll walk you through real CRM software examples by industry. I’ll break down who each tool is best for, the problems it solves, and how it fits into everyday workflows, so you can see what works before making a decision.
This isn’t just theory. The CRM software market will hit $145.37 billion globally by 2030. That kind of growth doesn’t happen unless businesses are getting real results.
So if you’re looking for the best CRM for 2025, skip the fluff. Here are examples of CRM software based on what’s working, industry, and need.
Featured Partners
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Examples of CRM software by industry: Who uses what and why
Different industries need different CRM workflows and setups. Let’s see how real businesses, from healthcare to real estate, use CRM platforms to solve everyday challenges. For each of the CRM system examples, I’ll break down the key use case and the tool that fits and share my expert view.
1. CRM examples in retail: Keep buyers coming back
Retail is about bringing customers back, not just making a single sale. Whether you sell apparel, cosmetics, or cookware, loyalty doesn’t come from receipts. It comes from staying relevant.
Some of the best retail CRM software helps track behavior across online and in-store channels, follow up with the right message at the right time, and build workflows that drive repeat revenue without guesswork.
Use case: Earn multichannel engagement with Zoho CRM
 Zoho CRM | |
|---|---|
Free plan | Three users |
Free trial | 30 days |
Starting monthly price | $14/user/month, billed annually |
Why it works | Zoho CRM helps retail teams leverage customer touchpoint data, like website visits and social media DMs, to deliver timely, behavior-based loyalty offers and discounts, making outreach genuinely responsive to shopping habits. Mostaco Marketing, a stationery wholesaler in the Philippines, increased revenue by over 20% after implementing Zoho CRM to manage customer data and sales processes better. |
Use case: Get enterprise-level customization with Salesforce CRM
 Salesforce CRM | |
|---|---|
Free plan | N/A |
Free trial | 30 days |
Starting monthly price | $25/user/month, billed annually |
Why it works | Salesforce CRM connects your POS, website, and mobile app into one brain. It helps you segment customers by behavior, automate promos, and personalize messaging across every channel. Salesforce helped Jaipur Rugs, a leading Indian rug manufacturer, boost conversions by 30% by streamlining lead management and organizing store walk-ins. |
Use case: Use POS-driven automation with Square
 Square | |
|---|---|
Free plan | Yes |
Free trial | 30 days for Square for Retail Plus |
Starting monthly price | $89/month/location plus processing fees, with customer management add-ons ranging from $15 to $45 monthly. |
Why it works | Square may not be a fully baked CRM, but it does have customer management built into its POS system, so that customer data flows between them without setup. Use its customer profiles to learn more about your buyers by sorting them into groups post-purchase. Then use email, text, and loyalty tools to send follow-ups, offer discounts to regulars, and monitor who’s buying what in real time. |
🗣️ My expert view
I’ve seen many retailers collecting customer data, but few actually use it beyond email blasts. The power of CRM lies in what it reveals — not just who bought, but why they purchased, when they’ll likely return, and what makes them churn. Your CRM becomes more than software when you start tying POS data to browsing patterns and trigger-based follow-ups.
2. CRM examples in healthcare: Turning better records into better care
Keeping patients engaged doesn’t stop at reminders and forms. Today’s healthcare teams need the right type of CRM software that can track interactions, support HIPAA compliance, automate check-ins, and organize every part of the care journey, from intake to follow-up.
Whether you’re running a specialty clinic or coordinating care across departments, these CRM platforms can reduce admin burdens and help you spend more time with patients.
Use case: Improve patient relationship management with Salesforce Health Cloud
Salesforce Health Cloud | |
|---|---|
Free plan | N/A |
Free trial | 30 days |
Starting monthly price | $325/user/month, billed annually |
Why it works | Salesforce Health Cloud provides providers a complete view of each patient's health journey by merging clinical and non-clinical data. With Einstein AI, care teams can deliver proactive outreach based on patient needs and risk scores. "Salesforce allows for a more patient-centric, whole-person approach, allowing us to have the same level of safe and comfortable interaction with the technology that is seen in any other industry,” says Dr. Alastair Mackinlay, a medical informatics lead at Barwon Health who’s using Salesforce to help patients take an active role in their care. |
Use case: Secure team coordination with Daylite CRM
 Daylite CRM | |
|---|---|
Free plan | N/A |
Free trial | 14 days |
Starting monthly price | $20.83/user/month, billed annually |
Why it works | Daylite CRM securely manages patient communications, tasks, and forms for smaller practices. Its Apple ecosystem integration simplifies organizing appointment notes, follow-ups, and scheduling for Mac and iPhone users. International Pharma Services improved efficiency and freelancer management by switching to Daylite Cloud for easier data access and no server issues in their healthcare consulting. |
Use case: Improve appointment scheduling and pipeline tracking with Pipedrive
 Pipedrive | |
|---|---|
Free plan | N/A |
Free trial | 14 days |
Starting monthly price | $14/seat/month, billed annually |
Why it works | Pipedrive’s visual pipelines make it easier for practices to manage patient appointment stages and automate follow-ups. It works well for outpatient clinics looking to cut no-shows and keep their scheduling workflows tight. Overall, Pipedrive is one of the best simple CRM systems regardless of industry. Eye Hospital Denmark used Pipedrive CRM to centralize data and automate workflows, cutting lens order failures to 0% and patient no-shows by 50%, all while improving overall patient care. |
🗣️ My expert view
Most healthcare teams don’t need more systems; they need one that works harder. If your CRM isn’t helping you track patient touchpoints, protect sensitive data, and simplify follow-ups, it’s probably slowing you down.
Whether you’re managing a private clinic or a multi-location practice, the right CRM systems reduce handoffs, reduce errors, and support care continuity, without adding extra complexity to your day.
3. CRM examples in real estate: Stay organized, stay top-of-mind
In real estate, timing is everything. But keeping track of dozens of leads, showings, and contracts? That’s where things slip. CRM software helps solo agents and small teams stay sharp by automating follow-ups, syncing calendars, and organizing lead data across long sales cycles.
The result? Fewer missed opportunities and more closed deals, without switching a million tabs.
Use case: Enhance lead prospecting and outreach with Apollo.io
 Apollo.io | |
|---|---|
Free plan | 1,200 enrichment credits/user/year |
Free trial | 14 days |
Starting monthly price | $49/user/month, billed annually |
Why it works | Apollo.io stands out for real estate prospecting. Agents can easily identify leads based on filters like location, income, or job role and launch multichannel drip campaigns. Outer Realm is a construction tech company targeting real estate developers. Its CEO, Dhara Patel, uses Apollo’s AI capabilities to spot pre-construction projects early. Her “Project Insight Finder” prompt and tailored campaigns led to a 100% open rate, streamlining lead generation in construction. |
Use case: Automate follow-ups with HubSpot CRM
 HubSpot CRM | |
|---|---|
Free plan | Two users |
Free trial | N/A |
Starting monthly price | $9/month/seat, billed annually, for Sales Hub Starter |
Why it works | HubSpot’s CRM is perfect for real estate pros who need to automate outreach without losing the personal touch. Set up workflows to remind buyers about listings or nudge sellers to take action. Dryft, a renovation company, used the HubSpot mobile app to give its on-the-go teams instant CRM access, saving 75% of their time and delivering 2x better customer experience. |
Use case: Automate lead follow-up with LionDesk CRM
 LionDesk CRM | |
|---|---|
Free plan | N/A |
Free trial | 30 days |
Starting monthly price | Must get a demo for a pricing quote |
Why it works | LionDesk gives agents a simple way to manage leads, especially when follow-up speed makes or breaks a deal. Text and email drip campaigns, automated reminders, and visual pipelines make it easy to keep prospects engaged without lifting a finger. “I absolutely loved how there is a section for sharing your marketing sequences with other realtors and loan officers. Being able to see what works and what doesn't work is a crucial part in growing your own business.” — LionDesk user on Capterra |
🗣️ My expert view
In real estate, you’re selling trust just as much as property. That’s why I never recommend a one-size-fits-all CRM. A good tool helps you stay present, consistent, and personalized, especially when cycles are long and clients ghost halfway through.
Whether you’re nurturing leads with drip campaigns, syncing your open house calendar, or tracking commissions, the right CRM does more than organize.
4. Examples of CRM software in manufacturing: Strengthening sales through smarter systems
In manufacturing, deals don’t close over coffee. They move through distributor chains, inventory bottlenecks, and multi-tier approvals. A CRM worth using aligns sales with procurement, giving your reps complete visibility into inventory, quoting, and contract stages.
With the right CRM data at your fingertips, you can track buying behavior, predict reorder windows, and eliminate costly miscommunication between teams.
Use case: Sync real-time sales and operations with SAP Sales Cloud
 SAP Sales Cloud | |
|---|---|
Free plan | N/A |
Free trial | 30 days |
Starting monthly price | $1,476/user/year, with contracts between three and 36 months |
Why it works | SAP CRM is built for complexity, ideal for multi-stage B2B sales processes with layered approvals. Its integration with SAP ERP connects sales orders with supply chain status in real time. Southwire, a leading wire and cable manufacturer, used SAP Commerce Cloud to launch a real-time Customer Hub, saving $1.5 million by reducing support calls. In year one, they logged 350,000 product searches, 15,000 delivery alerts, and saved 20,000 work hours. |
Use case: Coordinate sales and supply chains with Microsoft Dynamics 365
 Microsoft Dynamics 365 | |
|---|---|
Free plan | N/A |
Free trial | 30 days |
Starting monthly price | $65/user/month, billed annually |
Why it works | Microsoft Dynamics connects your sales, production, and fulfillment teams inside one interface. Sales teams can see real-time inventory and automate reorder workflows, while ops teams avoid double entries and lag time. ChemTreat uses Microsoft Dynamics 365 to improve supply chain visibility, empower 700 field reps with real-time pricing, and enable 80% of sales orders to be placed digitally. |
🗣️ My expert view
Most manufacturers invest heavily in machinery, but overlook the sales tech that keeps those machines running profitably. I’ve seen how minor process improvements, such as automating reorder reminders or syncing sales quotes with inventory levels, can cut weeks off of fulfillment cycles. CRMs like SAP and Dynamics 365 aren’t just digital Rolodexes. They’re operational levers.
5. Examples of CRM software for freelancers and solo consultants: Stay on top of clients
There’s no room for clunky tools or endless admin when you’re a team of one. You need a CRM that helps you keep track of clients, send timely proposals, follow up without dropping the ball, and get paid on time.
The right system should feel less like “software” and more like a smart assistant built for your workflow: lean, responsive, and easy to control.
Use case: Track leads and proposal follow-ups with monday CRM
 monday CRM | |
|---|---|
Free plan | N/A |
Free trial | 14 days |
Starting monthly price | $12/seat/month, billed annually, with a three-seat minimum |
Why it works | monday CRM helps freelancers track every lead and automate reminders to send follow-ups or proposals. With a visual board and deadline alerts, it keeps your pipeline in check without manual digging. |
Use case: Simplify invoicing and client management with Less Annoying CRM
 Less Annoying CRM | |
|---|---|
Free plan | N/A |
Free trial | 30 days |
Starting monthly price | $15/user/month, billed monthly |
Why it works | Less Annoying CRM might have a quirky name, but it’s made for serious solo operators. It combines invoicing, client notes, and automatic status updates in one screen. "I am a Forever Consultant and Less Annoying CRM (LACRM) works with Forever to integrate my sales and customers in a seamless manner.” — TrustRadius reviewer |
🗣️ My expert view:
Freelancers don’t need “everything.” They need the right things. The tools in this section keep you responsive, billable, and on top of your deadlines without overengineering the process.
I’ve seen far too many solopreneurs waste time on bloated CRMs made for big teams. What actually works? Simple CRMs that act like virtual assistants, not a second job.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The three types of CRM are operational, analytical, and collaborative. Operational CRMs manage daily tasks such as contact management and sales tracking. Analytical CRMs turn customer data into insights. Collaborative CRMs help different departments share customer information in real time.
CRM systems focus on two core elements: data management and relationship building. The first ensures every interaction is logged and accessible. The second helps teams nurture leads, close sales, and build long-term customer loyalty with the right touchpoints.
CRM software stores customer data — emails, calls, purchases, and preferences — in one place. Teams use this information to automate tasks, personalize outreach, track pipelines, and respond faster, turning scattered details into organized customer journeys.
The CRM cycle includes five stages: reach, acquisition, conversion, retention, and loyalty. It starts by attracting prospects, moves through nurturing and selling, and ends by keeping customers happy and engaged.
First, import your contacts and set up custom fields. Then, log every customer interaction, including calls, emails, and deals. Create pipelines, schedule follow-ups, and automate repetitive tasks. Finally, use built-in reports to track progress and refine your process.
Bottom line: CRMs work when they fit your work
A CRM that isn’t tailored to your industry isn’t a tool, but a chore. That’s why the best CRM examples aren’t universal but specific to how you sell, serve, and scale. From tracking walk-in customers in a retail setting to syncing with ERP tools in manufacturing, the right CRM helps you move faster, stay focused, and stop guessing.
Use the examples of CRM software in this guide to identify what “fit” actually looks like for your business, and choose a system that works the way you already do.
