I have tried almost every CRM software out there under the sun. Having spent so much time between applications makes it possible for me to make this list with the best 15 free CRMs for entrepreneurs, freelancers or small businesses. Everyone updated to 2020, with the best options selected and tested.
In fact, in recent times, some additional options of Spanish origin have appeared quite interesting, as we will see.
Why this great list of free CRM's
So that no one is spending as much time as I testing various CRM options and dedicating it to what matters: bonding with customers, which is where the sale is.
Because I've been guilty of trying everything new and wasting a lot of time on it, and I don't want it to happen to anyone else. And we must not forget that true CRM is a strategy, not a software, not a tool.
Despite everything, these are complex times. We have to handle many clients at the same time, through different channels and at different stages of the sale. CRM software is essential to implement the strategy and, especially, to properly nurture the relationship with each client.
I know what it costs to find a CRM application that really works, especially among such a saturated offer. I also know that, especially if you are just starting out, there is no more attractive word than "free."
How are the free CRMs on this list
This is not just any list of free CRM software, made anyway after a 2 minute Google search.
All the CRM software on this list meet these criteria:
- It has no cost, or has a free option generous enough to be able to work on a day-to-day basis. No limited demos or unreal 5-contact restrictions. There are restrictions on some, of course, functions that you cannot enter or a limit of contacts, but when I name a CRM that is like that, those limits are generous and make it possible to work well.
- I have tried and used the CRM personally in my day to day. Getting an idea of how each CRM software works in a real work situation. That also allows me to give indications about each one that guide according to each personal case, as well as advantages and disadvantages knowingly.
- They are generally free CRM in Spanish, but there are also options only in English. A good part of this list of free CRM speaks Spanish or works in our language, but I haven't neglected some great no-cost CRM options that are in English only. The reason is that the handling requires only a very basic level of the language and it is valuable software.
- It consists of online CRM in the cloud. In other words, they are CRM's that are managed from the browser, even when some also have CRM mobile applications for iOS and Android. That means that we have to have an Internet connection, but also that we can use them regardless of whether we have Windows, MacOS or Linux installed on the PC.
What is the best free CRM on the list
There is no CRM without costs without costs that is the best in all cases and the solution to that question is depends. It's a bit disappointing, I know, but that's the reality for any important question on any important topic.
What I do know is that all the free CRMs on this list are of excellent quality.
They are not all that I have tried, far from it, but yes there are only the CRMs that, in my opinion, have passed a demanding initial cut.
On that basis, the decision of which is the best CRM comes down to which one is best suited for the particular situation of your company, the users it requires, the way you work and how it fits into the software.
One will be better for those who do not manage many contacts at the same time, another for those who do, another for those who do not want to use English, another for those who are alone or work in a team, want to group tasks, campaigns or even billing in the same software ...
Despite this, I have tried to get wet, sort them in a certain way, and make a useful list.
Description and the indications I give in each free CRM are intended to give clues as to who may be a good candidate for. That will also save you time when testing.
With that cleared up, let's see which are the 15 best free CRMs in 2020.
1) Hubspot CRM, the default option for those who do not want to complicate
I start with Hubspot, the Free and easy CRM option that, in my opinion, is not the best or the worst but, probably the one for the undecided.
Or at least for those who do not want to spend a lot of time trying or do not have it.
Why do I make it the default option?
Hubspot is a marketing giant and, therefore, one of the standards, so if we use other applications alongside CRM (such as Gmail, Trello, etc.), incorporation with them can be easier.
If this is not direct, we can integrate Hubspot with other apps through Zapier.
His no cost plan is generous and includes many benefits such as:
- Unlimited contacts, in which you can see the history of actions, add notes, schedule tasks ...
- Plugin for Google Chrome e onboarding with Gmail, to schedule emails and use the CRM from there.
- CRM apps for mobile devices.
- Management of possibilities, curious chatbots and much more ...
At the same time as that, the CRM software speak Spanish, improving a lot since I started using it. It was a few years ago and it served me well.
If you want to play it safe, not waste more time and probably have more benefits than with others, Hubspot is the choice you will not fail with and the first to consider.
2) Zoho CRM online, the second option for a majority
Zoho CRM free is the first CRM I used, right out of the box and countless years ago. I suppose that the first always has a special place but, in this case, the place deserves it for many.
Why? His no cost plan (We go to the previous link and go down until we see that option) It is also very generous and is based on the fact that, up to 3 users, you use the CRM for free.
If for whatever reason, Hubspot does not convince us and the number of users of Zoho CRM for free fits us, it should be the next option for a large majority. Just as sober in design as the previous one, what it does, it does well.
In favor:
- Management of Contacts, Companies, etc.
- Deal Management (that's what they call possibilities).
- CRM mobile device apps for iOS and Android.
- Administration of how the prospects came to us. This is interesting and makes it possible to see in the CRM what works and what does not in our marketing.
Zoho CRM free in addition speak Spanish, even when he sometimes uses that peculiar terminology (like "Deals").
3) Streak, Free CRM for Lone Entrepreneurs Living on Gmail
If Gmail is the communication hub in your business (in my case it is), you probably want to consider Streak, a CRM without online costs that is integrated into your Google email, so you don't have to leave there and can manage everything from Gmail.
Jumping from one application to another and copying information is cumbersome and unproductive.
Personally, I used it for the last big campaign that brought me the clients I work with now. How the campaign was using Cold Email (Outbound Cold Email Marketing for those who like those terms), did his role well.
If Gmail is not your communication center, better use another alternative. But, if you spend more time in the Google mail than elsewhere, Streak CRM for free has good features, although very basic in its free version.
In favor:
- Visual sales funnel with the phases that you define according to your procedure.
- Follow actions with prospects, seeing who contacted whom and when.
- Mobile apps, etc.
As weak points, it's in english and at first it is a bit complex. But, if the tutorials are followed, in a few minutes the operating logic will be understood. Of course, remember, if the CRM manages it as a team, another alternative is better.
BONUS
After having tried everything, these are the 20 essential applications that are used in Resources for SMEs. To manage clients, marketing, projects, etc.
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4) Follow Up Personal CRM, an alternative to Streak for Gmail fans who want to keep it simple
If, for whatever reason, you are the ideal audience for the previous Streak option (because Gmail is essential and the tasks of linking with clients take them alone) Follow Up Personal CRM can be an alternative. If not, better move on to the next option.
I've been hesitant to include Follow Up, because even when I tried it and got used to it, I ended up using Streak myself at the time. In reality, your audience is clear when they call it "Personal CRM" themselves. In spite of everything, as the profile of a solo entrepreneur is quite common among visitors to this website, I have thought it could be interesting.
The fundamental advantage of Follow Up CRM is the same as in Streak, you manage your CRM for free from Gmail. Regardless, you lose your visual funnels. The reminders you offer, even when helpful, they are very limited if only the CRM cost-free plan is used.
If you are looking for simplicity, and wish Gmail had just a couple more features to easily control customer or prospect engagement, Personal CRM may be what you are looking for.
Otherwise, if you work with more people or don't want anything in English, keep reading.
5) Bitrix, the CRM without online costs if you want to have all the administration of the company in the same place
The greatest strength of Bitrix for some it may be the greatest weakness for others. If you are looking for something simple and uncomplicated, just to manage customer engagement, better look at another alternative.
Because Bitrix is a CRM and much more, a whole Intranet for your business, with its own cloud (its chapter Drive), general task management, etc.
In favor:
- Your no-cost plan is very generous. 5 GB of storage and no less than 12 users, one of them an administrator.
- It is more than a CRM, with a lot of applications and integrations that increase more and more functionality.
- This in Spanish.
Personally, I found it interesting, but a bit overwhelming. I didn't need the rest of the features back in the day, since I already cover them with other applications or specialized solutions.
Its design also seemed to me that it contributed to that feeling of being a bit overwhelmed, but this is completely personal and I know that others love it.
For those who want a tool that is more than a CRM, or have a larger team of people, this is the option, since you can integrate all of that into the Bitrix CRM plan at no cost.
6) Wiwink, a complete free CRM option with Spanish flavor and additional marketing and sales modules
From our country comes Wiwink, an interesting option of Cost-free CRM and sales software. The billing and customer engagement management part of the application is free and unlimited, which makes it a very interesting option. You can also update possibilities, tasks, meetings and much more for those 0 euros per month.
What is the catch then? In fact, there is no catch. It is an application that uses a business model freemium, a whole classic. In this way, they offer you free CRM and billing and, if you like it, they expect you to take a look at other options that are paid, such as the digital signature of documents.
In favor:
- The free CRM is very generous, giving the opportunity to include contacts, possibilities, etc. in an unlimited amount.
- The interface is modern and nice of using.
- They have other modules of sales and marketing control software that are interesting and also free.
7) Freshsales, the free visual and intuitive CRM
Freshsales is a free and easy CRM application with an interesting cost-free plan, a modern minimalist design and a very intuitive operation.
I liked it in its day because you can configure multiple sales funnels, which adapt to the stages of our particular procedure, whatever it may be. At the same time, it uses a Kanban system to move the possibilities through these different stages, in a way that makes everything very visual. It is not the only CRM that does it like this, but this one implements it very well.
Accounts, contacts, businesses ... you can manage the link with all of them in a simple and effective way.
Added to that, it has a plugin to install in Google Chrome, which integrates it with Gmail, something important to me.
The no-cost plan doesn't have many features other than some useful basic reports. If you want more, like campaigns or syncing calendars and emails, you need a paid account. But fundamentally, it's fine. Many CRM, free and paid, are lost with a thousand things that, in the end, you do not use and, sometimes, even get in the way.
In favor:
- The basics get it right and its handling is simple.
- Have a Chrome plugin that integrates with Gmail.
- The data forms and funnels are customizable, adapting to what we need to collect and to our processes.
- Speak Spanish.
8) Macroges, CRM and free invoicing
Macroges CRM is another free CRM alternative for those looking integrate billing at the same time, not having to handle multiple applications and have important customer information gathered in one place.
As it consists of another Spanish proposal, this billing part is adapted to the law of our country and makes it easy to use. The Macroges business model is, again, freemium.
The CRM module is free and you can manage clients, notes, possibilities ... It also has an interesting calendar-style display. The integrated billing part is free up to 50 annual invoices. Therefore, if you generate a little less than one invoice per week it can be very interesting.
The interface is somewhat spartan, but it works fast and does what it says. Lately I appreciate that functionality on top of so much layer of style that sometimes it gets a little bit between you and what you want to do.
In favor:
- Cost-free CRM is functional and without major limitations.
- The invoicing module is useful, and also free, if you do not do many invoices during the year.
- It has other functionalities, such as a treasury or a private disk for files, even though the free version is limited to 100 MB.
9) AgileCRM, another easy free CRM
AgileCRM is another interesting customer engagement management app. Modern and fast design, its no-cost plan enables up to 10 usersTherefore, if you have to integrate a larger team, it is an alternative to consider.
It is also generous in terms of contacts, since it manages up to 1,000 totally free. For the free account, click on the Agile CRM link and scroll down. Now click on the "Free" image to sign up for free. I comment on it because it can be a bit confusing and not see more than the payment plans at first glance.
If you have seen Freshsales and liked it, give Agile CRM a try before you decide, it may be a better fit for you because of personal taste.
In favor:
- Generous no-cost plan.
- Good design and speed.
- Plugin for Chrome / Gmail.
- You can personalize processes and data.
Marketing automation, which is its main difference from most, requires payment plans.
Another free CRM software that has been about to access the list of main alternatives
I am going to comment very briefly on some more free CRM options. Truly, they do not contribute more than those mentioned, but they are also decent and, as in the end the "adequate" tool depends on the personal situation and the way of working of each one, if someone who has not found the best CRM among the previous ones, maybe it's here.
10) Capsule CRM, a decent option, English only
Capsule It is a good free CRM, but it is not in Spanish, and the free version does not provide anything that the alternatives I have already mentioned do not have.
In spite of everything, his design is simple and fast. Their no-cost plan is also broad enough for small businesses that aren't working with enough contacts at the same time. It includes up to 2 users, 10 MB of storage and 250 contacts.
Yes, the management of possibilities and cases is unlimited.
11) Espo CRM, open source software to install on your server
I remember the Sugar CRM project many years ago, now closed in its free version open source. In fact, that was the first CRM I used, long before the cloud was a reality.
EspoCRM It is a good CRM in the same sense, open source and that you can install on your company's servers. Therefore, it does not work like the others, and if you do not master, or do not know what Apache, MySQL, PHP, etc, do not bother. If you do not have a technical profile, it is better not to get involved.
But if you want a proprietary, hosted open source solution that you can fiddle with because you know programming and would like something custom, EspoCRM is a worthy successor to Sugar, probably the best open source CRM right now. That open source version of Espo It can be downloaded here.
If you want to use it pre-installed in a cloud (in the style of the rest of the alternatives and without getting complicated with the technical), the plans are paid.
12) Insightly CRM, free for 2 users and very visual (even when in English)
Insightly CRM is one more option to have a free CRM as long as, at most, it is handled by up to 2 users. Therefore, if you are alone or with a partner, and you are not afraid of English, it is a very visual and intuitive option.
It has everything you can expect in a simple way, highlighting the dashboards that can be configured however you want, according to the CRM information you need to know at a glance.
At the same time, projects, tasks, contacts, reports ... The typical.
In favor:
- It is simple and intuitive.
- You can configure the information you receive to your liking.
- No costs for up to 2 users, which makes it possible to take advantage of all your options if you are a solo entrepreneur or as a couple.
13) VTiger, another free open source CRM
I also remember the days of VTiger CRM, when I was a fork from Sugar CRM and, in fact, they were at odds over those issues (as you can see, yes, I've been here since the first web page was planted).
I have seen that Vtiger CRM has come a long way and modernized. In addition, they continue to offer their open source version to install on our servers.
I know you can download here and I say precisely the same as in EspoCRM, this is for those who know how to configure servers, databases and online applications. If not, better another alternative.
14) Which CRM I have personally used until recently: the Flowlu CRM module
You may be wondering what CRM software I personally use now, and if it comes at no cost. The truth is it is not any of the alternatives I have named.
Why?
At this moment I don't have to do an active job of searching for clients and, when I do, I don't need to manage many contacts at the same time, or do a job of nurturing the connection every day.
So right now I use a specialized spreadsheet that I have set up according to my needs. Before her and until recently, I was using Flowlu, what it is not a specialized free CRM. Flowlu is a comprehensive project management solution, tasks, calendar, etc, which also has a CRM module.
Why were you using this option?
In fact, for the rest of the modules that it brings. Its administration of tasks and projects seems very good to me and adapts to me, at the same time that it has a mobile device application that works quite well.
For my situation, I was left with the CRM module that Flowlu brings. I didn't want the tools to be too fragmented, so I disconnected Streak and passed some critical data from a few good clients to Flowlu.
In other words, that I used that CRM, which is free, for reasons unrelated to CRM. In addition, I automatically connected this website to Flowlu so that potential new clients who found and contacted me would appear directly in the sales funnel of the CRM that I created.
I recommend it?
Today, if you require CRM software, The truth is, no. And it is not a paradox, nor hypocrisy.
Reasons? As a CRM application itself, I think other named solutions are superior. An example is that in Flowlu CRM Can't import contact data in bulk yet, which makes it a hassle to move your customer and contact database to Flowlu, if you are not starting from scratch.
At the same time, it is not in Spanish, something that will put many back.
In the case of going back to doing more intense campaigns, which I do not rule out in the future, it is possible that he used other CRM software.
15) Honorable mention, use Trello as a free CRM
I have used a lot Trello to manage my projects. I'm still using it, it's a great tool for every entrepreneur or freelance.
What's more I have used Trello as CRM, building my sales funnel and passing leads and contacts through it.
In favor it has its ease of use and how visual it is, at the same time that it integrates with many other applications. As an example, with a plugin that, from Gmail, can convert an email into a Trello card.
Not so in favor is the fact that it is not a CRM tool itself, so if you have many contacts to handle, one of the previous solutions is better.
But if it is a freelance, or you handle few possibilities at the same time, at the same time that you already feel at home with Trello, you can try.
Fran Gallardo has a good post about how to use Trello as a CRM to manage your own clients. In the Trello blog they also explain in depth how to use it from CRM (the post is in English).
And that's it, 15 CRM options, updated to 2020, tested in a real situation with their flaws and their virtues.
Today, a CRM strategy and a tool to put it into practice are essential. With this list of free CRMs, we will not lack alternatives and we will not have the excuse that we do not have a budget.
BONUS
After having tried everything, these are the 20 essential applications that are used in Resources for SMEs. To manage clients, marketing, projects, etc.
DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT
